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Iran

November 8, 2026

Tehran 2:31 pm

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People vote on Election Day during the midterm elections

Analysis

From sanctions relief to deterrence: How Iran reads US elections

Iran's negotiators now view US elections through the lens of political pressure and the costs of conflict, while even Javad Zarif frames diplomacy as part of deterrence.

Jamshid Jamshidi

By Jamshid Jamshidi

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.

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

Iranian Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi (L) wipes the sweat off his face, during a press conference with the Islamic republic's government spokesman Ali Rabiei in the capital Tehran on February 24, 2020. - Iran's deputy health minister confirmed on February 25, that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, amid a major outbreak in the Islamic republic. Harirchi coughed occasionally and appeared to be sweating during the press conference with Rabiei in Tehran. (Photo by Mehdi BOLOURIAN / FARS N

Iran’s government spokesman tests positive for COVID-19

According to his office, Ali Rabiei has been hospitalized but is in good condition.

Famed Kurdish Iranian journalist receives asylum in New Zealand

Behrouz Boochani is known for exposing conditions at Australia's offshore immigrant detention center on Manus Island.

TOPSHOT - Rescue teams work at the scene after a Ukrainian plane carrying 176 passengers crashed near Imam Khomeini airport in the Iranian capital Tehran early in the morning on January 8, 2020, killing everyone on board. - All 176 people on board a Ukrainian passenger plane were killed when it crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran on January 8, Iranian state media reported. State news agency IRNA said 167 passengers and nine crew members were on board the aircraft operated by Ukraine International A

Ukraine says black boxes from downed flight in Iran show 'illegal interference'

Ukraine's deputy foreign minister made the comments after the black boxes from Flight 752 arrived in France.

A picture taken on January 13, 2020 shows flooding in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan region with rain water covering the village Dashtiari, as severe downpour led to floods across region, blocking roads and damaging homes. (Photo by ALIREZA MASOUMI / ISNA / AFP) (Photo by ALIREZA MASOUMI/ISNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Gulf of Oman development continues to disenfranchise Baloch fishermen

The Baloch people residing in the Gwadar Bay between Iran and Pakistan have been marginalized due to the environmental destruction of the area.

Iran accuses US fighter aircraft of harassing Iranian airliner over eastern Syria

An Iranian broadcaster says an Iran-to-Beirut commercial passenger flight had US jets make an aggressively close pass to it over Syria near the Iraqi border.

Iran downplays recent explosions, accuses US of cyberattacks

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said "limited fires" are typical during the summer months.

25 of Iran’s 31 provinces on coronavirus watch list

Iran’s daily coronavirus deaths remain at peak levels despite calls by officials for social distancing and other health protocols.

What China-Iran deal means for Washington

China's reported multibillion economic and security deal with Iran could be a double-edged sword.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends by a video conference a trilateral meeting with the leaders of Iran and Turkey on the topic of Syria, in Moscow on July 1, 2020. (Photo by Alexey DRUZHININ / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by ALEXEY DRUZHININ/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran talks long-term partnership deal with Russia

To mitigate the impacts of the unrelenting US “maximum pressure” policy, Iran seems to be seeking solutions in clinching long-term partnership deals with allies.

Demonstrators block a road during a protest in the southern city of Basra on July 14, 2020, as protesters gathered to denounce the lack of electricity and services. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP) (Photo by HUSSEIN FALEH/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran's supreme leader to Iraqi PM: Iran does not interfere in Iraq-US relations

During Iraqi prime minister's trip to Iran, the two countries emphasized on building a constructive relationship based on mutual respect and national interests.

Iran’s Khamenei pushes Iraq on ousting US forces

The meeting between Iran's supreme leader and the Iraqi prime minister took place at a critical juncture in Iran-Iraq relations and amid the tug of war between Tehran and Washington over influence in Iraqi politics.

Investigators recover voice recordings from Ukrainian airliner shot down by Iran

Iran's civil aviation authority has sent to France the black boxes from a Ukraine jet it shot down.