Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know President Donald Trump was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, who was seen as close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc. Iraq
Trump faces three paths ahead in Iran war as Hormuz standoff intensifies As the Hormuz standoff intensifies, Trump must choose between military escalation, a limited diplomatic deal, or continuing a pressure campaign against Iran. Iran
In defiant message, Iran’s Khamenei threatens US but appeals to Gulf The address was Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s third since coming to power and included a pledge to rid the Gulf of the US. Iran
Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the situation in Iran and the possibility of extending the ceasefire. United States
Analysis How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Top Democrats urge Biden to lift sanctions on Tehran in good faith Prominent Democratic National Committee members urged President Joe Biden to relieve sanctions on Iran as the window closes for a return to the nuclear deal. Iran
House Republicans call for review of John Kerry's security clearance Republicans on the House Oversight Committee responded to a report that Kerry provided Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif information on Israel's operations in Syria, but Kerry has denied this ever happened. United States
Iran downplays state media report on US prisoner swap The US government has also denied that it reached a deal to swap prisoners with Iran. Iran
Blinken meets Israel’s Mossad chief to talk Iran The meeting follows talks earlier this week involving Israeli officials and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Israel
Iraqi, Syrian oil ministers discuss gas imports The Iraqi and Syrian oil ministers talked about the possibility of transporting Egyptian gas to Iraq through Syria during a meeting in Baghdad. News Brief
Intel: US, Israel to cooperate against Iran’s missiles and drones Biden White House avoids row with Israel over nuclear negotiations with Iran, offers to help counter Tehran's ballistic and cruise missiles. Washington Pulse
US Navy fires warning shots in encounter with Iranian patrol boats A US Navy patrol ship fired warning shots to ward off Iranian boats in the Persian Gulf on Monday, marking the second run-in between the two countries’ naval forces this month. Iran
Kerry denies he spoke with Iranian foreign minister about Israeli airstrikes in Syria Some Republicans are calling for an inquiry into whether former US Secretary of State and current presidential climate envoy John Kerry shared potentially sensitive information with Iran, but Kerry denies such a conversation ever took place. By AL-MONITOR Staff
Zarif faces fury from Iranian hard-liners after leaked tape Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called for an investigation into the leak of a tape meant for posterity. Iran
Iran welcomes Iraqi mediation with Gulf states No clear results yet, said Tehran's ambassador in Baghdad after reports of Saudi-Iran dialogue. Iraq
Saudi Arabia, Iran held direct talks in bid to ease tensions Talks between the two countries were organized by Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraq
Iran not backing down in Middle East, US intel report says The Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign did not stop Tehran's ambitions in the region, ODNI report suggests. Iran
