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
Greek foreign minister visits Oman Nikos Dendias will also head to Libya this week and recently participated in a summit with allies Cyprus and Egypt. News Brief
Iranian state TV claims boats chased US Navy ship The US' Fifth Fleet said it was unaware of any such incident. Iran
Israel willing to give maritime talks with Lebanon another try Energy Minister Karin Elharar says that while Israel welcomes the new American mediator, 'we will not give up on Israel’s security nor on any of Israel’s territory.' Israel
Territorial spats reheat ahead of Turkey-Greece talks Citing disputed territorial claims, the Turkish navy twice blocked research missions by a Greek Cypriot-contracted vessel as Turkey and Greece prepare for bilateral talks in Ankara on Oct. 6. Turkey
Ship that blocked the Suez Canal to try again Ever Given will enter Egypt’s Port Said and then traverse the Suez Canal for the first time since getting stuck and then unstuck there in March. News Brief
Blinken urges UN to hold Iran accountable for Mercer Street attack US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the drone strike was the latest in a pattern of Iranian attacks and provocative behavior. Iran
Iran calls Gulf of Oman accusations 'psychological warfare' Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned of a "destructive" response to any attack. Iran
Pentagon doesn't rule out response for Gulf shipping attack Iran's conflicts with its neighbors once again loom over Biden's ambitions to return to the Iran deal. Iran
Erdogan: Turkey will continue oil exploration in disputed eastern Mediterranean Turkey's president may be upping the ante against Greece, Cyprus and the European Union. Turkey
French foreign minister: Turkey and France have a ‘verbal cease-fire’ Jean-Yves Le Drian told a French TV station there is still a long way to go to improve Turkey-France relations, mentioning Syria, Libya and the eastern Mediterranean. The French and Turkish presidents had a cordial meeting earlier this week. News Brief
Turkey’s muddled approach to Palestine Ankara sees a recently ratified security cooperation deal between Turkey and the Palestinian Authority as groundwork for a possible maritime boundary agreement between Turkey and Palestine. Experts see such prospects as far-fetched. Turkey
Egypt sets conditions for full normalization with Turkey Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry laid down several conditions that would serve as a basis for normalizing ties with Turkey, in light of the recent attempts at rapprochement between the two countries. Egypt
