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Iran

November 4, 2026

Tehran 12:04 am

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RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

War, oil, AI: What US midterms could mean for Middle East economies

Governments across the Middle East will be watching closely after the election amid fears the US-Israel-Iran war could spiral into a new cycle of violence.

A police officer monitors traffic as he stands under portraits of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, on Oct. 21, 2026.

Iran executes two men in case tied to January protests: What to know

Iran has stepped up executions during the war with the US, and attacks on police are on the rise in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan.

Evan Vucci/Getty Images

Analysis

'All we can do is wait': Netanyahu's push for Iran strikes hangs on Trump’s post-midterm call

Amid the political deadlock following Israel's elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leverage on Washington to resume Iran strikes will depend on the US' own vote.

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

Latest News

Iran gives 2-day window for Hormuz deal as US mulls strikes: What to know

Iranian motorists drive past a poster of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in central Tehran on Nov. 1, 2026. I

Will Iran take up Vance lifeline to avoid another US attack?

US Vice President JD Vance speaks to the media at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on Oct. 27, 2026.

Analysis

Who will blink first in latest US-Iran diplomacy efforts?

Tehran

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Limpet mine attack in Hormuz suggests Iran may be shifting tactics

Vessels transit the Hormuz Strait

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

Muslim worshippers performing the umrah pilgrimage walk between the Marwa and Safa hills at the Grand Mosque on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, March 23, 2023.

Culture

After 9 years, first Iranian pilgrims head to Saudi Arabia for umrah

The flights carrying Iranian pilgrims are the latest sign of rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran after restoring ties last year.

Motorists drive their vehicles past a billboard depicting named Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading, "The honest [person's] promise" and in Persian, "Israel is weaker than a spider's web," in Valiasr Square in central Tehran on April 15, 2024.

After Israel strike, time to reset diplomacy on Iran’s nuclear program

Al-Monitor’s coverage of the regional crisis from Iran, Israel, Syria, Washington and more.

A man walks past a banner depicting missiles along a street in Tehran on April 19, 2024. Iran's state media reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan on April 19, as US media quoted officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes on its arch-rival. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Why Iran is downplaying Israel's Isfahan attack despite public bravado

Iranian officials appeared uninterested in entering into a fresh round of escalation with Israel and soft-pedaled on the severity of the Isfahan attack, which, in their view, did not invite reciprocation.

An Iranian long-range Ghadr missile displaying "Down with Israel" in Hebrew is pictured at a defence exhibition in city of Isfahan, central Iran, on Feb. 8, 2023.

Israel carries out strikes in Isfahan, Iran: reports

Explosions were heard in Qahjaverestan, northeast of Isfahan, early Friday morning as US officials confirmed that Israel carried out strikes against Iran.

A truck carries an Iranian 'Fattah' hypersonic ballistic missile during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of the devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, in Tehran on Sept. 22, 2023.

US sees Iran attack as strategic win for regional air defense

US officials have spent years painstakingly convincing Arab leaders to share air defense intelligence. Iran’s massive barrage against Israel just proved their point.

An Iranian military truck carries a Sayad 4-B missile past a portrait of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a military parade on April 17, 2024

IRGC commander says Iran may 'revise' nuclear posture if attacked by Israel

The region is bracing for a possible Israeli response to Iran’s unprecedented attack on the country.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

US hits Iran’s drone program with fresh sanctions after Israel attack

Washington has announced new Iran sanctions in response to last week’s attack on Israel, targeting 16 people and two entities linked to Iran’s drone production and testing.

A view of an anti-Israel mural illustrates appreciation for the IRGC attack on Israel with text in Persian reading "The next slap will be stronger" and in Hebrew "Your next mistake will be the end of your fake country."

Nervousness reigns as ordinary Iranians fear Israel war looming

Fears of a military conflict with Israel are fast spreading among many Iranians who are already feeling the economic impacts of the recent escalation and facing the state crackdown over criticism of the Israel attack.

Missiles and UAV's are showed for the people on the side of the road in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 11, 2024.

'All options' on table as US readies fresh Iran sanctions after Israel attack

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said measures would be announced "in the coming days" and could including targeting illicit Iranian oil revenue.

ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images

UK’s easyJet suspends Israel flights through October after Iran attack

Britain’s biggest low-cost airline has suspended all service to Israel following Iran’s unprecedented attack on the Jewish state over the weekend.

A US-built F-5 Tiger light fighter aircraft that was used by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force is displayed at the Holy Defense Museum, Tehran, Iran, Feb. 7, 2024.

Iran vows it will respond 'within seconds' if Israel retaliates

The latest Iranian attack on Israel in response to a suspected Israeli strike against Iran’s consulate in Syria has set off fears of a full-blown war in the region.

An Israeli self-propelled artillery howitzer shells southern Lebanon from a position in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel on Jan. 4, 2024.

Israeli military says it will respond to Iran, weighing 'variety of options'

Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on Saturday in retaliation for the suspected Israeli strike that killed senior members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria.