Newsletter: Business & Tech Trump pivots from Hormuz tolls as US-Iran fighting resumes Oil prices remain far below their early May peak of nearly $115 a barrel, but the renewed hostilities have pushed them well above the roughly $70 level seen before the war. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Ahmadinejad denies alleged Mossad plot to install him as Iran leader: What to know The former president, who was a virulent critic of Israel while in office, was reportedly part of a Mossad plan to replace the current Iranian leadership. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Why Iran, US are drifting back to conflict Trump hosts Iraqi PM Zaidi; Bahrain sentences 3 to life in prison over ties to Iran's IRGC; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Interview Why Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF The fund's Middle East director, Jihad Azour, told Al-Monitor that the big Gulf energy producers now have more capacity to absorb the shock. Jihad Azour Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund
Analysis How UK's IRGC designation raises stakes for Iran and Europe By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Intel: Pompeo links Iran satellite launch to erosion of nuclear deal Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed Iran’s recent launch of a military satellite into orbit last week during a phone call today with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian. United States
Israel bombs Iran-backed forces near Syrian capital The attack, launched from over Lebanese airspace, killed both fighters and civilians. Israel
Women, children face increased risk of abuse during Mideast lockdowns No COVID-19 furlough for imprisoned Iranian women’s rights activists; Interreligious, LGBT couples struggle to connect; Yemen’s cease-fire gets a second chance. Saudi Arabia
Do US and Iranian navies need a hotline in the Gulf? In the absence of direct US-Iran diplomacy, a navy-to-navy communication channel might prevent an unwanted confrontation. United States
Iran claims US started latest Persian Gulf confrontation In today's Iran media review, the IRGC alleges the United States started the latest incident in the Persian Gulf and threatens to target US ships if Washington targets Iran's. United States
Iran summons Swiss ambassador, threatens US warships over Trump tweet Iran has summoned the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, who represents US interests, over recent escalations in the Gulf. Iran
Intel: Trump calls on Qatar to work toward resolving Gulf dispute President Donald Trump has asked Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to take steps to resolve the ongoing dispute with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, which blockaded Qatar in 2017. Legacy: Gulf
Iran unlikely to release women activists during pandemic The coronavirus outbreak is adding to the plight of imprisoned women’s rights defenders in Iran. Iran
Rouhani hits out at skeptics of Iran pandemic statistics The Iranian president said skeptics of the official coronavirus narrative in his country are serving as enemy mouthpieces. Iran
Iran's IRGC launches first military satellite as tensions with US flare Iran launched a military satellite into orbit on April 22, a significant defense breakthrough at a time of heightened tensions with the United States. Iran
Iran’s Rouhani calls for coronavirus cooperation in calls with Gulf leaders The Iranian president stressed regional cooperation to fight the virus in separate calls with the leaders of Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. Iran
Iran extends closure of religious sites amid pandemic While gradually reopening much of the economy amid lowering coronavirus-related mortalities, the Iranian government has extended a shutdown of religious sites nationwide. Iran
