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Iran

September 15, 2026

Tehran 10:19 am

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VTB Bank in Moscow

US hits major Russian bank VTB with Iran-linked sanctions

State-controlled VTB becomes one of the most prominent global names yet caught up in Washington’s ongoing effort to squeeze Iran's economy.

Milak border crossing near the town of Zabol, Iran

Third Sunni cleric killed in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province: What to know

Iran says it is stepping up its crackdown on armed groups in the impoverished province as Sunni clerics have been reported killed there and in the predominantly Kurdish northwest.

AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Saudi pipeline shutdown exposes shrinking global oil-supply buffers

Oil prices have climbed to their highest since May as disruptions to flows through the Strait of Hormuz and the temporary shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline tighten global supply.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

A sailor from the navy of Yemen's Aden-based internationally recognized government stands at a machine-gun position aboard a vessel patrolling a shipping lane off Hanish Island in the Red Sea on July 27, 2026.

Oil tops $109 after Houthi strikes, Saudi pipeline shutdown

The Houthi militia said on Monday that it fired dozens of drones and ballistic missiles at military targets in Saudi Arabia in retaliation for airstrikes by Riyadh in Yemen.

Latest News

Analysis

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

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

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

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

Analysis

Could Iran’s nuclear ambitions harden as war escalates?

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

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Analysis

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

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)

Jared Szuba

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

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

U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Saudi Arabia's King Salman (R) at Erga Palace in Riyadh, January 27, 2015. Obama is stopping in Saudi Arabia on his way back to Washington from India to pay his condolences over the death of King Abdullah and to hold bilateral meetings with King Salman. REUTERS/Jim Bourg (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: POLITICS ROYALS) - RTR4N551

What Obama should say to King Salman during his visit

The inaugural visit of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud to Washington offers US President Barack Obama a unique opportunity to address the long-standing tensions and rivalry between Iran, Iraq and the GCC states.

Iran's lucrative kidney market

Home to the world's only legalized kidney market, Iran is seeing a boom in the kidney trade.

Khamenei says sanctions must be removed, not suspended

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke in detail about the need for sanctions to be removed, rather than suspended, in regard to the comprehensive nuclear deal.

A man works at his house after an earthquake in Saravan, about 1,400 km (869 miles) southeast of Tehran, in this April 18, 2013 photo taken during government tour to affected areas. A powerful earthquake struck a border area of southeast Iran on Tuesday killing at least 35 people in neighbouring Pakistan, destroying hundreds of houses and shaking buildings as far away as India and Gulf Arab states. Picture taken April 18, 2013. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: DISASTER) - RTXYS0N

Small quakes shake loose big fears in Tehran

A recent series of small quakes near Tehran revives fears of the consequences of a major tremor striking the Iranian capital.

Assad’s 'reputation trap' for Moscow

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in his fear of losing the support of Russia, may be backing Russia into a corner of sorts.

Iran negotiators defend deal at committee hearing

Former and current Iranian negotiators testified before a special parliamentary committee and the Assembly of Experts.

Larijani: US must fully implement nuclear deal

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Ali Larijani, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, praised President Barack Obama’s "wisdom" in negotiating a nuclear deal, but chided the United States for backing Saudi military intervention in Yemen.

<<enter caption here>> on February 19, 2009 in Sacramento, California.

Could US state sanctions on Iran unravel nuke deal?

Critics of the nuclear agreement say states have it in their power to kill it, but do they really?

Tehran, IRAN: An Iranian girl gives her drawing to a teacher in the clasroom at Sizdah Abban school in north of Tehran 01 October 2006. Iranian students went back to school a week ago. US President George W. Bush signed into law yesterday a set of sanctions targeting foreign countries that continue nuclear cooperation with Iran and sell it advanced weaponry. The measure, passed by the Senate Saturday after clearing the House of Representatives a day earlier, came as Iran and the European Union are engaged

For Iranian teachers, another day, another rial

Iranian teachers face a crackdown in response to their protests for better conditions.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's King Salman at the Royal Court, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, May 7, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew Harnik/Pool - RTX1BXMV

The king finally comes to town

King Salman of Saudi Arabia won't find solutions to his country's deepest problems during his visit to Washington.

Soleimani: US power in region has declined

Quds Force head Qasem Soleimani addressed Iran's Assembly of Experts about regional issues including Iraq, US influence and the wars in Syria and Yemen.

US veterans fight over Iran deal

Congress is getting mixed messages from Americans who’ve battled Tehran.