Iran-US draft deal would release $24B in funds, ensure Lebanon ceasefire: Iranian media The draft circulating in Iranian state media, which Trump denied on Friday, would grant Tehran sanctions relief and access to billions in frozen funds while limiting final talks to nuclear issues and excluding its missile program and proxies. Iran
Trump calls off Iran strikes, says deal is close Iran did not immediately respond to his claim that its leadership had approved a deal. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
US issues more Iran sanctions as Trump says strikes will resume The sanctions are the latest to target Iran's weapons procurement networks. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Suez Canal traffic soars as Hormuz disruptions reroute energy trade The canal generated $419 million in revenue in April, up 27% year over year. Egypt
Satellite photos show construction at Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility The Iranian nuclear deal, which US President-elect Joe Biden will seek to rejoin, called for a ban on nuclear activity at Fordo. Iran
Iran's Khamenei says nuclear deal can be reentered ‘without delay’ Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there should be no delay in removing sanctions and reentering the nuclear deal. United States
Iran nuclear deal parties discuss salvaging the accord The nuclear deal's remaining signatories met virtually in an effort to preserve the landmark agreement. Iran
US sanctions companies in UAE, China over Iranian petrochemical sales A slew of new sanctions in Trump administration's final weeks could complicate Biden's pledge to rejoin the Iranian nuclear agreement. Iran
Iran’s Khamenei vows ‘definite’ revenge for US killing of Soleimani Iran’s supreme leader said revenge for the killing of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani is a definite plan, as he called on regional nations to push for the ouster of US forces. United States
Iran's Rouhani attacks domestic critics over sanctions relief Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested today that he would not allow domestic critics of the nuclear deal to delay Iran’s reentry to the deal. Iran
Rouhani under fire for signaling nuclear deal reentry Conservatives have rejected the idea of holding new talks with the United States. United States
Rouhani, Biden hint at pathways to resume Iran deal The Iranian president wants Biden to reverse Trump policies, not start a new round of talks; the US president-elect makes clear US regional partners will also have their say. United States
Iran’s Rouhani suggests nuclear deal’s fate is in Biden’s hands President Hassan Rouhani said Iran will resume full compliance with the nuclear deal as soon as his incoming American counterpart uses his signature to rejoin the same accord. United States
Israel issues travel warning involving several Middle Eastern states The Israeli government wants Israelis to avoid travel to the UAE, Turkey and other countries following the killing of an Iranian nuclear scientist. Israel
Biden: 'Hard to tell' how scientist’s killing would impact Iran negotiations The recent assassination of Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh could complicate Biden's pledge to rejoin the nuclear agreement. United States
Iran says no new negotiations until US reenters nuclear deal Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the United States must reenter the nuclear deal without preconditions. United States