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Politics & Security

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 Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman (C) in Tehran on April 17, 2025.

Saudi defense chief meets Khamenei in historic Iran visit: What to know

Prince Khalid’s visit marks a further step in Iran and Saudi Arabia’s political reconciliation, but it comes at a tense time in the region, with the second round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations just two days away.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the Kremlin in Moscow, on April 17, 2025.

Qatar and Russia to up investment by $2B as emir visits Moscow

Cooperation between Qatar and Russia on energy matters is growing, as Doha seeks to mediate between the Kremlin and Ukraine over the war.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Analysis

US-Iran gaps seen as bridgeable as Israeli strike leak undermines Netanyahu

If the New York Times report is correct, the Israeli prime minister intended to strike Iran but backed away under pressure by the Trump administration, much like he did in 2011 and in 2012.

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

Lebanese army troops patrol the destroyed southern border village of Adaisseh, following the Israeli forces withdrawal on February 18, 2025. Lebanon's army said it deployed in southern border villages and areas vacated by Israeli troops on February 18, as a withdrawal deadline expired under a truce between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's army expands presence, dismantles 500 Hezbollah sites: What to know

The Lebanese army intensified its deployment in southern Lebanon, dismantling Hezbollah positions and confiscating weapons as part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Latest News

Exclusive

Syria's Kurds say Trump aid cuts are feeding radicalism in ISIS camps

Women are seen walking at the Roj Camp in northeast Syria, on April 8, 2025.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

IAEA chief in Tehran as Iran FM returns to Russia with Khamenei letter

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov walk together after their meeting to give a joint press conference at the foreign ministry headquarters in Tehran on February 25, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

China, Egypt to hold first air force drill as military ties grow: What to know

Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon fighter aircraft of China's Ba Yi (August 1st) Aerobatics Team release smoke while performing manoeuvres during the first Egypt International Airshow at Alamein International Airport in Alamein in northern Egypt on September 4, 2024. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Elizabeth Hagedorn

State Department Correspondent

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

Ezgi Akin

Associate Editor (Turkey)

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

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

US forces patrol oil fields near Syria's northeastern border with Turkey in the Qahtaniyah countryside in the far northeast corner of Hasakeh province on Sept. 3, 2024.

US weighs plans to slash troop presence in Syria by more than half

Fewer than 1,000 US troops could remain in the country in order to retain limited oversight of ISIS prisons controlled by Kurdish-led forces across the country’s northeast, according to officials briefed on the latest plans.

A man and woman walk past a mural depicting an Iranian official in civilian clothing sitting across the table from an American official wearing military fatigues painted on the outer walls of the former US embassy in Tehran, colloquially referred to as the "Spy Den," on April 8, 2025.

Analysis

Iran claims upper hand in nuclear talks even as Trump floats military option

The Iranian leader's comment came as the US president accused Tehran of dragging out the negotiation process and renewed threats of military action.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Israeli far-right Minister Itamar Ben Gvir attends a gathering by right-wing activists near the border with Gaza, on Oct. 21, 2024, calling to establish a new Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits US Monday, set to meet Trump officials: What to know

While avoiding official travel to the US during the Biden administration, Israel's far-right minister is set to embark on a weeklong trip there next week, where he is expected to meet with Trump officials.

A picture taken on July 23, 2021 shows an Algerian flag fluttering on the facade of the embassy in Paris. - Algeria expressed "deep concern" following press reports that it may have been the target of the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware as it launched a probe. (Photo by Joël SAGET / AFP) (Photo by JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)

France expels 12 Algerian diplomats in tit-for-tat escalation

Paris decided to retaliate symmetrically after the expulsion on Monday of 12 of its diplomats from Algeria.

Police watch arrests in drug busts

Over 200 arrested in Turkey, Europe in international drug bust: What to know

Of the suspects, 225 were apprehended in Turkey and nine others were apprehended in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Belgium.

A picture taken during a tour organized by the Jordanian Army shows a drone flying over an observation post along the border with Syria, on Feb. 17, 2022.

Jordan foils 'sabotage' plot involving rockets and drones, 16 arrested

Jordan said the members of the group received training in Lebanon, as Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed solidarity with the kingdom.

Aoun

Lebanon’s Aoun visits Doha as Qatar, France send military support

President Joseph Aoun’s trip to Qatar comes on the heels of his meeting with Saudi Arabia's envoy in Beirut.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump bids farewell to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he leaves the White House after a meeting on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump was meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Analysis

As Witkoff hints US won't dismantle Iran nuclear program, Israel fears Trump may settle for 'bad deal'

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu cannot go openly against the nuclear talks with Iran initiated by US President Trump, but he can hope for Tehran to anger him enough to break the negotiations.

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

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi pose for a photo before their meeting in Tehran on November 14, 2024. (Photo by Atta KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

IAEA’s Grossi to visit Tehran ahead of second round of US-Iran nuclear talks

The IAEA chief’s visit comes just days after nuclear talks between the US and Iran and less than a week after a senior Iranian official threatened to halt compliance with the nuclear watchdog.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives in Doha on Sunday for an official visit and is welcomed by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani upon his arrival.

Egypt's Sisi visits Qatar, nabs $7.5B in investments: What to know

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s trip to Doha comes amid Egypt’s moves to improve ties with Turkey and tensions with the UAE over the Gaza war.

Attendees fly a French national flag and an Algerian national flag during a gathering for the election night following the second round results of France's legislative election at Republique Square in Paris on July 7, 2024. A broad left-wing coalition was leading a tight French legislative election, ahead of both President's centrists and the far right with no group winning an absolute majority, projections showed. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Algeria-France crisis peaks as Algiers expels 12 diplomats: What we know

A rift between Algeria and France has heated up on Monday as Algiers ordered a dozen French diplomats out of the country.