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August 31, 2026

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Pentagon inks 7-year missile-production deal amid Iran war shortage

The Defense Department has been hammering out new agreements with top defense manufacturers as the Iran war has rapidly depleted Washington's interceptor stockpiles.

Ammar Ammar / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel’s Lebanon dilemma: Confront Hezbollah without angering Trump, triggering Iran

Israeli sources point out that the pilot project for Israel's withdrawal and the Lebanese military taking control over the area is not working because of the government's reluctance to search for Hezbollah's weapons in private homes.

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

Demonstrations in Tehran, Iran

Analysis

How Iran is readying for economic protests as Trump escalates pressure

Iranian authorities are bracing for unrest as US pressure collides with a battered economy, fuel price indecision and fresh memories of bloodshed.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

US President Donald Trump arrives at Myrtle Beach International Airport on Aug. 21, 2026, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Trump says Hormuz mine-free as Iran, Oman agree to clear them

The US president again says Hormuz is clear of mines as Iran and Oman announce their plan to clear the strait.

Latest News

China warns US not to interfere with Iran trade: What to know

BAY ISMOYO / AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

Israel recalibrates Syria policy, explores path to security deal

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (C) watches as US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack prepares to sign an agreement in Damascus on September 16, 2025. Shaibani announced on September 16 a plan backed by Jordan and the United States to restore calm to Druze-majority Sweida province, which witnessed deadly violence in July. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)

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

In 'warning shot,' US threatens sanctions on Iran’s trading partners

Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent addresses the audience during opening remarks at the Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism at the State Department on July 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. Bessent spoke alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as they discussed the rise of far-left political terrorism as a transnational threat. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

ARLINGTON, VA - MARCH 22: U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis (L) welcomes Crown Prince Of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman (R) during an enhanced honor cordon March 22, 2018 at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman is on a visit in Washington. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Pentagon chief presses for end to Yemen war in meeting with Saudi prince

US Defense Secretary James Mattis called on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to “accelerate” a peaceful end to the war in Yemen even as Mattis lobbies Congress not to terminate US support for Riyadh’s air campaign against the Houthis.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), accompanied by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), speaks with reporters following the party luncheons on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. December 5, 2017. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein - RC1567898790

US spending bill drops Turkey sanctions

A draft spending bill has dropped proposed Turkey sanctions meant to target Turkey's detention of Americans and US consulate staff amid US efforts to ease tensions with Ankara.

U.S. President Donald Trump walks to Marine One to board to depart for travel to New Hampshire from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., March 19, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis - RC1FFE98D400

US negotiator: 'We will see' if Trump can be sold on Iran deal fix

Washington's chief representative to US-European talks on the Iran nuclear deal said that while progress is being made in trans-Atlantic discussions, it's unclear if an agreement will be reached.

Turkish forces and Free Syrian Army are deployed in Afrin, Syria March 18, 2018. REUTERS/ Khalil Ashawi - RC1526525050

Fall of Afrin: Turkey’s Vietnam or Washington’s nightmare?

Following the fall of the Syrian city of Afrin to Turkish forces March 18, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's threats to expand operations to other regions controlled by Syrian Kurdish forces seem credible.

U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Mike Pompeo, ?Vice President Mike Pence? and Energy Secretary†Rick Perry, hosts Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a working lunch at the White House in Washington, U.S. March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RC12317C6820

Pompeo appointment cements notion in Tehran that US will exit Iran deal

In Tehran, the reaction to the appointment of Pompeo as secretary of state is an increasing sense that Trump is bent on withdrawing from the nuclear deal.

Abbas’ revenge against Hamas, US, Israel

Israeli officials believe that a decision by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to reimpose sanctions on Gaza is meant to entangle Israel and Hamas in a military adventure.

A Houthi militant holds a blood-stained garment at the site of a Saudi-led air strike, north of Yemen's capital Sanaa, March 8, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi - RC1D17254740

Iran looms large as Congress casts Yemen war vote

The Senate voted on US support for the Saudi-led war against the Houthis for the first time since the war began three years ago.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 21, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RC13B91C4690

Blindsided Bahrain lobbies against Trump tariffs

The major aluminum exporter and US Navy host has been blindsided by President Donald Trump’s 10% tariffs on aluminum.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RC1B9C971E60

Iran, Saudi Arabia in war of words over allegations of aiding al-Qaeda

Iranian officials have once again strongly dismissed Saudi charges that Tehran is aiding al-Qaeda.

Turkey demands 'respect' after taking Syria’s Afrin from Kurdish militia

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the United States to support its NATO partner as it prepares to expand military operations against the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units.

An undated image released by the U.S. Government shows the suspected Syrian nuclear reactor building under construction in Syria. The White House on April 24, 2008 broke its official silence on the mysterious September 6, 2007 Israeli air strike. "We are convinced, based on a variety of information, that North Korea assisted Syria's covert nuclear activities," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said in a statement. The statement came after intelligence officials briefed U.S. lawmakers about the Syrian nucl

The story behind Israel's secret strike on Syria's nuclear reactor

Israel for the first time acknowledges how nearly a decade ago it located and destroyed a Syrian nuclear reactor built with the assistance of North Korea.

Syria situation still complex as negotiations go on — and on

Despite negotiations in Geneva and Egypt, and eight rounds of peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, the Syrian war entered its eighth year this month.