Iran-US tensions

Smoke billows following Israeli bombardment in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on August 11, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Pentagon watches closely for signs Iran will attack Israel

The Biden administration is touting this week's last-ditch round of Gaza cease-fire negotiations in a bid to dissuade Iran and its proxies from striking Israel, but officials say the threat of a coordinated attack has not yet diminished.

Jared Szuba

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

Boys walk on dry bricks to traverse a puddle of sewage water past mounds of trash and rubble along a street in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees, northern Gaza Strip, August 14, 2024.

Analysis

Can progress on Gaza cease-fire talks help US restrain Netanyahu, hold off Iran attack?

A new bridging proposal might allow calmer heads to prevail and lower the temperature in the region.

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

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

US delegations head to Middle East in bid to head off major escalation

Iran's diplomatic mission to the UN denied reports that Tehran is seeking a seat at the table for last-ditch Gaza cease-fire talks planned for Thursday.

rocket fire

Analysis

Iran, Israel in 'war of nerves' as US applies pressure to reach Gaza deal

The Biden administration is working both fronts simultaneously by pressuring the sides to reach a cease-fire deal in Gaza and limiting the expected attack on Israel by Iran and Hezbollah.

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

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Analysis

What’s behind Javad Zarif's resignation from Iran’s new government?

Mohammad Javad Zarif, the former Iranian Foreign Minister, flashes victory sign during an election rally in support of Iranian presidential election candidate Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, Iran, on June 24, 2024. Iran is holding snap presidential elections to choose the next president after the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. After the election with a historically low turnout on Friday, Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's presidential election candidate and former reformist member of the Iranian parliam

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Gallant clashes with Netanyahu, cautions against Israeli war in Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant leaves the State Department after meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the US State Department in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2024. The White House said Monday it was "perplexed" and "disappointed" by the cancelation of an Israeli delegation's planned visit to discuss US concerns over a possible offensive in southern Gaza. Israel scrapped the visit after the United States abstained from a UN Security Council vote demanding an "immediate ceasefire" in Ga

Pentagon hastens naval deployment to head off Iran attack on Israel

In this handout photo provided by the US Navy, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (L), the Royal Navy air defense destroyer HMS Defender and the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut transit the Strait of Hormuz, Nov. 19, 2019.

Jared Szuba

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

Analysis

Iran's IRGC bolsters navy with cruise missiles amid flaring tensions

A picture obtained from Iran's Fars news agency, shows an Iranian-made Noor (Light) ground-to-sea missile fired by the Islamic republic's navy on May 11, 2010 during military exercises in the Iranian port of Bandar Jask on the Sea of Oman.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

'A chance to stand down': Can US pressure lead to Gaza deal, curb Iran attack on Israel?

A F18 Hornet fighter jet pilot takes off from the deck of the US navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the eastern Mediterranean Sea on May 8, 2018.

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

People take part in a march called by Palestinian and Lebanese youth organizations in the southern Lebanese city of Saida on August 5, 2024, to protest against the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh (portrait) and a Hezbollah military commander.

Iran defiant as world powers work to avert retaliation against Israel

Unlike in April when Tehran telegraphed its attack in advance, Iran has this time kept details of its expected attack against Israel close to its chest.

Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani addresses the United Nations Security Council during an emergency meeting on April 14, 2024 at U.N. Headquarters in New York City. The U.N. Security Council convened for the meeting at the request of Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan after Iran's attack on Israel. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

Iran says cease-fire in Gaza 'priority' as US sees deal 'closer than ever'

Iran's statement on a cease-fire comes as Washington intensifies its efforts to reach a deal that could avert Iranian retaliation against Israel and a potential regional war.

Motorists drive their vehicles past a billboard depicting Iranian missiles in Tehran on April 20, 2024, a day after Iran's state media reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan.

US mounts diplomatic blitz to contain Iranian attack

The Biden administration is urging Iran to temper its retaliation against Israel for the assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.

Iranians drive next to a billboard of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) and late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at the Valise square in Tehran on Aug. 1, 2024.

Analysis

How Iran is calibrating its promised revenge on Israel for Haniyeh killing

Iran's leadership appears torn between exacting harsh revenge to save face and exercising restraint to avoid an unpredictable and devastating cycle of escalation.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 25: U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office at the White House on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. Netanyahu's visit occurs as the Israel-Hamas war reaches nearly ten months. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Analysis

As US, Israel coordinate, Biden works to curb Netanyahu's response to Iran

Under pressure from the Biden administration, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly not currently planning a pre-emptive attack against Iran.

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

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Meet Tim Walz, Harris’ VP: Progressive favorite with mainstream views on Israel, Iran

Walz voiced opposition to the Iraq War and traveled to Israel and Syria while in Congress and has sought to address division over pro-Palestinian protests in the Democratic Party as governor of Minnesota.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

A US Marine C853 helicopter takes off May 26, 2004, from the al-Asad base in the west of Iraq for a mission.

'Several' US personnel injured in rocket attack on Iraq base

The Biden administration is downplaying the threat of a wider Middle East conflict to allow Western diplomats time to negotiate an off-ramp to expected Iranian retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas' top political leader in Tehran last week.

US Central Command Cmdr. Gen. Michael Kurilla speaks at the 18th IISS Manama Dialogue, Manama, Bahrain, Nov. 19, 2022.

CENTCOM chief heads for Israel as country prepares for Iran attack

US Central Command Commander Michael Kurilla has arrived in the Middle East in efforts to coordinate with Israel and other countries against an expected attack by Iran.

OAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

US, Israel prepare to face multifront attack as Iran vows revenge

After the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran this week, presumably by Israel, the US military has been preparing defensive actions, including intercepting barrages of missiles and drones from multiple fronts.

Jared Szuba

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

Workers hang a billboard in Palestine Square bearing a portrait of slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh with slogan "Expect severe punishment" in Persian and Hebrew, Tehran, July 31, 2024.

Analysis

How Israel is preparing for Iran's retaliation as Netanyahu continues double game

Israeli security officials question the Israeli prime minister's actions in the midst of talks for a Gaza hostage and cease-fire deal.

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

Saied Iravani, Iranian ambassador to the UN, attends a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, at UN Headquarters on July 31, 2024, in New York City.

US troops may be in crosshairs as Iran blames US for Haniyeh killing

Iraqi militia Harakat al-Nujaba warned that the United States and Israel had "opened the gates of hell" following a US airstrike south of Baghdad that US officials said was unrelated to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran just hours later.

Palestinians carry a placard bearing the image of the leader of the militant Hamas group during a protest in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on July 31, 2024, denouncing his killing.

Iran vows revenge for Haniyeh killing amid questions over security failures

The attack exposed vulnerabilities in Iran's long-fought intelligence war with Israel and stirred up debates on possible Israeli infiltration within the Islamic Republic's security apparatus.