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Politics & Security

An EA-18G Growler assigned to Electric Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) while the ship is moored in Honolulu, Hawaii, during Exercise RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) 2026 on July 17, 2026.

US, Saudi Arabia strike Iran-aligned militias in Iraq as IRGC targets US forces in Jordan

The IRGC’s attempt to redraw the status quo amid an uneasy stalemate comes as White House hedges its military options and Omani officials seek to bring the two enemies back to the negotiating table.

A man stands near a boat moored along a beach on the Caspian Sea coast in Sorkhrud in Iran's northern Mazandaran province on March 24, 2026, where many families have relocated due to the ongoing war with the US and Israel. Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on February 28, killing the Islamic republic's supreme leader and sparking a war that has since spread across the Middle East. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images) /

Analysis

Why Ukraine's strike on Iranian ship marks dangerous new phase in ties

Tehran has warned Kyiv of consequences, as pent-up tensions couple with what Iran believes is Ukrainian alignment with the US and Israel in the recent war.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets Iraq Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi upon his arrival in Ankara, July 28, 2026.

Explainer

Erdogan hosts Zaidi, touts ‘historic step’ in Turkey-Iraq energy ties

The Turkish president outlined Ankara’s priorities with the new Iraqi government during the Iraqi leader’s first visit to Turkey: security, energy cooperation and the Development Road.

Israel PM office

Netanyahu lauds 'excellent' Trump meeting as Israel pushes harder Iran line

Hours before the meeting, President Donald Trump signaled impatience with the Israeli leader.

Latest News

Khamenei says Hezbollah's agenda 'strategic mandate' for Iran

A giant billboard depicts late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (2nd L), and his son Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, with Arabic writing that reads: "Thank you Iran," in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, on June 15, 2026.

On eighth visit, Israel’s Netanyahu seeks to repair ties with Trump

Trump Netanyahu

Zaidi to meet Erdogan as Turkey-Iraq ties take off, Kurds feel sidelined

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (not pictured) at the Pentagon on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia.

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

SERGEI SAVOSTYANOV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's Khamenei tells Erdogan to avoid military action in north Syria

The Turkish president and his Russian counterpart were both in Tehran for a key regional meeting on the war-torn Syria.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Merav Michaeli wins Israeli Labor primary

Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli was victorious in her party’s leadership elections but has a long way to go to the Nov. 1 elections.

KONSTANTIN ZAVRAZHIN/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s Erdogan meets in Tehran with Russian, Iranian leaders

The presidents of Turkey, Russia and Iran are expected to focus on the peace process in Syria, but the blockade of Ukrainian ports will top the agenda between Ankara and Moscow.

TOPSHOT - An Iranian flag flutters on board the Adrian Darya oil tanker, formerly known as Grace 1, off the coast of Gibraltar on August 18, 2019. - Gibraltar rejected a US demand to seize the Iranian oil tanker at the centre of a diplomatic dispute as it prepared to leave the British overseas territory after weeks of detention. (Photo by Johnny BUGEJA / AFP) (Photo by JOHNNY BUGEJA/AFP via Getty Images)

Can Iran offer Europe strategic relief with its energy potential?

Bijan Khajehpour

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

Elizabeth Whelan, sister of Paul Whelan, speaks during a press conference to launch the “Bring Our Families Home" campaign held by family members of hostages being held around the world, Washington, May 4, 2022.

Biden issues executive order on hostages amid pressure from families

The executive order will authorize government agencies to impose financial and travel sanctions on those involved in the wrongful detention of Americans.

This file photo taken by an AFP photographer during the 1967 Six Day War shows Israeli soldiers standing guard by Jordanian and Palestinian prisoners of war along a wall at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, May 16, 2017.

Egypt calls on Israel to investigate Egyptian soldiers' mass grave in Jerusalem

The discovery of a mass grave for Egyptian soldiers in Jerusalem seems to put relations between Cairo and Tel Aviv to the test, after they have grown steadily in the past few years under Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) attends a press conference with Josep Borell.

Iranian officials say decision is theirs to build bomb

Iranian officials state that they can increase enrichment for a nuclear bomb but have chosen not to do so.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Erdogan woos Turkish youth by canceling interest on student loans

The president’s move, first suggested by the opposition, follows protests by thousands of students over the exorbitant interest on student loans.

Israeli Defense Minister and Blue and White party chief Benny Gantz and Justice Minister and New Hope party chief Gideon Saar wave during a joint press conference, Ramat Gan, Israel, July 10, 2022.

Alliance with ultra-Orthodox could make Gantz Israeli premier

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Justice Minister Gideon Saar know that if they want to establish the next government, they must partner with the ultra-Orthodox parties, at whatever cost.

A Jewish Ukranian woman waves the Israeli flag as she disembarks from an aircaft carryng Jewish immigrants after fleeing the Russian invasion, Tel Aviv, Israel, March 6, 2022.

Israel concerned Russia may create obstacles to Jewish emigration

Two weeks after a letter to that effect, Jerusalem fears that Moscow is serious in its intention to shut down Jewish Agency activities of helping Jewish immigration to Israel.

This general view shows the site of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in Guba, Ethiopia, Feb. 19, 2022.

As negotiations falter, Ethiopia begins third-stage filling of Nile dam

Egyptian reports revealed that Ethiopia has begun the third round of water collection behind Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Fighters affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham inspect the site of a reported drone attack that targeted a motorcycle on the eastern edge of the rebel-held Idlib province, Syria, early June 28, 2022.

Syrian government, Russia escalate attacks in Idlib amid looming Turkish operation

Syrian and Russian forces are intensifying their bombing campaign in Syria’s Idlib before the tripartite summit between the Russian, Turkish and Iranian leaders in Tehran, further worrying the Syrian factions.