Russia denied sharing intelligence with Iran in Trump call, Witkoff says Russia denied US reports that it may have provided Tehran with targeting information on American assets in the region. Iran
Putin becomes first to congratulate Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Armenia have all congratulated the Khamenei's son. Iran
Russia doubles down on Iran nuclear cooperation as US talks inch forward Moscow’s energy minister said Russia is currently building equipment for new units at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant. Iran
Russia, China, Iran to hold joint naval drills in Strait of Hormuz: What to know The drills come as the three countries strengthen their ties amid growing US economic and military pressure on Iran. Iran
Is Russia pulling support from Libyan strongman Hifter? While Russia doesn't want to see Khalifa Hifter’s self-styled Libyan National Army collapse, there are signs Moscow’s interests may align more closely with other figures in the country’s eastern government. Libya
Pandemic won't halt construction on Egypt’s first nuclear power plant Although a series of mega projects have been postponed in Egypt due to the coronavirus outbreak, work on the country’s first nuclear power plant continues. Egypt
Amnesty: Syria, Russia responsible for war crimes in Idlib Between May 2019 and February 2020, the UK-based rights group recorded 18 attacks on hospitals and schools carried out by Russian and Syrian forces. Syria
Netanyahu needs Trump on Syria, Iran, but he needs Putin, too On the anniversary of the end of World War 2 and less than a week before the visit in Israel of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Israel
Facebook says it closed accounts, pages with links to Iranian government Facebook said that it shut down hundreds of accounts and pages promoting Iranian propaganda in its monthly report. Russia
Iran seems to reconsider military entrenchment in Syria According to Israeli assessments, Iran has begun giving up on its tremendous military investment in Syria. Israel
Was Trump’s call about oil with Saudi leader the start of a reset in relations? US-Saudi partnership faces both old and new challenges in post-COVID-19 Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Report: Trump threatened to remove US troops from Saudi if no oil production cut Trump told the Saudi Crown Prince that US troops would leave Saudi Arabia if OPEC did not cut production, according to a new report. Saudi Arabia
Pompeo argues US still in Iran deal in bid to snap back global sanctions Can the United States use the UN to force other countries to sanction Iran? Russia
Russia doubles down on Iraq despite COVID-19 Moscow and Baghdad continue to plot a course for bilateral relations, though the process is being complicated by Iraq’s precarious political situation and the global coronavirus crisis. Iraq
Turkey’s S-400 delay is about more than just the economy and COVID-19 Turkey’s deepening economic woes are widely seen as the prime reason behind its decision to delay the activation of the Russian S-400 systems. But an array of other factors have been at play that are forcing Ankara to think twice. Turkey
Why Russia’s grip on Syrian military is weaker than it seems Russia’s attempts to centralize the command of numerous pro-Assad militias operating in Syria have been a mixed bag, to say the least. Syria
