Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran defies Trump's blockade as oil prices soar Turkey advances gas pipeline plan to northern Cyprus; Iran-linked group claims London attack; and more. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Iran-linked group claims stabbing in Jewish area in London: What to know Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya has been linked to a number of attacks on Jewish targets in Europe, as well as an anti-regime Iranian news outlet. Iran
Oil surges past $120 to war-time high as Trump rejects Iran overture Benchmark Brent crude surpassed $120 per barrel on Wednesday, reaching the highest levels yet seen during the US-Israel-Iran war. Iran
Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the situation in Iran and the possibility of extending the ceasefire. United States
Analysis How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis UAE’s OPEC exit rattles cartel as Gulf alliances shift By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iran holds military drill near Iraqi border to counter ISIS infiltration The stated goal of the exercise appeared as a shift from Iran's older official line, in which it had declared and taken credit for a "full eradication" of the Islamic State (ISIS). Iran
Iran unveils new Karrar drones upgraded with air-to-air missiles Iran’s drone fleet has raised concerns among the United States and its allies. Iran
Iran’s FM confirms US messages on Iraq, dodges questions on protests Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Washington has been dispatching weekly messages to Iran to rein in militants in Iraq and Syria attacking its forces. Iran
Despite visits, deals, Russia's Putin does not acquiesce to Iran's Raisi on Gaza The Iranian leadership is finding global sentiments for Gaza civilians as a unique opportunity it shouldn't miss to weaken and corner Israel, the sworn enemy. Iran
After Su-35 deal, Putin hosts Iran’s Raisi as Russia looks East Iran and Russia, both facing growing sanctions by the West, have deepened their relations in the past year. Iran
Iran says it seized ships in Gulf for alleged fuel smuggling The seizure and arrest of the foreign crew members occurred south of the disputed Abu Musa island, according to Iranian state media. Iran
Iran court orders US to pay $49 billion over Soleimani assassination Qasem Soleimani led Iran’s elite Quds Force until he was assassinated by the United States in Baghdad in 2020 in response to attacks on US forces in Iraq. Iran
Cuba, Iran ink economic agreements as Khamenei hosts Diaz-Canel In its revolutionary foreign policy, Iran has for decades gone out of its way to unite like-minded nations — with a special focus on leftist nations — for an idealistic global campaign to weaken the American hegemony. Iran
Iran-backed militias test new front with Washington’s Syrian Kurdish allies A US base in northeast Syria has been attacked twice so far by rockets launched in the last month from within the country, and officials with the Syrian Defense Forces point to Iran-backed Shiite militias. Syria
US threatens response after Houthi missiles hit cargo ships in Red Sea Iran-backed factions across the Middle East opened a new volley of attacks targeting Israeli-linked cargo vessels in the Red Sea and US troops in Iraq and Syria since Israel's truce with Hamas collapsed on Friday. Legacy: Gulf
What is scope of Iran-Oman joint military drill near Hormuz? The drill was held only days after the Pentagon dispatched one of its largest aircraft carriers to the strategic waters, causing unease in Tehran amid risks of potential confrontations stemming from the Israel-Hamas war. Iran
Why Iran's military aircraft deal with Russia is significant leap for both Tehran receives the equipment as it continues to boost a military alliance with Moscow that has come under the international spotlight and scrutiny since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Iran