Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran defies Trump's blockade as oil prices soar Turkey advances gas pipeline plan to northern Cyprus; Iran-linked group claims London attack; and more. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Iran-linked group claims stabbing in Jewish area in London: What to know Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya has been linked to a number of attacks on Jewish targets in Europe, as well as an anti-regime Iranian news outlet. Iran
Oil surges past $120 to war-time high as Trump rejects Iran overture Benchmark Brent crude surpassed $120 per barrel on Wednesday, reaching the highest levels yet seen during the US-Israel-Iran war. Iran
Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the situation in Iran and the possibility of extending the ceasefire. United States
Analysis How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis UAE’s OPEC exit rattles cartel as Gulf alliances shift By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Moderate Islam pushes back extremism Terrorist operations carried out by radical Islamic groups around the world and in the Middle East have had the unintended effect of promoting moderate Islam, particularly in Iran. Iraq
Congress takes first step on Iran sanctions The Senate Banking Committee voted 18-4 in favor of repercussions if talks drag on. Congress
Rouhani: Khomeini chose peace when necessary Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini knew when it was time to make peace. Iran
Hezbollah's tactical shift against Israel Hezbollah is opening another front against Israel in the Golan Heights, where it can blame other organizations for possible escalations. Israel
Iran responds to caricatures with 'I love Muhammad' campaign Iranians have rallied around the hashtag campaign "I love Muhammad" on social media following Charlie Hebdo's printing of another caricature of the Prophet Muhammad. Iran
Iran names new UN envoy Iran's new choice for UN envoy, Gholamali Khoshroo, has a history of facilitating dialogue between faiths and cultures. Iran
Russia's nuclear diplomacy Russia's continuing negotiations and agreements with countries of the Middle East about nuclear power will continue to be a sore point with the West. Russia
Netanyahu's Iranian boomerang Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of an agreement with Iran will result in Israel losing the support of its Western allies and in Iran being legitimized as a nuclear threshold state by its Arab neighbors. Palestine
Congress gives Obama two more months to strike Iran deal Hawkish Democrats announce they won’t vote for sanctions before March 24 deal deadline. Iran
Iran warned US of 'consequences' for killing general Iran's deputy foreign minister has said that Iran told the United States that there will be "consequences" for Israel over the Jan. 18 killing of an Iranian general. Israel
Khamenei’s message to the West An open letter from Iran's supreme leader to Western youth is another sign of the changes afoot in Iran and a decision by the country's leadership to counter Islamophobia. Iran
Criticism over Kerry-Zarif stroll did not disrupt Rouhani meeting Officials in the Hassan Rouhani administration have denied that the president stormed out of a meeting in anger after being criticized for the Geneva walk shared by Iran's top nuclear negotiator and the US secretary of state. Iran