Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says nuclear negotiations have not started yet Iran disputes US optimism over nuclear talks as Washington eases oil sanctions and regional tensions remain fragile. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Explainer Qatar blast underscores challenges in race to restart Gulf energy flows The deadly explosion marks an early test of Gulf efforts to revive oil and gas production following a historic energy supply shock caused by the US-Israel-Iran war. Qatar
Explainer What’s the status of Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran talks? Oil tankers continued to transit the strait in both directions, but many turned off their transponders over the weekend after Iran's military declared Hormuz closed once again. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Vance says Switzerland talks laid 'good foundation' for final deal Early US-Iran talks in Switzerland point to cautious progress By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Israel makes its case on Iranian enrichment Israel is making its case to US officials to allow Iran only the most minimal nuclear enrichment in the context of negotiations of a comprehensive nuclear agreement. Israel
Iran’s top prosecutor calls for revisions in use of death penalty Iran’s top prosecutor recommends reconsidering the cases of smaller drug offenders to address the high level of executions in the country. Iran
Iran news publications suspended over bail reports The Reformist newspaper Ghanoon and conservative news site Dana have both been suspended by the Tehran judiciary, likely for reporting on the enormous bail set for a government official. Iran
Iran’s former intelligence minister discusses clash with Ahmadinejad Former Iranian Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi has commented on his near-firing by former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a conflict that revealed deep divisions between Iran’s conservatives. Iran
Former IRGC commander’s comments on Syria censored After a former commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corp commented about Hezbollah and the formation of an Iranian committee to help rebuild Syria, the story was censored and the article removed. Iran
Iran seeks Shiite consensus on next Iraqi premier Iran would prefer that Nouri al-Maliki serve a third term as Iraqi prime minister, but will also give priority to a consensus among the Iraqi Shiite parties. Iraq
Hamas' Abu Marzouk says recognizing Israel a 'red line' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Mousa Abu Marzouk, deputy chairman of Hamas' political bureau, said that although it "will not recognize Israel ... Hamas will not burden the next government's success with hurdles and obstacles." Palestine
'We're Worried' conference against nuclear deal stirs backlash Critics of the Iranian nuclear deal held a conference to voice their opposition, but many opponents ran with the theme to air concerns of their own. Iran
Women realtors may lose jobs in Iran The announcement by an Iranian realtor syndicate that women should not work in real estate is worrying female realtors. Iran
Former Ahmadinejad minister: Ahmadinejad used to lie Parviz Kazemi, minister for former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has revealed some tactics of the former president. Iran
Allawi: Even Syria interferes in Iraq’s elections Iraqi politican Ayad Allawi spoke with Iran's IR Diplomacy about his complicated relationship with Iran. Iraq