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Iran

September 20, 2026

Tehran 6:17 am

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A picture of Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who was killed during Israeli strikes on Tehran in June, is displayed Zahedan, the capital of the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, during a media tour organized by the Iranian government on Dec. 18, 2025.

Analysis

How a new Baluch militant coalition raises pressure on Iran-Pakistan border

Iran's military standoff with the US may be creating opportunities for Baluch groups to launch operations from the mountainous, sparsely populated frontier region with Pakistan.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Members of Iran's Basij paramilitary force march

Analysis

As Iran regime marks 200 days of war, is it also preparing for dissent?

Seven months into the war with the US, Iranian authorities staged a pro-government mobilization in Tehran, combining patriotic spectacle with a carefully calibrated demonstration aimed for domestic internal security capacity.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

A pedestrian passes by the Treasury Building in Washington, DC on Jan. 18, 2023.

US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments

The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime.

AFP via Getty Images

China presses Iran, US to reopen Hormuz as disruptions threaten oil supply

Conflicts in the region are disrupting two key routes for oil bound for China, with Iranian crude affected by the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi shipments facing growing risks in the Red Sea.

Latest News

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Lacking deterrence, Israel’s security establishment opposes attacks on Houthis

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities, brandish their weapons during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa on September 10, 2026. The country relapsed into war in July after years of calm, drawn into the regional conflict triggered by the US-Israeli offensive against Iran that began at the end of February. (Photo by Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP via Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

How far will Iran push Houthis against Saudi Arabia amid raging conflict?

Houthi fighters marching

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

Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a news conference, part of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), at the Kremlin in Moscow, July 1, 2013. Putin said on Monday that Russia would not hand former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden over to the United States but that if Snowden wants to stay in Russia he "must stop his work aimed at harming our American partners". REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov (RUSSIA - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS) - RTX118XS

Russia Steers Conservative, Steady Course in Middle East

Unlike the United States, Russia can walk away from the Middle East at any time.

Supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi shout anti-army slogans during a protest in Cairo July 9, 2013. Egypt's interim President Adli Mansour on Tuesday named liberal economist and former finance minister Hazem el-Beblawi as prime minister in a transitional government, as the authorities sought to steer the country to new parliamentary and presidential elections. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX11HY6

Iran, Iraq React Differently to Morsi's Fall

A comparison of the Iraqi and Iranian reactions to the situation in Egypt shows a profound difference in their perspectives on democracy.

Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi shout slogans in front of army soldiers at Republican Guard headquarters in Nasr City, a suburb of Cairo July 8, 2013. At least 51 people were killed on Monday when demonstrators enraged by the military overthrow of Egypt's elected Islamist president said the army opened fire during morning prayers outside the Cairo barracks where Mursi is believed to be held. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVI

Four Reasons Why Iran Wins From Morsi’s Fall

Iran stands to gain regionally from the coup in Egypt.

Stalks of wheat are seen at a farm near Gonbad, 550 km (342 miles) northeast of Tehran, May 6, 2008. Picture taken May 6, 2008. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN) (PICTURE TAKEN MAY 6, 2008) - RTR20B48

Iran’s Need for Agricultural Reform

President-elect Hassan Rouhani may want to pay more attention to Iran’s agricultural sector, which has suffered under previous administrations.

The Rise of the Iranian Moderates

The international community should seize the opportunity by Iran’s turn toward moderation and engagement under President-elect Hassan Rouhani.

A supporter holds up a picture of presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi during a rally in Tehran May 29, 2009. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN POLITICS ELECTIONS IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTXOXBN

Does Rouhani Hold 'Key' to Release Mousavi and Karroubi?

Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani said during his campaign that it may become possible to allow the release of those under house arrest and imprisoned after the 2009 presidential election.

Kasbana Hassan gestures inside her burnt out house, where four Egyptian Shi'ites were killed, in the suburb of Zawiyat Abu Musallem, on the outskirts of Cairo, June 24, 2013. Egypt's government promised "exemplary punishment" on Monday after the mob killing of four Shi'ite Muslims near Cairo raised fears of wider sectarian bloodshed at a time of grave national crisis. In Sunday's violence in the suburb of Zawiyat Abu Musallem, in sight of the Giza pyramids, a crowd ransacked and torched the house of a famil

Shiite Leaders in Iraq, Iran React to Egypt Killings

The killing of Egyptian Shiite preacher Hassan Shehata has led many Shiite leaders in Iraq and Iran to call for adherents to tone down sectarian rhetoric.

Rouhani Considers New Approach To Syria

While President-elect Hassan Rouhani will continue Iran’s steadfast support for the Syrian government, he may also be considering a diplomatic initiative for a transition involving both the Assad regime and the opposition.

Clerics work on computers at a religious research center associated with the seminary in Qom, 120 km (75 miles) south of Tehran February 2, 2009. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN) - RTXB5VD

Iran’s Seminarians React To Rouhani’s Election

Qom Seminary in Iran seems to have pinned its hopes on Rouhani's ability to reduce international pressure and restore the clergy's standing domestically.

Iranian presidential candidate Hassan Rohani (L) waves to supporters in the central Iranian city of Shiraz June 11, 2013. Picture taken June 11, 2013. REUTERS/Fars News/Mohammad Hadi Khosravi (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE WAS PROCESSED BY REUTERS TO ENHANCE QUALITY. AN UNPROCESSED VERSION WILL BE PROVIDED SEPARATELY - RTX10L2E

Rouhani calls for Moderation In First Speech as President-elect

In his first speech as president-elect of Iran, Hassan Rouhani said Iran should avoid extremism.

EU ministers and officials and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator give news conference after three hours of talks on Tehran's nuclear plans in Geneva. German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier and EU General Secretary Javier Solana (L-R) give a news conference outside the residence of the Iranian ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, May 25, 2005 after three hours of talks on Tehran's nuclea

Rouhani May Offer Way Out Of Nuclear Tensions With Iran

The election of Hassan Rouhani as president is an opportunity for a more conciliatory approach by the regional and global powers.

A worker spreads out pistachios in the sun at a processing factory in Rafsanjan, 1,000 kilometers southeast of Tehran September 23, 2008. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN) - RTX9CVS

Rouhani Makes Job Creation Top Economic Priority

After Hassan Rouhani's victory in the Iranian presidential election, he stated that reducing Iran's unemployment was among his main goals. With Iranian unemployment at 12.5%, the president may need to enlist the help of the private sector.