Reuters: U.S. President Barack Obama is set to discuss with King Abdullah the Arab-Israeli conflict, diplomatic overtures toward Iran and oil prices when he starts a tour to the Middle East and Europe in Riyadh on Wednesday.

AP: President Barack Obama begins a crucial Mideast trip Wednesday with a visit to Saudi Arabia, where concerns about U.S. outreach to Iran, the Israel-Palestinian peace process, and the kingdom's willingness to accept Yemeni prisoners from Guantanamo will all likely be on the agenda.

Reuters: Iraq refused entry on Tuesday to two flights from Tehran carrying Iranian pilgrims to visit Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim holy sites, an official in Iraq's Civil Aviation authority said.

AP: President Barack Obama suggested that Iran may have some right to nuclear energy — provided it proves by the end of the year that its aspirations are peaceful.

AP: In a new overture to Iran, the Obama administration has authorized U.S. embassies around the world to invite Iranian officials to Independence Day parties they host on or around July 4th.

New York Times: Having sent the Iranian people a video greeting on their New Year, President Obama is now inviting them to help celebrate a quintessentially American holiday, the Fourth of July.

UPI: Iran commissioned three new Ghadir-class submarines for its naval fleet at a Monday ceremony, bringing the total number of the sonar-evading vessels to seven.