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Iran

May 17, 2026

Tehran 2:07 am

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Women shop from a street vendor at Enghelab Square in the capital Tehran on Nov. 11, 2025.

Analysis

From hoarding to unemployment: Iran's economy buckles under US pressure

Iran's fast-rising inflation is driving aggressive state market controls, exposing deeper structural strains from war, sanctions and declining consumer confidence.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Explosions rattled buildings in Dubai and a large cloud of smoke hung over a central area of the Middle East financial hub on March 13, 2026.

Analysis

How the Iran war is exposing a growing Saudi-UAE divide

Reports on Emirati and Saudi strikes suggest Gulf monarchies moved beyond passive defense — but followed sharply different strategies.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

US President Donald Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Analysis

‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit

Just as UAE-Israeli relations were deepening through cooperation against Iran, the Israeli prime minister publicly embarrassed Abu Dhabi by revealing his March visit.

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

Latest News

Uptick in Chinese tankers transiting Hormuz amid Trump-Xi summit

Jag Vasant, an Indian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that transited through the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East war, remains docked at an offloading terminal along the coast in Mumbai on April 1, 2026.

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Iran looms large over Trump’s China visit, but breakthrough unlikely

TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump (C) is escorted by China's Vice President Han Zheng (R) upon his arrival at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

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 actors take center stage against US sanctions

Iranian artists, particularly those in the film industry, have launched two separate campaigns against the US sanctions, saying the measures will hit the vulnerable and sick.

TEHRAN, IRAN - NOVEMBER 10: fans of Persepolis looks on during the AFC Champions League final second leg match between Persepolis and Kashima Antlers at Azadi Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Tehran, Iran. (Photo by Amin M. Jamali/Getty Images)

Who scored when Iran hand-selected women for historic soccer audience?

For some Iranians, the visible female audience at a recent soccer match at Tehran's Azadi stadium was a meaningful win in a long war over allowing women to attend public soccer matches, but others are frustrated at what they consider a publicity stunt.

Can Tehran’s next mayor unite Iran’s Reformists?

Tehran has elected its third mayor in 18 months and he has a challenging road ahead to unite a divided Reformist camp.

The politics behind Iranian women's entry to Azadi stadium

Iranian women were allowed into Tehran’s Azadi Stadium last week to watch a high-profile soccer match live. A lot of politics were at play to make that happen.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif speaks during a news conference in Istanbul, Turkey October 30, 2018. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC1614E0E190

Hard-liners call for Zarif's head over money laundering comment

Iran's foreign minister is facing harsh criticism from hard-liners after his surprisingly frank remarks about money laundering in the country.

An IranAir Airbus A320 passengers aircraft parks after landing at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport, Serbia, March 13, 2018. REUTERS/Marko Djurica - RC1E07842800

Iranian civil aviation hit again as US sanctions return

The reimposition of US sanctions is directly hitting civil aviation in Iran, dashing the nuclear deal’s promises of safer skies for Iranian passengers.

Palestinian Hamas militants take part in a rally marking the 30th anniversary of Hamas' founding, in Gaza City December 14, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC1E83709490

Intel: What’s behind latest US sanctions and bounties on Hezbollah and Hamas

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani walks by his country's flag at a news conference on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 26, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid - HP1EE9Q1DYAGU

Sanctions push Rouhani to boost state involvement in Iran’s economy

The impact of the re-imposed US sanctions has forced the Rouhani administration to shift its market-oriented approach to the economy to focus on active involvement by the state.

A damaged building is seen following an earthquake in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah, Iran November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Tasnim News Agency ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC15640B33E0

Unlike officials, Iranian aid worker praised for reviving quake-hit area

On the first anniversary of a deadly quake in western Iran, officials are still under fire for abandoning survivors. Meanwhile, a female charity worker's performance is raising eyebrows.

Iran-backed PMU militias in Iraq raising profile

Danish elite forces left the Iraqi-Syrian border area in late October against a backdrop of tension between Denmark and Iran.

Twitter is Coming: Iranians strike back at Trump with memes

Following US President Donald Trump’s tweet that used a "Game of Thrones" meme to warn Iran about new sanctions, keyboard-happy Iranians quickly striked back at both Trump and their own officials.

Egyptian armed forces Chief of Staff Mohamed Farid Hegazy (R) looks on as Joseph Leonard Votel, Commander of United States Central Command, speaks during a meeting with the Gulf cooperation council's armed forces chiefs of staff in Kuwait City on September 12, 2018. - Gulf Arab army chiefs, including Qatar's military commander, are meeting with US Central Command officials for talks on defence cooperation. (Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP) (Photo credit should read YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP/Getty Images)

Is this the start of Arab NATO plan?

The Arab Nato plan promoted by US President Donald Trump to counter Iranian influence is being recurrently heard among the political quarters of the countries participating in the Arab Shield 1 drills in Egypt.