Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel moves against West Bank settlers after Huckabee criticism Who benefits from Lebanon’s amnesty law; Turkey's Fidan heads to Egypt amid questions over Saudi-led defense pact; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iran’s Hormuz authority denies Trump claims of control over strait: What to know Trump administration officials have said oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are rising, but maritime traffic remains diminished. Iran
Hormuz traffic sinks to one-week low as ships attacked, talks stagnate The United States and Yemen's Houthi rebels carried out separate attacks on commercial ships on Tuesday in the Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Lebanon becomes first Arab country to abolish death penalty Hormuz shipping traffic falls to one-week low amid hostilities; Netanyahu rejects Trump’s Gaza plan while quietly implementing it; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis What Qaani's Baghdad visit reveals about Iran's post-war dilemma By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iranians find shortcut to EU visas Iranians are finding it almost impossible to get a visa to EU countries these days unless they seek assistance from intermediaries known as “visa mafias." Iran
Rouhani’s proposed second-term Cabinet draws ire Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's proposed second-term Cabinet draws criticism from both moderates and Reformists. Iran
Iran steps up pressure on Iraqi Kurds to halt referendum Iran is stepping up pressure on Iraqi Kurdish political parties to refrain from holding their upcoming referendum on independence. Iraq
Iranian MPs face backlash over selfies with Mogherini Iran's parliamentarians are under fire for taking selfies with visiting EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini. Iran
Iraqi Kurdistan’s risky independence referendum Iraqi Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani may seek leverage from Sunni Arabs to balance opposition from Baghdad, Tehran and Ankara. Iraq
Rouhani uses inauguration to send message of moderation Endorsed by Iran's supreme leader and sworn in at the parliament, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani begins his second term with a message of moderation and continued focus on constructive engagement with the world. Iran
Saudi Arabia engages Iraq after a quarter century A resurgence of Saudi diplomacy with Iraq is aimed at keeping Iranian regional power in check. Saudi Arabia
Talent continues to leave Iran in droves The untimely death of Iranian-American math genius Maryam Mirzakhani gives rise to renewed debate on the issue of "brain drain" in Iran. Iran
Iraq, Iran struggle for control over Popular Mobilization Units The Popular Mobilization Units are divided into two rival groups, with some wanting to join the Iraqi army and others wanting to remain independent. Iraq
Iran hawks, Bannon loyalists booted in White House purge A civil war for the soul of the Donald Trump administration has emerged into the open, pitting a motley array of anti-globalists and Iran hawks against more moderate national security professionals. United States
Rouhani officially begins second term Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is set to begin his second term after being officially endorsed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran
Rouhani, Reformists battle over Cabinet picks Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani is facing pushback over his second-term Cabinet appointments. Iran
