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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

Masafer Yatta

US lawmakers urge Blinken to press Israel on Masafer Yatta evictions

The lawmakers called for the administration to pressure Israel on the evictions before President Joe Biden travels to Israel this summer.

Turkish military tanks drive past the town of Ariha on the M4 highway in Syria's rebel-held northwestern Idlib province on May 7, 2020.

US, Kurdish officials call Turkish threats of military operation in Syria 'serious'

Ankara's threats come amid a spat with NATO allies over Finland and Sweden’s request to join the Western alliance.

Dogan

AKP municipalities tone down the volume on Kurd-Pop in Turkey

Cultural events, from Kurdish-language concerts to performances of daring female stars in mini dresses, become the targets of a proxy war between the nationalist-conservatives and liberals.

Mourners at the funeral of Quds Force Col. Hassan Sayyad Khodaee in Tehran, May 24, 2022.

Iran urges UN to condemn colonel's 'terrorist assassination'

In a letter, Iran obliquely blamed Israel for the killing, the last in a chain of similar attacks that Tehran has vowed to avenge.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

New Islamic State leader reportedly caught in Turkey

Islamic State leader Abu Hasan al-Hashemi al-Qurashi has been reportedly arrested in Istanbul, but the news has not yet been independently confirmed.

AMIT SHABI/AFP via Getty Images

Despite rumors of alternative coalition, no Gantz-Netanyahu deal yet in Israel

Though communication has warmed between opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, a new government under their partnership is still a distant possibility.

Sandstorm

Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria embark on sand diplomacy

Regional countries have decided to cooperate in an attempt to reduce the severity of sandstorms.

Sudanese demonstrators barricade Al-Sahafa street during ongoing protests against a military coup, Khartoum, Sudan, Jan. 18, 2022.

Can Egyptian civil society contribute to solving Sudanese crisis?

An Egyptian civil society delegation visited Khartoum where it met with various political parties, as part of efforts to boost relations and dialogue at the popular level.

Iran nuclear

Analysis

The Takeaway: Are protests an incentive for Iran to close nuclear deal?

Israel’s shadow war with Iran; Gulf shifts to mass transportation; Turkey and Egypt reset ties; Israel targets Jenin camp; Hamas takes student council elections in West Bank.

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn

A picture taken on Feb. 14, 2019, shows Kurdistan's regional parliament in Erbil.

Iraq’s Kurdish parties struggle to unite amid deep divisions

The main parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have met at a high level amidst divisions and difficulties to form the government many months after the elections.

Iraqi-Kurdistan

Shooting

Middle East states share condolences after Texas mass shooting

Turkey, Israel and others refrained from commenting on the American gun debate in their statements.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

captagon

Jordanian official says Captagon seizures on track to double this year

The drug is being smuggled from Syria.