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
Israel anticipates Hezbollah's reaction Israeli security experts estimate that although Hezbollah is not interested in raising tensions with Israel, it will respond to the Jan. 18 attack on its convoy, either in the Golan Heights or against Israeli targets abroad. Israel
Amid nuclear talks, Iran still trying to swap prisoners US officials say there is no equivalence between Americans detained in Iran and Iranians jailed in the United States, and that the issue is separate from slow-moving nuclear talks. Iran
The kiss that sent Saudi’s Iran ambassador home Iran’s deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs has discussed in two recent interviews the major points of contention remaining between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Iranian civil society speaking up for Afghans' rights Iranians are pressuring the government to help Afghan nationals with the problems they face, including discrimination and lack of access to schools. Iran
Hezbollah figure killed in Syria had ties to Soleimani Jihad Mughniyah, a Hezbollah member among those killed the recent Israeli strike in Syria, had a close relationship with Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. Iran
Slow progress on Iran talks In the Jan. 18 Iran nuclear talks, top officials expressed concern about making sufficient progress to meet the March 24 agreement deadline. Congress
Congress takes first step on Iran sanctions A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Jan. 19. Iran
Behind the recent turmoil in Iran’s parliament The turmoil in Iran's parliament stems from concern about the 2016 parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections. Iran
US, Iran struggle to speed up nuclear deal US and Iranian negotiators worked intensively all week on a document to try to speed up a nuclear accord, but are still finding difficulties. Iran
Obama vows to veto Iran sanctions as Zarif sees Kerry Strong words from US President Obama in support of negotiations instead of sanctions accompanied the second meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Iran
Congress to vote on toned-down Iran sanctions bill Senate bill doesn’t mandate what a nuclear deal should look like, undercutting sanctions opponents. Congress
Iran paper under fire for Charlie Hebdo cover An Iranian newspaper faces criticism for publishing a picture of actor George Clooney and a headline supporting French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Iran