Analysis Jordan shores up US lifelines as Iran targets Amman’s reliance on Washington Already a leading recipient of US aid, Jordan has secured fresh funds from the United States as the Iran war tests Amman and Washington's partnerships. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis As US rethinks regional presence, Israel shifts focus to destabilizing Iran Uncertain how to interpret the American regional redeployment, Israel is focusing on efforts to destabilize the Iranian regime and stop its nuclear program. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan sign defense pact Houthi attacks kill 58 Yemeni government troops; Syria says bomb near Damascus wounds 14; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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 By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf states map out a post-Hormuz export strategy By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Capitol Hill counts down days until Iran nuclear deadline A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of June 1. Iraq
Unlicensed cosmetic surgery on rise in Iran As the popularity of cosmetic surgery increases in Iran, low-cost, unlicensed clinics have increased as well. Iran
Kerry counselor expected to succeed Sherman in key job State Department Counselor Tom Shannon, a former US ambassador to Brazil, is expected to be picked to succeed Wendy Sherman as under secretary of state, US officials tell Al-Monitor. Iran
Will Iran's new mortgage plan stimulate housing market? New plans to increase the ceiling for mortgages in Iran creates unnecessary bureaucracies and is not enough to stimulate demand in the housing market. Iran
Iran MPs try to sidestep Guardian Council oversight Iranian MPs attempted to pass a bill that would reduce the Guardian Council's powers in the 2016 parliamentary elections. Iran
Reformist media welcomes rare appearance of Hajjarian The presence of Saeed Hajjarian, the main Reformist theoretician, has energized Reformist media. Iran
What's behind Taliban's trip to Tehran? A visit to Tehran by a Taliban delegation has sparked wild speculation, especially since administration officials were unable to confirm the event. Iran
Shiites reel from attack in Saudi province Saudi authorities need to curb hate speech against Shiites and take positive action to help its Shiite community, as well. Saudi Arabia
EU envoys: Iran talks may go beyond June 30 deadline European diplomats said May 26 that progress was slow in drafting a final Iran nuclear accord and predicted talks would go down to the June 30 deadline or beyond. Iran
Has Iran already accepted inspections at military sites? Some parliament members claim that Iran has already accepted inspections at its military sites, despite denials by Iran's nuclear negotiators. Iran
What will happen once Iran's assets are unfrozen? The repatriation of Iran's $120 billion in blocked assets must be paced and rational to avoid negative consequences for its economy, and Tehran must make investment decisions based on technocratic approaches as opposed to political and ideological ones. Iran
Is Islamic State 'secondary priority' for Saudi Arabia? Riyadh is preoccupied with the military campaign in Yemen; Velayati tells Lebanese officials there will be no deal on Assad; the Turkish opposition party is under attack ahead of June 7 elections. Saudi Arabia