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Iran

November 7, 2026

Tehran 9:53 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

Tree branches flutter near high voltage transmission towers (electricity pylons) during a sandstorm in the south of the capital Tehran on July 4, 2022. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Will Iran cut its energy subsidies?

If the Iranian government reduces its current energy subsidies, it will be a huge remedy for the country's runaway budget deficit. But there will be major political obstacles.

Bijan Khajehpour

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

People protest against executions and detentions in Iran, in front of the Iranian Permanent Mission to the UN in New York City on December 17, 2022. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

New EU sanctions on Iran target Basij, judiciary after executions

The foreign ministers of the European Union have adopted an eighth round of sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities responsible for serious breaches of human rights.

Ali Shamkhani (R), the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran extends his hand to Emmanuel Bonne (L), diplomatic advisor to the French president, in the Iranian capital Tehran on July 10, 2019. - Iran has breached a uranium enrichment cap set by a troubled 2015 nuclear deal and warned Europe against taking retaliatory measures, as France decided to send an envoy to Tehran to try to calm tensions. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran replaces security chief Shamkhani with IRGC official

Ali Shamkhani was heavily involved in Iranian foreign policy and will be replaced by a senior member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

A US Navy patrol ship guards US and coalitions ships docked at the US 5th Fleet Command in Bahrain's capital Manama on Dec. 17, 2019.

US steps up Gulf patrols amid increasing tanker seizures by Iran

In an excerpt from the latest edition of Security Briefing, our Pentagon correspondent looks at efforts by Washington to stem an increasing spate of civilian tankers by Tehran.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

New US sanctions target Russia-Iran military trade

The sanctions come days after the White House said Russia was seeking to replenish its supply of Iranian-made attack drones.

An Afghani policeman looks out to the horizon while on patrol in the mountains surrounding the Helmand River valley in Afghanistan on Feb. 24, 2006.

Iran threatens 'pressure' on Taliban amid deepening water row

The warning marked the most serious episode in Iran-Taliban ties since the extremist group's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

An exhibition calling for an end to executions in Iran on Trafalgar Square on October 10, 2020 in London, England. The exhibition, held by Anglo-Iranian communities in the UK, marked the World Day against the Death Penalty. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

Iran hangs 3 protesters in Isfahan as executions soar

Iran rebuffed calls by rights groups to prevent the execution of three protesters who were reportedly forced into confessions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi hold a meeting in Tehran on July 19, 2022. - Iran's president will host his Russian and Turkish counterparts for talks on the Syrian war in a three-way summit overshadowed by fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Sergei SAVOSTYANOV / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI SAVOSTYANOV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran, Russia ink $1.6 billion rail deal to rival Suez Canal

Iran and Russia agreed to build a railway between two Iranian cities as they continue to develop their trade relations despite US sanctions.

ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Iran hosts Russian navy chief, seeks to boost China triangle

Russian and Iranian commanders discussed forming joint committees tasked with deepening cooperation as sanctions-hit Tehran continues to lean on Moscow.

Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council John Kirby.

White House previews new moves against Iran's drone transfers to Russia

Iran has sent more than 400 armed drones to Russia since August and is seeking billions of dollars worth of military equipment in return, a White House official said Monday.

The flags of Iran (R) and of the UAE (L).

UAE official discusses cooperation with Iran’s roads minister

The UAE and Iran continue to maintain cordial economic and political ties, despite US pressure.

United Arab Emirates

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a joint press conference with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts following their summit in Tehran on July 19, 2022. (Photo by Grigory SYSOYEV / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by GRIGORY SYSOYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israeli officials visited Russia, discussed Iran on rare trip

Israel is trying to have it both ways by increasing its assistance to Ukraine while preserving its security ties with Russia.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs