Political reporting on Iran — the government and Supreme Leader, elections, nuclear negotiations, and the factional struggles inside the Islamic Republic — collected from independent English-language outlets.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulated newly appointed senior military commanders, stressing the need to strengthen coordination and readiness among the Armed Forces, boost deterrence, and harness technological capacities to safeguard national interests.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei lashed out at the US for seeking to undermine an international court ruling over atrocities committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza, stressing that a social-media post cannot override international law or erase the court’s rulings.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for the development of bilateral ties between Tehran and Islamabad.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Bafel Talabani, president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, stressed the need to strengthen security coordination along the common borders and step up efforts to combat terrorism.
Maryland [US], August 12 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) reiterated his claims of full control over the Strait of Hormuz while also warning Tehran against any actions that could see a strong response. He made the remarks while speaking to the media and accused Tehran of 'lying' to him. Trump said, 'I don't trust Iran.
Maryland [US], August 12 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that he secretly switched planes while returning from the NATO Summit in Turkiye last month, in the wake of a 'threat' to him at the behest of the Secret Service and the military, shortly after a Washington Post report on the incident.
The extraordinary subterfuge was aimed at protecting an American president who has been in Iran’s cross hairs for years.
Qatar condemns Colombia’s backing of Israeli claims over occupied Golan Heights Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has issued a statement condemning Colombia's support of Israeli claims over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, joining several other countries in its criticism. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates Qatar's principled and unwavering position that the Golan Heights is occupied Arab territory, emphasizing the need for Israel to comply with international law and withdraw from all occupied Arab territories, including the Golan Heights," it said in a post on X. The Ministry warned that "any unilateral decisions recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights will constitute a major obstacle to achieving peace in the region".
Multiple news organizations said the US president put reporters' lives at risk by secretly switching planes Several major news outlets have claimed that US President Donald Trump effectively used journalists covering his travels as decoys last month when he secretly switched planes due to a suspecte
Multiple news organizations said the US president put reporters' lives at risk by secretly switching planes Several major news outlets have claimed that US President Donald Trump effectively used journalists covering his travels as decoys last month when he secretly switched planes due to a suspecte
Israel and Venezuela restore diplomatic relations after years of severed ties Israel and Venezuela announced the restoration of official diplomatic relations after 17 years of severed ties in mutual statements published on Tuesday. The rapprochement comes under acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, who has realigned Venezuela towards the US since she took office in January, after the US abduction and imprisonment of then-President Nicolas Maduro. US President Donald Trump has boasted of running Venezuela following the capture of Maduro.
Turkey condems Colombia's support for Israeli Golan Heights occupation Turkey has joined the growing list of mostly Muslim-majority states that have condemned Colombia's decision to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights. In a statement reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency, Turkey's foreign affairs ministry said that it strongly condemns “the statement made by Colombia to legitimize the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights, which is an integral part of Syria”. “We reiterate our call for the international community to do its part to end Israel’s occupation of southern Syria, including the Golan Heights, and its attacks targeting the country’s sovereignty and stability,” the statement added.
Israel and Venezuela restore diplomatic relations after years of severed ties Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 08/11/2026 - 19:54 The rapprochement comes after the US has for months boasted of running Venezuela, following the capture of Maduro Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez speaks during a press conference at the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base in Caracas, on 2 July 2026 (Lucas Agauyo/AFP) Off Israel and Venezuela announced the restoration of official diplomatic relations after 17 years of severed ties in mutual statements published on Tuesday. The rapprochement comes under acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, who has realigned Venezuela towards the US since she took office in January, after the US abduction and imprisonment of then-President Nicolas Maduro. US President Donald Trump has boasted of running Venezuela following the capture of Maduro.
Tucker Carlson says Israel pushed him to report false allegations against Hunter Biden Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 08/11/2026 - 20:30 Former US president's son says a 'Netanyahu operation centre' was involved in disseminating alleged drug and sex leaks US President Joe Biden (L) and son Hunter step out of a bookstore while shopping in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on 29 November 2024 (Mandel Ngan/AFP) Off Conservative US commentator Tucker Carlson said Israeli "agents" close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed him to falsely report that Hunter Biden’s leaked laptop material showed him abusing minors. "The claim that there was material involving the abuse of minors on the computer came from the Israelis," Carlson said in an interview aired on Monday with Hunter, former US President Joe Biden's son. "I'm just telling you that they came to me with it, and that's how I know it.
A Turkish-Iranian man arrested in Montenegro at the request of the United States spent years working as an asset of Iran's Intelligence Ministry after rising to become one of the country's most accomplished hackers, an Iran International investigation has found.
Exclusive: Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt's inclusion in Mecca agreement, sources say Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed with Turkey and Pakistan last week, despite Ankara's push for Cairo to be included in the pact, three Saudi sources familiar with the discussions told Middle East Eye. One of the sources, a former senior adviser to the Saudi monarchy, said Riyadh did not want Egypt to join the agreement "at least for now". All three sources, however, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, said the Saudi position was driven by a growing frustration with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government and a belief in Riyadh that Egypt no longer offered the strategic or military value it once did.
Israel and Venezuela renew diplomatic relations Israel and Venezuela have announced the restoration of their diplomatic relations after 17 years of severed ties. In a stateme nt posted on X, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the two countries had "agreed to establish a coordination mechanism that will enable the provision of consular services to citizens of both countries". Venezuela originally severed its consular relations with Israel in 2009 under the leftist president Hugo Chavez.
Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt's inclusion in Mecca agreement, sources say Submitted by MEE correspondent on Tue, 08/11/2026 - 18:00 The kingdom didn't want Egypt to join the new defence pact with Turkey and Pakistan despite Ankara's push for Cairo to be included, sources say Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L), Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C), and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on 7 August 2026 (Turkish presidential press office/Handout via Reuters) Off Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed with Turkey and Pakistan last week, despite Ankara's push for Cairo to be included in the pact, three Saudi sources familiar with the discussions told Middle East Eye. One of the sources, a former senior adviser to the Saudi monarchy, said Riyadh did not want Egypt to join the agreement "at least for now". All three sources, however, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, said the Saudi position was driven by a growing frustration with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government and a belief in Riyadh that Egypt no longer offered the strategic or military value it once did.
President Trump was secretly moved to a military aircraft as he departed the NATO summit in Turkey in July. Two senior U. S.
Inside the growing rift between Iran’s dealmakers and ultraconservatives Iran ’s political landscape appears to have entered a new phase as two competing camps emerge: those advocating a deal with the United States and those determined to block any agreement. Principlists have intensified their pressure on reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian and conservative Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, both of whom are seeking to reach an agreement with Washington and bring an end to almost six months of hostilities. Principlists fear that any deal could marginalise them politically and weaken their influence over Iran’s future direction.
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