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
Iraq struggles to distance itself from US-Iran tensions As the conflict between the United States and Iran intensifies, Iraq insists on remaining impartial in the conflict. Iraq
Zarif: Iran never pinned hopes on Europe Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the Islamic Republic has not and will not pin its hopes on Europe to save the JCPOA and will focus instead on working with countries in the region. Iraq
Pompeo blames Iran flooding on regime mismanagement, offers US help While the Trump administration said that it was prepared to help Iran following extensive flooding, at the same time it blamed the disaster on "regime mismanagement." United States
Iranian Red Crescent says US sanctions impeding flood relief The Iranian Red Crescent complained that US sanctions are impeding the collection of international aid to help its response to disastrous floods. Iran
5 obstacles to Khamenei’s call for ‘boost in domestic production’ While the Iranian supreme leader’s emphasis on domestic production in the face of external sanctions makes a certain amount of sense, the question is how such a strategy should be implemented — and in which sectors of the economy. Iran
Iran continues to struggle to keep workers content The Iranian government, members of parliament, employers and labor activists have finally agreed on wage increases to alleviate the burden on workers. But much more remains to be done to shield Iranian workers from rising prices. Iran
US, announcing new sanctions, says it hopes Iran comes 'back to negotiating table' New sanctions on Iranians who have engaged in sensitive defense research are intended to make those individuals “radioactive,” according to a senior US administration official. United States
Road map for Iran-EU trade and investment relations Europe is making efforts to set up a special purpose vehicle to uphold legitimate trade with Iran, but there is a need for a more comprehensive action plan for such trade and political relations. United States
France bans flights operated by Iran's second-largest airline Iran's second-largest airline, Mahan Air, has to stop flights to Paris for what has been reported as sanctions imposed by the French government. United States
Rouhani wants criminal cases against US officials over sanctions Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has floated the idea of lodging criminal cases against US officials over sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Iran
Trump officials warn more Iran sanctions are coming State and Treasury department experts today warned a roomful of businesspeople that trade that is legal now may not be in the near future. Iraq
Profiteering, smuggling push Iran to consider ‘electronic’ food stamps Rampant profiteering and smuggling are forcing Iranian authorities to move toward a revamped system of direct subsidies for essential goods. Iran
