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Iran

November 8, 2026

Tehran 2:54 am

14°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

Austin Milley

Pentagon warns Iran not to aid Russia's war against Ukraine

Rare rebuke comes after White House declassified intelligence revealing Moscow's interest in Iran's fleet of armed drones.

Amir-Abdollahian

Iran: We will negotiate on nuclear deal until sanctions are removed

Iran’s Foreign Ministry says they are ready to negotiate, but other officials are signaling that Iran must prepare for no deal with the US.

(L-R) Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Russia to invest $40 billion in Iran’s oil sector

The news came during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iran and may have been motivated by US sanctions.

SERGEI SAVOSTYANOV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's Khamenei tells Erdogan to avoid military action in north Syria

The Turkish president and his Russian counterpart were both in Tehran for a key regional meeting on the war-torn Syria.

KONSTANTIN ZAVRAZHIN/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s Erdogan meets in Tehran with Russian, Iranian leaders

The presidents of Turkey, Russia and Iran are expected to focus on the peace process in Syria, but the blockade of Ukrainian ports will top the agenda between Ankara and Moscow.

TOPSHOT - An Iranian flag flutters on board the Adrian Darya oil tanker, formerly known as Grace 1, off the coast of Gibraltar on August 18, 2019. - Gibraltar rejected a US demand to seize the Iranian oil tanker at the centre of a diplomatic dispute as it prepared to leave the British overseas territory after weeks of detention. (Photo by Johnny BUGEJA / AFP) (Photo by JOHNNY BUGEJA/AFP via Getty Images)

Can Iran offer Europe strategic relief with its energy potential?

Bijan Khajehpour

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) attends a press conference with Josep Borell.

Iranian officials say decision is theirs to build bomb

Iranian officials state that they can increase enrichment for a nuclear bomb but have chosen not to do so.

Hamid Nouri

Tehran slams Sweden over 'political' verdict against ex-official

Already holding two Swedish nationals on death row, Iran warned that the verdict by a Stockholm court could harm bilateral ties.

Iran SCO

Iran increases non-oil trade with Shanghai Cooperation Organization

The uptick in trade comes at an important time for Iran’s relations with Russia, Kazakhstan and India.

A man counts Indian rupee notes in Mumbai on May 9, 2022.

India’s use of rupee for import, export payments could boost Iran trade

Iran is seeking to boost trade with both Russia and India at present.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi.

Raisi says Iran will not retreat on demands in nuclear talks

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi says that his country will not back down on its positions in the nuclear deal negotiations.

A large screen shows a news program featuring Chinese President Xi Jinping speaking at the opening of the virtual BRICS Summit.

Iran weighs benefits of BRICS membership

While joining the bloc has its upsides, it will be extremely difficult for Tehran to get full benefits from BRICS without the complete lifting of Western sanctions.