Iran-US tensions

Italian F35 fighter jets take part in the "Blue Flag" multinational air defence exercise at the Ovda air force base, north of the Israeli city of Eilat, on November 11, 2019. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As response looms, US tries to dissuade Israel from catastrophic attack on Iran

The United States, Saudi Arabia and other regional powers are waiting to see which strike option Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will chose to retaliate against Iran as his defense minister heads to Washington.

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

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stand during an honor cordon at the Pentagon on June 25, 2024 in Arlington, Virginia.

Biden treads fine line on Iran as Israel's Gallant heads to Washington

The Pentagon likened the current crisis in the Middle East to that in Europe prior to the First World War, as the Biden administration seeks to restrain an Israeli counterattack against Iran.

An Iranian flag flutters on board the Adrian Darya oil tanker, formerly known as Grace 1, off the coast of Gibraltar on Aug. 18, 2019.

Iranian oil tankers flee crude loading site amid fears of Israeli attack

US President Joe Biden was asked Thursday whether he would support Israel attacking Iranian oil infrastructure, and in off-the-cuff remarks, he said his administration was “discussing” it.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian meets with regional leaders at the Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Doha on Oct. 2, 2024.

As Iran, Israel lurch toward war, Saudi Arabia seeks rapprochement with Tehran

Riyadh seeks assurances from Tehran that energy infrastructure in the region is spared amid talks of Israeli retaliation targeting Iranian oil and gas assets.

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Analysis

Israel’s four options for retaliating against Iran

This picture shows the remains of an Iranian missile on the ground in the Negev desert near Arad, on October 2, 2024, in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel. Israel vowed to make Iran "pay" for firing a barrage of missiles at its territory, with Tehran warning on October 2 it would launch an even bigger attack it is targeted. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

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

Interview

IAEA chief: Iran's nuclear program on 'turbocharge' without deal

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, attends the IAEA's Board of Governors meeting at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on Sept. 9, 2024.

Rafael Grossi

Rafael Grossi

IAEA Director General

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Israeli indicted for espionage in alleged Iran scheme to kill PM, defense minister

An Iranian border outpost is seen behind a part of Turkey’s newly completed border wall on the Turkey-Iran border, Caldiran, Turkey, July 10, 2021.

Iran's Pezeshkian says 'no place for hostility' with Saudi Arabia, ready to visit Riyadh

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian holds a press conference in Tehran on Sept. 16, 2024.

RABIH DAHER/AFP via Getty Images

Amos Hochstein arrives in Israel in latest US effort to avert Lebanon war

A renewed feud between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister could throw a wrench into the mission of Biden's envoy Amos Hochstein as he arrives in Israel to avert a full-blown Israel-Hezbollah war.

Iran's two-stage Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite carrier(L) and Iranian built Safir-type rocket that is designed to carry a satellite into orbit, are displayed in Tehran as people gather to mark the 45th anniversary of the Islamic revolution on February 11, 2024. Iran marked 45 years since the Islamic revolution with a ceremony on February 11, in which the country's president condemned arch foe Israel and demanded it be expelled from the United Nations. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran's IRGC launches its fifth satellite into space

Iran's Chamran-1 satellite was reportedly put into orbit with a rocket that uses solid-state fuel in its third stage just a week after the IRGC sent short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine.

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel confronts Iran’s 'belt of fire': What’s next after Syria missile facility raid?

Tensions are rising not only on Israel’s northern front along the border with Lebanon, but also on the border with Syria and further off, with Iran.

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

FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP via Getty Images

Iran summons UK, France, Germany envoys over Russia missiles allegations

Iran has summoned four European envoys as the United States and Europe react to Iran's alleged shipment of ballistic missiles to Russia.

A man walks past a banner depicting missiles launching from a representation of the map of Iran colored with the Iranian flag in central Tehran on April 15, 2024.

Analysis

Three takeaways from Iran’s ballistic missile transfer to Russia

Iran’s provision of close-range ballistic missiles to Moscow could fuel a potential arms race in Europe, but experts say the United States and European Union appear to have little leverage to stop it.

Jared Szuba

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

The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) is underway after a port visit to Naples, Italy.

USS Georgia guided missile submarine arrives in Middle East

The Georgia's arsenal multiplies the US Navy's precision-strike capabilities near Iranian shores as Israel awaits retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at an IRGC guest house in Tehran last month.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R), meets with Bahraini king Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa (L) August 18, 2002 at Tehran.

Analysis

Will Iran and Bahrain open new chapter in bilateral ties?

Iran and Bahrain are signalling rapprochement, which could be significant for the regional dynamics; yet amid deep-seated tensions and clashing interests, any genuine thaw will need trust-building and a willingness to navigate a complex web of regional rivalries.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seen as he casts his vote for the snap presidential election at the Imam Khomeini Husseiniya on June 28, 2024, in Tehran, Iran.

Analysis

As Khamenei signals openness to negotiations, is another nuclear deal possible?

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is signaling openness to resuming talks with the United States about Tehran’s nuclear enrichment but has also sought to emphasize that its rival cannot be trusted.

Jared Szuba

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

TEHRAN, IRAN - JULY 5: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks after casting his vote for the presidential runoff election on July 5, 2024 in Tehran, Iran. The second round of Iran's presidential elections was held while no candidate won the majority of votes in the first round of elections last month. In the second round, Saeed Jalili, who is known as a radical candidate, faced Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Analysis

Is Khamenei opening door for nuclear talks as Iran FM floats revisions?

The Iranian leader signaled willingness to talk to the West about the country's nuclear program less than a week after new Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there is room to revise the agreement.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

A missile monument erected after the 2006 war, is seen on the roadside on August 26, 2024 Borj Kalawai, Lebanon. The recent assassination of a Hezbollah military commander in Lebanon, as well as the killing of the political leader of Hamas in Iran, has heightened concerns of a wider regional war between Israel and Iran-backed enemies like Hezbollah. Israel and Hezbollah have traded regular cross-border fire since Oct. 7, although both sides have seemed to calculate their attacks to avoid all-out war. (Photo

Pentagon shared intel with Israel to thwart Hezbollah attack

Israel's air force and navy overwhelmingly thwarted the attack without need for the US military to shoot down any of Hezbollah's projectiles, Pentagon officials said.

TOPSHOT - This photo taken from a position in northern Israel shows a Hezbollah UAV intercepted by Israeli air forces over north Israel on August 25, 2024. The Israeli military announced early August 25, 2024 that it was conducting pre-emptive strikes in Lebanon after detecting preparations for "large-scale" attacks by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Hezbollah said it had launched more than 320 rockets at Israel overnight, targeting a string of military positions, even as Israel's military said it

Analysis

Hezbollah's attack disappoints Hamas but averts all-out war with Israel

Both Israel and Hezbollah have signaled that Sunday’s exchange of fire is over, at least for the moment.

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

Abbas Araghchi (C), nominee for the Foreign Ministry, attends a special session to approve the cabinet appointments proposed by the newly elected president in Tehran on August 21, 2024.

Analysis

What will Iran's foreign policy look like under Abbas Araghchi?

The push by the supreme leader for the appointment of moderate diplomat Abbas Araghchi as foreign minister could signal Iran's readiness to ease tensions with the West, yet the seasoned diplomat appears to be facing a bumpy road ahead.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics