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
Intel: Democrats try to stymie Trump’s 'secure the oil' mission in Syria Democrats are turning up the heat on President Donald Trump’s “secure the oil” mission in northeast Syria. Originals
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
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
Netanyahu’s damage control strategy ahead of annexation vote Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing contradictory estimates from security agency chiefs on whether annexation will generate massive uprisings in the West Bank and Arab retaliation. Israel
Senior Erdogan aide slams Bolton memoir for depictions of Turkish president Ankara has criticized the former US national security adviser’s descriptions of President Donald Trump’s discussions with his Turkish counterpart, accusing him of publishing the book for his own personal gain. Turkey
Intel: US sanctions Iranian ships for delivering oil to Venezuela The United States sanctioned the captains of five Iranian vessels today for delivering oil to Venezuela. Originals
Rouhani says talks with US possible any moment after ‘apology’ While Iran’s hard-liners have persistently warned against any compromise with the Donald Trump administration, President Hassan Rouhani said he is ready for talks even before the upcoming US presidential elections. Iran
Intel: Key Democrat presses Pompeo on Trump’s alleged interference in Turkish bank probe The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today grilling him on a series of allegations raised in former national security adviser John Bolton’s new book, including the allegation that President Donald Trump sought to end the Justice Department’s charges against Turkey’s state-run Halkbank. Originals
Intel: House Republicans greenlight annexation as Trump administration wavers The majority of the House Republican caucus signed onto a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday backing any decision he makes on annexing the West Bank “independent of outside pressure,” even as Donald Trump administration officials convene this week to decide whether they should give Israel the greenlight to proceed in July. Originals
Gantz says Palestinians need dialogue with Israel on annexation Defense Minister Benny Gantz took another step today at clarifying his stance on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s annexation plan. Israel
Trump’s endorsement crucial for Netanyahu’s annexation plan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that he cannot go ahead with annexation without the endorsement of US President Donald Trump. Israel
Intel: Vulnerable Senate Republicans targeted for supporting Trump on Iran Two vulnerable Senate Republican incumbents up for re-election in November found themselves under attack over their support for President Donald Trump’s Iran policies in new social media ads that began airing in their states today. Originals
