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Iran

September 13, 2026

Tehran 7:21 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

Iraqi Shiite Muslim men from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) hold portraits of (front to back) Iran's late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Iraq's late Shi'ite cleric Mohammed Baqir al-Sadr, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a parade marking the annual al-Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Baghdad, July 10, 2015. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani - RTX1JVWV

Iraqis wary of political role for Popular Mobilization Units

Signs indicate that the PMU hopes to assume a political role in Iraq, which has raised concerns among some Iraqis.

Prince Turki al-Faisal al-Saud of Saudi Arabia attends a plenary session at the 1st World Policy Conference in Evian October 6, 2008. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (FRANCE) - RTX995U

Saudi Arabia's Faisal: Iran is breeding chaos through Hamas

Hamas tries to explain away Saudi Arabia's harsh words for the organization, as alliances appear to be shifting in the Middle East.

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

Channel to monitor Iranian procurement awaits real test

A new organization created by the Iran nuclear deal is waiting for foreign companies to seek approval to sell Iran nuclear-related goods and services and other items with possible military applications.

Rouhani's staff reshuffle fails to satisfy critics

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has made changes to two vice presidential positions, but the move did little to reassure those watching the economy continue to decline.

French President Francois Hollande (R) greets Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif before a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, June 22, 2016. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe - RTX2HL6X

Iran takes page from US Treasury’s playbook

Having spent two years on negotiating the nuclear deal, it seems that Iran’s foreign minister is now focusing his efforts on making sure that the JCPOA is effectively implemented.

Iranian negotiator: Blocking sale of planes is violation of deal

Is the question of the sale of Boeing aircraft to Iran a make or break issue for the nuclear deal?

Iraqi Shi'ite Muslims from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) march along a street as they hold a giant Iraqi flag during a parade marking the annual al-Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Baghdad, Iraq July 1, 2016. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RTX2J7X3

Why some Iraqi Shiites are pushing for distance from Iran

Iraqi Shiites are dividing over their stance toward Iran, as the disagreement with Iran rose up among Shiites affiliated to Najaf.

An employee works at Takhfifan company in Tehran, Iran January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX2330R

Rouhani banks on small businesses to generate big growth

Even though they constitute more than 85% of businesses in the country, Iran's small- to medium-sized enterprises generate a mere 14.7% of GDP and less than 30% of employment, leading the administration to focus on boosting this crucial sector.

One year later, Rouhani still selling nuclear deal to Iranians

Iranian officials are urging patience in seeing the full results of the comprehensive nuclear deal.

An Iranian family walks past anti-US graffiti on the wall of the former US embassy in Tehran on July 14, 2015. President Hassan Rouhani told Iranians that "all our objectives" have been met by a nuclear deal agreed Tuesday after epic talks with world powers. Slogan in Farsi reads, "Death to America". AFP PHOTO / ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

New poll underlines Iranian disappointment with US, nuclear deal

A year after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed, most Iranians still support it, but a large majority lacks confidence that the United States will carry out its obligations and believes Washington is trying to prevent other countries from normalizing trade relations with the Islamic Republic.

Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki al-Faisal looks on during the National Council of Resistance of Iran (CNRI) annual meeting on July 9, 2016, in Le Bourget, near Paris.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (CNRI) drew up a statement on July 9 declaring "failure" one year after the historic Iranian nuclear program agreement, saying the country had been pushed into recession, while isolating itself from its neighbors. / AFP / ALAIN JOCARD (Photo credit should read ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images)

Saudi prince's endorsement of MEK angers Iranian officials

Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud’s attendance at the annual meeting of the People’s Mujahedeen of Iran has angered Iranian officials and media.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani registers for February's election of the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body that chooses the supreme leader, at the Interior Ministry in Tehran December 21, 2015. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX1ZKNX

How the IRGC is trying to tighten its grip on Rouhani

A controversial bill on eligibility for appointment to “sensitive" positions would give the IRGC's Intelligence Organization vetting authority parallel with that of Iran's Intelligence Ministry.