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Iran

June 18, 2026

Tehran 1:15 pm

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A shop owner counts Iranian banknotes at a store in the capital Tehran on Jan. 7, 2026.

How Iran stands to win major financial relief in Trump-backed deal

Iran will receive some upfront sanctions relief despite the Trump administration's pledge of “no dust, no dollars.”

A general view shows the Awad oil field in the eastern Qamishli countryside in northeastern Syria, on Feb. 9, 2026.

Explainer

Oil’s slide wavers as Trump warns US-Iran deal ‘not final’

Brent crude prices briefly jumped back above $80 per barrel on Wednesday as traders digested conflicting signals about efforts to end the war and reopen Hormuz.

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks with Tehran's Chamber of Commerce, June 17, 2026.

After US-Iran deal, Ghalibaf says Tehran seeks deeper ties with China

“China must believe and will believe that we are not just a customer or a trading partner, but a partner in every sense,” Ghalibaf said.

Trump

Read the full 14-point US-Iran deal

The US will issue waivers for Iranian oil sales upon the deal's signing, and Iran will have access to its frozen funds upon implementation.

Latest News

Trump says deal 'not final,' warns Iran to 'behave' or face renewed strikes

US President Donald Trump arrives to attend a musical interlude before a gala dinner as part of the G7 summit, in Evian, eastern France, on June 16, 2026.

Analysis

Why Iran's hard-liners are turning on each other over US deal

An Iranian woman waves a national flag at Valiasr Square in Tehran on June 15, 2026.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Scrutiny builds over Iran deal kept from lawmakers

Snipers set up their positions above of the US Capitol on Feb. 24, 2026 in Washington, DC.

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

Civil defence members rest amid rubble of damaged buildings after an airstrike on the rebel-held Tariq al-Bab neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria April 23, 2016. REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2BBAO

Salafi armed groups increase attacks in Syria

UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura warns that the cessation of hostilities is in “great trouble.”

Can US, Iran maintain ties after Obama?

After three years of frequent and intense US-Iranian diplomatic contacts during the successful Iran nuclear deal negotiations, can the United States and Iran maintain their diplomatic opening after President Barack Obama leaves office and John Kerry is no longer secretary of state?

A youth leans against a police car after being detained for a Western-style haircut in Tehran June 16, 2008. Iranian police have launched a more extensive crackdown on "social corruption" such as women flouting Islamic dress codes, the Farhang-e Ashti newspaper reported on Monday. The daily also reported that men with Western-style haircuts were confronted by the police and barber shops that gave them such haircuts were sealed off. Picture taken June 16, 2008. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAN) - RTX71DO

Tehran police chief defends new undercover morality police force

Tehran’s police chief, Hossein Sajedinia, has defended the decision to introduce 7,000 undercover morality officers in the capital, explaining the force will monitor security issues as well as appropriate women’s veiling.

Jordan's King Abdullah (2nd L) speaks with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L), upon his arrival at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan, August 4, 2015. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RTX1N1G0

Jordan pivots to Saudi Arabia

After years of a cool relationship between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, the two Arab kingdoms seem to be united to fight Iran’s regional interference.

U.S. Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY) speaks to the media before attending a closed meeting for members of Congress on the situation in Syria at the U.S. Capitol in Washington September 1, 2013. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTX133XB

Fight over Iran's access to dollars takes partisan turn

A flurry of Republican bills are getting no love from Democrats.

How sanctions relief became a tool in Iran’s domestic battles

Opponents of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have stepped up their criticism, claiming that Iran has not yet been reconnected to the global financial communications system.

Iranian former vice-president Mohammad Reza Aref and his wife Hamideh Moravvej Farshi attend a reformist campaign for upcoming parliamentary election, in Tehran February 18, 2016. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX27KDQ

Will Tehran's top Reformist MP take last shot at political leadership?

With Iran's next parliament close to being sworn in, Reformist frontrunner Mohammad Reza Aref is likely to challenge Ali Larijani for the position of speaker.

How one tragedy is bringing Afghans, Iranians together

The horrendous murder of a 6-year-old Afghan girl living outside Tehran brings Afghans and Iranians together.

Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad bin Amin Madani, Foreign Ministers Sameh Shoukry of Egypt (2nd R) and Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey (R) are seen during the opening session of the OIC Istanbul Summit in Istanbul, Turkey April 14, 2016. REUTERS/Sebnem Coskun/Pool - RTX29X4Z

Khamenei warns of 'soft war' between Iran, US

After the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned Hezbollah and Iran, Iran's supreme leader has indirectly criticized Saudi Arabia and called the condemnation meaningless.

Rouhani says reversing ruin from sanctions will take time

During a speech in the city of Semnan, President Hassan Rouhani said that the nuclear deal has already brought some benefits to Iran, advising caution that the effects of sanctions could linger a little longer.

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) meets with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington September 4, 2015. This is the king's first visit to the United States since ascending to the throne in January. REUTERS/Gary Cameron TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1R4YF

How Obama can push the Saudis to talk to Iran

As US President Barack Obama is due to visit Saudi Arabia, the UN Security Council should consider acting on its mandate to jump-start dialogue between regional actors on an inclusive security architecture.

A man walks on the rubble of damaged buildings in the rebel-controlled area of Jobar, a suburb of Damascus, Syria March 2, 2016. REUTERS/Bassam Khabieh - RTS8ZZ9

Syria talks pulled back from brink

UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura looked to the United States and Russia for help after the Syrian opposition said it will pause its participation in formal negotiations but stay in Geneva until it sees progress on strengthening the cease-fire and aid access.