Analysis ‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit Just as UAE-Israeli relations were deepening through cooperation against Iran, the Israeli prime minister publicly embarrassed Abu Dhabi by revealing his March visit. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says removing Iran’s uranium is more about optics Trump downplays Iran uranium removal after China talks, the UAE moves to bypass Hormuz and Iraq ends months of political deadlock. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Uptick in Chinese tankers transiting Hormuz amid Trump-Xi summit President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, a meeting closely watched in Iran. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump, Xi discuss Hormuz, but no Iran breakthrough expected Trump and Xi opened talks in Beijing with the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz high on the agenda, while Lebanon and Israel prepared for a new round of US-mediated negotiations. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Business & Tech Oil supply fears deepen as Hormuz traffic stays thin By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Iran looms large over Trump’s China visit, but breakthrough unlikely By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Hard-liners face backlash for attempted impeachment of Zarif A group of hard-line lawmakers are seeking the impeachment of Iran's foreign minister on several grounds, including his assertion that money laundering is taking place in Iran. Iran
Iran's conservatives return to Telegram after failed ban After banning Telegram, Iran's conservatives are now returning to the messaging app to protect Iranians from "the poisoned propaganda of the enemy." Iran
Turkey, Russia, Iran convene in Astana for Syria talks The 11th Astana meeting between Moscow, Tehran and Ankara reportedly focused on maintaining the cease-fire in Idlib as flare-ups threaten to ignite the area. Syria
Iranians hail Europe's 'practical step' in safeguarding nuclear deal Iranians have cautiously welcomed reports that France and Germany are establishing a channel for trade with Iran and help salvage the nuclear deal. Iran
Iran moves forward with railway link to Syria via Iraq Iran is building a 20-mile stretch of railway that will connect railways throughout Iraq to neighboring Syria. Iraq
Why Iran is also a strategic asset for Israel A significant number of Arab and Muslim leaders in the Middle East and the world fear Iran. For them, Israel is the only real answer to the Iranian threat and the only country able to confront it. Saudi Arabia
Iran hard-line MPs gird to impeach Zarif Iran's most hard-line parliamentarians are putting a new spoke in President Hassan Rouhani's wheel by pushing for the impeachment of four Cabinet ministers. Iran
Iran, Russia move to expand security collaboration Tehran sees its prospective security accord with Moscow as a stepping stone for wider bilateral cooperation. Russia
Iran’s foreign minister criticized for saying ‘we’ll survive’ sanctions An attempt by the Iranian government to create a viral meme declaring the country will “survive” sanctions backfired across the political spectrum. Iran
How Iran’s institutional politics is about to become more complex A relatively unknown subdivision of Iran’s Expediency Council is causing a stir in national politics as it appears to be girding to directly enter the legislative process. Iran
USAID money diverted to Syrian terrorist group "Numerous instances" of diversion reported by US watchdog agency; US sanctions between Iraq and a hard place. Iraq
Iran-Iraq relations in light of US sanctions Rather than undermine ties between Iran and Iraq, the Trump administration’s reimposition of sanctions is compelling Iran to deepen ties with its western neighbor. Iraq