Despite blockage crisis, Suez Canal achieves record revenues The Egyptian government announced that the Suez Canal has achieved the highest monthly revenue in its history in April, exceeding half a billion dollars, despite obstruction of navigation in late March after a giant vessel went aground on the international waterway. Egypt
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox go to opposition, furious with PM-designate Relegated to the opposition benches and about to lose both budgets and political influence, the ultra-Orthodox parties are angrily attacking Prime Minister-designate Naftali Bennett. Israel
Egypt expands role in Iraqi reconstruction by building bridges in Mosul Egypt is seeking to expand its participation in the reconstruction of Iraq amid a growing alliance between Baghdad, Amman and Cairo. Egypt
Iran's hard-liners take page from China's election playbook Iran's hard-liners have long been disillusioned with a system in which all citizens are encouraged to vote. Iran
China-Iran cooperation goes slow in context of nuclear talks Beijing and Tehran are deepening ties across sectors, but progress will depend on the Vienna talks and Iran’s elections. Iran
Middle East countries set to benefit from Biden’s global vaccine initiative A US State Department spokesperson told Al-Monitor that hard-hit Iran will not be receiving doses at this time. United States
Syria rejects US secretary of state's comments on Golan Heights US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a House of Representatives committee Monday that Israel "has control" over the territory. News Brief
Iraqi judiciary releases PMU leader, citing lack of evidence The commander of an Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit accused of involvement in murder was released June 9 after the court said it failed to find sufficient evidence. Iraq
Iran nuclear deal talks to resume in Vienna this weekend US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said talks aimed at reviving the nuclear deal will resume this weekend in Vienna. Iran
Israeli government approves timing for controversial flag march in Jerusalem The nationalist rally is now scheduled to take place Tuesday, two days after Israel’s parliament votes on the formation of a new government. Exact arrangements still have not been agreed upon. News Brief
US, Turkey still far off on deal over Russian S-400 missiles Is any feasible deal on the S-400 deployment in Turkey in the works? Turkey
The Takeaway: US looks to Gulf to help break deadlock in Nile Dam dispute Egypt, Ethiopia reshape security alignments in Horn of Africa; Erdogan readies for make-or-break summit with Biden; Lapid emerges as arbiter of Israeli politics; Israeli Arab community split on coalition government; update on Gaza. Egypt
Rouhani lashes out at hard-line media over criticism of US nuclear talks The US and Iran are unlikely to reach an agreement at the Vienna nuclear talks before the June 18 Iranian presidential elections. Iran
Iran expects to restore oil output within month of US lifting sanctions A senior official at the National Iranian Oil Company said that if the United States lifts sanctions on Iran, the country expects to restore its crude oil output to pre-sanctions levels in a matter of months. Iran
Large fires erupt near Jerusalem, force evacuations The fires west of Jerusalem are the latest in a series of blazes to break out near the Israeli city in recent days. Israel
Could Netanyahu be banned from running for PM again? Members of the new coalition are pushing forward legislation that would effectively ban Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from running again for the job. Israel
