In shift, Lebanon grants Iranian ambassador residency extension Mohammad Reza Sheibani’s visa was set to expire early Tuesday morning and he was first ordered to leave in March. Iran
China holds second air drill with Egypt: What to know China is seeking to strengthen ties with Egypt and Gulf states, including via joint air drills. Egypt
Explainer SDF chief Kobane’s Damascus visit a high wire act for Syria’s Kurds The SDF says its integration with Damascus is complete, but major questions remain over its fighters, weapons and the future of Kurdish self-rule. Syria
Oil falls 1.8% as traders await 'toughest' sanctions on Iran Traders are awaiting details about new US measures sure to further disrupt Iranian oil flows. Iran
Analysis Can Trump's economic war ultimately force Iran to compromise? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Rouhani says he doesn’t want photo-op with Trump — but maybe he should French President Emmanuel Macron, the man in the middle, is appealing to both sides for compromise. Russia
Will Iran retaliate after recent Israeli attacks? Israel seems to be provoking Iran by striking the latter's proxies in Iraq and Lebanon. But Tehran is not showing willingness to directly engage in an all-out war with Tel Aviv. Iraq
Despite heightened regional tensions, UAE seeks de-escalation with Iran The UAE government has been taking steps toward easing tensions with Iran as a safety precaution in the event of a major military conflict between Tehran and Washington. United Arab Emirates
Israel pays the price for sidelining Europe on the Iranian file The latest visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Biarritz indicates that France is willing to offer Israel a respite on the Palestinian issue, but not on the Iranian file. Israel
Gaza’s Islamic Jihad openly at the service of Iran Hamas no longer tries to conceal the growing involvement of Iran in Gaza through its proxy Islamic Jihad. Palestine
US influence on the line if Israel has 'free hand' to bomb Iraq Israeli attacks in Iraq signal need for some red lines with Iran. Iraq
Tehran works to bring neighbors onboard against US maritime coalition Iran's president is intensely pursuing diplomacy with regional leaders to try to reverse US plans for an international maritime coalition in the Strait of Hormuz. Originals
Zarif says foreign ships making Gulf 'less safe' Iranian officials continue to push back against the naval presence of the United States and United Kingdom in the Persian Gulf. United States
As US pressure increases on Iran-backed militias, they turn to Iran Iran-backed PMU factions are under intense pressure from the Iraqi government and the public, leading them to Iran. Iraq
Rebuking Trump, French FM defends Iran mediation efforts French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian directly rebukes Trump and insists France will continue "mediation efforts" with Iran "to avert a wider conflict." United States
Why Moscow is ignoring US cyberattacks on Iran Despite Russia's partnership with Iran, Moscow turns a blind eye to American cyberattacks on key Iranian targets. Russia
Iran says US-led maritime coalition will create instability Iran’s defense minister has told regional defense officials that the US-proposed military coalition in the Persian Gulf would lead to instability. United States
