Iran-US tensions

People walk past a branch of Turkish bank HalkBank on Dec. 1, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Supreme Court clears path for Turkey’s Halkbank trial over Iran sanctions

The Turkish president personally raised the Halkbank case with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as Ankara pushes for a settlement to avoid a drawn-out legal battle.

Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, addresses members of parliament in Tehran on March 2, 2025.

Analysis

Reeling from Israel war, Iran expands espionage law, bans Starlink use

Iran has officially enacted a sweeping new espionage law imposing harsher measures — including the death penalty — for collaboration with Israel, as rights activists decry what they say is a new campaign of arbitrary arrests and deeper repression.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

A woman walks past a deactivated Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile in front of a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran's Bahrestan Square on Sept. 27, 2025, as part of an exhibit to mark the "Sacred Defense Week" commemorating the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

US targets Iran's military tech with sanctions after allies trigger snapback

New sanctions aim to increase pressure on Iran to restrict the IRGC’s relentless development of ballistic missiles and military aircraft, but risk pushing Tehran further into the orbits of Russia and China.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - MAY 30: A U.S. Army soldier looks onto Baghdad from a guardhouse on the perimeter of the International Zone on May 30, 2021 in Baghdad, Iraq. Coalition forces based in Baghdad's International Zone are part of the U.S.-led Military Advisor Group of 13 nations supporting the Iraqi Security Forces. The United States currently maintains 2,500 military personnel in Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. Alpha Company 769th brigade Engineer Battalion, Louisiana National Guard is providing for

US troops in Iraq shift to Erbil to focus on ISIS in Syria

The US mission against the Islamic State is relocating its headquarters and most of its troops from Baghdad to Erbil as the prime minister's coalition faces reelection in November.

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Analysis

How far will China, Russia go in shielding Iran from UN sanctions?

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) welcomes Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov (L) and Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazeem Gharibabadi.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

How Afghanistan's Bagram base became focal point of US-China-Iran rivalry

Taliban military vehicles parade to celebrate the third anniversary of Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, at the Bagram Air Base, in Bagram, Parwan province on Aug. 14, 2024.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

Analysis

UN snapback sanctions deepen Iran’s 'sense of siege,' fuel fears of reprisal

Iranians walk past shops in the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on Aug. 13, 2025.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

US, Saudi Arabia wrap up drone drill after Iran’s top security chief visits Riyadh

A US Army Mobile Low, Slow, Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (MLIDS) vehicle equipped with counter-drone sensors and weapons. Similar systems were fielded during the Red Sands 2025 exercise in Saudi Arabia.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran unveils new ballistic missile after US deployment to Gulf

Iranian officials said they had already mass-produced the "radar-evading" missile, which relies on artificial intelligence and is capable of "completely destroying" any frigate.

A billboard depicts Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps navy units observing a US warship in the Gulf of Oman, Vali-Asr Square in Tehran, Iran, Nov. 5, 2021.

Iran shrugs off fresh US reinforcements in Persian Gulf, boasts drone power

The latest episode of potential US-Iran tensions in the Persian Gulf ensued Iranian encounters with commercial vessels in the strategic oil passage, the Strait of Hormuz.

A picture taken on May 18, 2017 shows the skyline of northern Tehran from the "Nature" bridge in the capital Tehran on the eve of the presidential elections.

US seeking release of fourth American held in Iran

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the administration was working to bring home "four unjustly detained Americans" in Iran.

Members of Israeli security forces disperse demonstrators staging a 'day of resistance' to protest the government's judicial overhaul bill, in Tel Aviv on July 18, 2023. The proposals have divided the nation and triggered one of the biggest protest movements in Israel's history since being unveiled in January by the hard-right government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israeli army faces internal fissures over judicial overhaul as Iran watches

The refusal of hundreds of pilots and air force officers to show up for volunteer reserve duty marks the unprecedented rift hovering over Israel’s society generated by the government’s judicial overhaul plan.

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

A US Navy Martin UAV drone flies over the Gulf waters as Royal Bahrain Naval Force Abdulrahman Al Fadhel takes part in joint naval exercise between US 5th Fleet Command and Bahraini forces, Oct. 26, 2021.

Pentagon sends US Marines to deter Iran tanker seizures in Persian Gulf

A Marine Expeditionary Unit will follow F-35s, F-16s and a Navy destroyer in deployment to the region to ward off Tehran's retaliatory seizures.

US soldiers in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) patrol the countryside of al-Malikiya town (Derik in Kurdish) in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province July 17, 2023. (Photo by Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP) (Photo by

Top US general pumps brakes on sending more forces to confront Russia in Syria

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley suggested there's little the US can do to stop Russian fighter pilots' free rein over Syria's skies but warned American forces will defend themselves if they detect "hostile intent."

US President Joe Biden meets with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Biden pledges Iran 'never acquires nuclear weapon' as he hosts Israel’s Herzog

In his comment before his meeting with Israel's President Isaac Herzog, President Joe Biden did not address the Netanyahu government's judicial overhaul plan. But he did reiterate the US commitment to Israel's security and the strong ties between the two countries.

Iranian troops take part in a military parade during a ceremony marking the country's annual army day in the capital Tehran on April 18, 2023. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran declares 'efficient deterrence' against any military strike

Iran has in recent years shown off its military advancements, particularly its drones and ballistic missiles, shrugging off Western worries that it is escalating tensions in an already volatile Middle East.

In this handout image released by the South Korean Defense Ministry, a South Korean Air Force F-35A fighter jet takes off from the runway during the "Vigilant Storm" U.S.-South Korea joint aerial drill at Gunsan Air Base on Oct. 31, 2022 in Gunsan, South Korea.

US sends F-35s, Navy destroyer to Middle East amid aggressive moves by Russia, Iran

The Pentagon is bolstering its defenses in the region as Congress presses the Biden administration to crack down on Iran's oil and gas exports.

Soldiers of a Russian military convoy and their US counterparts exchange greetings as their patrol routes intersect in an oil field near Syria's al-Qahtaniyah town in the northeastern Hasakah province, close to the border with Turkey, on Oct. 8, 2022.

Russia, Iran quietly coordinating in Syria to pressure US, official says

Russia is trying to squeeze the US out of Syria's airspace while the IRGC continues to flow weapons used to attack US bases into the country, a senior military official said.

rticipants hold placards reading "I choose Maryam Rajav."

Iran rebukes Italy over 'terror sponsorship' after hosting MEK leader

Iran was enraged by the Italian Senate Foreign Relations Committee after it hosted the leader of an opposition group that has been seeking regime change in Tehran for decades.

JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s Raisi seals 21 deals on Africa trip, attends drone exhibit in Kenya

Iran is seeking stronger ties to sub-Saharan Africa but faces competition from the Gulf and China.