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
After Trump tweet, Iran warns US about action in Iraq Iranian generals have warned the United States that they will respond if the United States takes action against Iran in Iraq. Iraq
Saudis risk losing last Republican defenders with oil price war The oil price war places the Saudis at risk of losing their previously stalwart defenders on Capitol Hill, the last line of defense against legislation targeting the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Trump laments oil price war as Saudis lose key defenders in Congress President Donald Trump on Tuesday bemoaned the oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia that has rattled energy markets and exacerbated coronavirus-related layoffs throughout the United States. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi PM-designate may be on futile mission to win Iranian support Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi is on the verge of losing his nomination while simultaneously trying to appease the United States and Iran in his Cabinet formation. Iraq
Can Russia, Saudi Arabia strike new OPEC+ deal with US help? As the OPEC+ deal has expired, Russia and Saudi Arabia remain at odds, though the United States offered encouraging words that production cuts might be negotiated. Saudi Arabia
Putin sees opportunity in Syria's COVID-19 crisis Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the dispatch of medical assistance to help Syria combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, but his real objective is far from altruistic. Syria
Intel: US stands down on Europe’s new trade mechanism with Iran Europe launched its first shipment to Iran today using a mechanism that was originally intended to function as a workaround to US sanctions in a Hail Mary bid to salvage the unraveling Iran nuclear deal. United States
Key Trump ally blasts administration for extending Iran nuclear waivers The Donald Trump administration is casting the renewal of four civil nuclear waivers as “restrictions” on Iran’s nuclear program, but Sen. Ted Cruz argues that they enable Tehran. United States
Europe sends medical aid to Iran using sanctions workaround Iran has received medical equipment from France, Germany and Britain, under a trade mechanism that circumvents the US sanctions on the country, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. United States
Iran battles coronavirus amid dramatic slump in oil income The Iranian government says it is experiencing its lowest oil revenues in a decade amid the coronavirus pandemic. United States
Intel: Erdogan, Trump talk coronavirus US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the COVID-19 crisis by phone today, the White House announced. Turkey
COVID-19 menaces oil market The novel coronavirus pandemic could have an even greater impact on the global oil glut than the Saudi-Russian showdown over prices and output. Saudi Arabia