Analysis Oman talks leave Israel unsure of Trump's endgame as missile threat persists Israel and the United States are tightly coordinated on intelligence, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is apparently in the dark on President Donald Trump's intentions in Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Will EU’s terror listing of besieged Iran's IRGC backfire? The EU designation could ultimately render the IRGC an even more aggressive and defiant organization aboard, and a more assertive rights violator at home. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
European Union adds IRGC to terror list, expands sanctions As the extent of the killing of protests is gradually revealed, the European Union has decided to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Iran
US designates Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist organizations: What to know The designations of the Brotherhood's branches in Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan follow President Donald Trump's executive order in November targeting the pan-Islamist movement. United States
Analysis Venezuelan crisis unlikely to impact MENA crude exporters in short term By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
US to warn UAE banks, firms against sanctioned Iran dealings The Wall Street Journal reports that US officials will warn petrochemical companies, private firms and banks of "extreme risk" for noncompliance. Iran
Iran says window for talks not 'open forever' as Vienna dialogue resumes Iran insists that it wants the original terms of the nuclear deal fully implemented. Iran
Intel: US announces Iran, Syria sanctions ahead of democracy summit The US Treasury Department announced new sanctions on Iranian and Syrian targets in the run-up to the administration’s virtual gathering of the world's democracies. United States
Israel weighs options, timing of possible military strike on Iran Despite deadlock in Vienna, expert/technical talks may have a faint pulse. Israel
US amends sanctions regulations to ease aid delivery in Syria An amended general license allows NGOs in Syria to take part in otherwise prohibited activities, including new investment in Syria and transactions with the Syrian government. Syria
Turkey praises Venezuela for 'peaceful' elections The United States, on the other hand, called the elections in the South American country “flawed.” News Brief
US sanctions senior Houthi leader over Yemen extortion campaign The US Treasury sanctioned the senior Houthi leader for "assets confiscated by Houthi opponents." Yemen
Iranian diplomat visits UK amid growing pressure over jailed activist The Iranian negotiator's meetings were expected to be overshadowed by UK demands for the release of British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, whose husband is on a hunger strike outside the UK Foreign Office headquarters in London. Iran
The Takeaway: Iran says US must show goodwill ahead of nuclear talks Saudi Arabian beach riles conservatives; Turkey responds to Erdogan health speculation; Arab-Israeli legislator vindicated by budget; Alexandria’s global warming worries; Egypt offers divorce counseling; Pharaoh’s honey bees still buzzing; all in less than 1,500 words! Iran
Iran’s plan to get rid of the subsidized exchange rate Iran's subsidized exchange rate has failed to prevent the downfall of the rial — and a move to do away with it could actually help the economy. Iran
US unveils sanctions targeting Iran's drone program The Treasury Department issued fresh sanctions on Friday targeting individuals and companies the United States says are supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ drone program. Iran
Oil minister says Iran capable of resolving global fuel ‘crisis’ Iran’s oil minister said if sanctions targeting his country’s lifeline crude are lifted, the Islamic Republic will have every capability to tackle the world’s energy supply shortages. Iran
