Analysis How Iran is framing deal with US amid competing narratives Amid growing speculation about details and technicalities of a US-Iran deal, Washington and Tehran are painting different pictures, exposing a gap between public messaging and diplomatic reality. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
US strikes on Indian-crewed tankers spark tensions with New Delhi India summoned the US deputy chief of mission in Delhi on Friday to protest American strikes on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman. Iran
Analysis 'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed Israel’s red lines to Trump, but given the current rift between the two leaders, the demands may be little more than a wish list. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran-US draft deal would release $24B in funds, ensure Lebanon ceasefire: Iranian media The draft circulating in Iranian state media, which Trump denied on Friday, would grant Tehran sanctions relief and access to billions in frozen funds while limiting final talks to nuclear issues and excluding its missile program and proxies. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says no final decision yet on deal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Will Iraqi-Saudi rapprochement undermine Iran’s role in Iraq? With US support, Saudi Arabia and Iraq are getting close to each other to minimize Iran's influence in Iraq. Saudi Arabia
Opposition leader implores US not to abandon Syria to Russia and Iran The new leader of the Syrian national coalition shared with Al-Monitor his plans for lobbying the Trump administration during his first visit to Washington. Syria
IRGC commander rules out war between Iran, US The commander of the Revolutionary Guards said a war between Tehran and the United States was impossible, citing US fear of the consequences. United States
Iranian VP tainted by brother's corruption charges Corruption allegations involving his brother are threatening the promising political prospects of Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri. Iran
Iranian academics clash on how to deal with Trump While Iranian academic elites broadly condemn the Trump administration’s approach toward the nuclear deal, they differ on how Tehran should respond to Washington’s measures. Iran
Iran: Trump requested Rouhani meeting in New York Iranian media and the Foreign Ministry claim that US President Donald Trump requested a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani. United States
Putin resets Iraqi energy landscape as Barzani steps aside Russian moves maximize leverage as US stumbles on Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units; Massoud Barzani resigns as Kurdistan Region president; Syria and Russia take initiative with regard to local governance in Syria. Iraq
Historic Boeing-IranAir deal at risk amid claims of IRGC use Charges that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may use Boeing jets in its operations put the US aircraft maker’s landmark deal with IranAir at risk. United States
Hamas' futile pursuit of a middle ground Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh called Jordanian King Abdullah II to try to engage him in efforts to achieve Palestinian unity while his deputy appears to have secured the support of Iran for the movement. Palestine
Syrian Kurds focused on federalism The Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum continues to make waves in Syria as the country's Kurds believe they can negotiate with the Syrian government to establish a federal state. Iraq
Congress moves flurry of bills to counter Iran Despite the partisan divide over the nuclear deal, there is overwhelming bipartisan consensus in Congress to apply more sanctions on Tehran and its proxies. Congress
Iran's media unconcerned with Iraq-Saudi Arabia rapprochement Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s recent trips to Saudi Arabia appear to have been coordinated to reduce Iran’s influence in Iraq, but Iranian media outlets do not seem concerned by the apparent Iraqi-Saudi Arabia rapprochement. Saudi Arabia