Explainer After EU rebuff, how Turkey is courting Egypt for maritime deal Turkey’s renewed push for a maritime deal with Egypt in a bid to ease Cairo’s objections to its maritime agreement with Libya, faces an uphill battle. Turkey
Analysis Who will blink first in latest US-Iran diplomacy efforts? The prospects for a US-Iran deal may depend less on the scope for compromise than on whether either side can afford to make the first concession. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Limpet mine attack in Hormuz suggests Iran may be shifting tactics UKMTO report of the first successful limpet mine attack on a commercial vessel in the Middle East since 2019 appeared to undermine the Pentagon's claims to have fully cleared and opened the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
UAE's Nusseibeh comes in fourth in latest UNSG straw poll: What to know The latest straw poll puts Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan in first place, Argentina's Rafael Grossi in second, Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in third and the UAE's Lana Nusseibeh in fourth place. United Arab Emirates
Analysis How Netanyahu is trying to discredit Arab parties in bid to block Eisenkot By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Interview US oil firm HKN aims to double output in Syria's formerly Kurdish-run fields Matthew Zais HKN vice president for government affairs
As US and Iran near deal, Trump confronts familiar dilemma It's unclear whether President Donald Trump will take the off-ramp as fellow Republicans rail against an interim deal that wouldn't immediately address Iran's nuclear program. Iran
Lebanon-Israel talks at Pentagon undercut by escalation: What to know The Lebanese army is expected to press for the full implementation of the ceasefire with Israel during military-level talks at the Pentagon, to allow it to carry out its plan to disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon
Newsletter: China-Middle East China wary of Syria's Uyghur militants, but business keeps growing A groundbreaking report on Uyghur militants’ role in Assad’s downfall is sharpening Beijing’s concerns over Syria’s new Islamist-linked leadership. By Joyce Karam
Israel strikes Lebanon's capital Beirut for first time in 3 weeks: What to know According to Israeli media, Ali al-Husseini, the commander of the missile unit in the Imam Hussein Division, a brigade affiliated with Iran’s Quds Force that operates alongside Hezbollah, was the target of the attack. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US, Iran trade strikes as truce comes under pressure A fresh US-Iran exchange of strikes rattles ceasefire diplomacy while Israel expands operations in Lebanon. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Trump threatens to 'blow up' Oman as US-Iran talks stall “Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up,” Trump said in surprising comments on Wednesday. Oman
With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally Hungary’s parliament voted to remain in the International Criminal Court, reversing a planned withdrawal and marking a shift in Budapest’s approach to Israel and the EU. Israel
Iraq’s Sadr moves to place his militia under state control: What to know Muqtada al-Sadr is the first militia leader to heed new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s call to place weapons in the hands of the state as US pressure continues. Iraq
Who was Mohammed Odeh, Hamas military commander killed by Israel in Gaza? Odeh was killed in a Tuesday strike in the Palestinian enclave just days after he assumed his leadership position. Palestine
White House calls Iranian report on Hormuz, MOU 'complete fabrication' Iranian state TV says the US would agree to pull military forces away from Iran's borders in exchange for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, but the White House called it a "complete fabrication." By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis 'Very bad news’: Israel alarmed as Trump pushes ahead toward Iran deal Israel fears that Iran could emerge from the war strengthened by access to its frozen financial assets and regional acceptance of its dominance over the Strait of Hormuz and potentially resume its nuclear program. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Bagheri: No deal on Hormuz yet US-Iran negotiations drag on as Israel escalates operations in Lebanon and Gaza and Gulf states prepare for Eid under wartime strain. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO