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July 23, 2026

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US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 29, 2025.

Israel fears US deal would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium

Israel fears the US-Saudi civilian nuclear deal could pave the way for uranium enrichment not only by the Saudis but also by other countries in the region.

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia (2nd L) is escorted by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) through Statuary Hall as they head to a meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Explainer

Why US-Saudi nuclear deal could encounter hurdles in Congress

The agreement is likely to face questions in Congress over whether its nonproliferation safeguards are sufficient, as well as over Riyadh’s stated interest in acquiring nuclear weapons if Iran does, concerns over its human rights record and its ties with China.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Explainer

How US bid prevailed over China, France, Russia in Saudi nuclear deal

The Trump administration has made American nuclear technology a major priority with an $80 billion investment in the sector, including nearly $18 billion in loans to Westinghouse Electric Company to develop its AP1000 reactor lines.

Latest News

Analysis

Why Mamdani concluded he can’t arrest Israel’s PM Netanyahu

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a primary-night watch party for NYC Congressional candidate Claire Valdez at 99 Scott Studio on June 23, 2026 in the East Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

US, Saudi Arabia set to sign nuclear agreement: What to know

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump threatens Iran bridges, power plants over Hormuz attacks

US President Donald Trump listens to a reporter's question as he holds a bilateral meeting with President of Lebanon Joseph Aoun in the Oval Office of the White House on July 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Trump authorizes direct US flights to Lebanon after 4-decade halt

Middle East Airlines aircraft sit on the tarmac at Beirut's Rafik Hariri airport on April 10, 2026. Smoke from an Israeli strike still lingered in the air as a plane from Lebanon's national carrier took off from Beirut airport, which has stayed open despite the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah. The country's only international passenger facility, whose departure boards are now largely red with cancellations, is located on the Mediterranean coast at the edge of Beirut's southern suburbs. (Photo by Anw

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

US F-22 squadron arrives to help UAE ward off Houthi attacks

France is also lending military support while it remains unclear how proactively US fighter pilots will allowed to engage Houthi targets.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill on Feb. 9, 2022 in Washington, DC.

Analysis

The Takeaway: Republicans vow to hinder Biden on Iran

Netanyahu and Pegasus; Ukraine and Turkey; Idlib; Gaza’s Sufis; Egypt’s pickled mummy fetus; and more…in less than 1,100 words.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Andrew Parasiliti

Joe Snell

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti , Joe Snell

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani speaks to the press in front of the Palais Coburg, venue of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) meeting that aims at reviving the Iran nuclear deal, in Vienna on Dec. 27, 2021.

Iran nuclear deal will be a tough sell in Congress

Unless the US and Iran reach an agreement that imposes meaningful, long-term restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities, any deal reached in Vienna is unlikely to prove politically durable.

This picture taken on Nov. 14, 2021, shows a view of a missile on display at the booth of EDGE advanced technology group for defense, at the 2021 Dubai Airshow in the Gulf emirate.

US approves $4.2 billion F-16 sale to Jordan, air defense systems to Gulf

Lockheed Martin's THAAD air defense system marked its first successful combat shoot-downs during ballistic missile attacks on the UAE in recent weeks.

Navy Persian Gulf

US to deploy fighter jets, Navy destroyer to UAE after missile attacks

Houthi barrages on the UAE are stress-testing Biden’s commitment to end US involvement in Yemen’s civil war.

STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

FBI admits to obtaining Israeli-made Pegasus spyware

The FBI said it bought the controversial spyware tool for “product testing and evaluation only” and never deployed it.

President Joe Biden meets with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in the Oval Office on Jan. 31, 2022, in Washington, DC.

Biden eyes Qatar as major non-NATO ally

The upgrade in ties comes as the United States is seeking Doha's help in supplying natural gas to Europe.

US President Joe Biden meets with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, in the White House on Jan. 31, 2022, in Washington, DC.

Iran on the agenda as Qatar emir meets Biden

There is potential Doha could play a role in brokering a US-Iran prisoner exchanging following press reports of Iran-Qatar talks on the topic.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stands for the national anthem at the Pentagon on Oct. 6, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia.

Intel: Pentagon chief orders reform to civilian harm policies

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's initiative follows pressure from lawmakers and fruitless attempts at reform under the prior administration.

Washington Pulse

Meeks Blinken

House Democrats press Blinken on military aid to Egypt

In a letter to the US secretary of state, lawmakers described Egypt's "pervasive and systemic violations of human rights."

MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images

UAE intercepts Houthi ballistic missiles in latest attack

The second Houthi attack on Abu Dhabi in just a week marks a new escalation in Yemen's civil war.

Blinken Lavrov

Blinken: Iran nuclear talks reach 'decisive moment'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Geneva on Friday that the window is closing for negotiators in Vienna to reach a deal.