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June 18, 2026

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Achraf Hakimi #2 of Morocco shoots and misses a chance against Gabriel Magalhaes #3 of Brazil during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Culture

Morocco, Egypt impress with notable draws despite winless World Cup start for Mideast teams

Several teams from the Middle East and North Africa could advance to the knockout stage under the new format, and Morocco climbed in the rankings despite a tie in its opener.

Explainer

Sanctions relief and reconstruction: How China benefits from Trump-Iran deal

It is no exaggeration to say that every provision of the 14-point deal favors China.

Latest News

How Iran stands to win major financial relief in Trump-backed deal

A shop owner counts Iranian banknotes at a store in the capital Tehran on Jan. 7, 2026.

Explainer

Oil’s slide wavers as Trump warns US-Iran deal ‘not final’

A general view shows the Awad oil field in the eastern Qamishli countryside in northeastern Syria, on Feb. 9, 2026.

After US-Iran deal, Ghalibaf says Tehran seeks deeper ties with China

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks with Tehran's Chamber of Commerce, June 17, 2026.

Read the full 14-point US-Iran deal

Trump

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

Confusion over US presence at Astana Syria talks

A Russian invitation to the Trump transition team to send a representative to Syria peace talks in the Kazakh capital Astana Jan. 23 has caused confusion and revealed limited interactions between the incoming and outgoing US administrations.

Turkic speakers join forces in Iran's parliament

The unprecedented formation of a cross-factional parliamentary group of Turkic speakers stirs controversy in Iran.

Why hasn’t Iran’s president announced bid for re-election?

The Iranian president’s press conference on the first anniversary of the implementation of the nuclear deal is met with positive reactions among Reformists and harsh criticism by hard-liners.

Iran President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a news conference in Rome, Italy, January 27, 2016. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi - RTX246ST

Rouhani: Nuclear deal renegotiation 'meaningless'

Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Iranian hard-liners found a new target to attack: Ali Akbar Nategh-Nuri. Meanwhile, President Rouhani dismisses a renegotiation of the nuclear deal, a point brought up by figures close to President-elect Trump, as “meaningless.”

Ordinary citizens in Iran rally to save death-row prisoners

An increasing number of ordinary Iranians are campaigning to convince families of crime victims to forgive convicts on death row.

Iran: No more political talks with US on nuclear issue

In a press conference on the anniversary of the implementation of the nuclear deal, Iran’s deputy foreign minister announced that Tehran will not enter political negotiations on the deal with the Trump administration.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, head of Iran's Assembly of Experts, speaks during the 7th session of the Assembly in Tehran February 23, 2010. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2AQWC

Will Rafsanjani’s death bring about change in Iran’s regional policy?

Former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani once played a great role in improving Saudi-Iranian relations. But given the broader changes in Iran’s foreign policy approach, his death is unlikely to significantly impact the tense Tehran-Riyadh relationship.

Flames rise from Saudi Arabia's embassy during a demonstration in Tehran January 2, 2016. Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi Embassy in Tehran early on Sunday morning as Shi'ite Muslim Iran reacted with fury to Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric. REUTERS/TIMA/Mehdi Ghasemi/ISNA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKE

Is Rafsanjani’s death nail in coffin of Saudi-Iran dialogue?

Will the death of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a man who repeatedly and personally helped bridge the divide over the Persian Gulf, make an Iranian-Saudi rapprochement unlikely anytime soon?

IranAir Chairman Farhad Parvaresh poses near an Airbus A321 painted in IranAir's livery as the company takes delivery of the first new Western jet under an international sanctions deal in Colomiers, near Toulouse, France, January 11, 2017 . REUTERS/Regis Duvignau - RTX2YHMN

Will new Airbus delivery help Rouhani's re-election bid take off?

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has delivered its first passenger jet to Iran under its $18 billion contract with the Islamic Republic.

TEHRAN, IRAN - JANUARY 9: Iranian President, Hassan Rohani joins mourners at Jamaran mosque during the mourning ceremony of one of the late founders of the Islamic Republic, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, January 9, 2017 in Tehran, Iran. Rafsanjani, who was 82, was a pivotal figure in the foundation of the Islamic republic in 1979, served as president from 1989 to 1997. After a long career in the ruling elite, where his moderate views were not always welcome, his cunning guided him through revolution, war and t

Will Rafsanjani’s death allow Rouhani to forge his own path?

Has the sudden passing of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani put the Reformist-moderate coalition in Iran at a disadvantage?

Rex Tillerson, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil, testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing to become U.S. Secretary of State on Capitol Hill in Washington January 11, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTX2YJ08

Tillerson faces tough questions on Iran, Russia

Portraying himself as a clear-eyed realist, Rex Tillerson showed keen insight into Russia but faced tough questions from senators, both Republican and Democrat, on whether he would stand up for American values.

TEHRAN, IRAN - JANUARY 10: Mourners attend the funeral of former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjanii, January 10, 2017 in Tehran, Iran. Rafsanjani, who was 82, was a pivotal figure in the foundation of the Islamic republic in 1979, served as president from 1989 to 1997. After a long career in the ruling elite, where his moderate views were not always welcome, his cunning guided him through revolution, war and the country's turbulent politics. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

What’s ahead for Rouhani with death of ‘moderation sheikh’?

Headlines and analysis of what is next continue to dominate Iranian media in the aftermath of the death of Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.