Explainer Israel-UK relations hit new low over settlements, Gaza: What to know Despite Britain’s ban on goods from Israeli settlements and Israel’s closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, both countries are seeking to keep communication channels open. Israel
Iran’s economy deteriorates, oil minister resigns, workers protest: What to know Iran’s oil minister has resigned amid mounting economic pressure from US sanctions and restrictions on the country’s exports. Iran
Turkey seizes Iran’s Caspian Airlines jet over $3.4M debt The court-ordered seizure at Istanbul Airport comes as Iranian carriers face mounting pressure from sweeping new US aviation sanctions. Turkey
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime. Iran
Analysis Could Iran’s nuclear ambitions harden as war escalates? By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis As Israeli settler attacks mount, Trump avoids public pressure on Netanyahu By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iran nuclear talks to resume next week Meetings on the Iran nuclear agreement will continue in Vienna as Iran continues its demand for "Trump sanctions" to be removed. By AL-MONITOR Staff
White House faces tough task of tearing down Iran sanctions wall to save nuclear deal In Trump's final days, the White House introduced a slew of new sanctions aimed at hindering a return to the nuclear deal. Yet since the designations were so blatantly politicized, the risk of undoing them is politically manageable. Iran
Iran releases South Korean ship The Hankuk Chemi tanker was released following an investigation into alleged water pollution, but the real reason for its detention may have been frozen Iranian funds in South Korea. News Brief
US aircraft carrier returns to Middle East as Suez Canal opens The USS Eisenhower arrives in the Gulf region as the Biden administration kicks off indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Iran
Iran: no direct or indirect talks with US officials in Vienna Heading into talks in Vienna on the JCPOA, Tehran maintains its position that Washington must remove sanctions first. Iran
Will Iran’s supreme leader allow Rouhani’s last wish to come true? As Washington and Tehran make small progress on resolving their dispute over the 2015 nuclear deal, it remains unclear whether Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will support President Hassan Rouhani's efforts to negotiate. Iran
Iran, China sign long-term economic deal The deal between Iran and China is more of a “road map” than a specific deal. Iran
Iran begins phase one of domestic vaccine production Iran says it has begun the first phase of production for a domestic coronavirus vaccine. Iran
EU: No Syria reconstruction aid until Assad leaves Josep Borrell marked the 10th anniversary of Syria's civil war by doubling down on US-led policy to isolate Assad Syria
Iran says there have been no secret talks with US Iran says the United States must correct its path to return to nuclear deal. Originals
Lebanon's Salameh threatens to sue Bloomberg over sanctions report Bloomberg reported on Thursday that the United States is considering sanctions on Lebanon’s central bank chief, Riad Salameh. Business
Iran criticizes IAEA censure from European countries Iran says the plan by some European countries to censure Iran at the IAEA will have a negative effect on nuclear negotiations. Iran