Iran-US tensions

Speaker of the parliament of Iran, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (R), arrives at the Burgenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21, 2026.

Iran's Ghalibaf holds talks in Oman on Strait of Hormuz: What to know

The US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed last week calls for Iran and Oman to hold talks on the future administration of the strait.

Krikor Der-Hagopian at the 9th Sulaimani Forum, in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, on April 16, 2025.

Breaking | Last Updated: June 23, 2026, 11:25 am

Iraq taps Krikor Der-Hagopian as first Armenian Christian ambassador to US

Baghdad’s pick of a US-educated Armenian Christian adviser as envoy to Washington underscores a bid to reset US-Iraq ties and broaden the country’s diplomatic profile.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, Lebanon, on June 9, 2026.

Analysis

As US reshapes Lebanon strategy, Israel finds itself sidelined

The deal advanced between Washington and Tehran sees a linkage between the Iranian and Lebanese theaters and creates a deconfliction mechanism — without consulting Israel beforehand.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Germany's forward #26 Deniz Undav (2nd R), an ethnic Kurd, scores his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group E football match between Germany and Ivory Coast at the Toronto Stadium in Toronto on June 20, 2026.

Culture

Amid political setbacks, Kurds shine at the World Cup

Kurdish players and clubs are making rare global gains on football’s biggest stage, offering a brief lift amid ongoing political setbacks across the region.

Latest News

Explainer

Qatar blast underscores challenges in race to restart Gulf energy flows

Qatar's Energy Minister and CEO of QatarEnergy Saad Sherida al-Kaabi speaks during a press conference in Doha on June 22, 2026.

Explainer

What’s the status of Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran talks?

Handout Photo by the US Navy via Getty Images

Culture

Egyptians hail first-ever World Cup win as Tunisia, Turkey exit

Hossam Hassan, the head coach of Egypt, celebrates after the 3-1 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between New Zealand and Egypt at BC Place Vancouver on June 21, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

US, Iran to form 'deconflicting cell' on Lebanon, sidelining Lebanese state

Cars drive past billboards showing Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (L) and his late father Ali Khamenei (R), with the slogan "Thank you, loyal Iran," erected along the highway leading to Rafik Hariri International Airport, Beirut, Lebanon, June 22, 2026.

A fuel truck CarbOil services an Easyjet aircraft at Milan's Malpensa Airport on April 13, 2026.

Eurozone's inflation jumps 2.6%, jet fuel shortages loom amid Iran war

Inflation has been soaring globally amid an energy supply crunch caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump announces Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, will invite Aoun and Netanyahu to White House

The announcement follows landmark talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington on Tuesday.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) arrives to attend a cabinet session to discuss an army plan to disarm the Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, on September 5, 2025. In August, under heavy US pressure and fearing Israel would intensify its strikes, Lebanon's government ordered the army to draw up a plan for disarming Hezbollah by the end of the year. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump, Rubio speak to Lebanon's president amid push for Aoun-Netanyahu call

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received a phone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday amid reports that Aoun is to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Haneen Sayyed

Interview

Minister warns aid cuts to Lebanon risk empowering Hezbollah

Lebanese Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed warns of resurgent sectarian tensions as Israeli strikes drive mass displacement into overcrowded Beirut.

Haneen Sayyed

Haneen Sayyed

Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs

Iranians carry the coffin of one of the people killed in a shooting attack, during their funeral in the city of Izeh in Iran's Khuzestan province, on November 18, 2022. In some of the worst violence since the protests erupted, assailants on motorbikes shot dead seven people, including a woman and two children aged nine and 13, at a central market of Izeh on the evening of November 16, 2022, state media said. (Photo by ALIREZA MOHAMMADI / isna / AFP) (Photo by ALIREZA MOHAMMADI/isna/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran arrests Ahwazi separatist leader amid war crackdown: What to know

The Islamic Republic has detained hundreds of people in Khuzestan province, home to Iran’s largest Arab community.

People celebrate Eid and watch oil tankers sail into Muscat Anchorage on March 22, 2026, at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman.

US Navy turns back 3 more vessels on second day of Iran blockade

Cargo vessels altering their identification signals have created a cat-and-mouse game for the US Navy east of the Strait of Hormuz, while most of Iran’s “ghost fleet” appears to remain in a holding pattern.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

UAE's deputy PM holds first call with Ghalibaf amid push to extend US-Iran ceasefire

The Emirati vice president and Iran’s parliament speaker talked de-escalation on the phone in the first such contact since the Iran war began.

United Arab Emirates

People walk past a wall mural along the roadside in Tehran on April 12, 2026.

Analysis

Survival first: Will Iran soften red lines in US talks to consolidate war gains?

Ahead of a possible new round of US talks, Iran insists that uranium enrichment on its own soil is nonnegotiable, framing it as a matter of sovereignty and deterrence.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper meets with IDF Chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir in Israel, March 31, 2026.

CENTCOM chief visits Israel, Bahrain amid Iran ceasefire, blockade

The meetings come as the US seeks allies' support in opening the Strait of Hormuz after the US Navy established a maritime blockade of Iran's ports amid a fragile ceasefire.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Why are Wall Street banks posting record profits amid Iran war?

The US-Israel-Iran war has roiled the global economy since Feb. 28, but the resulting market volatility has boosted trading profits for some.

Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images

First round of Lebanon-Israel talks concludes in Washington: What to know

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the meeting a “historic opportunity” to end Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon.

A photograph shows the damage in the aftermath of a drone strike in the Seef district of Manama on March 10, 2026.

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia summon Iraqi diplomats over militia attacks: What to know

The United States and Kuwait have likewise criticized Iraq over actions tied to Iran-backed armed groups in the country.