Iran-US tensions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) makes a speech as he attends the National Army Day ceremony on April 18, 2025 in Tehran, Iran.

Analysis

Iran reshapes military as proxies falter, 'inevitable' clash with Israel looms

The establishment of Iran’s new National Defense Council is more than a bureaucratic reshuffle — it’s a move to restructure command systems that have been battered in the recent war with Israel, as Tehran prepares for a conflict it increasingly sees as inevitable.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

A ship loaded with oil docks at a pier with the help of a tugboat at the port of Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong province on June 12, 2025.

China's oil imports fall 5.4% as Iranian flows recede from June highs

US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Iran’s economy, clamping down on its oil sector, a critical component of the state budget.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends his first press conference, after taking office. on September 16, 2024 in Tehran, Iran.

Iran’s president to visit Armenia, China: What to know

Tehran is looking to strengthen ties with regional and Asian powers as Western sanctions continue to squeeze its economy.

A picture taken on Jan. 13, 2020, shows US Army drones at the Ain al-Asad air base in the western Iraqi province of Anbar.

Analysis

How lessons from Iran, Ukraine are shaping US Army’s new missile defense plan

The Army's 2040 air and missile defense strategy aims to overcome gaps exploited by adversaries like Iran while heading off higher-tech advances from China and Russia.

Jared Szuba

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

Latest News

Analysis

As Iran looks East, Pezeshkian courts Pakistan to ease economic woes

pakistan

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Who Is Ali Larijani? Khamenei confidant returns to Iran’s top security post

Former Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani addresses the media following his registration at the elections registration office in Tehran, on May 31, 2024, ahead of the country's election of a new president next month.

Iran mulls nixing zeros from currency as value plunges: What to know

This picture shows old Iranian banknotes of 1 million, 500,000,and 100,000 rials (L), and the new banknotes with four zeros removed (R), on Aug. 3, 2025.

Analysis

As accusations mount, can Iran survive European backlash over covert ops?

ILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

People and first-responders gather atop a building hit by an Israeli strike, Tehran, June 13, 2025.

Analysis

Smuggled drones, weapons, and Mossad: Inside Israel’s Iran strikes

With the military campaign still ongoing, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears set on the difficult, perhaps impossible mission, of fully eliminating Iran’s nuclear project.

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

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 Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman (C) in Tehran on April 17, 2025. During his first term, US President Donald Trump attempted to forge an alliance between Israel and the Gulf Arab states against Iran. But in 2023 Tehran and Riyadh restored ties in a Chinese-brokered rapprochement, while the outbreak of the Gaza war later t

Over 200 Israeli strikes in Iran kill 10 IRGC commanders and scientists

The head of Iran’s armed forces and IRGC were killed, as Israel says it hit more than 100 sites across the country.

People and first-responders gather outside a building that was hit by an Israeli strike in Tehran on June 13, 2025.

Oil prices surge, airlines cancel flights after Israel strikes Iran

The price of Brent crude rose by more than 7%, even touching a high of $78 per barrel on Friday.

An Israeli F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft performs maneuvers during the "Noble Dina 23" multilateral aeronautical exercise over the Mediterranean sea on March 27, 2023.

Exclusive

Israeli military preparations on Iran fueled US diplomats’ drawdown from Iraq

Western intelligence on Israeli military activity at Nevatim air base preceded the Trump administration's decision to draw down its embassy staff in Iraq and allow US military families to leave the region.

Jared Szuba

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

Stacks of Iraqi dinars are seen at currency exchange shop in Baghdad on February 14, 2023. - Iraq nudged up the value of its local currency against the dollar in an effort to stabilise the dinar after tougher foreign transfer regulations sent its value fluctuating. The government adopted a new official exchange rate, fixing it at 1,300 dinars to the US dollar instead of 1,470, the prime minister's office said. (Photo by Murtaja LATEEF / AFP) (Photo by MURTAJA LATEEF/AFP via Getty Images)

As dinar drops, Iraq says embassies safe in light of US-Iran tension

The Iraqi dinar fell slightly on Thursday, as the country responds to the latest round of potential escalation between the United States and Iran.

Iranian soldiers take part in the "National Persian Gulf day" in the Strait of Hormuz, on April 30, 2019. The date coincides with the anniversary of a successful military campaign by Shah Abbas the Great of Persia in the 17th century, which drove the Portuguese navy out of the Hormuz Island, after which is named the waterway which separates the Gulf from the Sea of Oman. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Global shippers sound alarm over Strait of Hormuz amid Iran-US-Israel tensions

The critical waterway, which connects the Gulf, Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, sees about a quarter of the world's oil shipments pass through it.

Armored vehicles of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces are deployed outside the US embassy building in Baghdad's Green Zone on June 12, 2025. (AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Israel eyes Iran attack, US scrambles to shield its troops

Senior general says Iran still retains credible missile deterrents despite significant blows by Israel’s military last year.

Jared Szuba

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

NATANZ, IRAN - APRIL 9: A general view of the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, is seen on April 9, 2007, 180 miles south of Tehran, Iran. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced yesterday, April 9, that Iran has stepped up their Uranium enrichment programme, with up to 3,000 isotope separating centrifuges now in operation. The news has brought condemnation from the International Community and the UN. Iran?s top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani confirmed the scaling-up of activity but declined to e

Live Updates

As IRGC vows response, IAEA says Iran breached non-proliferation obligations

The UN nuclear watchdog found that Iran is in breach of its obligations — a rare move that risks further escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear program.

A general view shows the US Embassy across the Tigris river in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, on Jan. 3, 2020.

US to evacuate personnel from Iraq following Iran threats

A State Department official said the US “will reduce the footprint of [its] mission in Iraq” to ensure the safety of American personnel.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine testify before the House Appropriations Committee's Defense Subcommittee at the US Capitol, on June 10, 2025, in Washington.

Hegseth tells Congress ‘indications’ Iran moving toward nuclear weapon

Iran has continued to enrich uranium up to 60% purity, just a step away from weapons-grade, but the US’ top intelligence office concluded earlier this year that it is not building a nuclear weapon.

A view of Iran's domestically made satellite launch vehicles (SLVs) and missiles in the Museum of Holy Defense in Tehran, Iran on April 17, 2025. The term "Holy Defense" is used to refer to Iran-Iraq war that took 8 years. (Photo by AO / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by AO/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

As Trump gets 'less confident' about deal, Iran threatens US bases in region

The US has maintained military bases across the Middle East for decades, with the largest—by personnel count—being Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

The US Central Command Commander General Michael Kurilla speaks at the 18th IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain's capital on Nov. 19, 2022.

US general says Israeli strike on Iran would risk troops in region

Outgoing CENTCOM Gen. Michael 'Erik' Kurilla said he has provided a broad range of military options to the Trump White House should diplomacy fail to rein in Tehran's nuclear enrichment.