Israel strikes Beirut in breach of Lebanon ceasefire Israel has continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon but had not targeted Beirut since the ceasefire took effect. Lebanon
Saudi FM in Turkey as Ankara, Riyadh step up coordination amid Iran war Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visit to Ankara comes amid rapidly expanding Turkish-Saudi coordination as the fallout from the Iran war reshapes Gulf security dynamics. Turkey
Iran, China discuss Hormuz reopening amid potential US-Iran talks China’s foreign minister told his Iranian counterpart that “persisting in negotiations is particularly important.” Iran
Lebanon, Israel eye third round of talks, but no Netanyahu-Aoun meeting in sight The US appears to be pushing for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the Lebanese government says it won't happen while Israel continues to launch attacks on Lebanon. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US pauses Hormuz escort mission as Trump cites progress on Iran talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Iran's Gulf gambit: Attacking the UAE to shift US calculations By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Newsletter: Gulf Is the Gulf being dragged back into the Iran war? By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Hamas and Hezbollah officials in Iran for Pezeshkian’s inauguration, France’s Macron calls Officials from the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia went to President Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration in Tehran amid significant tensions in the region. Iran
Analysis Sexual assault, torture among accusations against 9 Israeli soldiers who guarded Hamas militants The Israeli military prosecution says the nine were involved in attacking sexually and torturing a Gaza Hamas assailant imprisoned at the Sde Teiman detention facility. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Iran’s Khamenei reaffirms opposition to Azerbaijan’s corridor plan to Armenia PM Iran remains opposed to an Azerbaijani corridor through Armenia that would cut off the Islamic Republic’s access to the Black Sea. Iran
Israel confirms killing senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut strike An Israeli drone strike hit the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, on Tuesday, as tensions run high following a rocket strike in the Golan Heights over the weekend. Lebanon
Analysis Israel plans ‘painful and incisive’ response to Hezbollah but not all-out Lebanon war Israeli leaders assess they can't afford to leave the rocket attack that killed 12 children in Majdal Shams with no response, but at the same time seek to avoid an all-out war in Lebanon with Hezbollah. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Strikes in south Lebanon, Syria as Israel's northern front heats up The situation in Lebanon is at a boiling point amid growing fears of an Israeli retaliatory strike to a deadly rocket attack in the Golan Heights that could lead to a wider regional conflict. Lebanon
Turkey passes controversial stray dog bill amid fears of imminent mass culling Activists fear the bill will lead to massacres of the country's roughly 4 million stray dogs and government critics are concerned it will be used to coerce opposition-controlled municipalities. Turkey
Israel’s FM tells NATO to expel Turkey as Erdogan threatens war over Gaza As Turkey threatens military intervention in Gaza and Israel pushes for Turkey's removal from NATO, questions of how Turkey and Israel's already strained relations will be affected arise. Turkey
Who is Faisal Taghi, alleged drug kingpin extradited from UAE to Netherlands? The UAE and the Netherlands have an extradition treaty, though another alleged drug trafficker sought by the European country was recently released from Emirati custody. United Arab Emirates
White House says Lebanon war not 'inevitable' as Israel preps Hezbollah response US troops in Iraq and Syria are bracing for potential blowback from local militias ahead of anticipated Israeli retaliation against Hezbollah for a lethal rocket attack on a Druze village in the Golan Heights. Lebanon
Netanyahu, Hamas trade blame on cease-fire as far-right mob storms Israeli bases Hamas says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has added fresh demands aimed at torpedoing a deal, while the Israeli premier claims the Gaza-based group is stonewalling. Israel
France investigates death threats against Israeli Olympic athletes As demonstrators protest the Gaza war at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, French police are investigating death threats sent to three Israeli athletes. Israel