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Iran

September 14, 2026

Tehran 4:48 pm

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Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities gather in Sanaa on Sept. 10, 2026.

Analysis

As Houthis seize Bab el-Mandeb, Iran appraises value of new Red Sea card

Iran is celebrating the Houthis' rapid advance toward Bab el-Mandeb, but appears reluctant to act on the win.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

member of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces firing a heavy machine gun

Claude AI used for missile, influence projects in UAE, Iran, Yemen: Anthropic

Military and government actors across the Middle East — from Iran to Yemen to the United Arab Emirates — have used Anthropic's Claude AI model for war planning and influence campaigns.

Pedestrians walk past a wall mural along a street in downtown of Tehran on Aug. 31, 2026.

Analysis

Could Iran’s nuclear ambitions harden as war escalates?

A new report has raised alarm about the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site that President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on September 2, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran’s Pickaxe mountain tests limits of Trump’s military options

A secretive Pentagon innovation agency has hastened to test munitions that may penetrate deeper than the GBU-57 bombs dropped on Iran’s two main enrichment facilities.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Latest News

Iran's IRGC set to declare new ‘sanctions zone’ beyond Hormuz: What to know

Elke Scholiers/Getty Images

Brent crude sails past $100 as Middle East war intensifies

AFPTV / AFP via Getty Images

US strikes Iranian tankers after attempted attack on Navy ship

Vessels transit the Hormuz Strait off the coast of Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas on September 7, 2026. Iran's top negotiator threatened on September 6 of a more forceful response to any further US attacks after Tehran targeted American warships in their latest round of clashes. The exchanges of fire, which began with US raids last week, come amid a deadlock in the six-month war between the two foes. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images) /

Analysis

What Houthi setbacks in Yemen mean for Iran's regional influence

Forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government

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

Supporters of Iranian president Hassan Rouhani celebrate his victory in the presidential election in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2017. TIMA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1B70C1D340

Are Iran's Reformists still able to rally public around the flag?

Iran's Reformists are facing a popularity crisis, desperately trying to disavow President Hassan Rouhani's performance as the public largely blames them for much of the ongoing hardship.

Ansari and Nabavi, members of Iran's top legislative arbitration body the Expediency Council, speak to media in Tehran. Majid Ansari (L) and Morteza Nabavi, members of Iran's top legislative arbitration body the Expediency Council, speak to the media in Tehran October 18, 2004. The Expediency Council, which recently overturned a key plank of the constitution to allow large-scale privatisations, said it would apply a ceiling to banking privatisation keeping at least one-third of shares in the hands of the g

Iran's FATF gridlock spawns 'death threats'

An Iranian official claims to have received death threats over the FATF-related bills currently being debated by the Expediency Council.

A man counts stacks of Iranian rials at a currency exchange shop in Kerbala , 110 km (70 miles) south of Baghdad January 23, 2013. Traders and owners of hotels in the holy city of Kerbala complain of sluggish business and a drop in Iranian pilgrims as a result of a sharp fall in the Iranian rial caused by a package of international sanctions imposed on the neighbouring country. REUTERS/Mushtaq Muhammed (IRAQ - Tags: SOCIETY BUSINESS) - GM1E91N1RPN01

Why Rouhani should think beyond price controls to contain inflation

In Iran, the Rouhani administration’s tendency to turn to price controls to stave off inflation carries major long-term costs in exchange for only short-term benefits.

Cars are seen the day after the presidential election in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2017. TIMA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RC14A7F58610

Can mayor's push for 'car-free Tuesdays' tackle Tehran's air pollution?

Tehran's new mayor has joined an eco-friendly campaign aimed at cutting the megacity's air pollution and traffic congestion by encouraging residents to use public transportation. Some have criticized the move as a mere public relations gesture.

Iran’s former envoy to Germany slams ‘rogue operations’ abroad

The former Iranian ambassador to Germany suggested the possibility that rogue actors could be behind attempts to carry out alleged assassination operations in Europe.

Brian Hook, U.S. Special Representative for Iran, speaks about potential threats posed by the Iranian regime to the international community, during a news conference at a military base in Washington, U.S., November 29, 2018. REUTERS/Al Drago - RC11738D3C90

US allies try to dilute anti-Iran agenda for Warsaw summit

Wary European allies are trying to dilute and broaden the agenda and lower their diplomatic representation for a US-backed ministerial meeting on Middle East peace and security to be held Feb. 13-14 in Warsaw, Poland.

How Iran has moved to defrock ‘Instagram cleric’

An Iranian cleric’s defrocking has brought attention to a particular court that is unique to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi gestures as he speaks to Reuters during an interview in Brussels, Belgium November 27, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman - RC127183BF40

Iran says moving towards readiness to ramp up nuclear program

Iran's atomic chief says he is establishing a readiness to revive the country’s nuclear program, in line with an order by the supreme leader.

Missile fire is seen over Damascus, Syria January 21, 2019. SANA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE - RC16C31A91C0

Israel wins this round against Iran in Syria

According to security sources, the Iranians, headed by Revolutionary Guard commander Qasem Soleimani, prepared its recent attack from Syria against Israel for weeks.

Missile fire is seen over Damascus, Syria January 21, 2019. SANA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE - RC14FC464120

Intel: What’s behind the escalation between Iran and Israel in Syria

Meet Iran’s next, non-turbaned head hard-liner

Despite his attacks on the Qom Seminary, Hassan Rahimpour Azghadi continues to rise as a prominent and popular figure among a new generation of hard-liners in Iran.

Polish Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Maciej Lang speaks during an interview with AFP at the Polish Embassy in the Iranian capital Tehran on January 21, 2019. - Lang met in Tehran today with his Iranian counterpart in an effort to solve a dispute over a conference his country is to host. He described as "constructive" his talks with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over the jointly organised conference with the United States on peace and security in the Middle East. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP

Senior Polish diplomat in Iran to mend ties amid Warsaw conference row

Poland's deputy foreign minister visited Tehran to assure Iranians that an upcoming controversial conference in Warsaw will not turn into an anti-Iran event.