China keen to build Pakistani portion of IP gas pipeline: Official (IRNA)

http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82294090/

Pakistan says in contact with Iran over IP gas pipeline project (IRNA)

http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82294069/

News by Al Arabiya

Syria will be the first task for Antonio Guterres (Raghida Dergham)

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/10/09/Syria-will-be-the-first-task-for-Antonio-Guterres.html

Iranian trusteeship with Israel’s blessings (Eyad Abu Shakra)

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/10/10/Iranian-Trusteeship-with-Israel-s-Blessings.html

Why Hillary Clinton is exactly what the Middle East needs (Azeem Ibrahim)

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/10/10/Why-Hillary-Clinton-is-exactly-what-the-Middle-East-needs.html

Trump goes to the gutter in debate: It won’t save him (Joyce Karam)

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/10/10/Trump-goes-to-the-gutter-in-debate-It-won-t-save-him.html

Human rights organizations and Iran’s crimes against humanity (Majid Rafizadeh, Al Arabiya)

The news regarding the Islamic Republic’s massacre of more than 30,000 political prisoners attracted the attention of the national and international media outlets.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/10/07/Human-rights-organizations-and-Iran-s-crimes-against-humanity.html

Implications of the growing Iran-Syria economic relations (Majid Rafizadeh, Al Arabiya)

A considerable amount of analysis has been dedicated to Iran’s geopolitical, strategic, and military relationships with the Syrian government apparatuses. Nevertheless, the shifting economic nexus between Tehran and Damascus has been subjected less to scholarly work, policy analysis, or media attention.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/09/30/How-Iran-is-gradually-owning-Syria-economically.html

The ally, the enemy, and America in between (Mshari Al Thaydi, Al Arabiya)

Regarding the comparison between the Saudi presence in all aspects of American life and that of Iran, two news stories should be considered. The first is the US Senate paving the way for a $1.15 billion deal to sell tanks and other military equipment to Saudi Arabia. The Senate voted 71 to 27 to oppose legislation aimed at obstructing the deal.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/09/29/The-ally-the-enemy-and-America-between-them.html

Presidents of Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Meet, with Armenia in Background (EurasiaNet)

http://www.eurasianet.org/node/80071

Iran, Romania call for environmental co-op (IRNA)

http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82182815/

Analysts: Strategic triangle of Russia-Iran-Turkey hardly on agenda (TASS)

http://tass.ru/en/world/893354

Iran’s preference – Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? (Majid Rafizadeh, Al Arabiya)

Bernie Sanders would have been Iran’s top preference to become the next American president. His speeches criticizing corporations, the widening gap between rich and poor in the US, and the size of American military and its involvement around the world, were even televised on Iran’s state media outlets

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/06/03/Iran-s-preference-Hillary-Clinton-or-Donald-Trump-.html

The Iran nuclear deal: Prelude to proliferation in the Middle East? (Brookings)

The global nuclear nonproliferation regime has been remarkably resilient, with no new entrants to the nuclear club in the last 25 years. But observers believe that could change and that we may be heading toward a “cascade of proliferation,” especially in the Middle East. The presumed trigger for a possible Middle East nuclear weapons competition is Iran, which has violated nonproliferation obligations, conducted activities relevant to the development of nuclear weapons, and pursued sensitive dual-use nuclear technologies without a persuasive peaceful justification. Tehran’s nuclear program—combined with provocative behavior widely believed to support a goal of establishing regional hegemony—has raised acute concerns among Iran’s neighbors and could prompt some of them to respond by seeking nuclear weapons capabilities of their own

http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports2/2016/05/iran-deal-regional-proliferation

The Iran Deal Hasn't Changed Anything (Tom Tugendhat, The National Interest)

Since the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, along with Germany) signed the nuclear deal with Iran in July 2015, remarkably little has changed. Instead of using the opportunity to bring itself back into the international community, Iran has continued to sow instability across the region. Syrian forces are still backed by Iran, and Iraqi militias still get their orders from Tehran. From the Gulf to the Red Sea, Tehran is using Shia groups in its quest for supremacy up to the borders of the old Persian Empire. None of this should be surprising—Iranian policy has barely changed in two thousand years

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-iran-deal-hasnt-changed-anything-16390

5 Ways the Iranian Regime Is Crushing Dissent (The Clarion Project)

From lashing revelers at a graduation party to electing the most radical cleric to head the all-important Assembly of Experts

http://www.clarionproject.org/news/5-ways-iranian-regime-crushing-dissent

Iran and Hezbollah Avoid Blaming Israel for Terrorist Commander’s Death (David Daoud, Amir Toumaj, The National Interest)

Mustafa Badreddine, the head of Hezbollah’s military operations in Syria, was recently killed in an explosion near Damascus International Airport. Although the assassination bears some signatures of an Israeli operation, the Shiite militia has blamed Sunni jihadists. Bogged down in Syria, Hezbollah and its Iranian patron have every reason to downplay Israeli responsibility, thereby lifting pressure to retaliate in kind and risk a war with the Jewish state

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/iran-hezbollah-avoid-blaming-israel-terrorist-commanders-16346

The Pakistan factor in India-Iran ties (Monish Gulati, South Asia Monitor)

As Prime Minister Modi makes his first visit to Iran, numerous factors are at play ranging from the timing of the visit, which is taking place after his visit to Saudi Arabia and before an expected visit to Israel, to discussions on expectations about how India would shape its relations with a post-sanctions Iran and issues of energy cooperation and connectivity. A question that intrigues some analysts, given the present geopolitical environment and the geo-strategic power play in Middle East and South Asia, is whether Pakistan is a factor in India-Iran relations

http://southasiamonitor.org/detail.php?type=sl&nid=17156

Time for Modi to capitalise on Iran (Somasekhar Sundaresan, Gateway House)

Despite the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action having been in effect since January 2016, the promised business opportunities for Iran seem to have eluded them, as U.S. led economic sanctions still hold firm. With Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit in May, there is ample scope to redouble the India-Iran partnership for the strategic interest of both parties

http://www.gatewayhouse.in/time-for-modi-to-capitalise-on-iran/

India and Iran: Recalibrating engagement with region (Aditi Bhaduri, South Asia Monitor)

On May 22, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a much awaited official visit to Iran. The visit, coming after similar visits made by prime minister to the UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia testifies to the renewed vigor with which India is engaging with countries of its extended neighbourhood. That all these visits have been standalone visit demonstrates the importance India attaches to its relations with the different power centres in West Asia - the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Iran, and - to be followed later visits to Qatar and Israel

http://southasiamonitor.org/detail.php?type=sl&nid=17134

Who Will Be Iran’s Next Parliament Speaker? (Rohollah Faghihi, The Diplomat)

Iran’s most recent parliamentary election was held in February. The results staggered both conservatives and reformists. Despite mass disqualification of reformist candidates by the powerful Guardian Council, their coalition with moderates won 121 of 290 seats. On the other side, the conservatives faced a setback, gaining 83 seats, which is a big defeat in comparison to their showing the three previous elections

http://thediplomat.com/2016/05/who-will-be-irans-next-parliament-speaker/

Finally, there’s a thaw in relations (Harshavardhan Neotia)

Indian industry should be quick off the block to benefit from Modi’s visit to Iran and capitalise on the opportunity

http://southasiamonitor.org/detail.php?type=inthenews&nid=17124

Key reasons behind Iran’s extension of power in Yemen (Majid Rafizadeh, Al Arabiya)

When a conflict erupts in a state, some countries which are not bordered with the conflict-affected state use political opportunism to direct the war in their interest

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/05/20/Six-reasons-behind-Iran-s-extension-of-power-in-Yemen.html