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Iran

July 22, 2026

Tehran 7:35 am

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Hegset

Iran war to cost US $37.5B by end of September, Hegseth tells Senate

Pentagon’s conservative estimate includes military pay and "operations and maintenance" costs, but does not factor in damage to military bases in the region.

A Kurdish fighter from the Iranian Kurdish armed faction Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) stands with his rifle at a site near the Iraqi border with Iran in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, on March 8, 2026.

Interview

PJAK leader mocks Iran’s claim Turkey spiked US Kurdish-backed regime change plan

The PJAK co-leader says he does not believe Washington or Israel would abandon a strategic objective as significant as toppling Iran's government because of Turkish objections.

Siamand Moeini

Siamand Moeini

PJAK Executive Council Member

FILE PHOTO: A satellite view shows tunnel entrances at Pickaxe Mountain, of the Natanz nuclear facility, near Natanz, Iran, June 30, 2026. Vantor/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

Analysis

Israel draws line on Houthi attacks, hopes for Trump strike on Pickaxe Mountain

From the perspective of the Israeli military and some politicians, the current situation of the US striking at Iran and Israel staying out of the conflict is ideal.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

US launches fresh strikes on Iran, reinforces air assets in region: What to know

In this handout photo provided by the US Navy, Two F/A-18 Super Hornets launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury on March 3, 2026 in the Mediterranean Sea.

Explainer

Iran's economy faces renewed pressure as ceasefire collapses

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

Iran's Araghchi reveals Turkey's role in thwarting Kurdish offensive

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart following a meeting in Baghdad on June 28, 2026.

Oil tops $90 as Iran warns Hormuz 'will not be safe'

Amir Hossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

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 directors see little respite despite support for Rouhani

Despite their support for moderate President Hassan Rouhani, Iranian film directors remain under the same kind of pressure from the authorities they faced during earlier administrations.

Women's campaigns flourish beyond Iran protests

The spread of several social campaigns for women's empowerment in Iran are challenging the perception that their role in the Iranian protests was only about standing up against compulsory hijab.

How Rouhani can combat corruption in Iran's budget

The Rouhani administration’s shift toward performance-based budgeting could pave the way for a parallel reduction of corruption along with better addressing of grievances.

A man uses his smartphone to follow election news in Tehran, Iran May 17, 2017. REUTERS/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RC18C545D440

Rouhani unblocks Telegram; hard-liners send message

Iran’s president is under fire from hard-liners for unblocking a popular messaging app.

Hosting Syria talks in Sochi presents challenges for Russia

There's plenty of suspicion and finger-pointing to go around leading up to the Syria peace talks in Sochi this month.

Iranian students scuffle with police at the University of Tehran during a demonstration driven by anger over economic problems, in the capital Tehran on December 30, 2017.
Students protested in a third day of demonstrations, videos on social media showed, but were outnumbered by counter-demonstrators. / AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Why protests won’t change Iran’s foreign policy

The recent wave of unrest in Iran is unlikely to change the calculations that underpin the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy.

SOCHI, RUSSIA - NOVEMBER, 22 (RUSSIA OUT) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during Russian-Iranian-Turkish talks at Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, November,22,2017. Presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran have gathered in Sochi to talk on Syrian war conflict. Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

Confrontation between Rouhani, hard-line clerics heats up

Hard-line clerics rail against Iran’s moderate president over his remarks in favor of freedom of speech.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey watch Iran-Iraq oil rapprochement warily

The oil swap deal between Iran and Iraq represents an opportunity to counterbalance Saudi-Iraq ties.

Russia, Iran in sync on preserving nuclear deal

Russia's UN ambassador says the United States has "an irrational allergy" to Iran and should stop trying to constrain Tehran's influence in the Middle East by undermining the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Iran's Reformists rack up political points while smog smothers Tehran

Tehran's air pollution crisis is worsening as the Reformists who now control both the city's administration and the presidency do little to solve it.

Turkish army tanks and military personal are stationed in Karkamis on the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern Gaziantep province, Turkey, August 25, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - S1BETXLBLSAE

Is Turkey aligned with al-Qaeda affiliate in Idlib?

Russian-Turkish relations worsen as Syrian forces advance in Idlib; Al-Monitor leads media coverage of Iran’s financial crisis — by six months; the American University of Beirut dedicates "transformative" Halim and Aida Daniel Academic and Clinical Center.

U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by Interior Secretary†Ryan Zinke and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, holds a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 10, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RC113BF0A9B0

Trump stays in Iran nuclear deal for now, targets rights abusers

US President Donald Trump once again waived Iran nuclear sanctions to stay in the deal, but he warned it will be for the last time if he does not get a legislative fix that meets his demands.