Israel, Morocco agree to exchange ambassadors, open embassies The move will mark the first time Morocco and Israel have exchanged ambassadors. Morocco
China presses Iran, US to reopen Hormuz as disruptions threaten oil supply Conflicts in the region are disrupting two key routes for oil bound for China, with Iranian crude affected by the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi shipments facing growing risks in the Red Sea. Iran
Explainer Why France is pushing to keep UNIFIL in Lebanon beyond 2026 Showing its support for Lebanon, Paris is backing Beirut’s request at the UN for a short-term extension of UNIFIL’s mandate, although French sources acknowledge that the chances of the request being approved are slim. Israel
Algeria pulls Sky News Arabia accreditation amid UAE rift: What to know Algeria severed diplomatic ties with the UAE, which owns Sky News Arabia through Abu Dhabi-based International Media Investments, last Thursday. Algeria
Exclusive Lacking deterrence, Israel’s security establishment opposes attacks on Houthis By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Gulf MBS visits Egypt as Houthi attacks escalate By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Analysis How far will Iran push Houthis against Saudi Arabia amid raging conflict? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Fugitive Turkish cryptocurrency chief arrested in Albania Faruk Fatih Ozer, who reportedly fled with $2 billion in investors' assets, had an Interpol red notice. Turkey
Deadly intra-Shiite violence rattles Iraq’s Kurds Kurds are "deeply troubled by the new cycle of violence in Iraq" and look to be peacemakers. Iraq
Protesters withdraw from Baghdad's Green Zone Following Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's order, his followers have withdrawn completely from the Green Zone and evacuated the parliament building. Iraq
Netanyahu campaign leans on Israel's economic woes Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is focusing his electoral campaign on the failure of the government to lower the cost of living and better working conditions in schools and hospitals. Israel
Iraq's neighbors urge calm in response to Baghdad clashes The situation in Baghdad has calmed somewhat after cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called on his supporters to pull back. Iraq
Iran urges dialogue amid Iraq turmoil Iranian authorities have called on Iraqi factions to seek political solutions as Baghdad streets saw deadly clashes between members of the Shiite Sadrist movement and their Tehran-backed rivals. Iraq
Israel’s Lapid, Mossad chief diverge on emerging Iran nuclear deal Prime Minister Yair Lapid was surprised by the briefings to the press of Mossad Director David Barnea, who accused the West and the United States of generating a strategic catastrophe for the region. Israel
Syrian opposition fears more Russian attacks in Idlib to pressure Turkey Russia has escalated its attack against Idlib, as the Syrian opposition fears that Moscow will resort to further escalation after talks about rapprochement attempts between Turkey and the Syrian government. Syria
Sadr announces hunger strike as 20 killed in Baghdad clashes Clashes between rival Shiite groups, the Sadrists and the Popular Mobilization Units, have left more than 20 dead and hundreds injured. Iraq
Iraq issues arrest warrants for Sadrist leaders after judiciary storming The Iraqi judiciary issued arrest warrants and travel bans against key Sadrist movement leaders amid violent political conflicts, but their enforcement could be a sensitive task. Iraq
US: No plans to evacuate embassy in Baghdad, monitoring clashes White House official calls for calm in Iraq following Muqtada al-Sadr's resignation from politics. Iraq
As US awaits Iran deal response, new Vienna round unlikely A European Union source said negotiators would only return to the Austrian capital to ink a final agreement. Iran