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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

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

NATO allies read Turkey’s wish list as Ankara holds up membership bids

Ankara has listed the presence of what it calls terrorists in Sweden and Finland as its main objection to their accession but other factors could feature.

Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi

In surprise move, legislator on Israeli left quits coalition

By quitting the coalition, Meretz Knesset member Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi has changed the balance of power in the Israeli parliament and given the opposition a majority.

Israeli government ministers look on as Prime Minister Naftali Bennett chairs the weekly Cabinet meeting at Chagall State Hall in the Knesset building, Jerusalem, July 19, 2021.

Killing of Palestinian journalist won’t push Arab party to quit Israeli coalition

Clashes between police and mourners at the funeral procession of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh add to the public pressure on Muslim coalition party Ra’am.

Palestinian officers check documents of workers waiting to reach Israel through the Erez crossing.

Israel links fate of Gaza workers to security developments

Israel deliberately expelled Gazan workers from inside Israeli cities and closed the Erez crossing with the Gaza Strip, citing the tense security and military situation with the Palestinian factions in the besieged enclave.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg poses with application documents presented by Finland's Ambassador to NATO Klaus Korhonen and Sweden's Ambassador to NATO Axel Wernhoff during a ceremony to mark Sweden's and Finland's application for membership in Brussels, on May 18, 2022.

US assures Sweden, Finland of military support as Turkey delays NATO entry

Motaz Zahran

Analysis

The Takeaway: Egypt’s US envoy touts EastMed Gas Forum as regional model

Erdogan stands firm against NATO bids by Sweden and Finland; Israel pitched as alternative for Russian gas; Sudan’s coup leaders tested by violence; Turkey gains from Kurdish infighting; HTS in talks with Turkish-backed Syrian forces in Idlib.

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn

Barbara Leaf

Senate confirms Barbara Leaf to lead State's Middle East bureau

The career diplomat's nomination was approveded by a vote of 54 to 44.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives for the COP26 UN Climate Summit, Glasgow, Ireland, Nov. 1, 2021.

Egypt to link Nile dam crisis to wider water issues at COP27

Egypt will host COP27 Climate summit in November amid the continued faltering of negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Coptic Christian families celebrate the Spring Festival known as Sham el-Nessim by the Nile banks in al-Barsha village, Egypt, April 25, 2022.

Morocco shows support to Egypt in Nile dam crisis

In a first, Morocco officially announced its support to Egypt in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis, but many believe this position will not help shift the negotiations over the GERD or change Ethiopia’s unilateral practices.

Iran babies

Khamenei warns Iranians of danger in declining birth rate

Iran’s Supreme Leader has encouraged officials to continue the work of increasing the birth rate, but that is a challenge even in economically prosperous countries.

Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz (R) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Israel’s army simulates attack on Iran

The warning by Defense Minister Benny Gantz over Iran manufacturing and installing 1,000 advanced centrifuges, and the IDF drill simulating an attack on Iran, express growing concerns in Jerusalem over the reported failure of the Vienna talks.

Saudi Arabia's Vice Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman.

Analysis

Lawmakers question Khashoggi Ban as Saudi prince visits US

Reps. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) want to know whether Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is subject to the visa denial policy known as the "Khashoggi Ban."

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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