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May 4, 2026

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies during a Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 22, 2026 in Washington, DC.

US sanctions Iran’s shadow banking channels moving oil proceeds from China

The latest sanctions come as the Trump administration weighs Iran's latest proposal to end the war.

Ibrahim AMRO / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Without exit strategy, Israel faces emboldened Hezbollah, limited options on Iran

While President Donald Trump remains undecided on striking Iran again, the Israeli military is sinking deeper into its Lebanon quagmire with a reinforced Hezbollah.

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

Iraq's prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, at Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office on April 28, 2026.

Trump congratulates Iraq PM-designate Zaidi in call: What to know

The US President was openly critical of previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki, seen as too close to Iran, but is now welcoming the new candidate put forward by Iraq’s leading Shiite bloc.

Latest News

Trump faces three paths ahead in Iran war as Hormuz standoff intensifies

This photo obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim shows an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boat allegedly taking part in an operation to seize ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, on April 21, 2026.

Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates

President Donald Trump gives a speech during the State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn on April 28, 2026, in Washington.

US seeks to train Lebanon army units to disarm Hezbollah: What to know

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C), alongside US State Department Counselor Michael Needham (2L) and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (2R), speaks during a meeting.

Analysis

Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

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

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

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., defends Judge Brett Kavanaugh during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on his nomination be an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, focusing on allegations of sexual assault by Kavanaugh against Christine Blasey Ford in the early 1980s, in Washington, DC, U.S., September 27, 2018. Picture taken September 27, 2018. Tom Williams/Pool via REUTERS - RC1E5B7EC8E0

Intel: How Congress is trying to hold Saudis accountable for Khashoggi’s murder

Muslim pilgrims walk out after the Friday prayer at the Grand mosque ahead of annual Haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 17, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra - RC1615A76DE0

Millions of Palestinians no longer eligible for Saudi visas

A Saudi decision to deny visas to people holding temporary passports but without national identification numbers means that millions of Palestinian Muslims in Israel, Jordan and Lebanon will not be able to perform religious rites at Islamic holy sites in the kingdom.

Is Russia full-on supporting Hamas?

The Russian ambassador to Israel refused to label Hamas as a terrorist organization, calling on Israel to deal with the group to reach a political solution.

Bahrain ducks congressional scrutiny over Yemen war

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., had hoped to send a message to the Saudi coalition in Yemen by holding an arms sale to Bahrain hostage. It didn’t work.

An F18 Hornet fighter jet moves on the deck of the 330 meters navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the eastern Mediterranean Sea on May 8, 2018. - The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group on May 3 began air operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting flight operations against the so called Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria and Iraq. The strike group includes a guided-missile cruiser and four guided-missile destroyers. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo credit shou

Intel: Why defense leaders are urging against Middle East budget cuts

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) speaks during a news conference discussing Russian sanctions on Capitol Hill February 15, 2017 in Washington, DC.
A cloud of intrigue over ties with Moscow has hovered over President Donald Trump since US intelligence alleged the Russian government interfered with the presidential election last year against his opponent Hillary Clinton. On Monday, Trump's national security adviser Michael Flynn was forced to resign over his private conversations with a Russian diplomat, and on Wedn

Intel: Why Congress isn’t satisfied with Trump’s latest Saudi sanctions

A Saudi flag flutters atop Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey October 20, 2018. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir - RC14ECA7C770

Intel: Why the US is now sanctioning 17 Saudis over Khashoggi killing

Saudi public prosecutor Saud Al Mojeb leaves from Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey October 30, 2018. REUTERS/Kemal Aslan - RC1209516940

Riyadh seeks death penalties in Khashoggi killing as US sanctions Saudis

Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor has announced that he will seek the death penalty for five Saudi officials arrested in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Saudi Arabia faces mounting calls to end war in Yemen

The recent killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has cast a shadow over Saudi Arabia's standing with Western countries, which are now pressuring the kingdom to bring an end to the suffering in Yemen.

ARLINGTON, VA - FEBRUARY 28: Retired Gen. John Abizaid, Defense Health Board subcommittee chair conducts a briefing about the Dover Port Mortuary Independent Review Subcommittee Report at the Pentagon February 28, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. In the report it is noted that small portions of unidentified human remains recovered from the September 11, 2001, attacks on the Pentagon and from the impact site of United flight 93 which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, were incinerated and subsequently dumped

Trump taps unconventional US general with history of engagement with Iran for Saudi posting

Retired US Central Command chief John Abizaid will take the helm of the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia after a career of seeking engagement with Iran.

A woman displaced from the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah pulls empty canisters outside her family shelter in Sanaa, Yemen November 2, 2018. Picture taken November 2, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi - RC1DA98E70A0

Republicans quash Democrats’ bid to force the US out of Yemen war

House Republicans have temporarily stopped a vote instructing President Donald Trump to end “hostilities” against the Houthi rebels.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attends the second day of the international conference on Libya in Palermo, Italy, November 13, 2018. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane - RC14C7724000

Is Putin getting serious on Libya?

As Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev led the Russian delegation to the Palermo conference on Libya, Moscow spoke of its economic interests in the country but, most importantly, was sending a strong political message to warring factions.