Uptick in Chinese tankers transiting Hormuz amid Trump-Xi summit President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, a meeting closely watched in Iran. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump, Xi discuss Hormuz, but no Iran breakthrough expected Trump and Xi opened talks in Beijing with the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz high on the agenda, while Lebanon and Israel prepared for a new round of US-mediated negotiations. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Business & Tech Oil supply fears deepen as Hormuz traffic stays thin Trump meets Xi in Beijing as Gulf shipping disruptions, oil supply fears and Syria’s reconstruction efforts reshape the regional economy. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Iran looms large over Trump’s China visit, but breakthrough unlikely Analysts say China is cautiously looking to de-escalate the US-Iran war while limiting its direct involvement. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump arrives in China with Iran war looming over talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Ahead of Trump-Xi summit, Iran looks to China as guarantor — but with reservations By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
New Iranian hard-line group seeks to expel parliament speaker from their camp Iranian hard-liners say parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has become soft on conservative issues and seek to remove him from their grouping for good. Iran
Hamas seeks ties with other factions, Palestinian families Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar revealed details of a recent meeting between Hamas and Islamic Jihad to coordinate efforts to confront Israel and pursue the Palestinian cause. Palestine
Macron to press Trump on Iran diplomacy at G-7 French President Emmanuel Macron says he will present US President Donald Trump ideas for an economic incentive package to try to advance Iran diplomacy at the G-7 summit in Biarritz this weekend. United States
How Russia could facilitate China’s role in rebuilding Syria Moscow and Beijing are eyeing a number of opportunities to push forward on the reconstruction of Syria and Lebanon could play a central role. Lebanon
Iran’s Reformists scramble to avert defeat in key polls With only six months to go until Iran's crucial parliamentary elections, the country's Reform Movement is grappling with multiple crises and could lose its overwhelming majority to rival hard-liners. Iran
What was behind regional tour of Iranian foreign minister? Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif goes to Kuwait and Qatar to promote dialogue, perhaps because opportunities that once developed through Oman may no longer be as fruitful as they once were. Saudi Arabia
Iran unveils new missile defense system Iranian media hails counter to Russian S-300 missile defense system. Russia
Who's behind explosions at PMU militia sites in Iraq? As attacks on Iran-backed militias' facilities in Iraq continue, Israel actually hints it may be behind them. Iraq
Iran's Khamenei urges oil-free economy as crude sales shrink Iran's supreme leader has underlined the need for an economy independent of oil as the country's crude exports continue to plunge amid US pressure on Tehran's customers. Iran
Iran plans revamp of national currency The Iranian Cabinet has approved a bill to remove four zeros from the national currency, the rial, and rename it the toman, but economists are divided over the potential impact. Iran
How long will Iran tolerate Israeli operations against it? According to recent foreign reports, Israel is continuing to expand its operations against Iranian targets. Israel
Zarif makes fresh push to save Iran deal, ease Gulf tensions Iran's foreign minister has embarked on a long journey in search of workable diplomatic solutions to save the battered nuclear deal and resolve heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. United States
