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
Intel: Amid maritime deal with Egypt, Greece invites UN court to settle sea dispute with Turkey Greek Prime Minister suggests that if no agreement can be reached, his country's dispute with Turkey over a maritime boundary should go to an international court. Egypt
Egypt, Turkey show off naval strength in eastern Mediterranean Turkey conducted a military drill in the eastern Mediterranean that was followed by an Egyptian-French drill amid tensions in the region among Turkey, Greece and Cyprus on gas exploration, and between Turkey and Egypt on Libya. Egypt
Egypt boosts navy amid Turkish threats in the region Differences and conflicts between Egypt and Turkey have intensified, while Turkish threats became clear in the Mediterranean, which disturbed Cairo and prompted it to conclude armament deals for the Egyptian navy to face any military dangers from the Turkish side. Egypt
Top admiral's resignation rattles Turkey The demotion and then resignation of the chief of staff of the Turkish navy, Rear Adm. Cihat Yayci, has led to questions whether the Turkish government is distancing itself from Euroasianist figures to mend ties with its Western partners. Turkey
Turkish-Russia partnership in Libya likely to be to Moscow’s advantage Analysts say any Turkish-Russian “partnership” in Libya could end up working more to Moscow’s advantage than Ankara’s, as was the case in Syria. Syria
Pacts between Libya, Turkey raise tensions with Egypt Egypt's criticism of Libya's internationally recognized government is mounting in light of the latter's maritime and security agreements with Turkey. Egypt
Egypt flexes muscles in Mediterranean after Libyan-Turkish agreement Egypt has conducted extensive military drills in the Mediterranean in a clear response to and a show of strength against the maritime agreement between the Libyan Government of National Accord and Turkey. Egypt
Palestinians take action to demarcate maritime borders Palestinian officials are discussing demarcating their maritime borders with the Arab League and the United Nations, threatening to resort to international courts should Israel refuse to cooperate. Palestine
Iran calls for compensation for Gibraltar tanker seizure Iranian officials have welcomed the release of the Iranian tanker seized by the UK. United States
Eastern Mediterranean heats up as gas rivalry stakes grow higher Turkey’s launch of a second ship to drill in disputed areas off Cyprus is the harbinger of further escalation in the eastern Mediterranean and tough choices for Ankara. Turkey
Navy's reversal on 355-ship goal raises doubts on countering Iran The US Navy will re-evaluate plans to grow its force to 355 ships, a move that could upset the Fifth Fleet’s Middle East strategy. Legacy: Gulf
Ankara set to boost naval posture with major exercise Turkey may be planning an ambitious air-naval military drill that would span three seas. Palestine