Lebanon's Aoun to meet Trump in first presidential summit in US since 2009 The visit by the Lebanese head of state will coincide with ongoing US-sponsored Lebanon-Israel talks. Lebanon
Oil soars more than 6% as Trump rules out Iran deal, threatens more strikes Oil prices had been recovering following a memorandum of understanding signed last month to end the war, but they rose by more than 6% early on Wednesday. Iran
Trump declares MoU with Iran 'over' as Hegseth cancels trip to Israel Trump said diplomacy with Tehran was “a waste of time” after renewed attacks around Hormuz, as US defense chief reportedly cancels Israel visit. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran deal is ‘over’ Khartoum, Beijing to develop Sudan seaports; Trump bid to lift Turkey CAATSA sanctions faces hurdles; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Trump's F-35 push for Turkey runs into CAATSA — and Israel By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis As it hosts NATO, Turkey eyes France's SAMP/T system, F-35 progress with Trump By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Protests break out in Iran after admission of accidental plane downing Protests erupted in Iran after the government admitted, after three days of denial, that it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane; some of the demonstrations arose out of vigils for the victims. United States
Israeli spyware company accused of hacking activists hires lobby firm Q Cyber Technologies has been sued by Facebook and WhatsApp and is accused of helping Saudi Arabia spy on murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi PM quietly working to keep US troops in country Iraq’s caretaker prime minister privately does not want US troops to withdraw, several American and Iraqi sources familiar with the situation told Al-Monitor. Iraq
Pakistan seeks to mitigate US-Iran tensions Pakistan, wary in part of tensions between Washington and Tehran negatively affecting the reconciliation process in Afghanistan, has offered to mediate between the United States and Iran after the recent round of violence between them. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Democrats wade into legal gray area with Iran war powers vote The House passed a resolution 224-194 seeking to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct future offensive military actions against Iran. United States
Can Israel, Hamas keep it calm after US killing of Soleimani? For Israel, the return of deterrence is tainted with the possibility of a nightmare scenario. Palestine
Rouhani adviser says US claims on plane crash ‘media war' Iranian officials claim they are working with Ukrainian authorities to investigate the plane crash in Tehran but claim US accusations that they shot the plane down themselves is a “media war.” United States
Iraqi protesters decry Iranian and US interference Over three months since anti-government protests began in Iraq, attention has shifted to geopolitical fears of regional war. Iraq
Trump's threat to Iran's antiquities sets off global uproar With 24 recognized sites, Iran is most heavily represented Middle Eastern country on UNESCO's list of world heritage sites. United States
Lebanon reacts following Nasrallah speech Supporters of Lebanon’s Hezbollah were divided over its leader’s speech following the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, with some saying Hezbollah must react and others saying the Iranian strikes at the military bases in Iraq were enough. Lebanon
Hamas intensifies Western dialogues to break political isolation Hamas has stepped up its meetings with US and EU officials in an attempt to break its isolation and emerge on the international diplomatic scene. Palestine
Bernie Sanders, Ilhan Omar push Democrats left on Iran war powers The Congressional Progressive Caucus has been instrumental in setting the Democratic agenda to push back against President Donald Trump’s Iran policy. Yemen