Iran-US tensions

A security guard stands below a giant screen showing news footage of China's President Xi Jinping speaking virtually to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting, which was being held in India, at a shopping mall in Beijing on July 4, 2023.

Analysis

Looking East: How Iran is leveraging Asia ties to offset Western pressure

With sanctions still in place and nuclear talks stalled, Iran is using its SCO membership to forge economic and strategic ties across Central and South Asia.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

Iranian motorcyclist pass by a banner of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, placed next to a ballistic missile in Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran, on September 26, 2024 on the sideline of an exhibition which marks the 44th anniversary of the start of Iran-Iraq war.

Analysis

As US nuclear talks stall, Iran ups military planning, turns to China for missile fuel

Amid uncertainties in the recent US-Iran nuclear diplomacy, Tehran is gearing up for a showdown with Israel, reportedly rebuilding its missile capabilities and threatening Israel with a devastating response.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

US President Donald Trump (R) attends a meeting with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, during the G20 summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019.

Analysis

Russia's Putin offers Trump help on Iran, likely with strings attached

As Iran weighs the US proposal for a nuclear deal, Russia has volunteered to play a role facilitating future talks.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

A picture taken on Feb. 21, 2020 shows M1 Abrams Fighting tanks of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, as US military equipment arrives to the Port of Bremerhaven the United States for the Defender 2020 international military exercises.

US green-lights $325 million in sustainment for Kuwait’s M1 Abrams tanks

The Trump administration has notified Congress of a $325 million arms sale to Kuwait for tank maintenance, part of broader efforts to strengthen Gulf defense ties and streamline US arms transfers.

Latest News

Analysis

US' Syria pullout continues amid looming Iran clash

US soldiers patrol in Syria's northeastern city Qamishli, in the Hasakeh province, mostly controlled by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, on January 9, 2025. (AFP via Getty Images)

Jared Szuba

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

Trump travel ban bars entry from Iran, Libya, Sudan, Yemen

US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 23, 2025.

Iran oil exports to China fall sharply amid US sanctions, weakened demand

An oil tanker unloads imported crude oil at Qingdao port in China's eastern Shandong province on May 9, 2022.

As US proposal takes shape, Iran mulls response to nuclear compromise

ranians pass by a mural that depicts the two Supreme Leaders of Iran near Enghelab (Revolution) Square in downtown Tehran, Iran on April 8, 2025.

An undated image of Shahid Mahdavi.

Iran unveils warship, missile launchers amid regional tensions

With the 2,100-ton vessel added to its fleet along with nearly 100 missile-launching boats, Iran appears to be flexing its muscles at sea.

Lloyd Austin in Baghdad

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin talks troop presence in surprise Iraq visit

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is playing a delicate balancing act with pro-Iran factions as Washington keeps a low profile for its military advisers in Iraq in order to subdue the Islamic State.

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami (R).

IAEA Iran visit opens window to restart nuclear diplomacy

The nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency meets Tuesday, as an EU official says an agreement could be "positive” for Iran nuclear talks.

https://www.isons.com/shop/fruit-trees/peach/bonfire-patio-peach-tree/

Family of US citizen killed in IRGC strikes sues Iran

Omar Mahmoudzadeh was killed this September in an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack in northern Iraq. His family's lawyer says the Biden administration downplayed his death.

US and Saudi tanks take part in the "Eager Lion" multinational military manuever, in the Al-Zarqa governorate, some 85km northeast of the Jordanian capital Amman, on September 14, 2022. (Photo by KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP via Getty Images)

US, Saudi Arabia to conduct first counter-drone exercise without allies

As tensions heat up with Iran, the Pentagon hopes the Red Sands exercises will convince allies in the Middle East that Western counter-drone technology is still better than China's.

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley arrives to hold a press conference after a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group during a two-day meeting of the alliance's Defence Ministers at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels on February 14, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Top US general visits Israel amid increasing tensions with Iran

The Pentagon’s top-ranking officer, Gen. Mark Milley, landed in Israel on Friday to coordinate with senior military officials on Iran strategy.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Breaking | Last Updated: March 2, 2023, 2:44 pm

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin to visit Israel, Jordan, Egypt

The Pentagon chief's second tour of the Middle East comes as diplomatic efforts to return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal appear to have run out of gas.

The Iranian-flagged oil tanker Fortune is docked at the El Palito refinery after its arrival to Puerto Cabello in the northern state of Carabobo, Venezuela, on May 25, 2020. - The first of five Iranian tankers carrying much-needed gasoline and oil derivatives docked in Venezuela on Monday, Caracas announced amid concern in Washington over the burgeoning relationship between countries it sees as international pariahs. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran's oil, petrochemical trade hit with new US sanctions

The designated firms are located in Iran, China, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran nuclear

Iran enriched uranium at 83.7%, close to weapons grade: UN watchdog

The news is alarming for Israel, but Iran denied other recent reports that asserted they enriched uranium close to the 90% threshold for a nuclear weapon.

Austin

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin to visit Middle East as Iran threat builds

Lloyd Austin's visit to the region as Biden's defense secretary is intended as a signal of reassurance as Iran continues to arm and fund proxy militias throughout the region.

Jared Szuba

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

Undated photo of Afghanistan Embassy in Tehran.

Taliban releases Iran border guard, moves into Afghanistan's Embassy in Tehran

Iran has had a complicated relationship with the Taliban since the group resumed control over Afghanistan.

Iran nuclear

Analysis

Ukraine war at year 1: Iran’s drones to Russia derail nuclear diplomacy

Plus, the family of a US resident on death row in Iran speaks out, and a deadly Israeli raid on Nablus raises State Department concerns.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights