Iran-US tensions

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

How the US drawdown in Syria is expected to play out

Senate Foreign Relations Chair Jim Risch called the US troop presence in Syria "critical" to contain ISIS and urged a Russian withdrawal, as sources said US troops are expected to eventually draw down to a single base in Hasakah province.

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

Latest News

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

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.

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.

A picture shows an oil facility in the Khark Island, on the shore of the Gulf, on February 23, 2016.

Breaking | Last Updated: November 17, 2022, 5:09 pm

US sanctions firms in China, UAE over Iranian oil sales

The latest sanctions follow designations for Iranian state-run media staff and firms sending drones to Russia.

The Israeli-linked Japanese-owned tanker MT Mercer Street.

Iran behind drone strike on Israeli-owned tanker, US says

Drone debris recovered from the MV Pacific Zircon belonged to an Iranian-made Shahed drone, the US military said today.

Tehran, IRAN: TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY FARHAD POULADI: Iranian staff members of "Press TV" news channel work at the newsroom in Tehran, 20 June 2007. An increasingly crowded market for 24-hour news is facing a new rival -- a channel from Iran whose self-proclaimed aim is to break the "stranglehold" of the West over the world?s media. Iran's state broadcaster is to launch "Press TV" on July 2 at a time of mounting international tension over its nuclear programme, complete with international journalists brough

Breaking | Last Updated: November 16, 2022, 7:55 pm

US sanctions employees of Iranian state-run broadcaster

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting is accused of airing hundreds of forced confessions, including from the relatives of Iranians killed in the ongoing protests.

Navy Gulf

US Navy seizes load of missile fuel going from Iran to Yemen

The 70-ton haul suggests the US Navy's yearslong game of cat-and-mouse with Iran-backed arms traffickers in the Gulf of Oman is beginning to pay off.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks to the press at the White House on Nov. 10, 2022, in Washington, DC.

US alarmed by death sentence, sham trials of protesters in Iran

National security adviser Jake Sullivan warned of consequences if Iran's repression of peaceful protesters continues.

Supporters of Hezbollah hold up their phones and wave the party flag during a celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the Shiite movement creation in southern suburb of Beirut on Aug. 22, 2022.

Breaking | Last Updated: November 17, 2022, 12:36 pm

US sanctions oil shipping network supporting Hezbollah, Quds Force

The Treasury Department accused a Gulf-based group of individuals and front companies of concealing the Iranian origins of oil shipments.

Iran strike

US military in touch with Saudi Arabia over threat from Iran

Pentagon officials would not corroborate a Saudi report of a potential imminent attack from Iran on Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: October 28, 2022, 2:50 pm

US sanctions Iranian foundation over Rushdie attack

The United States designated the 15 Khordad Foundation for financially backing the call for Salman Rushdie’s death.

This image obtained from the Iranian news agency IRNA on October 16, 2022.

British-American detainee Tahbaz returned to Iran's Evin Prison

Morad Tahbaz, who also holds Iranian citizenship, was released on a temporary furlough in July.

Iran protest

Breaking | Last Updated: October 26, 2022, 12:41 pm

US targets Iranian officials with new wave of sanctions

The sanctions targeting 14 individuals and three entities came as Iranian mourners marked 40 days since Mahsa Amini’s death in custody.

Ukraine drone

Breaking | Last Updated: October 21, 2022, 9:47 am

Iran 'directly engaged' in Russia’s war in Ukraine, White House says

The Pentagon is actively consulting with allies to provide air defense systems to Ukraine to defend against Russia’s bombardments using Iranian drones.

Russia / Mideast

Kyiv

Ukraine pressures Israel to supply weapons, cites Iranian threat

With reports of Iran supplying Russia with attack drones, Israel is finding it increasingly difficult to reject Ukraine’s pleas for defensive weaponry.