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Politics & Security

Iraq's prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, at Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office on April 28, 2026.

Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know

The US President was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, seen as too close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc.

This photo obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim shows an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boat allegedly taking part in an operation to seize ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, on April 21, 2026.

Trump faces three paths ahead in Iran war as Hormuz standoff intensifies

As the Hormuz standoff threatens a global economic chill, Trump must choose between military escalation, seeking a partial deal with Iran, or waiting out the pressure campaign.

AFP via Getty Images

In defiant message, Iran’s Khamenei threatens US but appeals to Gulf

The address was Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s third since coming to power and included a pledge to rid the Gulf of the US.

Latest News

Turkey warns France over Cyprus troop deployment: What to know

Members of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), from the British Army's 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, No. 2 Company, patrol along the buffer zone separating the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the divided capital Nicosia on Feb. 17, 2026.

US blockade tests Iran's limits, but will global pain force Trump’s hand?

QESHM ISLAND, IRAN - APRIL 28: Boats navigate the sea on April 28, 2026 on Qeshm Island, Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's latest proposal for ending its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz calls on the United States to end its naval blockade of Iran's ports, and sets aside questions about what to do with Iran's nuclear program. The United States has not formally responded to the latest proposal, which was delivered by Iran's foreign minister to Pakistan two days ago. (Photo by Asghar Besharati/Getty Images

Iran-linked group claims stabbing in Jewish area in London: What to know

Local residents look on from outside a cordoned off area in the Golders Green neighborhood of north London on April 29, 2026, following the stabbing to two people nearby.

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

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian listens during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart at the Foreign Ministry headquarters, Tehran, Iran, June 23, 2022.

US renews Iran sanctions waiver for civilian nuclear activities

The waiver renewal comes as the United States and Iran consider a final text of an agreement to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran negotiators return home, call for 'seriousness' on nuclear deal

The Iranian press has been cautiously optimistic since negotiators returned home for consultation on an agreement to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

Security forces deploy during a rally called for by the New Generation movement.

US 'concerned' about response to protests in Kurdistan Region

Press freedom issues are not new in the autonomous Iraqi region.

This picture taken from the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon shows Palestinian rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, Aug. 7, 2022.

Israel-Hamas understanding key to quick end to Gaza fighting

Egypt-Qatar mediation brought about what Israel was seeking — a quick end to the violent conflict with Islamic Jihad.

Supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr gather outside the Iraqi parliament in the Green Zone.

Muqtada al-Sadr uses street pressure to set political conditions for his rivals

Influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr vowed that new elections would be held as his followers flocked to a mass prayer in the occupied parts of Baghdad’s Green Zone after 10 months of political deadlock.

Turkish activists and opposition members gather with pictures of victims — largely from the Alevi community — killed in Madimak Otel on July 2, 2018, in Sivas.

Attacks on Alevi places of worship rattle Turkey

The AKP government, which faces an uphill battle to mend ties with the Alevi community ahead of next year’s elections, pledges to bring culprits to justice.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani.

Iran nuclear talks make slow progress

Wrapping up the latest round of nuclear talks in Vienna, the two sides are currently making progress — but issues remain.

ALEX HALADA/AFP via Getty Images

'Political decisions' required to close Iran nuclear deal, says EU

Negotiators are returning to their capitals to decide on a revised "final text" following the latest Vienna talks.

Yesh Atid rally

Israel’s Lapid scores political points with Gaza operation

Israel's brief operation in Gaza was a military success, but credit to Prime Minister Yair Lapid for it is unlikely to win him the election.

MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images

Gaza truce holding after three days of fighting

Israel sees military operation against Islamic Jihad in Gaza as success.

Kurdistan guns

Kurdistan Region pursues gun control after deadly shootings

The autonomous government in northern Iraq has an ambitious plan to curb gun violence, but some in the region have concerns about the feasibility of gun control due to societal and political factors.

Palestinian women watch the funeral procession of members of the al-Nabahin family at al-Bureij refugee camp, after they were killed during the latest three-day conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants before a cease-fire, central Gaza strip, Aug. 8, 2022

Islamic Jihad agrees to truce in return for prisoners held in Israel

An agreement sponsored by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations includes a cease-fire by Islamic Jihad in exchange for Israel releasing two prominent Islamic Jihad leaders in the West Bank as soon as possible.