3 Iranian tankers with 4.8M barrels of oil pass US blockade: What to know At least three US-sanctioned Iranian-flagged tankers have exited the Gulf of Oman as the Trump administration eyes Tehran's moves ahead of sanctions waivers expected to begin Friday. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Explainer Turkey slams France-Cyprus military pact as East Med rivalries deepen Ankara says a defense deal between France and the Republic of Cyprus risks upsetting the island’s delicate balance, as defense ties among Cyprus, Greece, Israel and France deepen. Turkey
Explainer Turkey-Israel tensions flare over Syria, Lebanon, East Med: What to know The Turkish president has accused Israel of threatening Turkey through its military actions in Syria, Lebanon and the Eastern Mediterranean, triggering a sharp exchange with the Israeli prime minister. Turkey
Iran unveils new missile-armed fast attack boat: What to know The boats are the latest addition to Iran’s "mosquito fleet," a fleet of high-speed attack craft operated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran
Turkey's energy deal in Libya fans regional rivalries Turkey is likely to face stronger headwinds in the eastern Mediterranean after signing a controversial energy exploration deal with Libya’s interim government. Turkey
IDF forces on alert as maritime agreement with Lebanon crumbles Israel has rejected the changes Beirut has demanded to the draft maritime border agreement and now fears tensions could escalate on its northern border. Israel
Netanyahu attacks US over Israel-Lebanon maritime border deal In his efforts to win the Nov. 1 elections, opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to torpedo the American-mediated agreement between Israel and Lebanon on maritime border demarcation and to attack the Biden administration. Israel
Israel, Cyprus to resolve disagreement over maritime gas field Most of the disagreement points between Israel and Cyprus over the joint Aphrodite-Yishai natural gas reservoir have been resolved, and an agreement is apparently imminent. Israel
Israel’s Lapid defends compromise with Lebanon over maritime border Slammed by opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister Yair Lapid claims the proposed deal over the demarcation of Israel and Lebanon’s maritime border protects Israel strategically on several levels. Israel
Jordan’s port in Aqaba signs $242 million investment deal The agreement with the Dutch firm APM Terminals could help increase trade through the Red Sea port. Jordan
Turkey protests US, Greece over ‘violating non-military status’ of Aegean Greek islands Eastern Mediterranean conflict is steadily turning into a fresh strain in already-troubled US-Turkey ties, as Erdogan lashes out at Washington and Athens over the military buildup in the Dodecanese islands. Turkey
Israeli army chief discusses Lebanon, Iran with French counterparts The visit of IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi to Paris offered Jerusalem the possibility to discuss the security situation in Lebanon, and how France can play a constructive role against the Hezbollah threat. Israel
Egypt’s navy to lead new Red Sea maritime task force The US Navy will hand over command of Task Force 153 to Egypt as the Pentagon aims to enable regional militaries to take on new roles Legacy: Gulf
Why Hezbollah won't torpedo Lebanon's maritime border talks with Israel Israeli sources believe that Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah realizes how important it is for economically failing Lebanon to reach an agreement with Jerusalem on its maritime border and the extraction of natural gas. Israel
Cameras missing from US Navy drones briefly seized by Iran, Pentagon says It remains unclear whether Iran's navy took the cameras or whether they became dislodged when hauled onto the deck of the frigate IRIN Jamaran in the Red Sea last week. Iran
Iran navy attempts to capture US drones in Red Sea A US military official rejected Iran's claims that the unmanned sea drones pose a hazard to commercial shipping in the region. Legacy: Gulf
