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
Iran attacks cargo ship off Oman, testing Trump’s Hormuz Strait deal The first Iranian attack on a cargo vessel since the ceasefire comes as top US diplomat Marco Rubio huddled with Gulf Cooperation Council ministers in Manama to reject Iran's claims to control the Strait of Hormuz. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Explainer After UAE and Qatar, could Iraq be next to leave OPEC? Iraq is seeking a higher production quota as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has slashed oil revenues and plunged the country into a fiscal crisis. Iraq
Iran rejects Trump's claim frozen funds will buy US soybeans: What to know Trump said Wednesday that the US would release “some” Iranian frozen funds and would use them to purchase corn, wheat and soybeans from American farmers. Iran
CENTCOM commander heads to Israel, Gulf as Lebanon talks stall By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Why Iran's generals are intensifying anti-US rhetoric amid negotiations By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Why are Iran hard-liners axing Rouhani from political scene? By disqualifying Rouhani, Iran's ruling hard-liners pushed yet another boundary in their campaign to ensure that no influential, moderate figure will have a say in deciding the country's next supreme leader. Iran
Yemen’s Houthis fire missile at US warship as Biden seeks China's aid The Houthis targeted a US Navy destroyer with an anti-ship ballistic missile as Biden's top adviser was due to meet China's top diplomat in Thailand on Friday to discuss reining in the Yemeni faction's attacks. Yemen
How significant is Niger's PM visit to Iran post-coup and amid Africa push? Iran wants better economic and political relations with sub-Saharan African states, including the sanctioned military junta in Niger. Iran
US, Iraq to begin talks over potential end to coalition presence There have been no decisions to withdraw US troops from either Iraq or Syria, US officials say, but the Biden administration is open to weighing future options. Iraq
While hosting Iran’s Raisi, Turkey’s Erdogan avoids harsh criticism of Israel Erdogan's measured tone on Israel comes in midst of US-Turkey rapprochement following Ankara's ratification of Sweden's entry into NATO this week. Turkey
Iraq slams latest US airstrikes on Kataib Hezbollah sites Latest strikes put new pressure on Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani over the US troop presence in Iraq. Iraq
Interview Iran sent US back-channel messages on risk of wider regional war, FM says In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran is not seeking a wider regional conflict, even as his country's network of militias across the Middle East are stepping up attacks on US bases and ships. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian Foreign Minister of Iran
Two US Navy SEALs presumed dead after anti-Houthi raid: Pentagon The two special operators are presumed dead after attempting to board a stateless boat off Somalia earlier this month. Legacy: Gulf
Soldier arrested in Iran after inside attack killing 5 troops in Kerman The latest incident involves the killing of five soldiers by a fellow conscript in Kerman, which was the scene of a deadly bombing claimed by ISIS earlier this month. Iran
India secures trade, power with new naval role in Middle East Without aligning directly with the US-led mission against the Houthis in Yemen, the Indian navy's independent operations set a precedent for India's evolving military posture in West Asia and mark a departure from its traditional strategic restraint. By Mohammed Soliman In Washington, DC, reporting on Gulf politics
Davos 2024: IAEA chief says monitoring of Iran nuclear sites 'not at a good place' Asked by Al-Monitor if Iran was close to enriching weapons-grade uranium, Grossi responded, “They are already there.” Iran
Fourth round of US strikes in Yemen as Houthis vow retaliation The US launched the strikes just hours after the Houthis hit a US-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel off Yemen's southern coast on Wednesday. Legacy: Gulf
