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July 6, 2026

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A man walks past the flags of the countries attending the Gulf Cooperation Council summit at Bayan palace in Kuwait City on Dec. 5, 2017.

Analysis

How Iran war shaped divergent paths to security among GCC states

The Iran war left the Gulf more fragmented than united, with competing security strategies replacing any prospect of a common regional defense.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

Iranians walk past a billboard bearing a picture of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei ahead of his funeral in Tehran on July 3, 2026. Iranian leaders began paying their respects on July 3 before the coffin of the country's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, as Tehran prepared for a vast funeral. Khamenei's body arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on July 3 ahead of ceremonies which are expected to draw millions. (Photo by AFP via Getty

Analysis

Iran set to bury Khamenei, but his hard-line legacy may endure

The elaborate funeral for the late supreme leader is becoming more than a farewell; it serves as a carefully staged test of regime continuity after his decades-long rule.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Motorists drive past a billboard bearing a picture of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei, ahead of his funeral in Tehran on July 3, 2026. Iranian leaders began paying their respects on July 3 before the coffin of the country's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, as Tehran prepared for a vast funeral. Khamenei's body arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on July 3 ahead of ceremonies which are expected to draw millions. (Photo by AFP via Ge

Analysis

As US-Iran talks falter, Israel views war outcome as 'total strategic failure’

Israeli officials believe the US failure to attain the kind of agreement with Iran that it originally sought stems from the strategic mistakes made during and after the recent war.

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

Nathan Howard / AFP via Getty Images

As Trump touts nuclear progress, US-Iran talks show little momentum

With a final nuclear agreement far from reach, the US-Iran conflict risks settling into a new status quo.

Latest News

Oil falls below $71 as US-Iran talks continue, Gulf exports rebound

Crude oil tankers, bulk carriers and vessels sit anchored around Qaboos Port on June 22, 2026, in Muscat, Oman.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

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

Sabena Siddiqui

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

A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Benjamin Houghton

In Durham, reporting on China in the Middle East

Rahim Rahimov

In Baku, reporting on Middle East-Caucasus ties

Mehrnaz Samimi

In Washington, DC, reporting on Iranian culture

Iran nuclear

The Takeaway: Iran seeks sanctions assurances as West loses patience

Negotiators meet again in Vienna as the US warns Iran is "playing with fire." Plus, the Islamic State's recruitment drive, a transatlantic scandal in Israel, Lebanon's solar energy surge, and more.

This photo shows a Emirates Boeing 777 landing while an IranAir plane is taxiing at Dubai's International Airport, Sept. 14, 2017.

Iran bans travelers from four European countries

Governments around the Middle East are instituting restrictions aimed at mitigating the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19.

A recent undated file photo of Israel's nuclear reactor at Dimona.

Iran vows to blow up Israel's Dimona first if war breaks out

After striking a mockup model of the Israeli nuclear facility with ballistic missiles in a recent war game, Iran said the site will be a prime target in any potential war with Israel.

In this handout provided by the EU Delegation in Vienna, Representatives of the European Union (L) and Iran (R) attend the Iran nuclear talks at the Grand Hotel on April 06, 2021 in Vienna, Austria.

Iran nuclear talks resume in Vienna

Iranian officials say they are ready to stay as long as necessary in this latest round of talks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) meets with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza (R) at the Casa Amarilla palace in Caracas, on Nov. 5, 2020.

Venezuela's Maduro plans to visit Iran 'very soon'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said the two countries will sign new accords and "speed up processes of cooperation."

GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images

The Takeaway: Israel fears Iran strike could ignite war with Hezbollah

Erdogan’s rescue plan for the lira, Turkey’s Africa drone market, Lebanon’s homeless cats and dogs, Gaza’s racism, Gulf stock markets and more — in less than 1,300 words!

Iran nuclear

Iran rejects UK, GCC statement on nuclear talks

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman criticized Western countries for destabilizing the Gulf region in response to the UK-GCC statement about regional security.

FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

Intel: US concerned over Iran, Turkey, UAE-supplied drones in Ethiopia war

Ethiopia's government has rejected calls for a cease-fire after routing Tigray rebels with the help of high-tech foreign drones.

The Horn of Africa

Iran scientist

Israeli army not ready to strike Iran's nuclear program

According to reports, the IDF does not have the means to effectively and seriously damage Iran's nuclear facilities right now.

AFP via Getty Images

Iran suggests Saudi negligence caused Yemen ambassador's death

Iran said Saudi authorities acted too late in allowing its ambassador in Yemen to return home for treatment, where he allegedly died of COVID-19.

Israeli solders gather next to self-propelled Howitzers in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on the border with Syria, Nov. 28, 2020.

Israel knows attacking Iranian nuke program will bring war with Hezbollah

Israeli leadership is coping not only with the question of military preparedness for the possibility of attacking the Iranian nuclear program, but also with the implications of such an attack on Israel’s homeland security, its economy and its growth.

A Syrian man holds the Iranian flag as a convoy carrying aid provided by Iran arrives in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, Sept. 20, 2017.

Iran expands economic reach into oil-rich region of Syria

Iran exports to Syria are increasing, a sign of an improving economic relation between the two countries.