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Politics & Security

Handout Photo by the US Navy via Getty Images

Explainer

What’s the status of Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran talks?

Oil tankers continued to transit the strait in both directions, but many turned off their transponders over the weekend after Iran's military declared Hormuz closed once again.

Cars drive past billboards showing Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (L) and his late father Ali Khamenei (R), with the slogan "Thank you, loyal Iran," erected along the highway leading to Rafik Hariri International Airport, Beirut, Lebanon, June 22, 2026.

US, Iran to form 'deconflicting cell' on Lebanon, sidelining Lebanese state

The agreement came during talks between Iran and the United States following a preliminary deal reached last week to end the war across the Middle East, including in Lebanon.

A picture taken on March 12, 2017, shows an Iranian tanker docking at the platform of the oil facility in the Kharg Island, on the shore of the Gulf.

US grants Iran oil sanctions waiver as part of deal

The waiver authorizes the production, and delivery and sale of Iranian oil for two months.

Latest News

Vance says Iran to restore nuclear inspector access

US Vice President JD Vance spoke to reporters following the talks with Iranian negotiators at the Burgenstock complex

Syria’s Sharaa says he had ‘multiple discussions’ with Trump on Lebanon, favors dialogue

US President Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Oval Office, Washington, DC, Nov. 10, 2025.

Analysis

Why Gulf defense firms are betting on Europe in wake of Iran war

Illustration picture taken during the Eurosatory Defense and Security fair in Paris, France ,on June 15, 2026.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Analysis

After US-Iran deal, can Pakistan sustain regional mediator role?

Aamir QURESHI / AFP via Getty Images

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

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

A Shiite Muslim pilgrim marches with a flag bearing the image of Imam Hussein.

Iran shuts borders with Iraq as millions of Shiite pilgrims arrive for Arbaeen

Iraq is struggling with the large number of Shiite pilgrims, at least 5 million — mostly from Iran — who entered Iraq over the last few days to attend the Arbaeen ceremony.

LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP via Getty Images

Greece’s growing influence frustrates Erdogan

Though Erdogan’s outbursts at Greece are widely seen as an attempt to lure nationalist voters ahead of elections next year, his anger is fueled by some very real frustrations in the region.

MOSAB SHAWER/AFP via Getty Images

Israel, US at odds over rules of engagement

The Israeli leadership has shut down a US demand to review its policies on soldiers opening fire.

Lebanese protesters sail in boats with slogans affirming Lebanon's right to its offshore gas wealth, near a border-marking buoy between Israel and Lebanon in the Mediterranean waters off the southern town of Naqoura, Sept. 4, 2022.

Why Hezbollah won't torpedo Lebanon's maritime border talks with Israel

Israeli sources believe that Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah realizes how important it is for economically failing Lebanon to reach an agreement with Jerusalem on its maritime border and the extraction of natural gas.

Turkey air force

NATO gaffe sign of bigger strife between Turkey, Greece

The recent Turkish-Greek row over Twitter might be a taste of things to come

A general view of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Guba, Ethiopia, on Feb. 20, 2022.

Egypt determined to disrupt Ethiopia's ties with Uganda

Cairo is to help Kampala achieve food security in a bid to deal a blow to the Ugandan-Ethiopian alliance, especially in the Nile dam issue.

Iran's political attache at the permanent mission to the Vienna-based international organizations Khodayar Rouzbahani.

Iran dismisses 'baseless' IAEA report, claims full transparency

Iran reasserted its defiance of the IAEA's additional safeguards checks and said the agency's latest assessment was void of new content.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (L) meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R) in Athens on May 31, 2021.

Turkey, Greece escalate war of words as they drag in EU, NATO

The Turkish and Greek foreign ministers write dueling letters to key international actors as leaders exchange barbs after Erdogan’s one-liner that Turkey “can come suddenly one night.”

Military drone

US sanctions Iranian company over drone shipment to Russia

The Treasury Department also announced sanctions against three companies and one individual involved in drones used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

An Iranian man pours kerosene on a pile of drugs seized by authorities.

Drugs, militias form explosive mix on Iraq-Iran border

Officers and judges who dare to go up against those controlling the drug trade along Iraq’s southeastern border with Iran continue to be targeted as attempts are made to crack down on corruption.

Queen Elizabeth II with (L-R) Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan, Queen Rania of Jordan, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Princess Anne.

Breaking | Last Updated: September 9, 2022, 7:15 am

UAE, Jordan, Israel mourn passing of Queen Elizabeth of England

Elizabeth II ruled the United Kingdom for more than eight decades.

United Arab Emirates

Netanyahu campaigns behind glass

Netanyahu's armored stage raises eyebrows along campaign trail

With polls giving him 59-60 Knesset seats, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is busily campaigning in neighborhoods where his party has lost influence.