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’s peace deal: A Gaza-centered Palestine The Trump administration is elaborating on a Mideast peace plan of trilateral or even quadruple land swaps, involving Israel, the Palestinians, Egypt and, possibly, Jordan. Saudi Arabia
Iran unrest could complicate Trump decision on sanctions waivers US President Donald Trump has voiced his support for Iran's protests, but the unrest could further complicate his decision on whether to waive nuclear sanctions next month. United States
PA rejects US, seeks new sponsors for peace talks The Palestinian Authority is mobilizing international support to find a new sponsor for the peace process following US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Palestine
US, Israel isolated as UN votes in defiance of Trump on Jerusalem The overwhelming vote at the UN General Assembly meeting against the US move on Jerusalem will not bring peace any closer, but it does restore a sense of integrity to the world body. Palestine
Jordan-Israel ties languish in wake of Trump’s Jerusalem move US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move the US Embassy there has added a new twist to the already strained relations between Israel and Jordan. Palestine
Congress calls Trump’s bluff on threat to cut aid over UN vote Democratic lawmakers made clear they will oppose any move to slash assistance to countries that vote at the United Nations to criticize the president's position on Jerusalem. Palestine
US says Saudis agree to lift blockade on key Yemen port The Saudis announced they will lift a blockade on a key Yemen port after growing pressure from the Trump administration. Saudi Arabia
Republican dig at Iran deal jeopardizes effort to keep government open Congressional efforts to ban future purchases of heavy water from Iran could complicate efforts to avoid a government shutdown. Congress
Israelis, Palestinians need European mediation The Jerusalem proclamation by US President Donald Trump put an end to the American role as honest broker between Israel and the Palestinians. Saudi Arabia
PA looks for replacement to US as Mideast peace process sponsor Following the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the Palestinian Authority has endeavored to find a new sponsor for the peace process, yet this could be complicated by lack of options and threats to existing financial aid agreements. Palestine
Trump national security strategy doubles down on Iran The US president’s first national security strategy outlines the White House’s growing campaign to turn the screws on Iran. United States
Iran calls Haley's missile claim 'ridiculous' Iranian officials view UN Ambassador Nikki Haley’s speech accusing Tehran of sending missiles to the Houthis in Yemen as politically motivated. Saudi Arabia
![General view of Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) in Isfahan, about 420 km (261 miles) south of Tehran, August 8, 2005. Iran resumed uranium conversion on Monday at its facility near Isfahan, a move [EU officials have warned will probably see its nuclear case sent to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions].
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