Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know President Donald Trump was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, who was seen as close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc. Iraq
Trump faces three paths ahead in Iran war as Hormuz standoff intensifies As the Hormuz standoff intensifies, Trump must choose between military escalation, a limited diplomatic deal, or continuing a pressure campaign against Iran. Iran
In defiant message, Iran’s Khamenei threatens US but appeals to Gulf The address was Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s third since coming to power and included a pledge to rid the Gulf of the US. Iran
Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the situation in Iran and the possibility of extending the ceasefire. United States
Analysis How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
US sanctions Iranian firm over internet censorship The Treasury Department says that the technology company Arvan Cloud has a close and collaborative relationship with Iran's intelligence services. Iran
Israel’s Shin Bet chief meets CIA director for talks on Palestinians, Iran Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar met in Washington with CIA chief William Burns over mutual concerns for the stability of the Palestinian Authority. Israel
Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE attend BRICS meeting in South Africa as bloc mulls expansion Iran, which has applied for observer status in BRICS, is finessing non-Western states to remedy its battered economy. Iran
Israel slams IAEA for closing two Iran nuclear sites probes Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Foreign Ministry slammed the IAEA for caving into Iranian pressure and ending two probes on traces of enriched uranium found at the Fordo and Marivan sites. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
US not notified yet of UAE's withdrawal from Gulf maritime coalition The announcement that the UAE had withdrawn its participation in the Combined Maritime Forces coalition appears to be Abu Dhabi's latest signal to Washington that it wants serious dialogue on security guarantees. Legacy: Gulf
CENTCOM commander visits Israel, observes multifront war exercise Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla is on a wider tour of the Middle East as the Pentagon aims to build regional military capabilities to better deter attacks by Iran and its proxies. Israel
Why did Shamkhani, Iran's powerful national security chief, resign? Ali Shamkhani, the longstanding secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, has yielded his post to a prominent commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran
Iran’s Khamenei hails thaw with Egypt, Saudi Arabia during Omani sultan visit The potential rapprochement falls within Tehran's hard-liners' recent push on the reset button in Iran's ties with Arab rivals to reposition itself in the regional power play, avert economic collapse and fight off international isolation. Iran
Iran-Pakistan cooperation complicated by sanctions, porous border Newly inaugurated power line and border marketplace mark progress, but sanctions hinder completion of long-delayed pipeline. Iran
Meet Gen. CQ Brown: US Air Force chief tapped to be Pentagon's top general Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown has pushed the Air Force to adapt in order to deter war with China while being ready to respond elsewhere in the world. Washington Connection
Israeli brass sounds alarm on Iran's readiness to launch nuclear attack Israeli officials are watching tensely as intelligence indicates Iran is working on the detonation mechanisms needed for a nuclear bomb. Israel
Iran tests ballistic missile with 1250-mile range, capable of hitting Israel The missile's declared range makes it capable of reaching Israel, which warned Tehran this week with military action over its ramped-up nuclear enrichment and regional activities. Iran
