Syria opens trial of Wassim al-Assad, cousin of ousted president: What we know The trial follows another session in the case against Atef Najib, also a cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, as Syrian authorities continue prosecuting figures linked to the former regime and its remnants. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US-Iran technical talks set to resume next week Hormuz tolls and frozen funds pose early tests for Iran deal; Iran's generals intensify anti-US rhetoric; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Trump insists no Hormuz tolls as Iran, US make conflicting claims Iran has said it wants to charge "maritime service fees" in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Analysis Why Iran's generals are intensifying anti-US rhetoric amid negotiations Leading figures within Iran's military and security establishment have framed the memorandum with Washington not as an end point but as a conditional arrangement tied to battlefield realities. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran denies asking for new concessions in nuclear deal Iran’s foreign minister says that economic guarantees from the nuclear deal are nothing new. Iran
Turkey’s media watchdog warns against LGBTQ song as crackdown continues Turkish pop star Mabel Matiz's “Copshop,” a song that tells the story of a gay man tortured in a police station, dovetails with a month-long government crackdown on LGBTQ groups and activities during Pride month. Turkey
Israel takes down Hezbollah drones headed for Mediterranean gas rig By intercepting Iran-made UAVs sent by Hezbollah earlier this week, Israel has made it clear that it can protect its maritime assets. Israel
Israel's Ultra-Orthodox warn Netanyahu not to take them for granted Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties have followed opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu through four failed election rounds, but will they continue to support him? Israel
Iran navy expanding its presence in Red Sea, Israel says Israel's defense chief said Iran's navy is "methodically basing itself in the Red Sea," posing risks to international shipping. By AL-MONITOR Staff
Palestinians furious at tepid US findings on journalist's killing Reactions from the ground are coming in following the results of the ballistic test performed by the United States on the bullet that killed Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Palestine
Lapid’s greatest election challenge will be skyrocketing cost of living Prime Minister Yair Lapid has only four months to show Israelis he can do something about the continuously-increasing cost of living and high housing prices. Israel
Israeli court rejects cap on Ukrainian refugees This week, Israel’s Supreme Court struck down the cap imposed by the Interior Ministry on the number of Ukrainian refugees allowed into the country. Israel
Turkey blocks VOA, Deutsche Welle in pre-election media clampdown The ban came after the websites failed to apply for licenses that would allow government to oversee their content. Turkey
Iran's chief negotiator warns Israel against war preparations The raging war of words coincided with protracted diplomacy over the revival of the Iran nuclear deal, which Israel has relentlessly criticized. Iran
Iraq’s northwest wary as IS executions, cross-border movement continue The Islamic State continues to target local tribes and others in desert areas of Iraq and across the border in Syria, as more Iraqi nationals with alleged IS links are moved to an IDP camp in northwestern Iraq. Iraq
Lapid, Macron discuss Hezbollah, Iranian nuclear deal in Paris On his first trip abroad as prime minister, Yair Lapid met at the Elysée Palace in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Lebanon, Hezbollah and Iran. Israel