Trump hosts Iraqi PM Zaidi as Iran war intensifies The pair met in the Oval Office a day after President Donald Trump pledged to reinstate a naval blockade on Iran. Iraq
Trump retreats from Hormuz 20% fee plan in pivot to Gulf investment deals The shift comes barely 24 hours after Trump declared the United States would become the "guardian" of the strategic waterway and seek compensation for protecting all cargo passing through it. Iran
Oil prices climb to $85 as US-Iran attacks intensify, Hormuz traffic stalls Brent crude traded at $85.02 a barrel at 11:44 a.m. EDT, up 2.06% from Monday's close after reaching $87.39 earlier on Tuesday. Iran
Analysis As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat Israel is worried that the United States is centering the Strait of Hormuz, deprioritizing the threat of a nuclear Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis 'The word belongs to the battlefield': Why Iran, US are drifting back to conflict By Ali Hashem In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran strikes tankers, US bases as Gulf conflict escalates By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iran angles for prisoner swap deal with US Iran has sent yet another signal of readiness for a prisoner swap deal with the United States, one that could see several inmates released on both sides. United States
Iran announces upgrades at Arak nuclear reactor Iran has announced upgrades to the Arak nuclear reactor and says it is ready to take the fourth step toward the reduction of nuclear commitments. Iran
Trump's Syria pullout divides Iran hawks Despite bipartisan rebuke, some see great benefits in fixing ties with Turkey. Iraq
Iraq on low boil in anticipation of renewed protests The crisis in Syria has only made Iraq’s problems worse. Iraq
Pakistan hopes to ease hostility between Iran, Saudis Traveling between Riyadh and Tehran, Pakistan’s prime minister is trying to diplomatically defuse the highly charged situation in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Behind Egypt's gift to Islamic Jihad Egypt has freed some 80 Islamic Jihad prisoners as a goodwill gesture in an effort to bring about an extended calm in Gaza and by extension prevent a conflagration in the Sinai Peninsula. Palestine
PA seeks warmer ties with Saudi Arabia Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Saudi Arabia for the first time in months, reflecting warmer relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu discovers hospitality has its limits Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to ingratiate himself at both the White House and the Kremlin, but now finds himself home alone. Palestine
Pompeo visit fails to reassure Israel on Syria, Iran The meeting of US secretary of State Mike Pompeo with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not reassure Jerusalem over developments in Syria and Iran. Israel
Pentagon turns to irregular tactics to counter Iran The Pentagon is trying to put the finishing touches on a plan to use irregular warfare tactics to temper Iran’s military escalation in the Middle East, Al-Monitor has learned. United States
Arrest of Telegram channel operator surprises Iranians The operator of a popular dissident Telegram channel was in Iraq when he was apprehended and handed to Iran, according to BBC Persian. Iran
Angry protests, empty seats overshadow Rouhani speech Leaders of several student unions walked out of a commencement speech by President Hassan Rouhani after they were barred from the podium. Iran
