Iran-US tensions

Teargas fumes erupt during clashes between supporters of the Lebanese Shiite Islamist movement Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army amidst a Hezbollah-organised rally to block the road to Beirut International Airport over a decision to bar two Iranian flights from landing there, in Beirut on February 15, 2025. An AFP correspondent said tear gas was fired to disperse crowds on February 15 after again blocking amidst calls by the Iran-backed group for a sit-in. (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO / AFP) (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO/

Analysis

Under US pressure, can Lebanon disarm Hezbollah without Iran's green light?

The issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament resurfaces amid US pressure, shifting regional dynamics, and Iran's decisive role.

Dario Sabaghi

By Dario Sabaghi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to the press, in front of the portrait of slain Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, after meeting with Syrian officials at the Iranian embassy in Damascus on Oct. 5, 2024.

Analysis

Araghchi’s second act: Meet diplomat behind Iran’s nuclear deal gambit

Back at the table in Muscat, Iran’s veteran negotiator blends bazaar tactics with diplomatic finesse as talks with the United States quietly resume.

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

A woman walks along Karim Khan Zand Avenue in Tehran on April 8, 2025, past the building with the landmark anti-US mural with the slogan, "Down with the USA," and skulls replacing the stars on the US flag.

Analysis

Enrichment clash in focus as Iran, US set for contentious talks in Rome

Ahead of the Saturday meeting, Iran's foreign minister met with the Russian president in Moscow as Tehran sought consultation on how to push back against American pressure to fully dismantle its nuclear program.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

The front page of Iran's newspapers in a sidewalk newsstand in Tehran, Iran, on April 13, 2025.

Trust gap widens ahead of next US-Iran nuclear talks

With distrust running high on both sides, will this next round of negotiations be the last?

Latest News

Saudi defense chief meets Khamenei in historic Iran visit: What to know

This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on April 17, 2025 shows Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major-General Mohammed Bagheri (L) receiving Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman (C) in Tehran on April 17, 2025.

Analysis

US-Iran gaps seen as bridgeable as Israeli strike leak undermines Netanyahu

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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

IAEA chief in Tehran as Iran FM returns to Russia with Khamenei letter

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov walk together after their meeting to give a joint press conference at the foreign ministry headquarters in Tehran on February 25, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Witkoff’s enrichment U-turn sows confusion over Trump’s Iran strategy

This combination of file photos created on April 9, 2025, shows US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaking to reporters.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participate in a joint statement in the East Room of the White House on January 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. The news conference was held to announce the Trump administration's plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel’s Netanyahu 'dreams' of Trump victory to deal Iran final blow

Though the Israeli government's stated war goals include avoiding a regional war and an ongoing confrontation with Iran, the reelection of former President Donald Trump could change the calculus.

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

Mossad intelligence agency chief David Barnea (R) and Ronen Bar (2nd L), chief of Israel's domestic Shin Bet security agency, attend a ceremony.

Analysis

Iran expands spy network in Israel, recruiting Jews and Arabs for attacks

Iran is actively trying to recruit both Jews and Arabs for different spying tasks and to attack Israeli senior officials.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

This photograph taken on January 16, 2024, shows partly covered in snow the wreckage of Iranian made Shahed drone launched at Ukraine, at Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, in Kyiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At a research facility in Kyiv, forensic experts pour over the wreckage of missiles, working to confirm that despite unprecedented sanctions, Russia is still using imported components to attack Ukraine. The courtyard of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensi

Analysis

Iran-Russia forthcoming agreement cements anti-Western ties, Ukraine cooperation

Russia and Iran are close to signing a major partnership agreement. The document, however, will fall short of a true alliance, as the two are both partners and competitors.

Emil Avdaliani

By Emil Avdaliani

Police officers are seen outside the Israeli embassy in Stockholm, Jan. 31, 2024.

Analysis

How Iran is shifting proxy warfare in Europe by recruiting criminal networks

Iran's growing reliance on organized local gangs may illustrate its broader plan to adapt to the evolving geopolitical landscape amid the perceived European failure to confront the new proxy warfare, which poses serious risks to the continent's security.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 29: The Pentagon is seen from a flight taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on November 29, 2022 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon is the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense and the world’s largest office building. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Analysis

Pentagon's Iran leak shocks Israel but not delaying strike plans

Israel denies having changed its plans after the leak of Pentagon documents allegedly describing is preparations for a strike bigger than the one against Iran in April.

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

An Iranian Navy warship takes part in the "National Persian Gulf day" in the Strait of Hormuz, on April 30, 2019.

Iran eyes naval drills with Saudi Arabia, Egypt amid simmering regional tensions

The planned drills come on the heels of a recent joint exercise that Iran hosted in the Indian Ocean, as Tehran seeks to counterbalance Israel and curb US influence in the region's strategic waters.

The Pentagon again postponed a key test of its troubled "THAAD'''' anti-missile defense rocket, seen this file photo, due to a commercial power failure, the Defense Department said. (photo by Lockheed Martin)

Exclusive

Inside US-Israel understanding to reward Netanyahu for not targeting Iran’s oil fields

The Israeli government might agree to refrain targeting Iranian oil sites in exchange for a security package offered by the Biden administration.

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

TOPSHOT - People walk past a billboard showing a portrait of newly appointed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar (top) next to Palestine Square in the Tehran on August 12, 2024. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How does Sinwar's death reshape Iran's proxy war on Israel?

Sinwar's killing is seen as a major blow to the group and to Iran as well given the operational role he played within Hamas and how he closely aligned Hamas' policies with Tehran's strategic interests and regional ambitions.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iran's new foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, waits for the arrival of his Qatari counterpart before their meeting in Tehran on Aug. 26, 2024.

Iran suspends indirect talks with US amid regional escalation

Iran's foreign minister made the announcement while touring one country after another as the region braced for further tensions amid Israeli plans for a military strike on Iran.

Photo by United States Forces Korea via Getty Images

US THAAD missile defense system begins arriving in Israel

The arrival of a THAAD system and US troops comes after Israel's Arrow antiballistic missile batteries underperformed during Iran's Oct. 1 barrage of more than 180 ballistic missiles.

Palestinian youths inspect a fallen projectile after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel.

Analysis

Israel lowers expectations on Iran strikes with eye on US election

Israeli leaders insist that a retaliatory strike against Iran is on its way, but reports say the attack could be a limited one and will focus on military targets.

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

Daniel Carde/Getty Images

After UNIFIL attacks, Pentagon urges Israel to wind down Lebanon war 'as soon as feasible'

There's no sign the Biden administration has put any time limit on the Israeli campaign in Lebanon, nor of whether the White House intends to exert leverage to limit the ground invasion.