Lizzie Porter
@lcmporter.bsky.social
Award-winning correspondent based in Turkey for The National newspaper. English, français, العربيّة, فارسى, Türkçe öğreniyorum. I like elegant writing, translation, textiles, and the sea. All views are my own.
US-#Iran talks latest: Now taking place in Muscat, #Oman. Iran wants talks limited to nuclear. Steve Witkoff & Abbas Araghchi to lead on each side. Iranian media reporting the talks as "indirect" & "with the previous format" [as talks last year]
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/02...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/02...
Iran and US to hold nuclear talks on Friday in Oman | The National
Tehran wants to show new negotiations are continuation of earlier rounds in Oman
www.thenationalnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:23 PM
US-#Iran talks latest: Now taking place in Muscat, #Oman. Iran wants talks limited to nuclear. Steve Witkoff & Abbas Araghchi to lead on each side. Iranian media reporting the talks as "indirect" & "with the previous format" [as talks last year]
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/02...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/02...
New on #Iran-US talks: a regional diplomatic source tells me: "The Iranians want to change the agenda, participants & the venue of the meeting. So basically this is altogether a different meeting they are talking about now. They want to show this is a new round of previous nuclear talks in Oman."
February 4, 2026 at 10:10 AM
New on #Iran-US talks: a regional diplomatic source tells me: "The Iranians want to change the agenda, participants & the venue of the meeting. So basically this is altogether a different meeting they are talking about now. They want to show this is a new round of previous nuclear talks in Oman."
“We feel like we want to scream, but something is blocking our throats."
Amid grieving for loved ones, fear over the prospect of renewed conflict, & struggling with sky-high inflation, many #Iranians feel hopeless & angry.
My latest @thenationalnews.com
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Amid grieving for loved ones, fear over the prospect of renewed conflict, & struggling with sky-high inflation, many #Iranians feel hopeless & angry.
My latest @thenationalnews.com
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
'We want to scream': Iranians grapple with grief and anger in aftermath of crackdown on protests | The National
US-Iran talks set for this week fail to calm fears of new war
www.thenationalnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:19 AM
“We feel like we want to scream, but something is blocking our throats."
Amid grieving for loved ones, fear over the prospect of renewed conflict, & struggling with sky-high inflation, many #Iranians feel hopeless & angry.
My latest @thenationalnews.com
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Amid grieving for loved ones, fear over the prospect of renewed conflict, & struggling with sky-high inflation, many #Iranians feel hopeless & angry.
My latest @thenationalnews.com
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
What makes me procrastinate?
The fear I won't do the story justice.
The fear I won't accurately represent what has happened. The more painful the events, the harder it is.
The fear I won't write in a way that makes people read.
Sometimes you just have to start writing.
The fear I won't do the story justice.
The fear I won't accurately represent what has happened. The more painful the events, the harder it is.
The fear I won't write in a way that makes people read.
Sometimes you just have to start writing.
February 3, 2026 at 12:46 PM
What makes me procrastinate?
The fear I won't do the story justice.
The fear I won't accurately represent what has happened. The more painful the events, the harder it is.
The fear I won't write in a way that makes people read.
Sometimes you just have to start writing.
The fear I won't do the story justice.
The fear I won't accurately represent what has happened. The more painful the events, the harder it is.
The fear I won't write in a way that makes people read.
Sometimes you just have to start writing.
#Iran-#US talks set for Friday in Istanbul with partipation of ministers from Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, sources tell me and Hamza Hendawi in Cairo www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
US and Iran set for talks in Istanbul on Friday, sources say | The National
Regional mediators are also expected to participate
www.thenationalnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:19 PM
#Iran-#US talks set for Friday in Istanbul with partipation of ministers from Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, sources tell me and Hamza Hendawi in Cairo www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
A regional source just confirmed to me: U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff & Jared Kushner expected to join talks with Iranian Foreign Minister @araghchi in #Istanbul on Friday. FMs of Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE also expected to attend.
February 3, 2026 at 10:51 AM
A regional source just confirmed to me: U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff & Jared Kushner expected to join talks with Iranian Foreign Minister @araghchi in #Istanbul on Friday. FMs of Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE also expected to attend.
Join us tomorrow for this conversation, as countries around the region try to avert another US-#Iran conflict, and as Iranians deal with the aftermath of the bloodiest crackdown on protests in their country’s modern history
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Live Q&A: US and Iran standoff . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Tensions between the US and Iran are at a boiling point, with Washington issuing threats and Tehran warning it will “respond like never before” to any aggression.
Remarks between nations have been e...
us02web.zoom.us
February 1, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Join us tomorrow for this conversation, as countries around the region try to avert another US-#Iran conflict, and as Iranians deal with the aftermath of the bloodiest crackdown on protests in their country’s modern history
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
And the video dispatch ( the first stand-up ive done on a yet-to-be-laid railway line)
www.tiktok.com/@thenational...
www.tiktok.com/@thenational...
Tensions with Tehran persist over Baku’s ties with Israel, even as trade and cross-border links continue. The National’s Lizzie Porter reports from the Azerbaijan-Iran border.
TikTok video by The National News
www.tiktok.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:22 PM
And the video dispatch ( the first stand-up ive done on a yet-to-be-laid railway line)
www.tiktok.com/@thenational...
www.tiktok.com/@thenational...
#Azerbaijan has said it will not allow its airspace or territory to be used to attack neighbouring #Iran. My dispatch from the border between the two countries.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/01...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/01...
Rising unease in Azerbaijan as Trump threatens neighbouring Iran | The National
South Caucasus nation fears being trapped between 'two world wars', senior official tells The National
www.thenationalnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:16 PM
#Azerbaijan has said it will not allow its airspace or territory to be used to attack neighbouring #Iran. My dispatch from the border between the two countries.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/01...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/01...
#Iran is ready for negotiations but also for war, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said in Istanbul today
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
No new nuclear talks with US on table, Iran's Foreign Minister says | The National
Iranian and Turkish officials meet as Ankara seeks to avert regional war
www.thenationalnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:05 PM
#Iran is ready for negotiations but also for war, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said in Istanbul today
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi in İstanbul. “Just as we are ready for negotiations, we are ready for war. And we are even more ready than we were in June.” [When Israel and US bombed Iran]. New hostilities “ could spread to the region.”
January 30, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi in İstanbul. “Just as we are ready for negotiations, we are ready for war. And we are even more ready than we were in June.” [When Israel and US bombed Iran]. New hostilities “ could spread to the region.”
If I squint and concentrate I can read Azerbaijani (loving this mix of Turkish and Farsi 😍)
January 28, 2026 at 5:16 AM
If I squint and concentrate I can read Azerbaijani (loving this mix of Turkish and Farsi 😍)
From a journalist from #Iran whom I managed to connect with (the internet is still largely out). Sharing with permission.
“I don't know anyone who doesn't know a person that has been killed. I can't describe the hell we experienced.” 1/2
“I don't know anyone who doesn't know a person that has been killed. I can't describe the hell we experienced.” 1/2
January 25, 2026 at 6:43 PM
From a journalist from #Iran whom I managed to connect with (the internet is still largely out). Sharing with permission.
“I don't know anyone who doesn't know a person that has been killed. I can't describe the hell we experienced.” 1/2
“I don't know anyone who doesn't know a person that has been killed. I can't describe the hell we experienced.” 1/2
Reposted by Lizzie Porter
Turkish officials welcomed a decree from Ahmed Al-Sharaa last week that declared Kurdish a national language in Syria, and formalised other rights, but it remains unclear whether Turkey will enact similar laws for Kurds at home.
@lcmporter.bsky.social
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
@lcmporter.bsky.social
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
What the SDF's retreat in Syria means for Turkey | The National
Syrian Democratic Forces' withdrawal marks a turning point in Ankara's push for PKK dissolution
www.thenationalnews.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Turkish officials welcomed a decree from Ahmed Al-Sharaa last week that declared Kurdish a national language in Syria, and formalised other rights, but it remains unclear whether Turkey will enact similar laws for Kurds at home.
@lcmporter.bsky.social
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
@lcmporter.bsky.social
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
How is Turkey responding to the sea change in its southern neighbour ? My attempt to explain
What the SDF's retreat in Syria means for Turkey
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
What the SDF's retreat in Syria means for Turkey
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
What the SDF's retreat in Syria means for Turkey | The National
Syrian Democratic Forces' withdrawal marks a turning point in Ankara's push for PKK dissolution
www.thenationalnews.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:30 AM
How is Turkey responding to the sea change in its southern neighbour ? My attempt to explain
What the SDF's retreat in Syria means for Turkey
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
What the SDF's retreat in Syria means for Turkey
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
مردم #ایران چی میخواند ؟ چیزهای پیچیده نیستن: ثبات اقتصادی، آزادیای انتخاب، آزادیای سفر. حسرت زندگی معمولی.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
What do Iranians want – and how can they achieve it? | The National
Despite discontent with Islamic Republic rule, Iranians see few clear alternatives
www.thenationalnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:09 PM
مردم #ایران چی میخواند ؟ چیزهای پیچیده نیستن: ثبات اقتصادی، آزادیای انتخاب، آزادیای سفر. حسرت زندگی معمولی.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
What do Iranians want? A decent life. The ability to choose what they wear, say, how they travel, & spend their money. Economic security. I asked them more:
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
What do Iranians want – and how can they achieve it? | The National
Despite discontent with Islamic Republic rule, Iranians see few clear alternatives
www.thenationalnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:53 AM
What do Iranians want? A decent life. The ability to choose what they wear, say, how they travel, & spend their money. Economic security. I asked them more:
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
No one actually knows if Trump will end up striking #Iran or not. I asked #Iranians in the Turkish border city of Van what they think
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Do Iranians want the US to strike? | The National
Many Iranians want an end to clerical rule, but are divided on if US intervention would help
www.thenationalnews.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:02 AM
No one actually knows if Trump will end up striking #Iran or not. I asked #Iranians in the Turkish border city of Van what they think
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Ok, doing this. Anjar, Lebanon, 2016. T his was the year my life changed: I quit my desk job in London and moved to the Middle East to be a foreign correspondent. It was one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made. And I can’t believe it was a decade ago ! #2016throwback #2016
January 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Ok, doing this. Anjar, Lebanon, 2016. T his was the year my life changed: I quit my desk job in London and moved to the Middle East to be a foreign correspondent. It was one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made. And I can’t believe it was a decade ago ! #2016throwback #2016
I spoke with a relative of a 17 year old boy who was shot dead in the protests. One of so many stories of pain.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
‘Innocent blood poured in the streets’: Relative details killing of Iranian teenage protester | The National
Family say security forces in western Iran shot 17 year old, then withheld his body
www.thenationalnews.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:23 PM
I spoke with a relative of a 17 year old boy who was shot dead in the protests. One of so many stories of pain.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Iranians are coming & going across the border with #Turkey. There has been no mass exodus, but some bring with them painful stories from #IranProtests & criticisms of the gov. My dispatch
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Iranians find refuge from brutal crackdown - and a Wi-Fi signal - in Turkish border city | The National
The National visits Kapikoy border crossing, where civilians tell of anger and fear over handling of protests
www.thenationalnews.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Iranians are coming & going across the border with #Turkey. There has been no mass exodus, but some bring with them painful stories from #IranProtests & criticisms of the gov. My dispatch
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Convo with an Iranian man in Van, SE Turkey.
"Sorry but compared to England, Germany etc our country is much richer - its history, its learning & culture. Our food is much better. No country is as good as #Iran. We have a problem with our system of gov, not with our country."
"Sorry but compared to England, Germany etc our country is much richer - its history, its learning & culture. Our food is much better. No country is as good as #Iran. We have a problem with our system of gov, not with our country."
January 16, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Convo with an Iranian man in Van, SE Turkey.
"Sorry but compared to England, Germany etc our country is much richer - its history, its learning & culture. Our food is much better. No country is as good as #Iran. We have a problem with our system of gov, not with our country."
"Sorry but compared to England, Germany etc our country is much richer - its history, its learning & culture. Our food is much better. No country is as good as #Iran. We have a problem with our system of gov, not with our country."
Turkish Foreign Minister on #Iran: "We are against a military operation against Iran.
Iran is subject to sanctions because of regional and global policies.
Iran’s population is sophisticated and when you deprive them of certain things, problems are arising."
Iran is subject to sanctions because of regional and global policies.
Iran’s population is sophisticated and when you deprive them of certain things, problems are arising."
January 15, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Turkish Foreign Minister on #Iran: "We are against a military operation against Iran.
Iran is subject to sanctions because of regional and global policies.
Iran’s population is sophisticated and when you deprive them of certain things, problems are arising."
Iran is subject to sanctions because of regional and global policies.
Iran’s population is sophisticated and when you deprive them of certain things, problems are arising."
“We are all fine [in my family] but everyone’s mental health is damaged seriously." one man in Tehran whom I was able to reach today told me. "It’s a never-ending nightmare."
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/01...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/01...
At least 2,500 reported killed in Iran protests as state plans funeral for 300 | The National
Demonstrations 'much smaller' since Tuesday night, says observer
www.thenationalnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:29 PM
“We are all fine [in my family] but everyone’s mental health is damaged seriously." one man in Tehran whom I was able to reach today told me. "It’s a never-ending nightmare."
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/01...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/01...