Newsletter: Business & Tech Saudi economic ambitions under strain Saudi Arabia postponed its flagship investment conference, known as “Davos in the Desert,” on Monday as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels continued attacks on the kingdom. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
US sanctions law firm based in Panama, Greece over Iran shipping ties The Treasury Department accused Karnakis and Karnakis of registering shipping companies linked to Iran's so-called shadow fleet. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Divided Israeli opposition boosts Netanyahu With a week until Israel’s election, infighting within the opposition Change Bloc is blunting its efforts to turn the vote into a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of Oct. 7. By Gabrielle Debinski In New York City, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran As Tehran looks for an off-ramp from renewed conflict, Moscow is positioning itself as a diplomatic partner while pushing Iran to deliver on long-delayed economic deals. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis As Iran’s oil lifeline runs dry, can it outlast Trump's economic siege? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Israel, US gloss over differences on Iran, but frictions remain US-Israel strategic dialogue finds few points of agreement on Iran's nuclear capability; Iraq looks forward to smooth, transparent election. Iran
Intel: US lifts Iran-related sanctions, says no connection to nuclear deal The US Treasury Department has delisted Iran-based entities sanctioned by the Trump administration for alleged involvement in Iran’s ballistic missile program. Iran
Iranian state TV claims boats chased US Navy ship The US' Fifth Fleet said it was unaware of any such incident. Iran
Iran offers big promises to help rebuild Lebanese economy Meeting one Lebanese official after another, Iran's top diplomat announced substantial pledges for Lebanon's energy crisis, as foreign players are jostling each other for influence in the Arab country. Iran
Iran's FM says Saudi Arabia talks have progressed 'good distance' Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's comments came after Saudi Arabia confirmed the two rivals held their first round of talks with Tehran's new hard-liner government. Saudi Arabia
The Takeaway: Khamenei warns neighboring Azerbaijan over Israel ties Egypt’s Nile encroachers; Morocco and Ethiopia; Turkey and Syria; Israel’s looming budget showdown; Lebanon’s zoo animals; Egyptian mummy faces revealed; Gilles Kepel talks with Alaa Alaswany — all in about 1,400 words! Iran
Russian FM, Blinken discuss reviving Iran deal Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed prospects for resuming talks over the landmark nuclear deal, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. Iran
Iran concerned by Israel's presence in Caucasus, FM says Iran’s chief diplomat, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said his country will "not tolerate geopolitical change" in the region. Iran
Oil minister says Iran capable of resolving global fuel ‘crisis’ Iran’s oil minister said if sanctions targeting his country’s lifeline crude are lifted, the Islamic Republic will have every capability to tackle the world’s energy supply shortages. Iran
US citizen barred from leaving Iran needs life-saving surgery abroad, family says The son of an American citizen held in Iran urged Tehran to lift a travel ban on his ailing 84-year-old father. Iran
Iran's foreign minister says economy won’t be tied to nuclear talks Iran’s new foreign minister said the country is serious about the nuclear talks but wants seriousness from the other side as well. Iran
Iran says Israeli attacks on nuclear sites must stop Iran has suggested that the International Atomic Energy Agency's access to its nuclear facilities will resume once Israel's attacks on them stop. Iran