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Iran Strikes: Law, Intelligence, and the Target Debate
As President Donald Trump weighs military action against Iran, the debate inside Washington is less about authorization than framing. A senior State Department official told MBN there is no clear congressional mandate for a strike, but that the administration is reviewing options that would not require one. “We’re looking at the legal and political dimensions…
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Intense Saudi Moves in Washington to De-escalate Tensions with Iran
At a highly critical sensitive regional juncture, Saudi Arabia has stepped up its diplomatic activity in Washington, seeking to push toward a negotiated track with Iran, amid a growing U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to carry out potential strikes against the Islamic Republic. Saudi Defense Minister…
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U.S. Destroyer in Eilat: Signals that a Decision on Iran May Be Near
The arrival of the U.S. destroyer DELBERT D. BLACK at the port of Eilat does not appear to be merely a routine military visit, despite official assurances that it is a pre-planned activity within the framework of cooperation between the Israeli and U.S. militaries, according to military sources cited by Alhurra. The destroyer, an Arleigh…
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Exclusive to Alhurra: Washington Weighs Striking Iran without Authorization
As U.S. President Donald Trump considers launching military strikes against Iran, the U.S. administration is keeping the legal basis for any potential action deliberately open-ended—subject to interpretation and not definitively settled. A senior official at the U.S. State Department told Alhurra that although there is no explicit authorization from Congress, “all options remain on the…
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Why Do Gulf States Want to Spare Iran from a U.S. Strike?
Signs are mounting that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is moving closer to the option of launching a strike against Iran, while Gulf states are engaging in diplomatic efforts to keep themselves out of the circle of direct confrontation. Anxiety has risen in several regional capitals following Trump’s talk of a “fleet” heading toward the…
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I Am in “Tehrangeles”: My Journey Between the Camera and the Heart
My trip from Washington to Los Angeles was not merely a journalistic assignment. It was a complete human experience—one that carried me from the cold, political climate of the capital to the warmth of a city that resembles a mosaic of cultures, wealth, and contradictions. Six hours in the air, during which I organized my…
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Iranian Repression, with a Chinese Flavor
The protests that have swept through Iran’s streets since late last December recall the wave of anger that erupted after the death of the Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in 2022—albeit with a clear difference in momentum and, more notably, in the methods used to suppress protesters. Following the 2022 protests, authorities announced that they would…
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China and Iran: Support Without Rescue
Claims that China carried out a large military airlift to Iran in late January spread quickly online. U.S. officials say the story is false and distracts from the more limited reality of Beijing’s role. Social media posts and some Iranian outlets alleged that 16 Chinese military cargo aircraft delivered advanced air-defense systems to Iran over a 56-hour period.…
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The US–Iran Crisis: What the Diplomatic Intervention Reveals
Mid-January usually passes quietly in Washington. This year it didn’t. Between January 13 and 15, President Donald Trump openly threatened military action against Iran, where the violent suppression of nationwide protests unfolded under an internet blackout and left thousands dead. The more revealing story is not why Trump threatened force, but understanding why he didn’t use it, and what that…
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“They’re Killing Everyone”: Voices From Inside Iran’s Blackout
As Iran descends into one of the darkest moments of its post-revolutionary history, firsthand reporting from inside the country has become increasingly rare. Internet blackouts, phone disruptions, and the constant fear of surveillance have severed ordinary communication. Yet fragments of reality continue to surface — passed through relatives abroad, whispered during brief phone calls, and…