Macron casts doubt on Trump’s Hormuz operation as France-US gap grows French President Emmanuel Macron slammed President Donald Trump for launching a unilateral operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz instead of pursuing a coordinated effort with Iran. Iran
Turkey hosts Kuwaiti FM as UAE's OAPEC exit fuels Gulf rift Kuwait's top diplomat visited Turkey as the Gulf rift deepens following the UAE’s exit from OPEC and its affiliated alliances, forcing Ankara to balance ties between Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. Turkey
US warships enter Gulf as Hormuz operation launches: What to know US Apache and MH-60 helicopters sank six Iranian fast boats near the strait on Monday, raising questions as to the durability of the ceasefire as the two sides traded fire. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis What UAE’s $3.45B pullback from Pakistan signals about Abu Dhabi's priorities As Abu Dhabi pulls back long-rolled deposits while investing selectively, Pakistan faces an era of more conditional Gulf support tied to strategic alignment. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis How Iran is rebuilding its bruised military as ceasefire masks recalibration By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Without exit strategy, Israel faces emboldened Hezbollah, limited options on Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Democrats want to tie Trump’s hands on Iran. Here are their options. Congress wants to take back its war-making authorities as tensions escalate with Iran. United States
Khamenei sees 'ploy' in Trump outreach, says 'deal of century' will fail In three speeches in less than 24 hours, Iran's supreme leader launched fresh attacks against the Trump administration, slamming its "deal of the century" for the Middle East conflict and dismissing Washington’s latest outreach to Tehran as a "ploy." United States
Iraq electricity minister: US will continue exemptions for Iranian electricity imports Iraqi Minister of Electricity Luay al-Khatteeb told Al-Monitor that US exemptions in the energy sector will continue amid tensions in US-Iran relations. Saudi Arabia
Trump, Pompeo give new priority to diplomacy with Iran While many see a shift in tone rather than substance, the diplomatic channel seems to be heating up. United States
Is US pressure really uniting Iran's rival political camps? Washington's mounting pressure on Tehran might have been expected to forge unity among Iran's rival political camps. But Iranian hard-liners seem to be seizing the moment by attacking an already weakened Rouhani administration ahead of key polls next year. United States
Pro-Iran events fizzle as Iraqis steer clear of regional drama Iraqis are making it clear that they want no part in the regional conflict surrounding Iran while their leaders offer mediation to avoid war. Iraq
Iraq’s oil sector caught in crossfire between US, Iran US-Iran tensions have hit Iraq's oil industry, with ExxonMobil announcing an evacuation of its staff in Iraq to Dubai. Iraq
Why Khamenei’s 'no' on talks with US could lead to 'yes' Expect chatter of Iran-US dialog to pick up in the coming weeks, even though Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says he adamantly refuses to negotiate with the Trump administration. Saudi Arabia
Trump declares Iran emergency to bypass Congress on Gulf arms sales The Donald Trump administration cited Iran as the justification to invoke emergency powers to transfer arms to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over congressional objections. Congress
US says Gulf troop surge ‘defensive in nature’ The Pentagon announced it will send additional US forces to the Middle East, but whether this is a smart defensive move or an unnecessary escalation of tensions with Iran remains to be seen. United States
Iran vs. US: From Talk of War to Talk of Talk Trump repeats his offer of talks with Iran, but Iran is not interested. Oman
Democrats fret over Iran escalation risk Democrats are urging the Donald Trump administration to tamp down tensions with Iran following an all-members briefing. Congress
