Analysis Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election Ahead of the eighth round of talks in Rome, the Israeli military reported clearing Hezbollah's underground stronghold at Ali al-Taher after besieging the ridge for months. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US sanctions Turkey-based bank over Iran ties The Treasury Department said Golden Global Bank was facilitating transactions for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran
Newsletter: Business & Tech Oil rises amid renewed US-Iran fighting Iran launched a wave of attacks on US sites across the Middle East on Wednesday after an extensive American bombardment. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi oil exports hit nine-year low as tanker attacks threaten recovery The country’s oil exports were around 3 million barrels per day in August. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Can Iran’s economic buffers withstand new US sanctions? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Russia agrees to supply Iran with 55 bcm of gas, fund nuclear plant: What to know Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad is in Moscow this week, meeting with Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev on Friday. Iran
Trump willing to meet Iran's Khamenei but 'will be leading' war pack if no deal In an interview with Time Magazine, President Donald Trump says he believes a deal with Iran can be reached via negotiations while expressing readiness for war in the event that it doesn't. United States
Top US general visits Israel ahead of next round of US-Iran nuclear talks The CENTCOM commander's latest visit comes as the Pentagon considers maintaining two aircraft carriers in the Middle East in case diplomatic overtures to rein in Iran's nuclear enrichment should fail. Israel
Iran, Russia, China envoys present joint front to Grossi on nuclear talks As the US-Iran nuclear negotiations progress, Iran, Russia and China presented a united front in a meeting with the international nuclear watchdog chief in Vienna. Iran
Lebanon summons Iran’s ambassador in warning against Hezbollah interference Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amani’s criticism of any plans to disarm Hezbollah sparked controversy in Lebanon as Beirut seeks to gradually bring weapons under state control. Lebanon
US floats imported fuel solution for Iran ahead of third round nuclear talks Experts say a deal in which Iran keeps its nuclear reactors but abandons its domestic enrichment is likely a nonstarter. Iran
China slams sanctions, voices support for Iran’s nuclear program during FM visit Iran's foreign minister held high-level talks with Chinese officials on Wednesday on the latest developments in Iran’s ongoing nuclear negotiations with the US. China
Amid differences, Trump and Netanyahu hold call, discuss Iran nuclear talks It was their first conversation since the prime minister's visit to the White House two weeks ago, when the US president announced direct talks with Iran. United States
Analysis In shift, Iran's IRGC backs nuclear talks as Araghchi courts US investment Iran’s previously anti-engagement camp, which relentlessly dismissed talks with the US as “humiliating,” has pivoted and is demonstrating alignment with the negotiating team after Khamenei’s U-turn toward diplomacy. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Netanyahu's influence over Trump wanes as US-Iran talks progress Fear is growing in Israel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is incapable of shaping the nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
White House denies staffer Merav Ceren’s ties to Israeli defense ministry: What to know Ceren previously worked for the US Senate, and the administration downplayed reports of her past connection to the Israeli government. United States
Araghchi to visit China ahead of US-Iran technical talks: What to know Araghchi’s visit to China follows weeks of trilateral coordination between Iran, Russia and China on the nuclear issue, including a joint condemnation of unilateral sanctions. China