Egypt arrests TikTok influencer over 'human trafficking' A Cairo court sentenced university student Haneen Hossam to 10 years in prison and fined her 200,000 Egyptian pounds. Egypt
Advocates call for greater focus on democratic rights in Turkey ahead of European summit As European leaders prepare to review EU-Turkey relations in a summit this week, advocates urged greater links between future cooperation and improvements in basic rights and the rule of law in Turkey. Turkey
The Takeaway: Raisi likely can’t resist economic benefits of Iran nuclear deal Also: Turkey as wild card on Syria aid; United States says it is not trading Syrian oil for aid; Russia rebuilds Palmyra; the latest reporting from Idlib; Bedouin lawmaker a headache for Israel’s Arab party; Cairo museum gets makeover. Iran
Imagery suggests Iran failed to launch satellite, set to try again Iran appears to be planning to launch a Simorgh satellite that the Islamic Republic may have failed to get off the ground earlier this month. Iran
Iran thwarts 'sabotage' of nuclear facility Iranian nuclear sites have come under apparent cyberattacks in the past year, some of which have been blamed on Israel. News Brief
Turkey needs to build support for new Afghan mission Turkey’s offer to secure Kabul’s airport might turn into a perilous mission unless it reaches some understanding with the Taliban and secures the critical support of regional actors such as Pakistan and Iran. Turkey
Iranian official says US agrees to lift Trump-era oil sanctions The chief of staff to outgoing Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was quoted as saying that Washington had agreed to remove more than 1,000 sanctions imposed upon Iran by the previous US administration. Iran
Some variety possible in new Iranian president's cabinet With Iranian news outlets speculating about Raisi’s future cabinet, some analysts believe he will form an inclusive government — within limits. Iran
Cruise ships to return to Abu Dhabi The decision is part of a wider resumption of normal tourism in the region. News Brief
Saudi agents who killed Khashoggi received training in the US: NYT The New York Times reports that four members of the Saudi team that killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi received training under a contract approved by the State Department. Gulf
NGOs make case for keeping UN border crossing into Syria open The situation in northwest Syria is so nightmarish that some families are abandoning newborns in the streets, according to a humanitarian organization working there. Syria
Police suicides surge in Turkey A cluster of police suicides in Turkey last month highlights a crumbling brotherhood and lack of organizational support. Turkey
Israel, Jordan try to rebuild ties, trust after Netanyahu Relations between Jordan and Israel deteriorated dramatically under outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and rebuilding them won't be easy. Jordan
New Israeli government jumps to deepen ties with Emirates, Bahrain Foreign Minister Yair Lapid plans to travel to the United Arab Emirates June 29-30 in the first ever Israeli ministerial visit to the country. Israel
Turkey promotes tribal role in Syrian opposition institutions The Syrian opposition is divided over activating the role of tribes in the coalition, as some believe this would be in favor of figures close to Turkey and would help it dominate the opposition institutions. Syria
Can Oman help mediate peace in Yemen? The third UN envoy to Yemen is about to leave his post without any tangible peace progress on the ground in Yemen, as Oman continues its quiet mediation efforts. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
