Newsletter: Daily Briefing Kremlin confirms S-400 talks with Turkey Lebanon’s PM to meet Erdogan in Turkey; Pakistan, Qatar seek to revive US-Iran talks after renewed strikes; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis As US-Iran fighting resumes, Israel weighs 3 options with restraint winning, for now Despite Israel's military readiness to resume strikes on Iran, officials say looming elections make Netanyahu more likely to stay out unless Tehran forces his hand. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel warns US of new Iran plot to assassinate Trump: What to know US officials are reportedly still assessing the Israeli intelligence. United States
Why US strikes on Iran rail bridge signal shift in Hormuz conflict A US missile strike on the railway bridge linking Iran to Central and East Asia suggests the White House is once again flirting with politically coercive tactics after the June agreement failed to halt Iran's attacks on Hormuz shipping. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran hits Gulf, warns Hormuz will reopen on its terms By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Macron to press Trump on Iran diplomacy at G-7 French President Emmanuel Macron says he will present US President Donald Trump ideas for an economic incentive package to try to advance Iran diplomacy at the G-7 summit in Biarritz this weekend. United States
Netanyahu turns his back on Democrats, US Jews Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not react to the statement by President Donald Trump about American Jews not loyal to their homeland, because for a long while now he has not counted them as a strategic asset of Israel. Israel
What was behind regional tour of Iranian foreign minister? Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif goes to Kuwait and Qatar to promote dialogue, perhaps because opportunities that once developed through Oman may no longer be as fruitful as they once were. Saudi Arabia
Iran unveils new missile defense system Iranian media hails counter to Russian S-300 missile defense system. Russia
Turkey’s Patriot offer dead after S-400 delivery The Donald Trump administration automatically rescinded a $3.5 billion deal to sell Patriot missile defenses to Turkey after it took delivery of a Russian alternative in July, US officials have told Al-Monitor. Syria
Between Trump and US Jewry, Netanyahu picks Trump For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump can insult US Jewry as much as he wants, as long as the president keeps supporting Netanyahu in his campaign for the premiership. Israel
Palestinian boycott of US extends to students An event called for in Ramallah to discuss the future of youth in Palestine was canceled when it became clear that the event was initiated by the US Embassy in Jerusalem. Palestine
Turkey faces losses in Syria east, west of the Euphrates River Ankara’s attempts to play Russia and the United States off against each other may be gaining it very little and could leave it losing more than it expected. Syria
Who's behind explosions at PMU militia sites in Iraq? As attacks on Iran-backed militias' facilities in Iraq continue, Israel actually hints it may be behind them. Iraq
Zarif makes fresh push to save Iran deal, ease Gulf tensions Iran's foreign minister has embarked on a long journey in search of workable diplomatic solutions to save the battered nuclear deal and resolve heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. United States
Why Netanyahu downplays historic trade agreement with South Korea Israel’s most nationalist government ever pledges to annex the occupied territories, and then approves a historic trade pact with South Korea that boycotts the settlements. Palestine
Iran calls for compensation for Gibraltar tanker seizure Iranian officials have welcomed the release of the Iranian tanker seized by the UK. United States