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Politics & Security

An Iranian woman walks past a mural depicting late Iranian supreme leaders Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (R) in Tehran on June 18, 2026.

Analysis

How Lebanon, Hormuz and nuclear tensions are testing fragile US-Iran deal

The heated debate in Tehran revolves around whether the agreement can absorb external shocks without collapsing into renewed confrontation — or whether it is structurally closer to a managed pause in a continuing cycle of escalation.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

US President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 29, 2025.

Analysis

How Netanyahu used Lebanon strikes to push back on Trump’s Iran deal

The latest ceasefire in Lebanon leaves Netanyahu squeezed between Washington and domestic pressure.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Marada Movement leader Suleiman Frangieh (L) meets with Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi (C) and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea (R), Bkerke, north of Beirut, Nov. 14, 2018.

Who is Lebanon’s Suleiman Frangieh, sanctioned by US for Hezbollah ties?

The politician and Marada Movement leader has a close relationship with the Syrian Assad family and staunchly supports Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah.

Lebanese soldiers man a check point beside a Hezbollah flag at the entrance to Nabatieh on June 15, 2026.

Analysis

Fears in Lebanon that US-Iran deal boosts Hezbollah without restraining Israel

The deal that ended the war between the United States and Iran has left Hezbollah feeling empowered, which could mark a setback for the Lebanese government’s efforts to disarm the group and move forward with its talks with Israel.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Latest News

Feature

Trump’s Iran deal sidesteps fate of detained Americans

US President Donald Trump arrives for the G7 Leaders' Summit at the Hotel Royal, Evian Resort on June 15, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

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

Kanye West

Israeli ambassador condemns Kanye West for praising Hitler

Former president Trump recently met with the rapper, for which he was criticized by incoming Israeli prime minister Netanyahu.

A Saudi soldier mans a turret on a border guards' vehicle as it patrols the fence separating Saudi Arabia and Iraq, in the area around Arar city along the Saudi-Iraq border, March 12, 2017.

Iran-linked militia in Iraq threatens Saudi Arabia as Iraqi PM visits Tehran

Kataib Hezbollah are calling for more attacks on Saudi Arabia amid wrangling over who should protect the country’s borders.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's Raisi downplays protests in visit to flashpoint Kurdish city

President Ebrahim Raisi made no reference to the killings of the protesters in the government crackdown and once again blamed the unrest on outside enemies.

Botter Apartmani

Building restoration program shores up Istanbul’s cultural heritage

Istanbul is working to protect its neglected structures while providing arts and culture spaces for the public.

ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images

French Palestinian detained in Israel to be released, deported to France

Citing his support of terror activities, Israeli authorities have decided to release Palestinian and French citizen Salah Hamouri from administrative detention, revoke his Jerusalem residency and expel him to France.

Israel's UN envoy Gilad Erdan inaugurating an exposition on the expulsion of Jews from Arab countries and Iran, UN headquarters in New York, NY, Nov. 29, 2022.

Expulsion of Jews from Arab countries on display at UN headquarters

For the first time, Israel features at the United Nations an exhibition of documents and pictures that tell the story of the Jews forced to leave their homes in Arab countries and Iran over the establishment of the State of Israel.

MAST IRHAM/AFP via Getty Images

India invites Egypt to G20 summits

India has invited Egypt to be a guest country at the G20 meetings under its 2023 presidency.

Israeli right-wing Knesset member Itamar Ben-Gvir (R) chats with incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L).

The Takeaway: US-Palestinian ties get upgrade ahead of Netanyahu’s return

Plus, US diplomats are evacuated from Syria and prospects sink for a revived Iranian nuclear deal.

Iranian students from the Islamic Basij volunteer militia protest in Tehran on July 16, 2022.

Iran claims dozens of foreign spy organizations behind protests

The commander of Iran’s Basij Organization says that the United States is engaged in a hybrid war against the country.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken talk.

Turkey presses Finland, Sweden for ‘asset freeze,’ extraditions

Ankara demands “concrete steps” from Sweden and Finland before giving the nod to NATO's Nordic enlargement, including an “asset freeze,” a demand that hasn’t been expressed publicly before.

Israel Hebron

Ultranationalist Ben Gvir supports far-right soldier

Soon-to-be National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is already inciting against IDF top brass, criticizing them for punishing a soldier who clashed with left-wing protesters.

Fans hold up a banner reading "Free Palestine" during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Netherlands and Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.

The Palestine Briefing: Palestinians see increased solidarity amid violence escalation

In this weekly newsletter, Daoud Kuttab rounds up the biggest stories from Palestine.