Analysis Araghchi’s Russia, regional tour tests path to breaking US-Iran deadlock Iranian officials say dialogue remains open, but negotiations are clouded by intensifying hard-line domestic messaging and conflicting signals over Tehran’s red lines. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps Some Israelis worry the US president might force them to accept an unsatisfactory agreement driven by his inability to secure a tangible achievement in Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks President Trump said the second meeting between the Israeli and Lebanese envoys went "very well." Lebanon
Intel: CENTCOM commander says Soleimani strike won’t deter Iran forever The top commander of US military forces in the Middle East says he believes the assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani has only temporarily deterred Iran from pursuing its goal of pushing US troops out of the region. Iraq
UN expert calls US killing of Soleimani 'unlawful' The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions called the US strike an “arbitrary killing” that threatens to undermine norms of military conflict between countries. Iraq
Mysterious explosions escalate Israel, Iran tensions Ahead of the US presidential elections, and on the backdrop of mysterious explosions, Israel prepares for various escalation scenarios on Iran’s part. Israel
Iran warns US of ‘firm response’ after Security Council meeting In today's Iran media review, officials viewed the first in a series of UN Security Council meetings on the extension of an Iran arms embargo as a political defeat for Washington. Iran
Iraqi government battle against Iran-backed militias enters new phase The battle to rein in armed militias outside state control has been a long and challenging process, but the Iraqi prime minister is gathering political support for his efforts. Iraq
Pompeo’s push to extend Iran arms embargo faces uphill battle at UN The UN Security Council is not keen on extending the Iran arms embargo despite US threats to instate snapback sanctions. United States
Netanyahu calls for 'snapback sanctions' against Iran Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook — the perfect opportunity for the premier to show his tight ties with Washington and control of the Iranian file. Israel
Interpol dismisses Iran's request for arrest warrant for Trump over Soleimani killing US terms 'propaganda' Tehran's request that Interpol issue a red notice for President Donald Trump and 35 other officials Iran alleges were involved in the general's killing. Iran
Iran slams US efforts to reimpose arms embargo, UN sanctions The remarks from the Iranian ambassador to the UN follow a US proposal to the UN to extend an arms embargo on Iran. United States
Pompeo dismisses Rouhani’s terms for talks as Iran admits ‘no plan B’ for Syria Israel, Iran and the United States are all not backing down in Syria, but US-Iran prisoner talks may still have a chance. Iraq
Iran to hand over to France black boxes from downed Ukrainian plane Iran is ultimately promising to loosen its hold on the black boxes from the Ukrainian plane it shot down with two missiles in January. Iran
General Electric helps increase electricity generation in Iraq Power stations that General Electric helped develop and improved exploitation of natural gas boost Iraq's energy infrastructure as the country seeks alternatives to imported energy from Iran. Iraq
