Explainer Tankers keep sailing Red Sea despite Houthi threats as Saudi oil lifeline faces strains Roughly a dozen oil tankers were sailing in the vicinity of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as of Tuesday evening, following an uptick in traffic the day before as shippers bet on new US-Iran diplomacy. Yemen
Aramco turns to Egypt as Houthis disrupt Saudi oil exports: What to know Riyadh is now looking to use the Mediterranean route more extensively after the Houthis on July 20 threatened to target oil exports passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Saudi Arabia
Explainer As Turkey rivalry heats up, Greece to acquire $4B Israeli air defense system The Greek defense minister said that the air defense system will be operational within 35 months. Israel
Turkey to begin surveys for planned northern Cyprus gas pipeline The planned 63-mile link is intended to supply gas for electricity generation but has drawn condemnation from the Republic of Cyprus amid rising rivalries in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Analysis As Turkey eyes US naval revival, here is why big warship deals are unlikely By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis As US ties fray, top Oman official visits China: What to know By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
Interview Why Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF Jihad Azour Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund
IDF forces on alert as maritime agreement with Lebanon crumbles Israel has rejected the changes Beirut has demanded to the draft maritime border agreement and now fears tensions could escalate on its northern border. Israel
Netanyahu attacks US over Israel-Lebanon maritime border deal In his efforts to win the Nov. 1 elections, opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to torpedo the American-mediated agreement between Israel and Lebanon on maritime border demarcation and to attack the Biden administration. Israel
Israel, Cyprus to resolve disagreement over maritime gas field Most of the disagreement points between Israel and Cyprus over the joint Aphrodite-Yishai natural gas reservoir have been resolved, and an agreement is apparently imminent. Israel
Israel’s Lapid defends compromise with Lebanon over maritime border Slammed by opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister Yair Lapid claims the proposed deal over the demarcation of Israel and Lebanon’s maritime border protects Israel strategically on several levels. Israel
Jordan’s port in Aqaba signs $242 million investment deal The agreement with the Dutch firm APM Terminals could help increase trade through the Red Sea port. Jordan
Turkey protests US, Greece over ‘violating non-military status’ of Aegean Greek islands Eastern Mediterranean conflict is steadily turning into a fresh strain in already-troubled US-Turkey ties, as Erdogan lashes out at Washington and Athens over the military buildup in the Dodecanese islands. Turkey
Israeli army chief discusses Lebanon, Iran with French counterparts The visit of IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi to Paris offered Jerusalem the possibility to discuss the security situation in Lebanon, and how France can play a constructive role against the Hezbollah threat. Israel
Egypt’s navy to lead new Red Sea maritime task force The US Navy will hand over command of Task Force 153 to Egypt as the Pentagon aims to enable regional militaries to take on new roles Legacy: Gulf
Why Hezbollah won't torpedo Lebanon's maritime border talks with Israel Israeli sources believe that Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah realizes how important it is for economically failing Lebanon to reach an agreement with Jerusalem on its maritime border and the extraction of natural gas. Israel
Cameras missing from US Navy drones briefly seized by Iran, Pentagon says It remains unclear whether Iran's navy took the cameras or whether they became dislodged when hauled onto the deck of the frigate IRIN Jamaran in the Red Sea last week. Iran
Iran navy attempts to capture US drones in Red Sea A US military official rejected Iran's claims that the unmanned sea drones pose a hazard to commercial shipping in the region. Legacy: Gulf
US Navy thwarts Iran's attempt to capture sea drone in Gulf The seizure comes as the US Navy has increasingly deployed unmanned technology to help monitor weapons smuggling and other maritime activity in Middle Eastern waters. Iran
