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
White House faces tough task of tearing down Iran sanctions wall to save nuclear deal In Trump's final days, the White House introduced a slew of new sanctions aimed at hindering a return to the nuclear deal. Yet since the designations were so blatantly politicized, the risk of undoing them is politically manageable. Iran
Iran releases South Korean ship The Hankuk Chemi tanker was released following an investigation into alleged water pollution, but the real reason for its detention may have been frozen Iranian funds in South Korea. News Brief
US aircraft carrier returns to Middle East as Suez Canal opens The USS Eisenhower arrives in the Gulf region as the Biden administration kicks off indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Iran
Iran: no direct or indirect talks with US officials in Vienna Heading into talks in Vienna on the JCPOA, Tehran maintains its position that Washington must remove sanctions first. Iran
Will Iran’s supreme leader allow Rouhani’s last wish to come true? As Washington and Tehran make small progress on resolving their dispute over the 2015 nuclear deal, it remains unclear whether Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will support President Hassan Rouhani's efforts to negotiate. Iran
Iran, China sign long-term economic deal The deal between Iran and China is more of a “road map” than a specific deal. Iran
Iran begins phase one of domestic vaccine production Iran says it has begun the first phase of production for a domestic coronavirus vaccine. Iran
EU: No Syria reconstruction aid until Assad leaves Josep Borrell marked the 10th anniversary of Syria's civil war by doubling down on US-led policy to isolate Assad Syria
Iran says there have been no secret talks with US Iran says the United States must correct its path to return to nuclear deal. Originals
Lebanon's Salameh threatens to sue Bloomberg over sanctions report Bloomberg reported on Thursday that the United States is considering sanctions on Lebanon’s central bank chief, Riad Salameh. Business
Iran criticizes IAEA censure from European countries Iran says the plan by some European countries to censure Iran at the IAEA will have a negative effect on nuclear negotiations. Iran
UN’s highest court to hear Iran sanctions case against US The Hague-based International Court of Justice will consider an Iranian lawsuit filed after the United States withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed economic sanctions. Iran
