Analysis Lacking leverage over Trump, Israel stays quiet on US-Iran talks Realizing it has little to no influence over President Donald Trump’s decision-making, the Israeli government has remained silent on the possibility of the United States and Iran resuming negotiations. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Syria, US hold first business forum since sanctions relief: What to know The one-day forum in Damascus was organized by Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry and the US-Syria Business Council, which was established in Washington last June to advance trade and investment between the two nations. Syria
Analysis As US-Iran fighting resumes, Israel weighs 3 options with restraint winning, for now Despite Israel's military readiness to resume strikes on Iran, officials say looming elections make Netanyahu more likely to stay out unless Tehran forces his hand. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US to drop Syria from terror blacklist The terrorism label remained a key obstacle to Syria's postwar reconstruction. Syria
Analysis Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
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
Iran's foreign minister says economy won’t be tied to nuclear talks Iran’s new foreign minister said the country is serious about the nuclear talks but wants seriousness from the other side as well. Iran
Iran's supreme leader issues ban on Samsung, LG appliances Khamenei's directive came after the two South Korean giants were about to make a comeback into their lucrative Iranian market following their brief sanctions-triggered departure. Iran
