US hits China-linked Iran oil trade with sanctions ahead of Trump trip The sanctions come after the United States rejected Iran's latest proposal to end the war. Iran
Trump calls Iran response 'piece of garbage,' set to meet military advisers A US Navy nuclear submarine reached port in Gibraltar on Sunday in an unsubtle signal from the Pentagon. United States
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump rejects Iran's latest proposal Washington and Tehran harden positions after Iran’s response to a US peace proposal fails to break the deadlock. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Netanyahu fears being left out as Trump pursues Iran diplomacy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was not surprised by President Donald Trump’s suspension of Project Freedom and move toward talks with Iran, but analysts say Washington may not be fully weighing Israel's concerns in negotiations with Tehran. Israel
Analysis Why Iran's wartime behavior risks lasting rupture with Gulf states By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Zarif urges united nonaligned front against US Four years after signing of the JCPOA, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said relying on the United States is a "delusion." United States
How Iran sees Russia-Turkey deal on northeastern Syria Iran's exclusion from the Turkey-Russia talks on northern Syria reflected its lack of leverage on the matter, but Tehran welcomed the agreement forged, especially its support for the Adana Agreement. Syria
Is Iran expanding its influence in Iraq? Iran seems to have further expanded its influence in the Iraqi government; Tehran still, however, faces challenges in Iraqi governmental bodies that have remained independent of Iran. Iraq
Trump administration scrambles to salvage US troop presence in Syria President Trump says he would leave some US troops in Syria to keep the Assad regime and Iranian forces away from oil fields; the Syrian Democratic Forces commander speaks with both Trump and the Russian army chief of staff. Iraq
Erdogan still under fire in Iran despite Syria agreement While Iran's Foreign Ministry has welcomed the Russia-Turkey agreement on Syria, the Turkish president remains in hot water over the offensive he launched against Syrian Kurds. Syria
Turkey, Russia both claim win in Syria agreement Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to get what he wants regarding the Kurdish People's Protection Units, and Russia appears to gain yet more influence in Syria; has Idlib become a pawn in Turkish-Russian negotiations? Iraq
Pakistan's diplomacy unlikely to work with Tehran, Riyadh The world can hope for, but not expect, great things to come from Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's recent diplomatic trips to Iran and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Iran angles for prisoner swap deal with US Iran has sent yet another signal of readiness for a prisoner swap deal with the United States, one that could see several inmates released on both sides. United States
Iran announces upgrades at Arak nuclear reactor Iran has announced upgrades to the Arak nuclear reactor and says it is ready to take the fourth step toward the reduction of nuclear commitments. Iran
Trump's Syria pullout divides Iran hawks Despite bipartisan rebuke, some see great benefits in fixing ties with Turkey. Iraq
Iraq on low boil in anticipation of renewed protests The crisis in Syria has only made Iraq’s problems worse. Iraq
Pakistan hopes to ease hostility between Iran, Saudis Traveling between Riyadh and Tehran, Pakistan’s prime minister is trying to diplomatically defuse the highly charged situation in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia