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Politics & Security

Baluch Iranian youths cross a street in Zahedan, in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan bordering Afghanistan, on Dec. 18, 2025.

Analysis

Iran tightens wartime crackdown across Kurdish, Baluch ethnic regions

Arrests in Baluchistan and Kurdistan highlight widening wartime security operations that are deepening mistrust between the state and disadvantaged minorities.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

US Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on May 19, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Vance says transfer of Iran's enriched uranium to Russia 'not currently our plan'

The president said he may give leaders in Tehran until early next week to send another proposal to end the conflict diplomatically, or else the US may resume the war.

Jared Szuba

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

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl speaks at a press conference following a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego in Southern California, on May 18, 2026.

Three victims identified in San Diego mosque attack: What to know

One of the victims, Amin Abdullah, was a security guard at the center who "played a pivotal role in preventing this from being much worse," San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.

Latest News

Car bomb in Syrian capital leaves 1 dead, 23 injured: What to know

AFP via Getty Images

Syria's Sharaa renews ban on Israeli imports in customs law: What to know

NICOSIA, CYPRUS - APRIL 24: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for an informal meeting of European Union leaders on April 24, 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The EU heads of state and government are meeting over two days to discuss the conflict in Iran and the Middle East, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the effects of high fuel prices, and how Europe may contribute to de-escalation and a peace agreement. (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)

Pakistan’s air chief in Ankara as Islamabad touts regional alliance talks

Turkish Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler (C) received Pakistan Air Force Commander General Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu (L) at his office, on May 19. 2026, in Ankara.

Somaliland's first ambassador to Israel announces embassy in Jerusalem: What to know

Somaliland’s first ambassador to a foreign country formally, Mohamed Hagi, presented his diplomatic credentials in Jerusalem to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, on May 18, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Ezgi Akin

Associate Editor (Turkey)

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Iranian school-girls attend President Rouhani's presentation of the for 2018-2019 budget to the parliament on December 10, 2017, in Tehran. / AFP PHOTO / ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

With over 100 victims, who is poisoning Iran's schoolgirls?

Hundreds of Iranian schoolgirls have been mysteriously poisoned over the past few months and the government was forced to open an investigation when the problem reached Tehran on Wednesday.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R) visits the area of a crushed wagon.

Turkey and Greece maintain post-disaster diplomacy after train crash

As Ankara condoles Athens over the fatal train crash, Turks praise the Greek transport minister's resignation and lament at Turkish government officials for not taking responsibility over quake failures.

JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images

Israel should 'wipe out' Palestinian village of Huwara, says far-right minister Smotrich

After inflammatory comments by far-right legislator Zvika Fogel last Monday, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he'd like to see the Palestinian village of Huwara "wiped out."

Iran German

Iran expels German diplomats as row continues over death sentence

Iran has sentenced another dual European citizen, a German-Iranian man, to death in relation to a 2008 attack on a mosque.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Turkey arrests senior Islamic State figure, police say

The arrest came after a series of security warnings by several foreign diplomatic missions in Turkey about potential attacks on Westerners last month.

Iran nuclear

Iran enriched uranium at 83.7%, close to weapons grade: UN watchdog

The news is alarming for Israel, but Iran denied other recent reports that asserted they enriched uranium close to the 90% threshold for a nuclear weapon.

Austin

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin to visit Middle East as Iran threat builds

Lloyd Austin's visit to the region as Biden's defense secretary is intended as a signal of reassurance as Iran continues to arm and fund proxy militias throughout the region.

Jared Szuba

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

Undated photo of Afghanistan Embassy in Tehran.

Taliban releases Iran border guard, moves into Afghanistan's Embassy in Tehran

Iran has had a complicated relationship with the Taliban since the group resumed control over Afghanistan.

ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images

Israel's FM urges Germany to add Iran's IRGC to terror list, but hurdles remain

Though German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said recently that Berlin had no grounds to add the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the country’s list of terror groups, Israeli sources insist she is committed to pursuing this option.

Netanyahu tours east Jerusalem with Ben Gvir

Analysis

Israel's Netanyahu loses control as far-right ministers feed West Bank fires

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scrambling to rein in his far-right ministers as the violence in the region worsens by the day.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

A policeman is stopped by security guards from entering a branch of BLOM Bank in the Lebanese port city of Saida (Sidon) on September 26, 2022 as banks reopened to depositors with scheduled appointments only, following a week of closure due to security concerns. (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

In Lebanon, police join 'robbers', storm bank to get their own money

The Lebanese currency hit another record low on Tuesday, as judicial investigation into central bank chief Riad Salameh moves forward.

Fenerbahce supporters cheer during the UEFA Europa League group B football match between Fenerbahce SK and Stade Rennais FC at the Ulker stadium, in Istanbul on Oct. 27, 2022.

Sports stadiums shake as fans bash Turkey's earthquake response

Public dissent is getting louder online, at sporting events and on the streets as further examples of Turkey's disaster mismanagement emerge.