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Politics & Security

People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs neighborhood of Haret Hreik on May 6, 2026.

Israel strikes Beirut in breach of Lebanon ceasefire

Israel has continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon but had not targeted Beirut since the ceasefire took effect.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, May 6, 2026.

Saudi FM in Turkey as Ankara, Riyadh step up coordination amid Iran war

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visit to Ankara comes amid rapidly expanding Turkish-Saudi coordination as the fallout from the Iran war reshapes Gulf security dynamics.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second right, talks to his Iranian Counterpart Abbas Araghchi, left, during the bilateral meeting in Beijing, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Iran, China discuss Hormuz reopening amid potential US-Iran talks

China’s foreign minister told his Iranian counterpart that “persisting in negotiations is particularly important.”

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Lebanon, Israel eye third round of talks, but no Netanyahu-Aoun meeting in sight

The US appears to be pushing for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the Lebanese government says it won't happen while Israel continues to launch attacks on Lebanon.

Latest News

Analysis

Iran's Gulf gambit: Attacking the UAE to shift US calculations

A billboard with the image of the late Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wraps the front of a building in Tehran on May 5, 2026.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iran’s Araghchi heads to China as US presses Beijing over Hormuz: What to know

Parker Song / Getty Images

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

Pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik of Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 11, 2024.

Russia's Putin holds first meeting with Iran's Pezeshkian: What we know

The face-to-face in Turkmenistan between the Russian president and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, took place as Iran braces for a potential retaliatory strike from Israel.

People visit the site of the remains of an Iranian missile in the Negev desert near Arad, Oct. 3, 2024.

Israel's cabinet remains uncertain about response to Iran attack

The Israeli cabinet adjourned hours before Yom Kippur without a decision on when and how to retaliate for Iran's recent missile barrage.

Suzanne M. Jenkins/US Air Force via Getty Images

US F-15s arrive in Middle East as Israel preps Iran retaliation

A new squadron of US F-15s arrived at an undisclosed base in the region this week as Washington works to stop Israel from escalating the fighting in a counterattack on Iran.

Jared Szuba

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

A man looks at high meat prices at a butcher in the historic Ulus district in Ankara on Jan. 27, 2023.

Popular steakhouse accused of pork fraud divides Turkey

While official tests revealed traces of pork, the company’s owner suggests a “dark plot.”

Supporters of the pro-Kurdish Peoples DEM Party attend a rally for the Turkish Municipal elections to be held on March 31, in Esenyurt Square, in Istanbul on Feb. 25, 2024.

Exclusive

Turkey mulls peace talks with Kurds amid fears of Israeli strike on Iran

Three well-placed sources told Al-Monitor that exploratory talks for a possible resumption of negotiations between the Turkish government and imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan were already underway.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

UN inquiry accuses Israel of crimes against humanity in destroying Gaza’s hospitals

Israel’s government did not cooperate with the investigation, which accused Israel of the international crime of “extermination” for widespread and systematic attacks on Gaza’s health care infrastructure and medical personnel.

A UNIFIL personnel carrier drives by a picture of late Hezbollah leader Sheikh Abbas al-Mussawi May 2, 2000, in the village of Ghandourieyh in south Lebanon.

Live Updates

France summons Israel envoy after new attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

Four peacekeepers have been injured in the past 48 hours after UNIFIL positions were hit by Israeli fire in southern Lebanon, sparking deep concern from the UN regarding the safety of its mission in Lebanon.

Members of Israel's Home Front Command and police forces inspect a crater left by an exploded projectile at a heavily damaged school building in Israel's southern city of Gedera.

Analysis

Why the US, Israel disagree over striking Iran’s nuclear sites

Israel seems to be weighing strikes that go beyond just restoring deterrence while the United States prefers to avert a region-wide war.

Jared Szuba

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

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Iranian foreign minister in Riyadh, Oct. 9, 2024. (SPA)

Saudi crown prince hosts Iran's FM as Riyadh shields itself from Israel tension

Iran’s foreign minister was in Saudi Arabia today amid mounting fears over an Israeli retaliatory strike on Iran.

A sign about the heightened level of the counterterrorism response is seen outside HMS Duncan while docked at the Port of Limassol on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, on Oct. 2, 2024.

Cyprus arrests eight Syrians accused of funding terror group: What we know

The arrests come as more Syrians arrive in Cyprus, fleeing the conflicts in Lebanon and Syria.

Protesters take part in a demonstration in support of We Will Stop Femicide outside the courthouse in Istanbul on Sept. 13, 2023.

Outrage sweeps Turkey over double femicide as Erdogan pledges stricter measures

Activists are highlighting the government's failure to enforce existing laws to protect women.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 4: U.S. President Joe Biden turns around to joke with a reporter as he leaves a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on October 04, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden made a surprise appearance, his first in the briefing room since becoming president, to tout a positive job report and take questions from reporters. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Biden, Netanyahu speak as Israel plans retaliation against Iran

The two leaders spoke as the region awaits the Israeli military's response to Iran's latest missile barrage.