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
Pompeo, Mnuchin say no preconditions for Iran meeting as Trump ousts Bolton After President Donald Trump announced that he had fired his national security adviser John Bolton over very strong policy disagreements, Trump’s top diplomat and treasury chief reiterated that Trump has no preconditions to meet with Iran. United States
Iran, Hamas seek benefits of mutual military support As the United States becomes more involved in the Middle East, its actions are driving Hamas and Tehran closer. Palestine
Jordan Valley annexation — Netanyahu’s desperate last card Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he would annex the Jordan Valley after the elections. He hopes this announcement will sideline unpleasant issues for him, such as the police investigation or a possible Trump-Rouhani meeting. Palestine
Iran denies secret nuclear weapons site, says Netanyahu 'cries wolf' Tehran has denied the Israeli prime minister's claims about a purported nuclear site in central Iran, saying the allegation is part of a campaign to ignite a war against the Islamic Republic. Israel
Netanyahu petrified by possible Trump-Rouhani meeting Ahead of the Sept. 17 elections, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is terrified that US President Donald Trump will crush his anti-Iran campaign by meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Iraq
UN nuclear watchdog confirms Iran installing advanced centrifuges The IAEA has confirmed Iran’s third step of reducing its limitations on nuclear research and development under the JCPOA. Iran
Intel: Why Russia boosts Iran even as Tehran pares nuclear deal commitments Despite their differences on Syria, Russia needs a stronger Iran as its partner. Russia
Will PMU form an air force unit? Iran-backed PMU factions are trying to form a PMU air force unit with Iranian support, but the top PMU leader says no. Iraq
The interplay between exchange rates and inflation in Iran While the Iranian rial has strengthened against the dollar, inflation remains high, and the budget deficit is not helping the matter. Iran
As Trump mulls Iran diplomacy, Mnuchin plays more visible role As US President Donald Trump mulls Iran diplomacy, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is playing a more visible role. United States
Child marriage nullified after social media outrage in Iran After video of an 11-year-old bride surfaced online, a popular backlash prompted the authorities to investigate and prosecute the groom, the officiant and the girl's father. Iran
