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Iran

October 21, 2026

Tehran 12:03 pm

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Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrive to hold a press conference after a meeting in Tehran on October 19, 2026. The Russian foreign minister arrived in Iran on October 19, in his first visit since the outbreak of the Middle East war as Moscow seeks to play a mediating role. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran

As Tehran looks for an off-ramp from renewed conflict, Moscow is positioning itself as a diplomatic partner while pushing Iran to deliver on long-delayed economic deals.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Ships are anchored off the coast of Khasab in Oman's Musandam Governorate, near the Strait of Hormuz, on Oct. 2, 2026.

IRGC claims it downed US drone, set two tankers ablaze near Hormuz

Iran has stepped up attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks.

Safin HAMID / AFP via Getty Images

Iran says deal reached with Iraq to expel Kurdish separatists: What to know

Iran said an agreement was reached with Iraq to expel or hand over members of Kurdish separatist groups based in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival in Tehran on Oct. 19, 2026.

Lavrov visits Tehran as Trump praises Russia's role on Iran: What to know

During a meeting with his Iranian counterpart earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin renewed Moscow’s offer to mediate between Tehran and Washington.

Latest News

Analysis

As Iran’s oil lifeline runs dry, can it outlast Trump's economic siege?

shoppers walking through the Tajrish Bazaar, a traditional market in Tehran

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Turkey turns to Iran to contain Houthis as Saudi defense commitments grow

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a press conference in Tehran on November 30, 2025.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Window for diplomacy with Iran may be closing as Trump again threatens Pickaxe Mountain

US President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse, New York, on Oct. 9, 2026.

Analysis

How much oil can cushion another Middle East supply shock?

A vessel transits the Gulf of Oman

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

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

Annabelle Chih/Getty Images

Syria, Iran condemn Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan

China is a close ally of both countries but has also made economic inroads recently with US partners in the Middle East.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) attends a press conference with Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (L), at the foreign ministry headquarters in Iran's capital Tehran on June 25, 2022.

Iran nuclear talks in Vienna could resume in days

The EU's policy chief says Iran will receive significant economic and financial dividends from a nuclear deal.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's oil trade hit with new round of US sanctions

Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned the United States will continue targeting Iran's petroleum exports unless the nuclear agreement is revived.

WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images

Iran-Afghanistan border tensions continue

The Islamic Republic and the Taliban have formed a committee to address violence on the border.

A huge banner bearing portraits of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) and his predecessor, the founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (R), is seen on a building being constructed at phase 15 and 16 of South Pars gas field development in the southern Iranian port town of Asaluyeh on July 19, 2010 as a top official announced that global energy majors are welcome to help develop oil and gas projects in Iran despite new sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic. AFP PHOTO/ATT

Latest PRO Memo: Russian energy deal with Iran could prompt further cooperation

Bijan Khajehpour explores in-depth the recent $40 billion MOU between Russia’s Gazprom and Iran's national oil company and its potential impact.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran ready to conclude nuclear talks

Iran’s top negotiator has said Tehran wants a "swift conclusion" to the nuclear talks.

Josep Borell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (R), and Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Enrique Mora (2nd-R) chat during a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister at the foreign ministry headquarters in Iran's capital Tehran on June 25, 2022.

Analysis

Iran nuclear deal's fate uncertain as EU makes final push

Neither Washington nor Tehran are calling it quits, but experts are skeptical an EU proposal to revive the nuclear deal can break the deadlock.

Ali Hashem

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Ali Hashem , Elizabeth Hagedorn

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran claims to arrest 'Mossad-linked terrorists'

According to Tehran, five people have been arrested for planning attacks in Iran in cooperation with Israel's national intelligence service.

A huge banner bearing portraits of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) and his predecessor, the founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (R), is seen on a building being constructed at phase 15 and 16 of South Pars gas field development in the southern Iranian port town of Asaluyeh on July 19, 2010 as a top official announced that global energy majors are welcome to help develop oil and gas projects in Iran despite new sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic. AFP PHOTO/ATT

Russian Gazprom's deal with Iran could prompt further cooperation

Bijan Khajehpour

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

Conservative and reformist newspapers in Tehran on Sept. 18, 2021.

Iranian trade with China on the rise

China is focused on improving its economic ties with Iran as opposed to security cooperation.

An Iranian woman holds a poster of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally in support of wearing headscarves.

Khamenei supports stricter hijab enforcement in Iran

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei finally weighed in on the recent controversy over the country’s enforcement of strict Islamic dress for women.

Roxanne Tahbaz holds a photograph of her father, Morad Tahbaz.

Iran temporarily releases US-UK environmentalist Morad Tahbaz

His daughter Tara Tahbaz described the news of his temporary release as "surreal."