CIA

Behind the US Air Force unit that spearheaded the mission to rescue downed airman

The concept of a dedicated pararescue force traces its roots back to the end of World War II. Becoming a PJ is widely considered one of the most grueling undertakings in the military.

Members of the US Air Force Pararescue, April 5, 2026; illustrative.
US MC-130J planes, blown up by US forces before evacuating Iranian territory following the successful rescue operation of a US downed airman. April, 5, 2026.

How US fooled Iran to rescue downed F-15 airman stranded in a mountain crevice

A general view of Riyadh city during the early hour of evening at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 28, 2025.

Iranian drone attack on US embassy in Riyadh more destructive than initially revealed - report

Explosions erupt following strikes at Tehran Oil Refinery in Tehran on March 7, 2026; illustrative.

Why is Israel, not US, carrying out most senior Iranian assassinations? - analysis


Pete Hegseth just became Israel’s latest war-celebrity obsession

Until February 28, most Israelis had barely heard of him. Ten days later, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is one of the most prominent figures on Hebrew media, Instagram, and X.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth takes questions during a press conference on US military action in Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.

Hundreds of Kurdish fighters launch ground offensive in Iran, officials deny reports

The Kurdish forces operating along the Iran-Iraq border are considered one of the most prominent armed opposition groups confronting the regime in Tehran.

A Kurdish fighter in Iraq.

Iran reached out to CIA to discuss end of conflict, Trump is saying it's too late - report

The contact landed as Iran’s leadership structure was thrown into deeper disarray by continued Israeli strikes, complicating even the basic question of who can commit Iran to any ceasefire.

People pray following a strike on a police station, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2026.

Iranian drones hits CIA station at US embassy in Riyadh, 'Washington Post' reports

There was no mention of any CIA personnel being wounded, with the attack on the embassy the latest in a series of Iranian attacks across the Gulf states.

A graphic showing a Central Intelligence Agency logo on a phone in front of a US flag.

Before strikes, CIA assessed Khamenei would be replaced by hardline IRGC elements if killed

US President Donald Trump has for weeks signaled the US was interested in seeing regime change in Iran, but has not given in any detail Washington’s thinking on who could lead the country.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei looks on during a meeting at the IRGC Aerospace Force achievements exhibition in Tehran, Iran November 19, 2023.

Trump’s Iran calculus: A final diplomatic gamble or a countdown to conflict? - analysis

In his longest State of the Union yet, Trump framed Iran as an imminent threat, raising the question of whether he was signaling diplomacy or preparing the public for conflict.

US President Donald Trump gestures on the day he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, February 24, 2026.

CIA publishes Farsi message instructing Iranians how to reach out securely

The CIA issued a rare public call in Farsi urging Iranian anti-regime protesters to contact the agency securely online, saying it can hear their voices and wants to help.

An illustration of the CIA and Iranian flags.

Two senior cybersecurity figures join Cyber 2.0 advisory board

Former CIA CTO Bob Flores and former IAI cyber division head Esti Peshin will advise the firm on securing industrial and connected systems.

Former CIA CTO Bob Flores joins Cyber 2.0

Iran's Khamenei labels protesters 'seditionists' akin to Islamic State as regime kills thousands

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iranian protesters carried out acts similar to Islamic State and blamed the US for creating the group.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei looks on during a meeting at the IRGC Aerospace Force achievements exhibition in Tehran, Iran November 19, 2023.

Former CIA chief tech officer warns: ‘AI needs security now to avoid the Internet's fate’

“We can't build artificial intelligence (AI) with the same mistakes with which we created the Internet,” former CIA chief tech officer Bob Flores said at the Tel Aviv Cyberweek on Tuesday.

 An illustrative image of artificial intelligence.