Netanyahu fears being left out as Trump pursues Iran diplomacy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was not surprised by President Donald Trump’s suspension of Project Freedom and move toward talks with Iran, but analysts say Washington may not be fully weighing Israel's concerns in negotiations with Tehran. Israel
Analysis CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates The findings cast doubt on Israel’s wartime gains and put pressure on Netanyahu’s campaign strategy ahead of elections. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US strikes Iran tankers as UAE reports fresh missile, drone attacks Strikes on Iranian tankers and fresh exchanges in the Gulf escalate tensions as Washington awaits Tehran’s response to a deal proposal. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hormuz clashes cloud diplomacy as US awaits Iran response US strikes and renewed exchanges in Hormuz cast doubt on the ceasefire as the Trump administration awaits Tehran’s response to a new proposal. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hezbollah commanders killed as renewed strikes test Lebanon-Israel talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US pauses Hormuz escort mission as Trump cites progress on Iran talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Netanyahu, Liberman ignore US efforts for peace deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman continue advancing construction in West Bank settlements despite US President Donald Trump’s insistence that he wants to advance a peace deal. Palestine
New Iraqi government will again require Iranian blessing While Iran may not be the winner in Iraq’s election, it will likely remain the final broker. Iraq
Israel pushes US to recognize Golan Heights sovereignty Some Israeli senior officials believe the Trump administration might agree to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Israel
F-35 sale to Turkey runs into congressional buzz saw The sale of more than 100 fifth-generation fighter jets is in jeopardy amid worsening US tensions with its NATO ally. Turkey
Iraq's Sadr sends positive sign to both the US and Iran In an attempt to prevent the United States and Iran from objecting to his move toward forming the new Iraqi government, Sadr sends positive messages to both, stating that he will not stand against them. Iraq
How serious is OIC in condemning US, Israel? The Organization of Islamic Cooperation stressed during an emergency meeting on the violence in Gaza the need to impose economic and political sanctions against countries supporting the transfer of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, yet some question if any action will actually follow. Palestine
Iran's supreme leader gives Europe list of demands to salvage nuclear deal Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei outlined conditions that Europe must take if Iran is to remain in the nuclear deal. United States
Kuwait's careful balancing act with Iran, Saudi Arabia The muted responses to the US withdrawal from the Iran deal among smaller Gulf Cooperation Council member states reflect careful policies designed to balance ties with Iran and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Pompeo calls for review of security assistance to Lebanon The State Department and congressional hawks are taking a second look at US support for the Lebanese Armed Forces after Hezbollah and its allies won a parliamentary majority in this month’s elections. Lebanon
Iran rejects removing forces from Syria Iranian officials have rejected the idea of pulling forces from Syria. Russia
Are Trump, Netanyahu trying to topple Iranian regime? Some Israeli security experts fear that an overly tough anti-Iranian policy could backfire at attempts to topple the ayatollah regime, uniting the Iranian people behind its leadership. Israel
Congress rebels against Trump’s Middle East war secrecy Fed up with increased restrictions on information and less on-the-ground access, some Democrats are seeking more transparency regarding the Donald Trump administration’s military operations throughout the region. Kuwait