Raisi: Iran 'never has hope' in Vienna talks Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has struck a pessimistic tone commenting on the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers. Iran
Iraq receives 145% more foreign visitors in 2021 Iraq waived the visa requirements for citizens of many economically powerful countries last year in a bid to attract tourists and businesspeople. News Brief
Saudi Arabia building support for Expo 2030 bid The kingdom wants to host the international cultural forum, which is currently being held in Dubai. News Brief
Saudi IT industry to work with German software firm SAP on cloud technology The memorandum of understanding is the latest to come out of the LEAP technology forum in Riyadh, and reflects the kingdom’s diversification efforts. News Brief
New York court orders Gilgamesh tablet returned to Iraq The US Department of Justice said a past seller of the tablet, infamously purchased by the US company Hobby Lobby, misrepresented how it had been acquired. Iraq
UN-backed forces in Libya launch airstrikes as Hifter withdraws The Government of National Accord has struck the rebel commander’s stronghold for his western operations, destroying two military vehicles. Libya
Venezuela military will escort Iranian fuel tankers to shore Venezuela feels threatened by US opposition to its economic ties with Iran. United States
Intel: Houthis continue to detain Baha’i prisoners despite promise to release them The political head of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Mehdi al-Mashat, vowed to release six Baha’i prisoners during a lengthy televised address in March. Two months later, multiple sources have confirmed to Al-Monitor that the Yemeni rebels have failed to follow through and that all six prisoners remain behind bars. Yemen
Intel: US rescinds ban on British defense firm implicated in Saudi weapons fraud The US State Department is rescinding a 9-year-old policy that barred it from doing business with the Saudi subsidiary of a British defense firm, which pled guilty to fraud in a multibillion-dollar arms deal in 2010. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Top adviser signals Biden would keep troops in Syria as leverage Under a Joe Biden presidency, the United States would retain a military presence in northeast Syria as leverage against the regime, the presumptive Democratic nominee’s top foreign policy adviser suggests. Syria
Two men arrested in US for allegedly helping Carlos Ghosn flee Japan The former Nissan executive fled Japan for his native Lebanon while on bail following being charged with financial crimes. Lebanon
Intel: US sanctions Iran’s interior minister over deadly protests The United States slapped fresh sanctions and visa restrictions on 12 Iranian officials and entities, most accused of serious human rights abuses, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Wednesday. United States
Intel: Pompeo refused interview on Saudi arms sale investigation before firing Linick Secretary of State Mike Pompeo refused to give an interview for State Department Inspector General Steve Linick’s investigation into a massive Saudi arms sale deal before asking President Donald Trump to fire the watchdog, Al-Monitor has learned. Saudi Arabia
Turkey to relax quarantine rules for citizens returning from abroad Instead of completing quarantine in dormitories across Turkey, arrivals from abroad will be allowed to isolate at home for two weeks. Turkey
Report: Iran-backed militia members enter Syria via Iraq The news from a Syrian pro-opposition group contradicts statements by some Israelis that Iran may be pulling back from Syria. Syria
Israel advances bill for Shin Bet tracking of coronavirus carriers' phones Israel’s government publishes a proposal for a law with a sunset date of three months that would enable the Shin Bet to track where the mobile phones of coronavirus carriers have been. Israel
