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Iran

November 7, 2026

Tehran 8:44 pm

13°C

Alexey BABUSHKIN / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Iran turns to Putin as war, US election reshape strategic calculations

A Kremlin meeting with Iran's top security official coupled with reports of new arms deals amid looming war demonstrate Tehran's push to turn vulnerability into strategic leverage.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Tump

Can Trump turn midterm defeat into Iran breakthrough?

Although Iran may have contributed to Republican losses in midterms, the Trump administration still has a historic opportunity in the Middle East.

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

As Trump weighs Iran strikes, possible nuclear opening emerges

Sticking points include Iran's highly enriched uranium and lack of access for international inspectors.

Latest News

Russia to provide Iran with 90 missile launchers as military ties grow: Reports

Russian Mil Mi-8 military helicopters fly over a joint Russian and Turkish convoy, northeastern Hasakeh province, Syria, Feb. 4, 2021.

Turkey says soldier killed by gunfire from Iran at border: What to know

A sign marking the border of Turkey in Van, Turkey, on March 14, 2026.

Explainer

Democrats’ midterm sweep tests US-Israel ties as Eisenkot vows reset

An aerial view shows a campaign billboard depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party and President Donald Trump in Tel Aviv, on Oct. 26, 2026, on the eve of Israel's legislative elections.

Analysis

Iran cheers Democrats’ midterm victory but fears Trump's next move

Iranians walk along a building installed with a giant poster depicting Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during a rally in front of the former US embassy to mark the anniversary of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, in Tehran on Nov. 4, 2026.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Benjamin Houghton

In Durham, reporting on China in the Middle East

Rahim Rahimov

In Baku, reporting on Middle East-Caucasus ties

Mehrnaz Samimi

In Washington, DC, reporting on Iranian culture

Shia muslims attend the "Ashura" to commemorate the death of Shia Imam Husayn ibn Ali (a grandson of Muhammad) who died during the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, in Istanbul on July 28, 2023. (Photo by YASIN AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)

Shiite Muslims across Middle East mark Ashura amid tensions with West

Muslim countries in the region have criticized Sweden and most recently Denmark for allowing incidents of Quran burnings to happen on their soil.

A file picture shows Kuwait's largest oil refinery at Al-Ahmadi complex, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of the capital Kuwait City, Kuwait, Nov. 21, 2014.

Kuwait to begin drilling in disputed gas field with Iran

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia’s dispute with Iran over the Durra gas field is coming amid improved ties between Iran and the Gulf.

Stacks of Iraqi dinars are seen at a currency exchange shop, Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2023.

Iraqi dinar falls 17% against dollar amid US restrictions over Iran deals

The current depreciation follows 14 Iraqi banks being barred from using the dollar amid a crackdown on smuggling to Iran.

Gen. Michael Kurilla meets with Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, July 26 2023 Credit: Nicole Laskevi/Defense Ministry

CENTCOM chief arrives in Israel, discusses Iran, Hezbollah with military brass

High-level visits and conversations between US and Israeli military leaders suggest that military cooperation continues despite the deepening rift.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran leads world in internet restrictions for 2023, followed by India, Pakistan

There has been a surge in internet restrictions in the Islamic Republic in the first half of this tumultuous year.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran unveils new ballistic missile after US deployment to Gulf

Iranian officials said they had already mass-produced the "radar-evading" missile, which relies on artificial intelligence and is capable of "completely destroying" any frigate.

A billboard depicts Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps navy units observing a US warship in the Gulf of Oman, Vali-Asr Square in Tehran, Iran, Nov. 5, 2021.

Iran shrugs off fresh US reinforcements in Persian Gulf, boasts drone power

The latest episode of potential US-Iran tensions in the Persian Gulf ensued Iranian encounters with commercial vessels in the strategic oil passage, the Strait of Hormuz.

Burns CIA

Analysis

Is Iran getting the Biden administration’s message on Russia?

Observers report internal debates in the Islamic Republic over supplying drones; Netanyahu racks up three invitations in one week to talk with counterparts in other nations.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

A picture taken on May 18, 2017 shows the skyline of northern Tehran from the "Nature" bridge in the capital Tehran on the eve of the presidential elections.

US seeking release of fourth American held in Iran

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the administration was working to bring home "four unjustly detained Americans" in Iran.

A supporter of the former paramilitary group Hashd al-Shaabi holds the Koran.

Iran, Saudi Arabia condemn Quran protest as Sweden relocates embassy staff from Iraq

Another provocative protest by Sweden-based Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika targeting Islam’s holy book has the region up in arms once again.

A US Navy Martin UAV drone flies over the Gulf waters as Royal Bahrain Naval Force Abdulrahman Al Fadhel takes part in joint naval exercise between US 5th Fleet Command and Bahraini forces, Oct. 26, 2021.

Pentagon sends US Marines to deter Iran tanker seizures in Persian Gulf

A Marine Expeditionary Unit will follow F-35s, F-16s and a Navy destroyer in deployment to the region to ward off Tehran's retaliatory seizures.

Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani.

Rights groups appeal to UN to stop execution of Iranian boxer Vafaei-Sani

Iran sentenced to death local boxing champion Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani on vague charges after he was arrested following his participation in the 2019 anti-regime protests.