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.
Iran's unseen supreme leader has issued his first military decrees, handing the armed forces, the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij to veteran commanders, among them a general wanted by Interpol, in appointments read at home and abroad as the first map of power under his rule.
Inside the growing rift between Iran’s dealmakers and ultraconservatives Submitted by MEE correspondent on Tue, 08/11/2026 - 10:52 Leaked recordings underscore tensions over US negotiations and competing visions for the future Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian at a press conference in Tehran, 8 August 2026 (Iranian Presidential Office/AFP) Off 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.
Turkey suspects Israel fabricated Trump Air Force One assassination plot to derail US-Iran deal Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Tue, 08/11/2026 - 11:39 Israeli intelligence had warned that Iranian operatives could target Trump’s plane with shoulder-fired missiles during the Nato summit in Ankara amid tense negotiations with Tehran US President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One upon his arrival at Etimesgut Air Base near Ankara, on 7 July 2026, to attend the 36th Nato Heads of State and Government Summit (Osmancan Gurdogan/AFP) Off Turkish officials suspect that an Israeli intelligence report that said Iran planned to assasinate US President Donald Trump during the Ankara Nato summit last month was a ruse to undermine negotiations with Tehran, Middle East Eye has learnt. It was around 2pm on 8 July when journalists heard that Turkish security forces were unusually deploying additional units to Ankara Airport, where Trump’s Air Force One was parked. Ankara was under lockdown for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) summit on 7-8 July.
Syria and Saudi Arabia condemn Colombia's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights The Syrian foreign ministry said on Tuesday that it "categorically rejects and condemns" Colombia's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights and said that the area "is an inseparable part of [Syrian] territory". Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said that Colombia's position “contradicts international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions”. The Saudi foreign ministry said the Gulf kingdom's firm position is that the Golan “is occupied Syrian Arab land”, and that any measures aimed at changing its status “do not create a right or confer legitimacy”.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Newly appointed Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei stressed that the Islamic Republic won’t retreat from the rights and interests of the Iranian people in the face of any threat, calling for courageous decisions to safeguard national interests.
Iran says US went from demanding surrender to seeking talks as oil price rises Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran has proved itself “a tough and invincible power” by resisting the US and Israel , as collapsing shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz pushes oil prices higher. “I have heard this many times from foreign ministers and officials from other countries: ‘You Iranians created a miracle; you surprised the whole world,’” Araghchi told a televised news conference covered by the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Tuesday. “No one thought that Iran could resist America like this,” he said, noting that Washington entered the war with Israeli, western and other international support.
Pakistan says US-Iran arrangement is close as minister visits Tehran The US Iran are close to "some sort of an arrangement," Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif told Bloomberg. "Things are shaping up again in favour of a peace arrangement or a deal," Asif said. "The signals in the last two three days are that we are close to some sort of an arrangement," he added.
Is the Mecca Agreement Israel's worst nightmare come true? Submitted by Kamal Alam on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 16:22 Tel Aviv has been warning of a threat of 'a new Sunni axis' - it remains to be seen if this alliance is purely symbolic or a salutary warning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signs a joint defence deal with the leaders of Turkey and Pakistan, in Mecca, on 7 August 2026 (Turkish Presidency Press Office/AFP) On The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement , a trilateral pact announced last week between Saudi Arabia , Pakistan and Turkey , marks a significant and hugely symbolic step for the region. Penned in the holy city of Mecca rather than the Saudi capital, and accompanied by visuals of the leaders of the three nations praying, the agreement sent a clear message to the world.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for greater transparency and justice in economic policymaking, stressing that people’s livelihoods must remain the government’s primary concern and that policies should prioritize the poor and disadvantaged.
President Trump hid in an airport catering container and was taken to a military jet for a secret flight out of country after the NATO summit last month.
Israel pursuing ‘undeclared annexation’ of West Bank, Peace Now says Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 08/11/2026 - 11:06 Group says expanded Israeli civilian powers, settlement growth and pressure on Palestinian Authority are eroding Oslo framework Israeli soldiers aim their weapons and take up positions towards Palestinians during the demolition of a home in Nablus on 11 August (Reuters/Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA) Off A leading Israeli advocacy group has accused the government of pursuing the undeclared annexation of the occupied West Bank through coordinated measures that undermine the Oslo Accords. Peace Now, which monitors Israeli violations in the West Bank, said the measures include broadening the powers of the Israeli Civil Administration, expanding settlements and weakening the Palestinian Authority. “Netanyahu’s government is playing with fire, disregarding its international commitments and endangering Israel’s security - all in order to take control of more territory and land in the West Bank,” the movement said in the report, obtained and reported by Ynet on Tuesday.
Qatar says Oman-Iran talks on Hormuz in advanced stage Talks between Oman and Iran on the future of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are now in an advanced stage, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson said in a briefing on Tuesday.
by Shao Xia The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), often dubbed "the second CIA," recently released a report on China and Russia, which was riddled with lies, fallacies and disinformation, deliberately fabricated to smear China's foreign policy and international cooperation.
Colombia recognises Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights Colombia's far-right president Abelardo de la Espriella recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights on Monday. “The Government of Colombia recognises Israeli sovereignty over this territory, as well as that State’s right to protect itself against external threats,” read an online statement. It added that “Colombia recognises that maintaining Israel’s control and sovereignty over the Golan Heights is an essential component of its national defence”.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Israeli regime has advanced plans to build around 650 housing units in a new illegal settlement south of Al-Quds on land adjacent to Palestinian homes, the Palestinian Al-Quds Governorate said Monday.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi congratulated six senior Iranian military commanders and officials on their new responsibilities, expressing confidence in their ability to safeguard Iran’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi briefed his German counterpart on Tehran’s ongoing consultations with Oman to establish a safe shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that insecurity in the waterway stems from US and Israeli military aggression against Iran.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar discussed the bilateral relations and regional developments.
Washington DC [US], August 11 (ANI): Shortly after attending the NATO Summit in Turkiye on July 8, US President Donald Trump took a secret flight out of the country amid threats of an Iranian assassination attempt, according to a report by the Washington Post.
Iran says it is not concerned by new 'Mecca Joint Defence Agreement' Iran has played down the mutual security agreement signed between the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey in the Muslim holy city of Mecca on Friday. Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, said on Monday that Tehran saw no reason to be concerned that a new security pact is directed against Iran. Baghaei said the pact showed a "change in perception" towards the US, as well as a shift in the regional approach to security.
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