Analysis As Lebanon-Israel talks drag on, can Beirut break Iran linkage? Despite efforts to continue the direct talks between Israel and Lebanon aimed to reach a permanent end of hostilities and security arrangements, outside factors, including Israeli escalation, Hezbollah’s staunch refusal to disarm and the stalled US-Iranian nuclear talks, risk hindering any tangible outcomes that would favor Lebanon. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Analysis How Hormuz crisis is boosting IRGC and Iran’s security establishment Iran’s Hormuz strategy shows how the prolonged crisis is shifting power from political institutions toward the security establishment. By Jamshid Jamshidi
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
US stock markets soar to new records amid Hormuz deal hopes The S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average are on track for their best five-day performance since April 2025. Iran
Analysis Another US-Iran truce, same Hormuz standoff: What comes next By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Lacking leverage over Trump, Israel stays quiet on US-Iran talks By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Israel expresses interest in NATO-like Mideast alliance The memorandum of understanding Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed yesterday with Bahrain, constitutes another step in Israel’s efforts to establish an anti-Iran regional alliance. Israel
The Takeaway: Yemen’s future may be affected by Iran talks Iran and Israel; Iran and China; Iran and Turkey; Hamas alternative to "Fauda"; and more … all in less than 1,400 words. Legacy: Gulf
Iran says conditions present for 'win-win' agreement with US Though direct talks with the United States remain a non-starter, Tehran's top nuclear negotiator has shared some hope with Iranian lawmakers. Iran
Iranian supreme leader’s aide suggests pursuing 90% enrichment In a letter to Iran’s supreme leader, the hard-line former chief negotiator reportedly proposed ramping up enrichment to 90%. Iran
Israeli PM pledges Iran will no longer be untouchable Prime Minister Naftali Bennett says even if there is a nuclear agreement with Iran, "it will not bind us." Israel
Iran on the agenda as Qatar emir meets Biden There is potential Doha could play a role in brokering a US-Iran prisoner exchanging following press reports of Iran-Qatar talks on the topic. Qatar
Khamenei says max pressure led to US 'humiliation' Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that despite hardships brought about by Washington's maximum pressure strategy, Iran’s economy is enduring. Iran
Former IDF chief says Israel came close to killing Soleimani before US Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot revealed that Israel almost killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qasem Soleimani a year and a half before he was assassinated by the Americans. Israel
Top Iran security official retracts comments on talks with US The powerful politician had faced piling pressure from hard-liners over suggesting that Iran could at some point directly engage with the United States if a “good deal” was within reach. Iran
Iranian press calls direct talks with US a 'trap' The merits of talking with the United States are being debated in Iranian media after recent comments by the foreign minister. Iran
Israel prepares to receive Jews fleeing Ukraine As tensions between Washington and Moscow keep rising, Israel prepares contingency plans for Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. Israel
Qatar’s emir heads to Washington next week, report Discussions are likely to include Iran negotiations, Afghanistan and a US effort to provide alternative energy supplies to Europe in the event Russia invades Ukraine. Washington Connection
