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United States
With Iran, CIA faces ultimate test in its relationship with Trump

US President Donald Trump in his 'sensitive compartmented information facility' at Mar-a-Lago, on 28 February 2026. To his right, CIA Director John Ratcliffe. — US President Donald Trump in his "sensitive compartmented information facility" at Mar-a-Lago, on 28 February 2026. To his right, CIA Director John Ratcliffe. © Handout/Getty Images North America via AFP

After Caracas and now Iran, the agency once disparaged by Donald Trump as an embodiment of the "deep state", is back in favour. But the CIA headed by John Ratcliffe now faces a far more complex situation with much higher political stakes. [...]

Published on 03/03/2026 at 11:35 GMT Reading time 3 minutes Raphaël Ramos

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