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Iran

September 13, 2026

Tehran 2:07 pm

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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

A supporter of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan steps on a photo of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen during a pro-government demonstration on Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, July 18, 2016. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis - RTSILD2

Turkey expands assault on independent media

The Erdogan government’s crackdown on "enemy within" includes free press; Iran and Russia may gain from strains in US-Turkey ties; Aleppo key to "undivided Syria"; Iran likely to deepen ties with Russia over Syria.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrives the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Istanbul Summit in Istanbul, Turkey April 14, 2016. REUTERS/Berk Ozkan/Pool - RTX29WWE

Why Rouhani may become Iran's first one-term president

Despite fulfilling his key campaign pledge of resolving the nuclear issue, Hassan Rouhani is still far from guaranteed a second term as Iran's president.

Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (L) meets with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Abe's official residence in Tokyo, Japan September 1, 2016. REUTERS/Issei Kato - RTX2NR86

Prince Salman gets jump on G-20 as Saudi 'Mr. Everything' tours Asia

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to be the youngest representative at the upcoming G-20 summit, his most significant step on the global stage to date, but can the spotlight on "Mr. Everything" distract from Yemen?

Iran confirms arrest of Iranian-American Reza Shahini

Iranian authorities and media released more information on the arrest and alleged activities of Iranian-American Reza "Robin" Shahini.

Prominent Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr speaks during news conference in Najaf, south of Baghdad, April 30, 2016. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RTX2C8KD

Iraqi cleric urges tolerance toward LGBT people

Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has created ripples in Iraqi society by calling for tolerance for LGBT people.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

A woman walks past a currency exchange shop at a shopping centre in northern Tehran October 3, 2010. Iran's currency, the rial, defied central bank attempts to revive its value on Sunday, remaining weak after falling 13 percent against the dollar last week. Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) - RTXSZAF

Iran's central bank won’t bite off more than it can chew

Despite broad support for the unification of foreign exchange rates in Iran — and the central bank’s announcement of such a move in the near future — realities on the ground make such an endeavor unlikely anytime soon.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on what is expected to be "implementation day," the day the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verifies that Iran has met all conditions under the nuclear deal, in Vienna January 16, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX22N89

Did arrested Iranian negotiator influence nuclear talks?

Iranian negotiator Hamid Baiedinejad wrote on his Telegram account about the latest accusations against a fellow negotiator who was in charge of banking affairs.

Tu-22M3 bombers perform during the International Army Games 2016 at the Ashuluk military polygon outside Astrakhan, Russia, August 7, 2016. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov - RTSLJQO

Why Russian warplanes might return to Iran

Shared tactical objectives in Syria are likely to continue to drive Russian-Iranian cooperation despite the quick end to Moscow's use of the Hamedan air base.

Turkish soldiers on an armoured personnel carrier drive towards the border in Karkamis on the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern Gaziantep province, Turkey, August 27, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX2N8HY

Did US drag Turkey into 'Syrian quagmire'?

The Turkish government remains defiant in the face of warnings from the US, but there are those who believe Ankara was forced into the Syrian quagmire by Washington.

Iran's Interior minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi talks during a news conference in Tehran March 15, 2008. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (IRAN) - RTR1YC1Z

Iran officials behind 1980s executions defend decision

Iranian officials involved in the executions of thousands of Mujahedeen-e-Khalq members in the 1980s are having to defend themselves publicly as the killings are back in the news.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

A general view of housing complexes in northwestern Tehran on a clear day February 12, 2011. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: CITYSCAPE ENVIRONMENT) - RTR2IHNH

Corruption scandal hits Tehran City Council

According to a document by the General Inspection Office, members of the Tehran City Council have been handing out public property at a discount.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak shakes hands with Iranian Communications Minister Mahmoud Vaezi during a signing ceremony after their meeting in Moscow, Russia, July 29, 2016. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev - RTSK8HC

How MasterCard debacle got one Iranian minister in trouble

When Iran's Minister of Communication and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi was recently quoted as saying that MasterCard services were coming to Iran, the reports were quickly denied as a misunderstanding, though a MasterCard-affiliated debit card service is set to begin issuing prepaid cards.