Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel strikes south Lebanon after 2 soldiers killed Tehran says Iran, Oman agree on Hormuz shipping route; US lifts sanctions on Iraqi airline linked to Iran's IRGC; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Business & Tech Markets eye Hormuz breakthrough Markets have been cautiously optimistic after US President Donald Trump suggested that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be announced as early as Wednesday. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Explainer Iran-Oman deal spurs Hormuz hopes as Red Sea threats evolve Iran has signaled that an agreement was reached with Oman establishing a Hormuz shipping route even as Houthi attacks in the Red Sea expand. Iran
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf states map out a post-Hormuz export strategy Saudi Arabia and Kuwait unveiled fresh plans to bypass the Strait of Hormuz this week, the latest step in a broader Gulf effort to build a more resilient export network following five months of war. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Hormuz to reopen after ‘very good’ Iran talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Turkey’s dispiriting elections Erdogan offers an uncertain democratic future for Turkey; Syria Contact Group avoids divisions over Assad’s fate; Iranian and Russian support pivotal in Syrian military campaign to retake Aleppo. Syria
How to get Iran to improve its human rights The arrest of another Iranian-American dramatizes efforts by Iran’s security establishment to undercut President Hassan Rouhani but also jeopardizes economic gains from the nuclear agreement. Iran
After Iranian, Russian military advances Syrian opposition suffers setback in Aleppo Regime forces were able to retake large swathes of Aleppo’s southern countryside from the opposition, whose weaponry is insufficient in the face of Iranian and Russian ground and air support. Saudi Arabia
State Department nominees face grilling over Iran deal Congressional angst over the JCPOA could spell trouble for diplomatic nominations. Congress
Iran enters Syria talks without preconditions Iranian officials have entered the negotiations to find a political solution to the Syrian civil war though they will not accept conditions for President Bashar al-Assad's removal. Syria
You won't believe what some Iranians have found in their bottled water Iran is being plagued by an increasing number of scandals involving violations of food safety standards. Iran
On eve of Syria peace talks, Saudi Arabia questions Russian, Iranian intentions The United States welcomed the decision by Iran’s foreign minister to attend international talks on trying to end the Syrian war, while Saudi Arabia remained cautious. Syria
Why are Iran’s environmental workers protesting? Employees of Iran's Environmental Protection Organization are protesting corruption, negligent budget management and low wages. Iran
Israel goes back to business as usual in post-Iran deal era The visit of Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon this week to Washington and the upcoming visit there of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will both focus on Israeli demands for US military support. Israel
Rouhani shifts gears on economy With the Iranian economy losing steam, the Rouhani administration is changing tack and adopting a new stimulus package as the nation waits impatiently for sanctions removal. Iran
Some Iranians still dream of citizenship Up to a million people born to Iranian mothers and non-Iranian fathers continue to be deprived of Iranian citizenship. Iran
Iranian officials justify soldier deaths in Syria The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps addresses the number of Iranian soldiers' deaths recently in Syria. Lebanon