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Iran

November 7, 2026

Tehran 8:21 pm

13°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

Richard Ratcliffe, husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian held in Iran since 2016.

Iranian diplomat visits UK amid growing pressure over jailed activist

The Iranian negotiator's meetings were expected to be overshadowed by UK demands for the release of British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, whose husband is on a hunger strike outside the UK Foreign Office headquarters in London.

Afghans Iran

Up to 5,000 Afghans fleeing to Iran daily, aid group says

The Norwegian Refugee Council said some 300,000 Afghans have crossed into Iran since the Taliban's takeover in August.

Chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami (R) delivers a speech.

The Takeaway: Iran says US must show goodwill ahead of nuclear talks

Saudi Arabian beach riles conservatives; Turkey responds to Erdogan health speculation; Arab-Israeli legislator vindicated by budget; Alexandria’s global warming worries; Egypt offers divorce counseling; Pharaoh’s honey bees still buzzing; all in less than 1,500 words!

A billboard depicting Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps navy units observing a US warship in the Gulf of Oman.

Iran's IRGC praises forces in Gulf of Oman incident

Iran claims its naval forces thwarted a US attempt to confiscate oil from an Iranian tanker, yet Washington denies the incident even occurred.

Iran minister

Iran vows to boost defenses ahead of fresh nuclear talks

The Iranian foreign minister's words for his French and German counterparts signaled a tough round of talks ahead for all parties as they were to reconvene after six months in Vienna.

Iraqi security forces take position on Nov. 7, 2021 at one of the entrances of the Green Zone in the Iraqi capital, following an overnight drone attack on the residence of Iraq's prime minister inside the zone.

Iran condemns assassination attempt on Iraqi prime minister

While many have speculated that Iran-backed militias were behind the attack, hard-line Iranian media outlets pointed the finger at the United States.

Saudi air force

US approves sale of air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia

The Biden administration says the weapons are key to Saudi Arabia's self-defense from Iran-backed drone attacks out of Yemen.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran increases enriched uranium stockpile ahead of Vienna talks

Indirect talks between the United States and Iran on the latter’s nuclear program will resume in late November after months of delay.

A young Iranian girl waving a national flag takes part in a rally outside the former US Embassy in the capital, Tehran, on Nov. 4, 2021.

Iran marks US Embassy takeover amid soaring tensions

"Death to America" was shouted by government loyalists, as the latest anniversary was held following state media reports about a "triumphant encounter" with US naval forces in the Sea of Oman.

This picture taken on June 15, 2019, shows tanker ships in the waters of the Gulf of Oman.

Iran claims it stopped US from seizing oil tanker

Iran said the US had attempted to steal an Iranian ship carrying oil but was thwarted by the Iranian military.

Iran women football

Iran's female soccer fans still can't attend games

While Iranian authorities said that spectators had been banned from recent games due to health protocols, many fans speculated the move was aimed at avoiding pressure from FIFA to allow women into stadiums.

JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images

Iran wants guarantee that US won't quit nuclear deal again

The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said that President Joe Biden must be prepared to give assurances that future administrations won't abandon a revived nuclear deal.