Newsletter: Business & Tech Brent dips on Hormuz, Iran deal optimism Energy markets swing on Iran deal hopes as Hormuz disruption drives global costs higher. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Iran, China discuss Hormuz reopening amid potential US-Iran talks China’s foreign minister told his Iranian counterpart that “persisting in negotiations is particularly important.” Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US pauses Hormuz escort mission as Trump cites progress on Iran talks A tentative diplomatic opening with Iran emerges as the US sustains its pressure campaign. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Rubio warns Iran of 'total defeat' if it refuses deal Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for Iran "to make a sensible choice" and resume negotiations. Iran
Analysis Iran's Gulf gambit: Attacking the UAE to shift US calculations By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Netanyahu gambles on Trump against Iran Israel supports the American intention of increasing sanctions against Iran, though pushing Iran against the wall could fire up the Hezbollah front against Israel in Syria. Palestine
Tehran’s biggest annual cultural event held amid ‘paper crisis’ The biggest annual cultural event in the Iranian capital kicks off amid a paper crisis and a controversy over rentierism tarnishing the publishing industry. Iran
Iranian media hail Tehran-Islamabad joint 'rapid reaction force' During a visit by Pakistan's prime minister to Iran, the two countries moved closer toward forming a joint rapid reaction force to combat border insecurity, a plan welcomed by Iranian media as a key achievement in bilateral ties. Iran
US cuts Iran oil waivers in move to force Tehran out of nuclear deal Washington is letting sanctions waivers for countries that import Iranian oil expire as it tries to make Iran quit the 2015 nuclear deal before a UN arms embargo is lifted next year as part of the agreement. United States
IRGC commander leaves sooner than expected Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has promoted Hossein Salami to serve as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. United States
How incompetence, sanctions jointly hit Iran’s economy Facing stagflation, the Iranian authorities must shift course and de-politicize economic decisions such as foreign exchange policy and management of the country's money supply. Iran
Iraq's Qaim border open to nonlocal PMU fighting in Syria Iraqi Shiite Popular Mobilization Units fighting in Syria cross the western Iraqi border with ease. Iraq
Did female Iranian boxer fight for championship or asylum in France? Boxer Sadaf Khadem made history as the first Iranian woman to win an international match, but her choice to compete without hijab may prevent her from going back home. Iran
Syrian Kurds fear US sellout to Turkey on ‘safe zone’ Zarif meets Assad and Erdogan; is Erdogan banking on Trump to avoid S-400 sanctions? Syria
Iran moves to facilitate Turkey-Syria understanding ahead of Astana summit The Iranian foreign minister’s recent trips to Damascus and Ankara suggest that Tehran is stepping up its efforts to facilitate and accelerate the political process to end the Syrian crisis. Syria
Russia and Arabs agree on US, spar over Iran The Moscow-hosted fifth ministerial meeting between Russia and the Arab League exposed some disagreements but helped bring Russia and the Arabs closer on other issues. Legacy: Gulf
Iran sets up trade vehicle with Turkey as Saudi, UAE send flood aid Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said relations with Turkey are the best they’ve been in decades, while Rouhani struck a conciliatory tone amid Saudi and Emirati flood aid. Saudi Arabia
