Kaanita Iyer - Politics Reporter
Kaanita Iyer
Politics Reporter
Kaanita Iyer is a reporter covering politics for CNN in Washington, DC.
Latest
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• Live UpdatesLive Updates Supreme Court skeptical of Trump’s birthright citizenship orderApr 1, 2026President Donald Trump was in attendance as the Supreme Court considered the future of birthright citizenship in the United States. -
What to know about immigration to the US, in chartsApr 1, 2026As Trump continues his aggressive and fast-paced efforts, here’s where immigration stands in the United States: -
• Live UpdatesLive Updates Day 32 of Middle East conflict — Iran threatens US tech companies, Kuwaiti oil tanker attackedApr 1, 2026President Donald Trump again criticized European allies for not getting more involved in the war. -
• Live UpdatesLive Updates Supreme Court backs challenge to ‘conversion therapy’ banMar 31, 2026The Supreme Court endorsed a religious counselor’s challenge to Colorado’s ban on “conversion therapy” for gay and transgender minors, another legal setback for the LGBTQ community that will reverberate in nearly half the country. Follow for live updates. -
• Live UpdatesLive Updates Day 29 of Middle East conflict — Iran-backed Houthis enter war, firing missiles at IsraelMar 29, 2026The Houthi rebel movement says it launched its “first military operation” in support of Iran, after Israel’s military earlier said it detected a missile from Yemen. -
• Live UpdatesLive Updates Day 28 of Middle East conflict — US service members injured in attack on Saudi air baseMar 28, 2026Trump says war is “not finished yet” and US has “another 3,554” targets left to hit. -
• Live UpdatesLive Updates March 27, 2026 — Trump administration and DHS shutdown newsMar 28, 2026There’s no end to the DHS shutdown in sight, as House Republicans press ahead with a funding plan that Senate Democrats say is a non-starter. -
• Live UpdatesLive Updates March 26, 2026 – Trump administration newsMar 27, 2026President Donald Trump will hold the 11th Cabinet meeting of his second term, the White House said. -
• Live UpdatesLive Updates Day 27 of Middle East conflict — US extends pause on Iran energy strikes, Trump says ‘talks are ongoing’Mar 27, 2026President Donald Trump said the US will hold off on targeting Iranian energy sites another 10 days as “talks are ongoing” with Tehran. -
• Live UpdatesLive Updates Judge says he won’t dismiss charges against Maduro over legal fees disputeMar 26, 2026A judge said he would not dismiss ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s charges amid a dispute over legal fees. Follow here for the latest. -
Bill Maher to receive Mark Twain Prize at Kennedy Center after White House denied reportsMar 26, 2026TV host Bill Maher will receive the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the Kennedy Center announced on Thursday — just days after the White House denied that the comedian would be awarded the honor. -
• Live UpdatesLive Updates Day 26 of Middle East conflict — Tehran says it does not accept 15-point plan by the USMar 26, 2026Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi questioned US calls for negotiations, saying Washington’s shift in tone amounts to an acknowledgment of failure after previously demanding “unconditional surrender.” -
• Live UpdatesLive Updates Day 23 of Middle East conflict — Iran responds to Trump threat to bomb power plants, strikes on IsraelMar 23, 2026Iran’s military declared it is ready to close the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely if US President Donald Trump carries out a threat to bomb its power plants. -
![UNDATED FILE PHOTO - File photo of Diego Garcia,largest island in the Chagos archipelago and site of a major United States military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean leased from Britain in 1966. Exiled inhabitants of Diego Garcia began a challenge July 17 to a British government decision to kick them off the remote island 30 years ago to make way for the U.S. base. [Thousands of islanders from the 65-island Chagos archipelago, many of them born in exile in Mauritius, want Britain to return them to their homeland.]](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/2000-07-18t120000z-220889991-pbeahulixci-rtrmadp-3-diego-garcia.jpg?c=16x9&q=h_720,w_1280,c_fill)
• Live UpdatesLive Updates Day 22 of Middle East conflict — Iran missiles hit Israel, injuring dozensMar 22, 2026US President Donald Trump threatened to “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. -
Iran launched missiles at US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean. Here’s what that says about its capabilitiesMar 21, 2026Iran’s attempt to strike a US-UK base over 2,000 miles (over 3,000 kilometers) off its coast has renewed questions about Tehran’s military capabilities and how far its missiles can reach. -
Robert Mueller, former FBI director and special counsel in Trump-Russia probe, diesMar 21, 2026Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led the historic probe into alleged collusion between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and the Russian government, has died. He was 81.
About
Kaanita Iyer is a reporter covering politics for CNN in Washington, DC.
Iyer reports on the top politics stories of the day, while also working across teams to develop creative and visually engaging ways to tell complex stories.
She was previously an associate politics writer and helped cover breaking news, reproductive rights, President Donald Trump’s legal troubles and the 2024 presidential election.
Iyer also served as an associate producer where she focused on elevating the CNN Politics digital report and enhancing the audience experience.
Iyer joined CNN in 2021 as a news associate in the Washington, DC bureau, where she assisted in newsgathering efforts and worked with show teams. She also interned with the CNN Politics team in 2019 and helped cover Trump’s first impeachment.
Iyer graduated in 2021 from the University of Maryland, where she majored in Journalism and Government & Politics, with a concentration in international relations
