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
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran strikes tankers, US bases as Gulf conflict escalates Lebanon, Israel hold talks in Rome; Iraqi PM Zaidi to meet Trump; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Trump says US to strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site Satellite imagery has detected recent construction at the underground facility. Iran
Syria, US hold first business forum since sanctions relief: What to know The one-day forum in Damascus was organized by Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry and the US-Syria Business Council, which was established in Washington last June to advance trade and investment between the two nations. Syria
Analysis On first foreign trip, Iraqi PM Zaidi woos Trump but Iran casts long shadow By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran keeps Hormuz closed as US attacks intensify By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Pompeo's meeting with Turkish FM fails to calm tensions Mike Pompeo's first meeting as secretary of state with his Turkish counterpart failed to bring a breakthrough in Ankara-Washington ties, as the Syrian city of Manbij remains a potential flashpoint in relations between Turkey and the United States. Turkey
Iran: Netanyahu's claims 'childish' attempt to influence Trump Iranian officials reacted to Israeli allegations about Tehran’s nuclear program, warning Israel against “conspiracies” against Iran and “dangerous behavior.” Israel
Iran, Russia, Turkey close ranks on Syria coordination amid US pressure Moscow and its partners in Tehran and Ankara move to strengthen coordination on Syria as the Trump administration signals an intention to up the stakes. Syria
Supreme leader serves notice to Iran's enemies: Era of ‘hit and run’ is over Iranian sources deny that any of its fighters were killed in a missile strike against Syrian bases, while the supreme leader took the opportunity to strike out at the US presence in the region. United States
Trump, Netanyahu stand firm against Europe on Iran deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is encouraged by more and more hints that President Donald Trump will nix the Iranian nuclear agreement. Israel
Billboards bashing social justice NGO dot Tel Aviv The far-right Im Tirzu group is behind a hate campaign targeting the US-based New Israel Fund. Israel
Why Jerusalem momentum could generate early elections in Israel With the start of the Knesset’s summer session and the ongoing investigations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the early election pendulum is gathering momentum. Israel
Will Abbas meet with Pompeo? The current assessment among Palestinian officials is that they should not turn down the American offer to meet with Mike Pompeo, the new secretary of state. Palestine
US advances confidence-building measures toward Palestinians The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah refuses to negotiate with US administration envoys, but might be willing to indirectly discuss an interim agreement. Palestine
Iraq’s Shiite militias hope battlefield wins can secure electoral victory An electoral coalition formed by some pro-Iranian Shiite Popular Mobilization Units is confident it can secure enough seats in parliament to form a majority and claim the premiership. Iraq
Boeing finds other buyers as prospects for Iran sales dwindle There is a sense of deja vu as Boeing finds other countries, including the United Arab Emirates, to fill its order books amid US government pressure. United States
Ex-IRGC chief: Iran to leave nuclear weapons treaty if US ditches deal Former military commander Mohsen Rezaei has said that if the United States reneges on the nuclear deal, Iran could exit the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. United States