US brokers deal for limited Israeli withdrawal in south Lebanon The deal establishes a US-facilitated military coordination group to oversee the creation of two initial pilot zones in southern Lebanon. Lebanon
Analysis Vance turning us into 'punching bag': Israel fumes over alleged IRGC-CENTCOM channel in Doha The US-Iran decision to launch direct talks between the IRGC and CENTCOM in Qatar deepens the rift between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while heightening Israeli fears that Washington is shifting toward Doha and Tehran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
As US talks stall, Hezbollah chief defiant, says Israel to leave Lebanon ’humiliated' The speech comes as the Lebanese-Israeli talks appeared to reach a deadlock this week amid Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Lebanese territory as long as Hezbollah remains armed. Lebanon
Explainer Bombed sites, missing uranium: How Trump’s Iran deal hinges on inspector access Iran's long record of obstructing the UN's nuclear watchdog raises questions about how much access it would grant in a future deal. Iran
Targeting of US bases in Iraq a harsh Iranian message to Washington The rise of attacks against US military bases in Iraq in conjunction with the ongoing protests may be a warning message from Iran to Washington. Iraq
Rouhani looks to Japan’s Abe to pick up where Macron left off Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who appears to be seeking a mediator for the US-Iranian relationship, next week will visit Japan, a country where Iran has a lot of frozen assets. United States
How Rouhani and Trump almost reached a deal While hopes have emerged as the result of a prisoner exchange between Iran and the United States, some analysts believe this won't lead to negotiations and a Trump-Rouhani meeting. United States
Is Iran's long-serving speaker retiring from politics? Iran's parliament speaker said he is not running in February's parliamentary elections and also does not plan to run for president in 2021; these statements brought jubilation to the camp of his hard-line rivals and triggered debate as to what his next steps might be. Iran
Iran's Rouhani open for Trump meeting if sanctions lifted The Iranian president has signaled readiness for talks with his US counterpart if the latter removes economic sanctions he reimposed on the Islamic Republic. United States
Trump condemns Iran protest crackdown, stays mum on Oman, French mediation efforts President Donald Trump, responding to a reporter’s question in London, said the United States does not support the protesters in Iran before he later clarified his answer and castigated the Iranian government. Saudi Arabia
Iran VP admits US pressure hitting economy hard A top Iranian official has admitted that US pressure is dramatically slowing down his country's economy at a time when even "allies" refuse to purchase Iranian crude. United States
Iran continues dismantling JCPOA nuclear restrictions Tehran is launching construction work on the first of two new nuclear units in a $10 billion expansion of its power plant and has begun enriching uranium at a site formerly limited to research. Russia
How Iran's protests could impact foreign policy Critical comments from France and Germany about the Iranian protests could further accelerate the dismantling of the Iran nuclear deal. Israel
Djerejian: In addressing uprisings in Middle East, first 'do no harm' Former US diplomat Edward Djerejian also sees opportunity for US diplomacy in Gulf crisis. Saudi Arabia
Probe claims State Department sidelined Iran expert in politicized smear campaign The State Department's Office of the Inspector General finds that “improper considerations played a role" in the removal of a career employee's assignment to the department's policy planning office. United States
Rouhani: US no friend of Muslims, Mideast President Hassan Rouhani has continued his new anti-US position at the latest Islamic Unity Conference. United States
