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
Iran closer to rolling out new oil project contracts Despite ongoing quarreling over Iran’s long-delayed new oil and gas model contracts, the issue finally seems set for a resolution. Iran
Why did Russian use of Iranian air base stir up controversy? Despite controversy, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says Russian planes in Iran left according to a previously designated agreement. Syria
Sunni fear grows as PMU participation in Mosul battle confirmed Iraqi government approved officially the participation of the Popular Mobilization Units in the Mosul battle, which is supported by the United States and Iran; however, Sunni parties are afraid of this decision. Iraq
Senior Iran cleric faces down culture minister over concerts In Iran, a conservative cleric is continuing to block musical concerts in defiance of the Culture Ministry, leading others to do the same, undercutting the authority of President Hassan Rouhani. Iran
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Russian use of air base has ended A spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that Russia’s use of Hamedan air base has ended for now and discussed the potential for Russian, Iranian and Turkish cooperation in the region. Syria
Turkey, Iran lay plans as honeymoon draws to close Iran appears keen to snatch Turkey away from its traditional axis, but the two sides remain at odds over the Syrian crisis, the crucial starting point for any new chapter in bilateral ties. Turkey
What's behind the Turkey-Iran tango? The coup attempt in Turkey appears to have set in motion momentum for possible cooperation between Turkey and Iran on Syria. Syria
Iraqi militias aspire to be like Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units consider themselves as an "alternative" state institution, like the IRGC; Russia-Turkey "reset" stumbles on Syria; United States and Russia need to conclude agreement on Syria. Iraq
Tehran's famed modern art museum goes digital After decades of carefully guarding its treasures, the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is uploading its priceless collection of contemporary art. Iran
Post-nuclear deal, Iran looks to expand ties with Latin America Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi discussed Iran’s economic goals in Latin America ahead of a trip by an Iranian delegation to the region. Iran
Will Iraq's Shiite militias flow to Syria after post-IS? Expelling IS from Iraq will lead Iraqi Shiite militants to volunteer to fight in Syria, as the Syrian conflict continues to attract Sunni and Shiite fighters from around the world. Iraq
Why Iran’s diplomatic success to its north isn’t replicated to its south Under President Hassan Rouhani, Iran has managed to greatly improve its relations with its northern neighbors, but why has Iranian diplomacy succeeded in the South Caucasus and Central Asia and not in the Arab Middle East? Russia