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Iran

October 22, 2026

Tehran 10:05 pm

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Explainer

What Iran’s threats to Hormuz internet cables mean for Gulf

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to cut crucial internet and communications routes in the region if US aggression escalates.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

US sanctions law firm based in Panama, Greece over Iran shipping ties

The Treasury Department accused Karnakis and Karnakis of registering shipping companies linked to Iran's so-called shadow fleet.

Latest News

Analysis

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

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)

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

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

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

Safin HAMID / AFP via Getty Images

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

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

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

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian attends an extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on June 16, 2015, in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah.

Iran warns US against wasting time in nuclear talks

Iran's hard-line foreign minister said Tehran will only pursue talks that bear tangible outcomes.

(L to R) French President Emmanuel Macron, Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrive for a group picture after the meeting in Baghdad on August 28, 2021. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran, Saudi Arabia set to resume new round of talks in Iraq

Iranian officials say talks with Riyadh counterparts will resume in Baghdad soon.

Then-Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi stands next to the new Iranian made drone "Epic" during a ceremony in Tehran on May 9, 2013.

Iran’s new interior minister seeks to empower provinces

More provincial discretion can help address problems, says Iran’s new interior minister.

Iran's Amir Khosravani competes in the men's long jump (T12) final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Aug. 30, 2021.

Iran strikes gold at Paralympics

Iranian athletes are currently atop the Middle East in medals won at the international sporting competition for disabled athletes, and one could soon make history in women's archery.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's new foreign minister visits Baghdad for regional summit

The summit is the latest effort by Iraq to reduce tensions between Iran and its Sunni Arab neighbors.

Motorcyclists with face masks in Tehran

Fears grow in Iran as pandemic worsens

Iran wrestles with record infection and mortality rates and officials worry that a new variant could come in on the heels of the Delta variant, which has been ravaging the country.

Inside Evin Prison.

Iran judiciary orders investigation into prison abuse

The head of Iran’s judiciary called for an investigation into the abuse at Evin Prison.

Evin Prison

Iran authorities embarrassed by hacked CCTV prison videos

The hacked videos that show various moments of abuse continue to trickle in and have drawn a rare apology from the country's top prison official.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian attends an extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the situation in Yemen on June 16, 2015 in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah.

Raisi's foreign minister pick indicates change for Iranian policy

The choice of incoming Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian suggests that new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is downgrading the role of the Foreign Ministry in regional conflicts.

Abdollahian

Iran to move away from nuclear-centered foreign policy

Iran’s likely new foreign minister will not be as focused on the nuclear deal as was his predecessor.

Taliban, imam at Kabul mosque

Will the Taliban welcome al-Qaeda back to Afghanistan?

Afghanistan's economy is hanging by a thread; Iran makes the best of the Taliban; the "resistance" finds inspiration; five must reads on Afghanistan.

Raisi speaks at swearing-in at parliament

Iran's art community fears 'Stalin era' under Raisi

President Ebrahim Raisi's pick for the post of culture minister has drawn a furious backlash from Iran's art community members, who fear there will be a return to stifling cultural restrictions.