Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps Some Israelis worry the US president might force them to accept an unsatisfactory agreement driven by his inability to secure a tangible achievement in Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks President Trump said the second meeting between the Israeli and Lebanese envoys went "very well." Lebanon
Which airlines are cutting flights amid Hormuz fuel disruption? European and Asian airlines have been most impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is throttling jet fuel supplies. Iran
Next phase of US airstrike campaign in Iran to target missile manufacturing US Central Command (CENTCOM) has plans to prevent Iran’s remaining enriched uranium from being weaponized by remnants of the regime, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested. Iran
Iran’s communications blackout limits assessment of war’s humanitarian toll Aid groups struggle to assess humanitarian toll in Iran as blackout hampers efforts to identify needs. Iran
Middle East evacuations gather pace as explosions rattle Abu Dhabi airport Dozens of Emirati flights were forced to hold or diver after the country's Defense Ministry said it had intercepted six ballistic missiles and 125 drones. United Arab Emirates
UAE billionaire Habtoor openly lambasts Trump over Iran war The Emirati businessman condemned the US president, a former business partner, for his “dangerous” attack on Iran and asked whether he had stopped to consider the collateral damage. United Arab Emirates
Azerbaijan accuses Iran of drone strike on airport The attacks damaged an airport in the Nakhchivan exclave and slightly wounded two civilians. Iran
Which 6 Kurdish groups could join the war in Iran? Iranian Kurdish groups that recently formed an alliance could soon join the United States and Israel in their campaign against the Islamic Republic, Al-Monitor has learned. Iran
Exclusive US-backed Kurdish forces poised to enter Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan 'within days' The CIA has reportedly been in contact with Iranian Kurdish armed groups since last year, as Israel has pressed for Kurdish engagement. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Pentagon: US airstrikes in Iran 'accelerating' as war shifts to new phase Pentagon projects American and Israel warplanes will have complete control of Iran’s skies in less than a week, enabling the US to conserve valuable precision longer-range munitions. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Strait of Hormuz clear of Iran navy ships, US commander says US strikes have been finishing of Iran's naval fleet, senior officials said, but its threats to the Strait of Hormuz have not yet been eliminated. Iran
Iran’s missile barrage tests US interceptor limits in escalating war US B-2 bombers and F/A-18s have been pummeling Iran's southern missile belt, but the IRGC is believed to have far more attack drones in store than ballistic missiles. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Iran’s targeting of Turkey unlikely to upend Ankara’s strategic balancing act Ankara said NATO defenses intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran that was heading toward Turkish airspace, as Turkish officials called for restraint amid rising regional tensions. Turkey
After launching Iran war, White House scrambles to evacuate stranded Americans The State Department has announced charter flights in just three of the 14 countries where it advised US citizens to evacuate. Iran
