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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, 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

Marwan Tahtah/Getty Images

More silos collapse at Port of Beirut as air quality concerns mount

Other parts of the grain silos have collapsed this summer as the 2020 port explosion continues to plague Lebanon.

Sami Abu Shehadeh, a member of the Knesset for the Joint List and leader of the Balad party, speaks during a press conference to announce the launch of the party's election campaign, Nazareth, Israel, Feb. 20, 2021.

Arab Israeli coalition could split again as election approaches

Estimating that the Arab Joint List no longer represents their ideas and interests, leaders of the Balad factions are considering to run independently on Nov. 1.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on the phone with French President Emmanuel Macron, Jerusalem, Aug. 22 2022.

Israel resigned to new Iran nuclear deal over its objections

Israel appears to have resigned itself to the defeat of its prolonged campaign against an agreement.

A plane of the Israeli airline Arkia.

PA deters Palestinians from using Israel's Ramon Airport

The Palestinian Minister of Transport and Communications confirmed the imposition of measures and penalties against travelers through Israel's Ramon Airport.

A picture taken on October 20, 2017, shows Islamic State group writing on a wall.

Islamic State threatens Kurdish workers in northeast Syria

The Islamic State is threatening to kill employees in the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor if they continue to report to their jobs.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi attended a summit today in Egypt’s New Alamein city.

Iraq's prime minister attends Arab summit in Egypt’s New Alamein

Leaders of Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain met today in Egypt's New Alamein city to discuss regional security and cooperation.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Turkey hopes to extend mediation role in Ukraine war after grain deal success

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said the agreement to ship Ukrainian foodstuffs could be a stepping stone toward peace.

BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey signals new rules of engagement to Syrian Kurds, Damascus

Turkish strikes on Syrian government troops and overt Kurdish attacks on targets inside Turkey signal that both sides are changing the rules of the game as Ankara eyes normalization with Damascus.

Josep Borell

EU's Borrell says Iran's response to nuclear text 'reasonable'

EU High Representative Josep Borrell said he hoped the American response would "put an end to the negotiations."

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s president denies making concessions in nuclear talks

As the world waits to hear the results of the nuclear talks, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has denied that his country made any major concessions.

Palestinian laborers work at a construction site in the Israeli settlement of Kerem Reim, West Bank, July 31, 2019.

Palestinians working in Israel strike to protest salary payments in banks

Palestinian construction workers are suspicious about a new mechanism agreed upon by Israeli and Palestinian Authority administrations, for salaries to be paid directly into Palestinian bank accounts and not in cash.

Newly appointed Shin Bet Ronen Bar meets with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Jerusalem, Oct. 11, 2021.

Shin Bet chief talks security in Egypt

Egypt was hoping that after mediating between Israel and Islamic Jihad, the Israel Defense Forces would tone down its operations in the West Bank — but this did not happen.