Analysis How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade? Iranian authorities are denouncing US seizures of the country's oil tankers as piracy, but mounting disruptions to maritime trade are exposing economic fragility beneath Tehran's claims of control and resilience. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Why UAE's decision to leave OPEC is major shift for cartel The UAE accounts for 12% of OPEC's output, but tensions had been simmering over intragroup rivalries and the country wanting to export more oil. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely As President Donald Trump pressures Israel to limit its strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah is taking advantage of the situation. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Shots fired as Iran tries to seize oil tankers in Gulf of Oman, US Navy says The United States said Iran’s navy opened fire on a commercial tanker while attempting to seize it off the coast of Oman, in the latest tense encounter since Washington has moved to block sanctioned exports of Iranian petroleum. Legacy: Gulf
GOP lawmakers demand answers on Iran envoy Malley's suspension House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul is requesting “all documents and communications” related to Robert Malley’s leave and security clearance suspension. Iran
Iran to become full member of Shanghai alliance: Russian FM Gulf states are also seeking to join China and Russia in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Iran
Iran envoy Rob Malley on leave over security clearance probe The State Department says Abram Paley is currently serving as the acting special envoy for Iran. Iran
Israeli Mossad interrogated inside Iran agent who had operated in Cyprus Mossad published more details on a daring operation on Iranian soil, where its agents tracked and interrogated a head of an Iranian terror cell who had plotted to kill an Israeli in Cyprus. Israel
Iran police chief makes rare visit to Russia for surveillance deals The police commander's trip came against the backdrop of Iran's months-long unrest and reports that Tehran has been seeking Moscow's advice and surveillance equipment to crack down on dissent. Iran
Israel: seizure of millions of dollars in crypto linked to Iran IRGC, Hezbollah The news follows Hamas announcing it will not use Bitcoin anymore and more government scrutiny of cryptocurrency transactions, including by the United States. Israel
Iran-US diplomacy trudges on as hopes of new nuclear understandings grow Even if the nuclear deal is never revived, recent developments give hope that the nuclear situation will not deteriorate further. Iran
South Syria increasingly unstable even as normalization proceeds with Assad Economic turmoil and failed attempts at reconciliation over a decade after the beginning of Syria's civil war keep the country on unstable footing. Syria
Congress doubles down on Middle East defense architecture in NDAA markups To counter China's influence and Iran activities, lawmakers want to expand cybersecurity, maritime and air and missile defense support to Middle East allies and enable Israeli Air Force pilots as Arab leaders begin to engage with Iran. Legacy: Gulf
Iran rushes regional thaw in UAE as it hopes for sanctions relief Iran's foreign minister was in the United Arab Emirates to pursue the Islamic Republic's reproachment drive, while his deputy was on a parallel mission in neighboring Qatar in a quest for sanctions relief through indirect diplomacy with the United States. United Arab Emirates
Family fears US resident jailed in Iran will be left out of prisoner deal As Iran and the United States appear closer to a potential prisoner exchange, Shahab Dalili’s Virginia-based family is urging the Biden administration not to leave him behind. Iran
