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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

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

How Sweden, Finland’s NATO membership could impact Turkey

If Ankara can be tactful about Stockholm and Helsinki’s possible membership in NATO, it has a chance to see its concerns addressed.

Jewish Ukrainian refugees wait in Moldova to board plane to Tel Aviv

Debate in Israel continues over Ukrainian refugees

The Tel Aviv District Court ordered yesterday the State to offer Ukrainian refugees working permits, so they can live in dignity.

Muslim worshippers pray on Laylat al-Qadr during the holy month of Ramadan at Al-Azhar Mosque, Cairo, Egypt, April 27, 2022.

Egypt removes all mosque restrictions amid Brotherhood criticism

In response to the Muslim Brotherhood’s allegations of restricting worshippers in mosques, Egypt’s Ministry of Endowment decided to open all mosques across the country at full capacity, in a first step to ease the coronavirus measures.

Syria attack

Pentagon inquiry finds no fault in 2019 Syria strike that killed civilians

Internal investigation blamed Syrian Kurdish forces for failing to mention the presence of civilians when calling in US airstrike.

Syrians coming from Turkey go through the Bab al-Salame crossing in the border town of Azaz, to spend the last days of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr holiday with family in Syria, in Aleppo province, Syria, April 18, 2022.

Turkish-backed forces meet with rival HTS in north Syria

Extensive meetings were held in the past days between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which controls Idlib, and the Levant Front, one of the most prominent and strongest groups of the Syrian National Army, in a bid to reach a compromise between the two sides.

Abdelkhah

Iran reveals identities of two detained French 'spies'

State media aired what it said was Intelligence Ministry footage of the arrest of two French citizens, accused of attempting to "instigate chaos" by inciting Iran's protesting teachers.

Egyptian ambassador

Egypt’s ambassador say US should use leverage with Ethiopia amid Nile dam dispute

Speaking at an Al-Monitor event in Washington, Motaz Zahran also addressed human rights issues and a plan to supply energy to Lebanon.

US Army Lt. Gen. Michael Kurilla arrives to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

New CENTCOM chief visits Israel as Iran nuclear talks drag on

Gen. Michael Kurilla's visit comes as Israel seeks a Plan B in case the Vienna talks fail.

Israeli policemen and family members of Israeli border police officer Yezen Falah attend his funeral in the Druze village of Kisra-Sumei, northern Israel, March 28, 2022.

Israeli ministers call for change in controversial Nationality Law

Paying tribute to the Druze community and its contribution to the country, Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman called to change the controversial Nationality Law, which anchors the Jewish character of the State of Israel.

Iranian Army office/AFP via Getty Images

Iran opens drone factory in Tajikistan

Iran is seeking to strengthen ties with its fellow Persian-speaking country and drones play a big role in the Islamic Republic’s military strategy.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Turkish government discovers 'astroturfing'

Seemingly acting on social media calls, the Turkish government cracks down on the secular lifestyle, experts warn.

HENRIK MONTGOMERY/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images

How long can Erdogan sustain threat to veto Finnish, Swedish NATO bids?

Erdogan shakes up otherwise unified Western alliance on Ukraine war.