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Politics & Security

A partial view shows a drainage vacuum hole on the lake of Qaraoun in Lebanon's southern Beqaa Valley on April 5, 2019.

Israel strikes near Lebanon’s Qaraoun dam as war intensifies: What to know

The strikes near the large water reservoir follow pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to up attacks on Hezbollah in response to rocket fire and a rising death toll in Lebanon.

Motorists drive their vehicles and pedestrians cross the street past a political billboard featuring President Donald Trump and the Strait of Hormuz along Valiasr Square in Tehran on May 26, 2026.

US-Iran deal could take ‘a few days’ as roadblocks emerge, nuclear talks deferred

Mediators are scrambling to secure a deal that would end the war, while leaving unresolved the thorniest issues that predated it.

A view shows a Lebanese flag positioned among shattered concrete and twisted rebar, remnants of a destroyed building, in Sidon, Lebanon, on May 3, 2026.

US gave Israel 'tacit agreement' to target senior Hezbollah figures

While there is no explicit agreement, sources say Washington has offered quiet approval despite a ceasefire reached April 16.

A man checks old banknotes in the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on March 3, 2025.

Analysis

Cash as leverage: How Iran's push for frozen billions is reshaping diplomacy

The frozen assets debate is a test of whether the postwar diplomatic track can move toward a durable framework — or whether financial mistrust will evolve into yet another breaking point.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Iran’s Pezeshkian calls Iraqi leaders as Khamenei praises militias: What to know

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian listens during a joint press conference alongside Armenia's prime minister in Yerevan on Aug. 19, 2025.

US-Iran tit-for-tat strikes over Hormuz expose risks of prolonged standoff

A woman walks past an anti-US and anti-Israel mural depicting missiles hitting an aircraft carrier in Tehran on May 26, 2026.

Jared Szuba

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

Iran partially restores internet after 88-day blackout: What to know

An Iranian woman walks past a mobile phone shop at the Valiasr Square in Tehran on April 19, 2026.

Turkey: Thousands defy police to rally for ousted CHP leader Ozel

Turkish riot police use water cannon to disperse protesters during a rally called by ousted opposition leader Ozgur Ozel, days after a court dismissed him from office, in Izmir on May 26, 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

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Despite rise in attacks, Egyptian military recounts success story in Sinai

While militant attacks have escalated against Egyptian security forces in the Sinai Peninsula, military analysts attribute the uptick to desperation amid a successful crackdown.

Female soldiers from the Israeli army's Caracal battalion take a break in their Hummer between patrols on June 12, 2007.

IDF to integrate women into elite air force unit

In another victory in the principle of gender equality, the Israel Defense Forces will now open its air force elite Rescue Unit 669 to women.

Mufti Allam

Egyptian Mufti warns Britain on threat from Muslim Brotherhood

Grand Mufti of Egypt Shawki Allam, in a visit to London, made the government's case about the ongoing threat from the Brotherhood..

A boat sails along the Setit river bordering Ethiopia.

Sudan, Ethiopia blame each other for border violations amid Nile Dam dispute

The border dispute between Sudan and Ethiopia may affect the crisis over Ethiopia’s controversial Nile Dam, amid fears of the situation turning into an armed conflict.

Israeli flags flutter at the military cemetery on the Mount of Olives.

Hamas warns Israel against flag march in Al-Aqsa

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh warned Israel against holding its annual Jerusalem Day flag march in Al-Aqsa, threatening to confront it with “all means.”

tanker

Iran seizes two Greek tankers after US, Greece seize Iranian fuel

The tanker wars between the US and Iran appear to be heating up once again as Vienna talks remain on the rocks.

Erdogan

Analysis

Biden didn’t go to Turkey, and things aren’t okay with Erdogan

The Turkish president announces plans for another invasion of Syria, while digging in on rejecting admitting Sweden and Finland to NATO.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

iraq parliament

US disturbed by Iraqi law criminalizing Israel ties

The State Department said the new Iraqi law promotes “an environment of antisemitism.”

Turkey women

Turkish women's rights activists decry racism in their name

Dozens of Turkey’s grassroots women rights groups issued a statement against racism and anti-immigrant sentiment, only to face angry reaction from many parts of the political spectrum.

RONEN ZVULUN/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli leadership divided on Iran deal

Israel’s top security and intelligence officials can’t agree on whether Israel is better off with or without an Iran nuclear deal.

Israeli protesters wave national flags as they march toward Tzahal Square during the Flag March organized by nationalist parties, Jerusalem, April 20, 2022.

Israel on high alert ahead of Sunday’s Jerusalem march

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took a final decision that the flag march in Jerusalem’s Old City will take place as decided beforehand, with police at maximum alert across the country.

An aerial view shows Syrians sitting amidst the damaged buildings to break fast during an iftar gathering in Tadef.

Syrians reject trench dug by Turkish army near Aleppo

The residents of Tadef in the Aleppo countryside are rejecting a military trench being dug by the Turkish army that would cross through their city, calling on changing its course and retaking control of the areas held by the Syrian government forces inside the city.