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Iran

September 13, 2026

Tehran 6:45 am

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Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities gather in Sanaa on Sept. 10, 2026.

Analysis

As Houthis seize Bab el-Mandeb, Iran appraises value of new Red Sea card

Iran is celebrating the Houthis' rapid advance toward Bab el-Mandeb, but appears reluctant to act on the win.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

member of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces firing a heavy machine gun

Claude AI used for missile, influence projects in UAE, Iran, Yemen: Anthropic

Military and government actors across the Middle East — from Iran to Yemen to the United Arab Emirates — have used Anthropic's Claude AI model for war planning and influence campaigns.

Pedestrians walk past a wall mural along a street in downtown of Tehran on Aug. 31, 2026.

Analysis

Could Iran’s nuclear ambitions harden as war escalates?

A new report has raised alarm about the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site that President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on September 2, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran’s Pickaxe mountain tests limits of Trump’s military options

A secretive Pentagon innovation agency has hastened to test munitions that may penetrate deeper than the GBU-57 bombs dropped on Iran’s two main enrichment facilities.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Latest News

Iran's IRGC set to declare new ‘sanctions zone’ beyond Hormuz: What to know

Elke Scholiers/Getty Images

Brent crude sails past $100 as Middle East war intensifies

AFPTV / AFP via Getty Images

US strikes Iranian tankers after attempted attack on Navy ship

Vessels transit the Hormuz Strait off the coast of Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas on September 7, 2026. Iran's top negotiator threatened on September 6 of a more forceful response to any further US attacks after Tehran targeted American warships in their latest round of clashes. The exchanges of fire, which began with US raids last week, come amid a deadlock in the six-month war between the two foes. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images) /

Analysis

What Houthi setbacks in Yemen mean for Iran's regional influence

Forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government

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

An aerial view shows the Shrine of Imam al-Abbas during the commemoration of Arbain in Kerbala, southwest of Baghdad December 13, 2014. Iraqi officials say millions of Shi'ite pilgrims from across Iraq and neighbouring countries are expected in Kerbala for Saturday's Arbain ritual, which marks the last of 40 days of mourning for the death of Imam Hussein that happened around 1,300 years ago. REUTERS/Abdul-Zahra (IRAQ - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY CITYSCAPE) - RTR4HW0P

Millions of Iranians enter Iraq for Shiite ritual

Millions of Iranian pilgrims flock to Iraq to join the marking of Arbaeen, the anniversary of the 40th day of mourning after the killing of the third Shiite Imam, Hussein bin Ali.

How Iran's religious singers help frame the war in Syria

In addition to assuming more clout in Iranian politics, religious singers are expanding their presence on the battlefield in Syria.

Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims reach out to touch the tomb of Imam al-Abbas located inside the Imam al-Abbas shrine to mark Arbaeen, in the holy city of Kerbala, southwest of Baghdad, December 3, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed al-Husseini TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1X0XY

Are Shiites substituting Arbaeen for hajj?

Even though Arbaeen is attracting an increasing number of Shiite pilgrims, the annual pilgrimage is still overshadowed by the hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Members of the Shi'ite Badr Organisation fighters ride on military vehicles during a battle with Islamic State militants at the airport of Tal Afar west of Mosul, Iraq November 18, 2016. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RTX2UAJW

Iran, Turkey fight over Tal Afar

As the predominantly Shiite Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), with the support of Iran, expand their control over the recently liberated area of Tal Afar, which has a Turkmen majority, the tension between the PMU and Turkey has increased.

US firms join international air show in Iran

While the US House is attempting to halt Western aircraft manufacturers’ recent deals with Iran, American companies are participating in Iran’s International Air Show.

How modern art is helping bridge Arab-Iranian divide

A rare exhibition is bringing together Iranian and Arab modern art at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, presenting a unique opportunity for cultural diplomacy.

United Arab Emirates

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 01: Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol introducing the Iran Policy Oversight Act of 2015 October 1, 2015 in Washington, DC. The legislation, if passed, would build on the bipartisan commitment to oversight outlined in the Iran Nuclear Review Act of 2015. Also pictured (L-R) are Sen. Corey Booker (D-NJ) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA). (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Top Senate Democrat challenges Trump on Russia, Iran

Senate Foreign Relations Comittee ranking member Ben Cardin laid out a foreign policy platform for the Trump era.

A general view shows smog over northwestern Tehran November 23, 2010. Tehran is choking. Gridlock on urban highways makes the city feel more like Los Angeles than the Middle East, while adding a toxic yellow halo of smog to otherwise perennially blue skies. Picture taken November 23, 2010. To match feature IRAN-METRO/ REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT CITYSCAPE) - RTXVHZE

Tehran’s air pollution fuels political quarreling

The Iranian capital of Tehran's alarming levels of air pollution fan the flames of factional infighting.

(L-R) Ali Kardor, Managing Director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), Stephane Michel, Total's head of Middle East exploration and production, Hamid Akbari, Managing Director of Petropars Group and Jean Ping Zhou, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), sign an offshore gas field agreement in Tehran, on November 8, 2016.
Iran signed a deal with France's Total to develop a major offshore gas field, its first big contract with a Western energy firm since sanctions were loosened in January.

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Will Iran attract international oil firms in post-sanctions era?

French energy giant Total’s move to return to Iran is a watershed after years of sanctions, but does this represent a broader process of international oil majors returning to the country?

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives to address a Tea Party rally against the Iran nuclear deal at the U.S. Capitol in Washington September 9, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTSDEW

Iran counts on EU support in keeping nuclear deal

After the EU’s move to throw its weight behind the nuclear deal, Iran hopes the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the lifting of international sanctions will not be affected by Donald Trump’s presidency.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at his election night rally in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 9, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2SPX6

Trump win further distances US from GCC on Syria

The Gulf Cooperation Council anxiously awaits to see how US President-elect Donald Trump plans to deal with the uncertainties surrounding US Middle East policies.

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump attends a campaign event in Wilmington, Ohio, U.S. November 4, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri - RTX2RZEN

Trump Cabinet picks could signal fate of US Mideast policy

The fate of the Iran deal and other pressing foreign policy issues may rest with who Donald Trump chooses to advise him and serve in his Cabinet.