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June 6, 2026

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Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon close to the Beaufort Castle as seen from a position across the border in the Upper Galilee, in northern Israel on June 4, 2026.

Analysis

Israel’s Lebanon endgame remains elusive despite ceasefire deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was compelled by President Donald Trump to accept a new ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, but without a clear long-term strategy, he may be inclined to resume hostilities at the first opportunity.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency, a katyusha rocket is fired from a speed boat during a military drill near the port of Bandar Jask in the Sear of Oman on May 10, 2010.

Iran unveils new missile-armed fast attack boat: What to know

The boats are the latest addition to Iran’s "mosquito fleet," a fleet of high-speed attack craft operated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

An Iranian flag flutters in the wind as ships remain anchored on May 16, 2026 in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran.

US sanctions network smuggling Iranian LPG as talks falter

The sanctions come as President Donald Trump has offered mixed signals on prospects for a deal.

A portrait of the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is visible in heavily damaged building in the border town of Ayta al-Chaab, southern Lebanon, Feb. 21, 2026.

Analysis

Why Israel sees Lebanon’s 'pilot zones' as path to containing Hezbollah

Israel views the proposed pilot security zones in southern Lebanon as a pragmatic way to gradually expand Lebanese state control, push Hezbollah away from the border and preserve a fragile ceasefire while the Trump administration pursues broader negotiations with Iran.

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

Latest News

In aftermath of Iran attack, Rubio hosts Kuwait FM: What to know

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah walk together during a brief appearance for the press as they meet at the State Department in Washington, DC, on June 4, 2026.

As Iran seeks leverage, can US enforce Lebanon-Israel ceasefire?

AFP via 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

Afghans crowd Kabul airport tarmac on Aug. 16

Pentagon rushes more reinforcements to Kabul airport as panic disrupts evacuations

US troops regained control of the runway Monday afternoon after masses of Afghans rushed onto the tarmac hoping to escape.

Displaced Afghans in Kabul

More US troops arrive at Kabul airport to bolster Turkish mission

Pentagon says forces could potentially remain in Kabul beyond original withdrawal deadline.

Washington Pulse

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Intel: US sanctions oil broker reportedly linked to Iran’s Quds Force

US Marines in Helmand province

Turkey ‘still in lead’ as US surges troops back to Kabul airport for evacuation

The Pentagon is readying as many as 8,000 troops to facilitate the withdrawal of American and Afghan personnel.

2018 Tice press conference

Biden administration calls on Syria to return missing journalist Austin Tice

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the United States is committed to "following all avenues and talking to anyone" who can help return Tice, a journalist and Marine veteran who disappeared in Syria nine years ago.

Richard Norland and Khalifa Hifter

Intel: US ambassador meets Libya's Hifter in Cairo

The US envoy is for pushing for cooperation with Libya's planned elections in December, State Department says.

Dana Stroul

Iran sending more weapons to Yemen's Houthis amid cease-fire effort: Pentagon

Pentagon allegation comes as Iranian and Saudi officials are reportedly preparing to meet in Baghdad later this month

Nasrin Sotoudeh protest

Senators call for release of 'unjustly imprisoned' women in Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia

Democratic lawmakers condemn four Middle Eastern states for the politically motivated imprisonment of a number of women and call for the prisoners' release.

Washington Pulse

Antony Blinken

Blinken urges UN to hold Iran accountable for Mercer Street attack

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the drone strike was the latest in a pattern of Iranian attacks and provocative behavior.

confiscated hezbollah rocket launcher in Lebanon

US sanctions Iran-backed militias under weapons transfer ban

Washington Pulse

Mercer Street attack photos

Pentagon reveals evidence of Iran's role in Gulf tanker attack

Last week's drone strike on the Israeli-managed oil products tanker Mercer Street required "calculated and deliberate retargeting," CENTCOM said.

Areej al-Sadhan and her brother Abdulrahman al-Sadhan.

Intel: US family seeks Biden's help freeing detained Saudi aid worker

The United States said it’s urging Saudi Arabia to resolve the case of Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, an aid worker sentenced to prison for allegedly running a Twitter account critical of the kingdom’s rulers.