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Iran

November 9, 2026

Tehran 8:47 pm

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People vote on Election Day during the midterm elections

Analysis

From sanctions relief to deterrence: How Iran reads US elections

Iran's negotiators now view US elections through the lens of political pressure and the costs of conflict, while even Javad Zarif frames diplomacy as part of deterrence.

Jamshid Jamshidi

By Jamshid Jamshidi

Alexey BABUSHKIN / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Iran turns to Putin as war, US election reshape strategic calculations

A Kremlin meeting with Iran's top security official coupled with reports of new arms deals amid looming war demonstrate Tehran's push to turn vulnerability into strategic leverage.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Tump

Can Trump turn midterm defeat into Iran breakthrough?

Although Iran may have contributed to Republican losses in midterms, the Trump administration still has a historic opportunity in the Middle East.

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

As Trump weighs Iran strikes, possible nuclear opening emerges

Sticking points include Iran's highly enriched uranium and lack of access for international inspectors.

Latest News

Russia to provide Iran with 90 missile launchers as military ties grow: Reports

Russian Mil Mi-8 military helicopters fly over a joint Russian and Turkish convoy, northeastern Hasakeh province, Syria, Feb. 4, 2021.

Turkey says soldier killed by gunfire from Iran at border: What to know

A sign marking the border of Turkey in Van, Turkey, on March 14, 2026.

Explainer

Democrats’ midterm sweep tests US-Israel ties as Eisenkot vows reset

An aerial view shows a campaign billboard depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party and President Donald Trump in Tel Aviv, on Oct. 26, 2026, on the eve of Israel's legislative elections.

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

Is Iran's Ahmadinejad ready for a comeback?

With merely 15 months until Iran’s next presidential vote, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may be gearing up to confront incumbent President Hassan Rouhani.

An Iranian long-range shore-to-sea missile called Qader (Capable) is launched during Velayat-90 war game on Sea of Oman's shore near the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran January 2, 2012. REUTERS/Jamejamonline/Ebrahim Norouzi/Handout (IRA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - RTR2VTE1

Iran missile tests fuel sanctions push in Congress

Lawmakers demand response after latest rocket launches.

How Iran plans to cover its budget deficit

As Iranian banks continue to struggle, the government has no choice but to develop the debt market in the coming years in order to make up for the damage incurred by the sanctions.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu speaks at a news conference at the end of a EU-Turkey summit in Brussels March 8, 2016. REUTERS/Yves Herman - RTS9QKE

Davutoglu attempts to get back to zero problems with Iran

Analysts warn that an unpredictable harsh statement by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could undermine Davutoglu’s efforts to gain a piece of the Iranian pie.

Village children sitting on their donkey watch a car pass during a rally on the outskirts of Mashad, 924 km (574.1 miles) east of Tehran, July 12, 2007. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN) - RTR1RS31

Iranian politician: Parliament no place for children, donkeys or women

One Iranian politician has observed International Women's Day by sharing his opinion that Iran's parliament should remain for men only.

Hezbollah responds to GCC decision

In a speech following the GCC’s decision to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization, the movement’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, intensified his criticism of Saudi Arabia, indicating a readiness to go all the way in the confrontation.

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

Iranian naval ships take part in a naval parade on the last day of the Velayat-90 war game in the Sea of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran January 3, 2012. Iran will take action if a U.S. aircraft carrier which left the area because of Iranian naval exercises returns to the Gulf, the state news agency quoted army chief Ataollah Salehi as saying o

Six reasons Iran won’t join war in Yemen

Even if Iran considers Yemen as an opportunity to expand its influence, it views averting the crisis there at hand is more important than directly entering it.

Rouhani challenges media ban on former president

President Hassan Rouhani denies that there is an official media ban on former President Mohammad Khatami, but some Iranian media still abide by it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, September 21, 2015. Netanyahu said his visit to Moscow on Monday was aimed at preventing clashes between Russian and Israeli military forces in the Middle East. REUTERS/Ivan Sekretarev/Pool - RTS25BW

Why Israel needs Putin more than it needs Erdogan

Reconciliation with Turkey is stalled, possibly due to Israeli-Russian security interests regarding Syria, Lebanon and Hezbollah, as well as Russian hostility to Israeli-Turkish rapprochement.

Thousands of Iranians from Mashhad welcome President Mohammad Khatami outside the Shiite Muslim shrine of Imam Reza in the northeastern holy city 05 June 2000. During the February parliamentary elections in Iran, an ultra-conservative cleric was turned out of office and pro-Khatami reformers won all five seats in Mashhad, Iran's second largest city which is usually a right-wing stronghold. This is Khatami's first trip to the region since he came to power in 1997. (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/G

Iran names head of country’s wealthiest foundation

After the passing of the head of Astan Quds Razavi, a charitable endowment, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei must find his replacement.

Yaghoub Karimi of Iran (L) challenges Husain Al Moqahwi of Saudi Arabia during their WAFF Championship soccer match in Kuwait City December 9, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer (KUWAIT - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) - RTR3BEA1

Iran-Saudi tensions play out on soccer field

The ongoing conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia is affecting the sports world as regional soccer associations struggle to satisfy both parties' location and security demands.

Why high inflation may return to Iran

The Central Bank of Iran is urging banks to slash deposit rates in the hopes that money locked in savings accounts will be channeled to manufacturing and capital markets.