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Iran

November 4, 2026

Tehran 9:57 pm

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Iranians walk along a building installed with a giant poster depicting Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during a rally in front of the former US embassy to mark the anniversary of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, in Tehran on Nov. 4, 2026.

Analysis

Iran cheers Democrats’ midterm victory but fears Trump's next move

The Democratic win was a victory Tehran had been waiting to claim and project as evidence that Trump's confrontation with Iran has backfired.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

The sun sets on the US Capitol on Election Day evening on Nov. 3, 2026 in Washington.

From Tehran to Tel Aviv, Democrats’ midterm triumph sparks Middle East reactions

Iranian officials responded gleefully to the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the Senate and House, while regional media highlighted Abdul El-Sayed’s election as the first Muslim American senator.

RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

War, oil, AI: What US midterms could mean for Middle East economies

Governments across the Middle East will be watching closely after the election amid fears the US-Israel-Iran war could spiral into a new cycle of violence.

A police officer monitors traffic as he stands under portraits of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, on Oct. 21, 2026.

Iran executes two men in case tied to January protests: What to know

Iran has stepped up executions during the war with the US, and attacks on police are on the rise in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan.

Latest News

Analysis

'All we can do is wait': Netanyahu's push for Iran strikes hangs on Trump’s post-midterm call

Evan Vucci/Getty Images

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

Iran gives 2-day window for Hormuz deal as US mulls strikes: What to know

Iranian motorists drive past a poster of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in central Tehran on Nov. 1, 2026. I

Will Iran take up Vance lifeline to avoid another US attack?

US Vice President JD Vance speaks to the media at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on Oct. 27, 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

IAEA chief testifies before Iran parliament committee

Yukiya Amano, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, faced tough questions from parliament members of Iran who are reviewing the final nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1.

Will boycott campaign put the brakes on Iran's auto industry?

On the cusp of no longer facing Western sanctions, Iranian carmakers now face a domestic boycott of their vehicles over price and quality concerns.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, September 21, 2015. Netanyahu said his visit to Moscow on Monday was aimed at preventing clashes between Russian and Israeli military forces in the Middle East. REUTERS/Ivan Sekretarev/Pool - RTS25BW

Israel fears return of Persian Empire

According to a senior IDF source, Israel's major concern should be the Iran-Shiite-Hezbollah axis and Iran gaining regional influence and power after the nuclear agreement.

Is this the next movie to be banned by Egypt?

Al-Azhar says it opposes the Iranian movie “Muhammad: The Messenger of God” because of representations of the prophet, but some suspect political motives behind its reaction.

Pressure shifts to Iran to implement nuclear deal

No sanctions to be lifted until Iran puts in place unprecedented nuclear safeguards; White House spokesman calls out critics of Syria policy; Aleppo region a "living hell"; siege of Madaya continues.

A picture taken on September 28, 2013 and obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency shows Iranian soldiers destroying satellite dishes with an army tank in a street of the southwestern city of Shiraz. The Iranian authorities carry out regular crackdowns to seize satellite dishes, removing them from rooftops, and issue warnings against their use. AFP PHOTO/ ISNA/MOHSEN TAVARO (Photo credit should read MOHSEN TAVARO/AFP/Getty Images)

Will Rouhani end jamming of satellite TV signals?

In Iran, controversy continues over the hotly debated issue of the jamming of signals from foreign-based satellite channels.

130730-D-NI589-235 Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia Pacific Security Affairs Peter Lavoy, right, and State Department Deputy to the Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Jarrett Blanc brief the press on a report titled, "Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan," in the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on July 30, 2013. DoD photo by Glenn Fawcett. (Released)

US announces nuke deal implementation team

Outgoing ambassador to Poland Stephen Mull, a former senior adviser to William Burns, will lead the team coordinating the Iran nuclear deal implementation. US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Jarrett Blanc will serve as deputy coordinator.

Why Iran, Saudi Arabia keep locking horns on Syria

The window of opportunity for regional dialogue provided by the Iran nuclear deal appears wasted as Tehran and Riyadh stick to their positions.

TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY ALI NOORANI - A picture taken on September 12, 2015 shows an Iranian couple getting into a Pride car (manufactured by SAIPA Iranian auto manufacturer) in northern Tehran. A campaign to boycott "substandard and expensive" Iranian-made cars has fired up social media in the Islamic republic, where its supporters have been accused of anti-revolutionary treason. AFP PHOTO / ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Why is Iran's health minister complaining about domestic-made cars?

After a social media campaign to boycott Iranian-made cars, Iranian officials weigh in on the matter.

Khamenei asks IRGC to prevent 'enemy’s influence'

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, asking them to protect the country from foreign influence.

US to name coordinator for implementing Iran nuclear deal

With the Iran nuclear deal expected to survive congressional review, the Obama administration is preparing to pivot from defending the deal to the crucial task of implementing it, with diplomat Stephen Mull leading the new office to coordinate JCPOA implementation for the US government.

Iranian authorities scramble to stop 'Beat the Arab'

An online game targeting Arabs and hosted on Iranian websites is prompting authorities to take action.