In Lebanon, deadline looms for expelling Iran envoy amid Hezbollah pushback The Lebanese Foreign Ministry’s decision to expel the Iranian ambassador to Beirut has exposed deep divisions among the political class as Iran-backed Hezbollah remains engaged in a war with Israel. Lebanon
Kuwait arrests 6 over alleged Hezbollah plot to assassinate leaders Kuwait said the individuals were plotting to carry out assassinations against officials, while Qatar and the UAE have also announced the dismantling of networks allegedly tied to Hezbollah and Iran’s IRGC. Kuwait
Russia evacuates 160 staff from Iran's Bushehr plant: What to know The Kremlin says it is committed to maintaining energy cooperation with Iran amid strikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Iran
Turkey, UK advance $11B Eurofighter jet deal with training agreement Britain and Turkey signed a training and support agreement marking “the next phase” of Ankara’s entry into the Eurofighter program, building on a £8 billion jet deal signed last year. Turkey
Analysis Meet Bagher Zolghadr, a hard-line IRGC veteran now Iran's security chief By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Iran's first strike on Iraqi Kurdish forces since war began a warning to US allies By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Taliban minister endorses return of Afghan migrants from Iran Afghan migrants in Iran have faced violence and hostility recently, according to reports, and the Islamic Republic has vowed to deport them by the end of the year. Iran
Turkey’s Erdogan meets KRG President Barzani ahead of Iraqi Kurdistan vote Barzani’s visit comes just amid Turkey's nascent attempt to use diplomacy, alongside ongoing military measures, to solve the 40-year-old Kurdish conflict. Turkey
Egypt's Sisi appoints new chief of powerful intelligence agency Egypt's president on Wednesday appointed a new director of its General Intelligence Service, a powerful agency that has played a key role in Gaza cease-fire talks. Egypt
France again bans Israeli firms from defense fair, deepening diplomatic rift In another sign of deteriorating bilateral relations between Israel and France, Israeli companies will be prevented from featuring their products at the international maritime exposition Euronaval in Paris in November. Israel
Iran’s FM Araghchi mobilizes against Israel in visits to Jordan, Egypt, Turkey Iran’s foreign minister has paid visits to several countries in the region in the past weeks, with the latest stop taking him to Jordan, amid Israel’s expected retaliation for Iran's missile attack. Iran
Iran suspends indirect talks with US amid regional escalation Iran's foreign minister made the announcement while touring one country after another as the region braced for further tensions amid Israeli plans for a military strike on Iran. Iran
Iran’s Quds Force head Qaani appears in Tehran after death rumors The appearance is the first proof of life offered by Iran since Ismail Qaani reportedly went missing in Lebanon following an Israeli strike targeting a top Hezbollah official. Iran
As crisis cripples region, long-divided Cyprus' leaders meet in New York Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides are meeting with the UN chief Tuesday, but recent history inspires doubt about their ability to resume the negotiations. Turkey
Israel says August Tel Aviv suicide attack planned by Hamas office in Turkey The Shin Bet and Israel Police revealed that they arrested nine people suspected of involvement in the August Tel Aviv suicide bomber attack, allegedly carried out under instructions from Hamas' office in Turkey. Israel
Erdogan’s AKP postpones bill to impose credit card fees to support Turkey’s defense Plans to collect credit card fees in a bid to boost the defense industry are put on hold after a public backlash. Turkey
US gives Israel 30 days to increase Gaza aid or risk weapons flow The Biden administration is calling on Israel to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza over the next month, warning that failure to do so "may have implications" for future US military assistance. Israel
UN says 400,000 trapped in north Gaza as Israel ups strikes, limits aid UN agencies and rights groups are sounding the alarm in the northern Gaza Strip as Israel besieges the Jabalia area. Palestine