Analysis Israel likely to strike Iran in 2026, European diplomats say Israel might opt to strike Iran again next year if it assesses that the Tehran-based government is resuming high-level uranium enrichment. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Iran currency dips to new low of 1.2M per dollar as sanctions bite: What to know Since US President Donald Trump took office in January, the rial has plummeted. Iran
Analysis Trump’s Muslim Brotherhood move rekindles US debate over Islamist movement The executive order targeting Muslim Brotherhood chapters comes after President Trump weighed designating the entire movement in his first term. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Syria signs deals with ConocoPhillips, Novaterra Energy: What to know Syria signed a memorandum of understanding with US energy companies ConocoPhillips and Novaterra Energy to develop and explore gas fields as Damascus works to revive the country’s battered natural gas sector. Syria
Analysis Sharaa in Washington: Can US charm offensive boost Syria’s reconstruction? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Key Trump ally blasts administration for extending Iran nuclear waivers The Donald Trump administration is casting the renewal of four civil nuclear waivers as “restrictions” on Iran’s nuclear program, but Sen. Ted Cruz argues that they enable Tehran. United States
Iran's Zarif says fighting COVID-19 a global effort Iran warns the combination of US sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic makes global cooperation imperative to fighting the virus in Iran. Iran
Iran enlists Pakistan for support against sanctions as pandemic spreads Iran’s inability to contain the spread of the coronavirus within its borders is endangering the Middle East region and beyond. Iran
US issues fresh Iran sanctions targeting IRGC’s ‘web of front companies’ The US Treasury Department places sanctions on more companies, officials and individuals affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force and Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Iraq
Iran hopes for partial sanctions relief amid epidemic President Hassan Rouhani claims Iranian assets abroad could soon be unfrozen, but US has no plans to lift sanctions. Iran
Intel: Lebanon frees jailed US citizen after Washington threatens sanctions Lebanon released Amer Fakhoury, who is suffering from stage 4 cancer, after Washington threatened to move ahead with sanctions. Lebanon
Intel: Senate plans imminent vote on Lebanon sanctions bill The Senate is getting ready to vote on legislation that would sanction Lebanese officials responsible for wrongfully detaining American citizens, Al-Monitor has learned. Lebanon
US prepares biting Syria sanctions as Assad pummels Idlib The United States is preparing to slap stringent sanctions on the Bashar al-Assad government as it pummels Idlib, raising questions about Syria’s long-term reconstruction. Syria
Does Moscow’s withdrawal from OPEC-plus deal end Russia-Saudi honeymoon? Russia’s decision to break off from the Saudis in the OPEC-plus agreement has some merits. Saudi Arabia
UAE offers regional road map to deal with Iran Policies on coronavirus, nuclear issues may help recast regional security discussions, complement US policies. Saudi Arabia
AIPAC gets Democrats to help Trump chip away at nuclear deal AIPAC is marshaling significant bipartisan backing for a bid to extend the Iran nuclear deal’s first sunset provision as hawks push for snapback sanctions at the United Nations. United States
UN nuclear watchdog: Iran dragging feet on access to nuclear sites International Atomic Energy Agency, in two separate reports, says Iran is not granting the IAEA access to sites suspected of past involvement in Iran's nuclear program and says Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of low-enriched uranium at the Fordow facility. Iran
