Who is Amir Yaryab, IRGC’s cyber commander in US crosshairs? The US State Department has offered up to $10 million for information on Amir Yaryab, who oversees a key part of Iran’s cyber operations. Iran
Analysis Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election Ahead of the eighth round of talks in Rome, the Israeli military reported clearing Hezbollah's underground stronghold at Ali al-Taher after besieging the ridge for months. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel to release 5 Lebanese prisoners ahead of next talks: What to know Israel said the detainees are "civilians who are not members of a terrorist organization" and "were not involved in terrorism," concluding, "There is no reason to continue holding them in Israel." Israel
US airstrikes target Iran's Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island American military forces launched their first strikes on the Iranian mainland in more than a month just days after the top US commander for the region said Iranian mines have been cleared from Hormuz shipping lanes. Iran
Analysis Israel favors status quo as tensions in Iran's leadership fuel escalation risk By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Israel’s Lebanon dilemma: Confront Hezbollah without angering Trump, triggering Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis How Iran is readying for economic protests as Trump escalates pressure By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Zarif says UN will vote down US proposal on Iran arms embargo Iran's top diplomat expressed doubt that the United States' last-minute efforts at the UN Security Council will succeed in extending an arms embargo against Iran. United States
What are vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris' views on the Middle East? Joe Biden's running mate has views on Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Syria that fall in line with the Democratic party establishment. Saudi Arabia
State Department legally skirted Congress freeze on Saudi arms sales, inquiry finds An inspector general's report redacted by the State Department says that while the department found ways to legally bypass congressional restrictions on arms sales to Saudi Arabia, measures that Congress had called for were not taken. Saudi Arabia
Trump Pentagon nominee questioned about firm's link to killing of Saudi journalist The Senate Armed Services Committee is holding up the nomination of Louis Bremer over questions whether his firm trained those implicated in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. United States
Google closes YouTube accounts linked to Iranian government Facebook took similar actions against apparent Iranian misinformation. United States
Only Trump can revive Netanyahu’s annexation plan While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu produces excuses and scapegoats, the only way for his annexation plan to stay alive is if President Donald Trump decides it can help him get reelected. Israel
US military delivers humanitarian aid to Lebanon in wake of Beirut explosion The US military is sending three aircraft loads of food, water and medical supplies to Beirut. Lebanon
US to submit UN resolution to extend Iran arms embargo next week: Pompeo The arms embargo is set to expire in October as part of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers. United States
Pentagon contradicts Trump’s claim on Beirut ‘attack’ US Defense Secretary Mark Esper contradicted Donald Trump's suggestion that the explosion in Beirut was an "attack," saying instead that it was likely caused by an accident. Lebanon
Intel: US says there’s no ‘winning side’ in Libya The US is amplifying calls to restore oil sharing in Libya in hopes of stabilizing the conflict and likely reducing Hifter's dependence on Russia Libya
State Department remains concerned by Turkey’s proxy fighters in northern Syria Turkey-allied fighters have faced widespread accusations of arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings and other abuses in northern Syria. Syria
KRG seeks US help to rein in Turkish attacks While the United States has denied rumors that a US military delegation met with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party in the Qandil mountains, sources tell Al-Monitor that a team of US special operations forces went to inspect sites damaged in Turkish airstrikes. Iraqi-Kurdistan