Analysis How Netanyahu used Lebanon strikes to push back on Trump’s Iran deal The latest ceasefire in Lebanon leaves Netanyahu squeezed between Washington and domestic pressure. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Feature Trump’s Iran deal sidesteps fate of detained Americans The White House declined to say whether the release of the six Americans would be included in a final deal. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Culture Morocco, Egypt impress with notable draws despite winless World Cup start for Mideast teams Several teams from the Middle East and North Africa could advance to the knockout stage under the new format, and Morocco climbed in the rankings despite a tie in its opener. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump touts Iran deal as Hegseth warns Tehran Iran stands to gain from deal; 3 Iranian tankers pass US blockade; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: China-Middle East How China benefits from Trump's Iran deal By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
Will this woman become Iran’s first female president? In a remarkable twist, Iranian Reformists appear to eagerly welcome the potential candidacy of female Principlist Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi in the upcoming presidential elections. Iran
Was Obama lost opportunity for Iran-US relations? Iran’s foreign minister believes that recent criticism by Iran’s neighbors stems from their regional failures. Saudi Arabia
Food vs. guns: Will Hamas chose Egypt or Iran? The military wing of Hamas in Gaza pressures the new boss Yahya Sinwar to mend ties with Iran, while the residents of the Gaza Strip need the assistance of Egypt against the misery of the long closure. Palestine
Can Iran's Khamenei rule out ‘national reconciliation’? Despite his stated skepticism of the idea of national reconciliation, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may in effect be maneuvering to decide the terms of such a reconciliation. Iran
Is Ahmadinejad defying Khamenei’s 'advice' to abandon ambitions? Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is believed to be back in the game with his former deputy’s announcement that he intends to run in the upcoming presidential elections. Iran
Turkish-Iranian rivalry hits peak as Syria talks kick off Both countries accuse each other of destabilizing the region and undermining security in Iraq and Syria. Syria
Israel defense minister: We must coordinate moves with Trump In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman confirmed that he still supports a two-state solution, but one involving population as well as land swaps and as one part of a regional agreement. Palestine
Will new travel ban impede Iran-US athletic competition? Champion American wrestler Jordan Burroughs says he feels nothing but love from Iranians but “obviously, Donald Trump sees Iran a little different than I see Iran.” United States
How 'Half of the World' is attracting tourists to Iran Esfahan, or "Half of the World" as it is dubbed in Persian, is attracting ever more foreign tourists to Iran in the aftermath of the lifting of sanctions. Iran
Meet the powerful Iranian cleric looking to unseat Rouhani Ebrahim Raisi emerges as the conservative consensus candidate in Iran’s upcoming May presidential elections. Iran
Why Iranian government’s debt problem isn’t going away Despite the Iranian government’s decision to repay billions of dollars owed to local banks, in the broader picture, it will remain saddled with problematic debt until it turns to bonds rather than loans for financing. Iran
Will Saudi Arabia allow Pakistani general to command military alliance? It remains unclear whether Pakistan's Gen. Raheel Sharif will be offered, or take up, the position of supreme commander of the Saudi-led "Islamic military alliance." Saudi Arabia