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November 7, 2026

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Can Trump turn midterm defeat into Iran breakthrough?

Although Iran may have contributed to Republican losses in midterms, the Trump administration still has a historic opportunity in the Middle East.

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

As Trump weighs Iran strikes, possible nuclear opening emerges

Sticking points include Iran's highly enriched uranium and lack of access for international inspectors.

Russian Mil Mi-8 military helicopters fly over a joint Russian and Turkish convoy, northeastern Hasakeh province, Syria, Feb. 4, 2021.

Russia to provide Iran with 90 missile launchers as military ties grow: Reports

Multiple recent reports reveal increased Russian support for Iran, including weapons and intelligence sharing.

Latest News

Turkey says soldier killed by gunfire from Iran at border: What to know

A sign marking the border of Turkey in Van, Turkey, on March 14, 2026.

Explainer

Democrats’ midterm sweep tests US-Israel ties as Eisenkot vows reset

An aerial view shows a campaign billboard depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party and President Donald Trump in Tel Aviv, on Oct. 26, 2026, on the eve of Israel's legislative elections.

Analysis

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

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.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

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

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

British Foreign Minister William Hague (L). gestures as he meets with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at the beginning of their bilateral meeting at the United Nations in New York September 23, 2013. REUTERS/Jason DeCrow/Pool (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX13X4E

Negotiators beat back disinfo ahead of Iran nuclear talks

Ahead of the next round of P5+1 talks, US officials have denied claims that there is a secret nuclear agreement between the US and Iran and that the US has seen an Iranian proposal.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks to the media after a meeting of the foreign ministers representing the permanent five member countries of the United Nations Security Council, including Germany, at the U.N. Headquarters in New York September 26, 2013. U.S. and Iranian officials emerged upbeat on Thursday from a meeting on Iran's nuclear program but both sides also sounded a cautionary note, with the United States saying there was more work to do and Iran insisting on quick sanctions relie

Will Iran go big in Geneva?

The six world powers expect Iran to present a more practical nuclear proposal, but Iran has urged the media and others not to speculate.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (C) arrives to meet with the foreign ministers representing the permanent five member countries of the United Nations Security Council, including Germany, at UN Headquarters in New York September 26, 2013. Iran's new government began its first talks on its nuclear program with the United States and five other world powers on Thursday, with the Iranian foreign minister taking a seat next to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in a rare high-level contact between th

Diplomats from P5+1 meet in Geneva, Kerry flies home

Iranian media expressed disappointment that US secretary of State John Kerry and other P5+1 foreign ministers would not join the nuclear talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks to the media after a meeting of the foreign ministers representing the permanent five member countries of the United Nations Security Council, including Germany, at the U.N. Headquarters in New York September 26, 2013. U.S. and Iranian officials emerged upbeat on Thursday from a meeting on Iran's nuclear program but both sides also sounded a cautionary note, with the United States saying there was more work to do and Iran insisting on quick sanctions relief. REUTERS

US on Iran talks: No one should expect breakthrough overnight

Western diplomats have said that they are hopeful for the nuclear proposal Iran is set to give at the next round of P5+1 talks, but caution not to expect an immediate breakthrough.

US. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman (R) arrives with U.S. ambassador to Syria Robert Ford (2nd L) for a meeting on Syria at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva June 25, 2013. REUTERS/Fabrice Coffrini (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX110CI

West praises 'useful, detailed' Iran nuclear proposal

During the latest round of P5+1 talks on Iran's nuclear program, the Islamic Republic presented a nuclear proposal in a meeting that all parties described as substantive and productive.

Seated at the table are French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (L), U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (4th L), Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (C), European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (4th R), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (3rd R) and British Foreign Secretary William Hague (R) during a meeting of the Foreign Ministers representing the permanent five member countries of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly at th

Breaking: Iran, US hold direct talks in Geneva

During the latest round of P5+1 meetings, the US and Iran held bilateral talks which both sides described as 'useful.'

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) speaks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during a photo opportunity before the start of two days of closed-door nuclear talks at the United Nations offices in Geneva October 15, 2013. Iran will face pressure on Tuesday to propose scaling back its nuclear programme to win relief from crippling sanctions as talks between world powers and Tehran resume after a six-month hiatus. REUTERS/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool (SWITZERLAND - Tags: ENERGY PO

Diplomats: Follow on Iran nuclear talks in Geneva in November

In a rare joint statement issued by Iran and the P5+1, diplomats said that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif presented a framework for the negotiating process, which the US is seriously considering.

Islamic State urges Turkish businessmen to return to Iraq

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Turkey's economy minister says that in addition to IS prompting Turkish businessmen to return to Iraq, trade with Israel remains unaffected despite the current crisis, and 2015 will see an increase in exports and decrease in deficit.

Delegations from Iran and other world powers sit before the start of two days of closed-door nuclear talks at the United Nations offices in Geneva October 15, 2013. Iran will face pressure on Tuesday to propose scaling back its nuclear programme to win relief from crippling sanctions as talks between world powers and Tehran resume after a six-month hiatus. REUTERS/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool (SWITZERLAND - Tags: ENERGY POLITICS) - RTX14BO2

US and Iran Speak 'Same Language' in Nuclear Talks

Western diplomats have said that the latest round of talks on Iran's nuclear program, the first since the election of Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, have been the most substantive and given hope that an agreement could eventually be possible.

Reformist Iranian newspaper under fire for Gaza cartoon

An Iranian newspaper is under fire for a cartoon depicting Palestinian civilians as being "neutral" victims in a war between two sides, which some have interpreted the depicted conflict as being between Israel and Iran.

Wendy Sherman, U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs, talks during a news conference in Dhaka May 27, 2013. Sherman, a senior official of the U.S government, on Monday has asked international buyers, particularly U.S buyers, to play a critical role to ensure the safety and security of Bangladesh's garment workers. REUTERS/Andrew Biraj (BANGLADESH - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT) - RTX102T0

US negotiator to brief Congress on Iran talks

Lead US Iran nuclear negotiator, Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel that the Iranians seemed serious about wanting to close a deal and assured that the Obama administration would remain firm in negotiations.

Minister of Strategic and Intelligence Affairs for International Relations of Israel Yuval Steinitz attends a news conference after a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee during the 68th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York September 25, 2013. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX13ZWY

Israel Intel Minister: Not pessimistic about Iran deal

Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz has said while he believes Iran wants a nuclear deal to save its economy, the US should not let up on economic pressure or close an interim deal with the Islamic Republic as it would lead to the sanctions regime crumbling.