Analysis Israel’s Lebanon endgame remains elusive despite ceasefire deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was compelled by President Donald Trump to accept a new ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, but without a clear long-term strategy, he may be inclined to resume hostilities at the first opportunity. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Iran unveils new missile-armed fast attack boat: What to know The boats are the latest addition to Iran’s "mosquito fleet," a fleet of high-speed attack craft operated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran
US sanctions network smuggling Iranian LPG as talks falter The sanctions come as President Donald Trump has offered mixed signals on prospects for a deal. United States
Analysis Why Israel sees Lebanon’s 'pilot zones' as path to containing Hezbollah Israel views the proposed pilot security zones in southern Lebanon as a pragmatic way to gradually expand Lebanese state control, push Hezbollah away from the border and preserve a fragile ceasefire while the Trump administration pursues broader negotiations with Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Araghchi says US bases in region legitimate targets By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says no progress in US talks as Khamenei warns of foreign plots By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US urges Iran to return to nuclear talks as Raisi sworn in Talks over reviving the nuclear deal remain on hold — a process the Biden administration warned "cannot go on indefinitely." Iran
US believes Iranians seized oil tanker off UAE coast The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said early Wednesday that the intruders had left the vessel, which is now safe. Iran
Pentagon doesn't rule out response for Gulf shipping attack Iran's conflicts with its neighbors once again loom over Biden's ambitions to return to the Iran deal. Iran
Blinken vows ‘collective response’ for ship attack blamed on Iran Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is confident that Iran carried out the attack on the Israeli-linked oil tanker. Iran
US unveils Syria sanctions targeting regime prisons, rebel group The wave of sanctions targets eight military prisons, including the notorious Saydnaya prison outside the capital Damascus that rights groups have described as a “human slaughterhouse.” Syria
Biden announces end to US combat mission in Iraq Following a White House meeting today between US President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, the two side announced an agreement that the US combat mission in Iraq will end by Dec. 31, 2021. Iraq
US 'concerned' by Tunisia turmoil, no determination if 'coup' underway White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that the administration will wait for the State Department to conduct a legal analysis before determining whether the situation in Tunisia constitutes a coup. Tunisia
Intel: US to announce agreement to pull 'combat troops' from Iraq Security will be at top of agenda for US-Iraq Strategic Dialogue today, and when US President Joe Biden hosts Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on July 26. Iraq
US reaffirms stance on Turkey’s S-400, support for Syria’s Kurds The White House has maintained the previous administration's demands that Ankara dispose of the Russian missile defense system. United States
US senator says Turkish actions against pro-Kurdish party like ‘if Biden banned the Republican Party’ Democratic and Republican senators voiced heavy criticism of the Turkish government to a State Department official during a Wednesday hearing. The lawmakers accused Ankara of abusing the international police system, being an “aggressor” toward Greece, and much more. United States
The Takeaway: Biden-Abdullah White House summit key to Israel-Jordan reset Jordan-Israel ties had hit rock bottom under Netanyahu; Also: Will Zarif pick up Raisi’s road map on the Iran deal?; Israel prepares Raisi file; Egypt, Ethiopia compete for power partnerships; Saudi-Ethiopian ties strained by Nile dam dispute; Russia’s vaccine diplomacy stumbles; the latest Pharaonic parade. Israel
Biden administration transfers first Guantanamo detainee to Morocco A government panel cleared Abdul Latif Nasir for release in 2016, but the Moroccan detainee remained at the US prison during the Trump administration. United States