Exclusive Senior Houthi official says Bab el Mandab closure an option if any Gulf states join war Houthi Deputy Information Minister Mohammed Mansour also said the strait could be closed “should the aggression against Iran and Lebanon escalate.” By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Israel urges US escalation against Iran, possible ground invasion Israel has made clear it will not deploy ground forces to Iran, but would strongly support US military action if the Trump administration chooses to proceed. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Dermer’s return puts Netanyahu’s 'brain' at center of US-Israel calculus Dermer, former Israeli strategic affairs minister, is considered one of Netanyahu’s closest associates, having worked together for over two decades. Israel
Settler violence spike exposes Israeli government rift with military Knesset member Ram Ben-Barak of centrist Yesh Atid told Al-Monitor that the government must permit the use of administrative detention for extremist settlers to curb the violence. Israel
Exclusive Israel suspects Trump betting on 3 Iran officials, including Ghalibaf, to end war By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Meet Bagher Zolghadr, a hard-line IRGC veteran now Iran's security chief By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Trump talks Israel-UAE deal, Biden’s Middle East record at last night of Republican convention The president slammed his Democratic rival for voting for the 2003 Iraq war, but there's no record Trump opposed the invasion at the time. United States
Harris says Biden presidency will not condition aid to Israel The Democrats' vice presidential pick, Sen. Kamala Harris, sought to distance the Biden campaign from emerging party criticism of Israel in recent years. Israel
Pompeo praises killing of Iranian commander at Republican convention US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Qasem Soleimani was responsible for killing US soldiers and other rogue actions in the Middle East. Israel
Nikki Haley praises Trump on Iran, Israel at Republican convention Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley said that Democratic nominee Joe Biden would be good for Iran and the Islamic State. Originals
Pompeo to visit Sudan, Bahrain, other countries on regional trip Pompeo will discuss Israel and the transition to democracy in Sudan. Bahrain is also rumored to be next in line to normalize relations with Israel. Originals
US-led coalition hands Camp Taji to Iraq's security forces Taji is the eighth and most expensive facility to be turned over fully to Baghdad's forces Iraq
General Electric signs deal with Iraq's Electricity Ministry The US industrial giant's announcement came before Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi visited the White House. Iraq
Pompeo initiates snapback of Iran sanctions at UN Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was left with no alternatives following its failed bid at the UN Security Council to extend an arms embargo on Iran. Originals
Democratic Party platform criticizes possible Israeli annexation of West Bank, Saudi role in Yemen Parts of the platform approved at the Democratic National Convention this week have been both praised and criticized by Israel- and Iran-focused groups in Washington. Saudi Arabia
Iran speaks out against US attempt to reinstate UN sanctions Iran says the United States will suffer another defeat if it attempts to bring back sanctions against Iran. Iran
Report: Pompeo expected to ask UN to reimpose Iran sanctions Reuters reported that the US Secretary of State is likely to head to UN headquarters in New York on Thursday to ask for the reimposition of sanctions on Tehran. Originals
