US revokes Iran oil waiver after Hormuz attacks The United States had issued the two-month sanctions waiver as part of its preliminary deal with Iran. Iran
Analysis Trump's F-35 push for Turkey runs into CAATSA — and Israel Israel fears that Washington may be shifting its strategic options toward Turkey as the two rivals push for regional hegemony. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump says US will lift CAATSA sanctions on Turkey, consider F-35 sale The US president has announced that sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian missile batteries will be lifted. Turkey
Analysis As it hosts NATO, Turkey eyes France's SAMP/T system, F-35 progress with Trump Turkey is set to host NATO leaders as doubts over US commitment linger prompting Ankara to seeks its own defense deals with Paris and Washington. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran mourns Khamenei as questions swirl over Mojtaba’s absence By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis In Libya, maritime dispute could complicate Turkey’s backing of US unity push By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis As US-Iran talks falter, Israel views war outcome as 'total strategic failure’ By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran, US trade tweets as talk of war dies down Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to Donald Trump’s tweets in a sign that both sides want to reduce tension. United States
Rocket strikes Baghdad’s Green Zone A rocket has hit Baghdad's Green Zone near the US Embassy, ramping up US-Iranian tensions even further. Iraq
Why Saudi Arabia is focused on tensions with Iran The Saudis have called an Arab summit for May 30 in Mecca to likely brand Iran as a terrorist state, with the apparent hope that the United States will strike Iran. Legacy: Gulf
Iran should take up Trump’s offer to talk If not directly, at first, then there might be a channel through trusted partners. Oman
Has Russia begun to play a role in Iraq? Russia seeks a presence in Iraq similar to its presence in Syria but through Russian companies and economic, industrial and commercial agreements signed between the two countries. Iraq
Why Netanyahu's so quiet on US-Iran conflict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being cautious about engaging Israel in the US-Iran tensions, though he would surely not object to an American attack on Iran. Israel
Intel: How Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancee is keeping the pressure on Saudi Arabia Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancee is determined to keep his legacy alive and well — and that starts with making sure Washington holds Saudi Arabia accountable for killing him. Saudi Arabia
Republicans rush to extinguish Iran war talk GOP lawmakers insist that Trump’s show of force is the best way to prevent an immediate Iranian attack, even as a long-term solution to tensions remains elusive. Congress
If Rouhani’s Europe outreach fails, nuclear deal could collapse The Rouhani administration has pinned its hopes on Europe to save the nuclear deal, and the stakes couldn't be higher. United States
The politics behind the visa denial for veteran Palestinian official The State Department denied veteran Palestinian lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi an entry visa, provoking outcry among diplomats and activists. Palestine
Iraqi factions a wild card in US-Iran blame game Armed militias in Iraq will have to determine whether their loyalties lie with their neutral government or against the United States in a standoff with Iran. Iraq