In shift, Lebanon grants Iranian ambassador residency extension Mohammad Reza Sheibani’s visa was set to expire early Tuesday morning and he was first ordered to leave in March. Iran
China holds second air drill with Egypt: What to know China is seeking to strengthen ties with Egypt and Gulf states, including via joint air drills. Egypt
Explainer SDF chief Kobane’s Damascus visit a high wire act for Syria’s Kurds The SDF says its integration with Damascus is complete, but major questions remain over its fighters, weapons and the future of Kurdish self-rule. Syria
Oil falls 1.8% as traders await 'toughest' sanctions on Iran Traders are awaiting details about new US measures sure to further disrupt Iranian oil flows. Iran
Analysis Can Trump's economic war ultimately force Iran to compromise? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Niger's envoy reaffirms rejection of Iran snapback sanctions as UN Security Council president The African state's UN ambassador, who is chairing the Security Council for September, said the United States cannot trigger the return of UN sanctions on Iran. United States
Iran nuclear deal members agree on preserving landmark pact Iran and representatives of China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom met in Vienna as Washington presses on with its bid to restore sanctions on Tehran. Russia
US government seizes control of websites allegedly involved in Iran-Venezuela oil deal The seizure follows the US interception of fuel tankers from Iran en route to Venezuela this month amid increased US pressure on both countries. United States
Is Syria’s eastern front about to boil over? Another tough week for US-Turkey relations as Erdogan accuses US of "sick mentality." Syria
Intel: US plans to reduce troops in Iraq The Pentagon plans to reduce its current troop presence in Iraq by about one-third as President Donald Trump heads for November's vote on his reelection amid a campaign promise to end US military involvement in conflicts abroad. Iraq
Trump talks Israel-UAE deal, Biden’s Middle East record at last night of Republican convention The president slammed his Democratic rival for voting for the 2003 Iraq war, but there's no record Trump opposed the invasion at the time. United States
As Iraqi PM balances ties with US, Iran and Arab states, Tehran weighs next move Although Iran supports Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, there are signs it has concerns about his rapprochement with the United States and the Arab world. Iraq
Israeli foreign minister in Berlin pushes arms embargo on Iran After meeting with his German counterpart in Berlin, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said that Germany supports Israel on arms embargo on Iran. Israel
What’s next for Russia-Iran military partnership? If the arms embargo on Iran ends in October, what arms might Tehran buy from Moscow? Russia
Iran agrees on UN inspector access to suspected ex-nuclear sites The International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran said in a joint statement that inspectors will have access to two suspected former nuclear sites. United States
Pompeo praises killing of Iranian commander at Republican convention US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Qasem Soleimani was responsible for killing US soldiers and other rogue actions in the Middle East. Israel
Trump, Kadhimi launch new chapter in US-Iraq relations US offers Iraqi prime minister aid, energy deals and continued cooperation against Islamic State. Iraq
