Analysis How Netanyahu used Lebanon strikes to push back on Trump’s Iran deal The latest ceasefire in Lebanon leaves Netanyahu squeezed between Washington and domestic pressure. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Feature Trump’s Iran deal sidesteps fate of detained Americans The White House declined to say whether the release of the six Americans would be included in a final deal. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Culture Morocco, Egypt impress with notable draws despite winless World Cup start for Mideast teams Several teams from the Middle East and North Africa could advance to the knockout stage under the new format, and Morocco climbed in the rankings despite a tie in its opener. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump touts Iran deal as Hegseth warns Tehran Iran stands to gain from deal; 3 Iranian tankers pass US blockade; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: China-Middle East How China benefits from Trump's Iran deal By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
Iraqi cleric urges tolerance toward LGBT people Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has created ripples in Iraqi society by calling for tolerance for LGBT people. Iraq
Iran's central bank won’t bite off more than it can chew Despite broad support for the unification of foreign exchange rates in Iran — and the central bank’s announcement of such a move in the near future — realities on the ground make such an endeavor unlikely anytime soon. Iran
Did arrested Iranian negotiator influence nuclear talks? Iranian negotiator Hamid Baiedinejad wrote on his Telegram account about the latest accusations against a fellow negotiator who was in charge of banking affairs. Iran
Why Russian warplanes might return to Iran Shared tactical objectives in Syria are likely to continue to drive Russian-Iranian cooperation despite the quick end to Moscow's use of the Hamedan air base. Russia
Did US drag Turkey into 'Syrian quagmire'? The Turkish government remains defiant in the face of warnings from the US, but there are those who believe Ankara was forced into the Syrian quagmire by Washington. Syria
Iran officials behind 1980s executions defend decision Iranian officials involved in the executions of thousands of Mujahedeen-e-Khalq members in the 1980s are having to defend themselves publicly as the killings are back in the news. Iran
Corruption scandal hits Tehran City Council According to a document by the General Inspection Office, members of the Tehran City Council have been handing out public property at a discount. Iran
How MasterCard debacle got one Iranian minister in trouble When Iran's Minister of Communication and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi was recently quoted as saying that MasterCard services were coming to Iran, the reports were quickly denied as a misunderstanding, though a MasterCard-affiliated debit card service is set to begin issuing prepaid cards. Iran
Why cheaper rial could actually help Iran Though the Central Bank of Iran has repeatedly announced imminent plans to unify the country’s dual exchange rates, it appears that conditions may make this goal tenable at last. Iran
Iranian official avoids confirming arrest of nuclear negotiator Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi refused to confirm or deny whether a member of the nuclear negotiation team was arrested for spying for a foreign country. Iran
Why Iran isn't rattled by Turkey-Russia turnabout Post-coup Turkey raced to patch up ties with Russia, but Iran does not seem concerned that the rapprochement will be at its expense. Syria
Was Iranian negotiator arrested for spying? Iranian media outlets have reported that a member of the nuclear negotiation team was arrested for spying for the British government, but Iranian officials have not confirmed the news. Iran