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Iran

October 28, 2026

Tehran 6:19 am

14°C

A woman walks past a mural bearing the Iranian national flag

Analysis

How wartime urgency pushed Iran to court Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan

Tehran's push for a regional security order independent of Washington could be gaining diplomatic momentum, but the Islamic Republic has competing, if not conflicting, strategic priorities with the countries it hopes to engage.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia’s KBS, top Turkish and Pakistani officials hold rare meeting in Iran: What to know

In first such gathering, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman will join Pakistani army chief Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin for talks with Iranian officials amid fears of renewed US and Israeli attacks against Iran.

Putin

Analysis

Putin puts Trump ahead of Iran in bid to mediate war

Anton Mardosov, reporting from Moscow, and our correspondent in Tehran assess the limits of Russian influence in Iran; Ben Caspit reports that Netanyahu could force a unity government with an attack on Iran after the elections.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Motorists drive past an anti-US billboard in Tehran on Aug. 24, 2026.

Analysis

From Hormuz to data centers: How Iran’s threats are raising stakes of renewed war

As the prospect of renewed conflict looms, Tehran is escalating warnings that another war would impose prohibitive costs on Washington, its allies and global markets.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Analysis

How Netanyahu could attack Iran to force Israel into unity government after elections

Amir Levy/Getty Images

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

Explainer

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

MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images

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

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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 artists show solidarity as nation grapples with economic woes

As ordinary Iranians feel the pinch of their country’s economic crisis, a popular singer is planning free concerts to ease the pressure.

Will Russia, Iran dash Turkey's hopes of becoming energy corridor?

The recently signed Caspian protocol between the Caspian littoral states means that Iran and Russia can thwart Turkey’s hopes of transporting Turkmen gas and Kazakh oil via Turkey to Europe.

Dismissal of electricity minister fails to quell protests in Iraq

After a month of protests in Iraq over the lack of electricity and other public services, the Iraqi prime minister dismissed the minister of electricity, without any clear vision for a solution to the crisis.

Did concert in Iranian holy city topple an ayatollah's ban on music?

The singer Hesameddin Seraj gave the first concert in many, many years in Mashhad, a city known for its religious heritage, leading to speculation about more concerts to come.

Ankara’s eyes on Idlib as Astana group gathers in Sochi

Representatives from Turkey, Russia and Iran are reportedly meeting in Sochi to discuss the Syrian conflict, and Iran's presence in the war-torn area seems to figure prominently.

Caution and doubt in Iran as Trump offers direct dialogue

In Iran, political heavyweights respond to US President Donald Trump's sudden offer of "unconditional" talks.

Why is Europe underplaying its hand on Iran?

In a twist, Washington appears more aware of Europe’s ability to impact US sanctions on Iran than Europeans themselves.

U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a question as he holds a joint news conference with Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., July 30, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC177B101AC0

Trump says he's ready to meet Iran 'anytime'

US President Donald Trump said Monday that he’d be willing to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani anytime Iran wants, without any preconditions.

Iranian opposition leader in exile ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeiny gives a speech as journalists surround him at Roissy airport near Paris on January 31, 1979 before boarding an Air France "Jumbo Jet" bound to Tehran. Although Iran's US-backed shah had already fled the country when Khomeini returned from exile in the small French town of Neauphle-le-Chateau, the 747's landing is seen as the true start of the Islamic revolution. AFP PHOTO MARCEL BINH (Photo credit should read MARCEL BINH/AFP/Getty Images)

Will Iran reinstate its abolished Senate?

Nearly 40 years after the dissolution of the Senate, some Iranian politicians are increasingly speaking about the need to revive the country’s abolished political body.

After 7 years, Iran's Green Movement leaders may be released

While the news of the likely end of the house arrest for the Green Movement leaders was welcomed, many felt that it was happening too late.

Yemen war escalates as Houthis threaten UAE, Saudi Arabia

Escalating threats by Yemen's Houthi rebels indicate the group is still not intimidated by the Saudi-led coalition, portending more suffering for Yemeni civilians.

A Syrian boy holds the Iranian flag as a truck carrying aid provided by Iran arrives in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor on September 20, 2017 while Syrian government forces continue to press forward with Russian air cover in the offensive against Islamic State group jihadists across the province.
Two separate offensives are under way against the jihadists in the area -- one by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, the other by Russian-backed government forces. The Syrian army now controls around 70 percent

Did Israel nix Russian deal on Iran-backed forces in Syria?

Putin intensifies diplomacy with Israel and Turkey, as Iran adjusts its Syria policy after Helsinki; Damascus and Syrian Kurds keep talking; Al-Monitor breaks story on costs of US Embassy in Jerusalem.