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Iran

November 7, 2026

Tehran 1:10 pm

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Analysis

Iran turns to Putin as war, US election reshape strategic calculations

A Kremlin meeting with Iran's top security official coupled with reports of new arms deals amid looming war demonstrate Tehran's push to turn vulnerability into strategic leverage.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Tump

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.

Latest News

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

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

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

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 President-elect Hassan Rohani (C) speaks to the media following a visit to the Khomeini mausoleum in Tehran June 16, 2013. Reuters/Fars News/Seyed Hassan Mousavi (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - RTX10Q47

Rouhani Presidency Could Bolster US-Iran Exchanges

A new report suggests steps to increase academic, scientific and other exchanges between the US and Iran as a cost-effective way to help both countries and lay the ground for normal diplomatic relations.

Iranian Youth Hedge Hopes on Rouhani

Iranian youth, who voted in large numbers for Hassan Rouhani for president, are mixed on whether he can deliver on Iran’s economy.

Iran's Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi (C) arrives to attend a meeting with India's Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram (not seen) in New Delhi May 28, 2013. Iran has offered insurance to Indian refiners in a bid to boost its crude sales, industry sources said, though some oil executives warned the plan would not remove the threat of western sanctions. The offer was made during a visit to India led by Qasemi in a bid to revive crude sales from its second-largest customer. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi (INDIA - Tags:

Production-Sharing Contracts Could Help Renew Iran Oil Market

Iran is changing its oil contracts to try to overcome sanctions and compete with Iraq.

Election officials count votes during the Iranian presidential elections in Qom, 120 km (75 miles) south of Tehran June 15, 2013. Moderate cleric Hassan Rohani took a solid lead over conservative rivals on Saturday in preliminary vote counting in Iran's presidential election in what could be the makings of a surprise victory over favoured hardliners. REUTERS/Fars News/Seyed Ruhollah Kalantari (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)
ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL US

The Decline of Iran’s Hard-Liners

The election of Hassan Rouhani as president of Iran has revealed Iran's Principlist camp as a house of cards.

Iranian President-elect Hassan Rohani speaks to the media following a visit to the Khomeini mausoleum in Tehran June 16, 2013. Reuters/Fars News/Seyed Hassan Mousavi (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - RTX10Q4G

What Are Rouhani’s Critics Afraid of?

Attacks on Hassan Rouhani since his election seem inspired less by outrage at his record than by fear that the United States and Iran will achieve some accommodation in nuclear talks.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani speaks with a Reuters correspondent during a private interview in Tehran February 6, 2005. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi RH/CJF/AA - RTRMHK5

Rouhani Win Could Reduce Iran-Saudi Tensions

While Iran's President-elect Hassan Rouhani has said that improving relations with Saudi Arabia will be among his top priorities, no one should expect their mutual hostility to end completely.

Iranian President-elect Hassan Rohani (2nd R) pays his respects to the grave of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini at his mausoleum in Tehran June 16, 2013. Reuters/Fars News/Seyed Hassan Mousavi (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - RTX10Q4E

Israel Tries to Game Rouhani

Hassan Rouhani's victory in the Iranian presidential elections caught Israel and the West by surprise.

Palestinian girls take part in a ballet class at Gaza college in Gaza City September 3, 2012. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: SOCIETY EDUCATION) - RTR37FYP

Iran Cuts Funding to Hamas For Cultural Programs

Iranian funds for Gaza's cultural, education and sports scene have withered due to the fallout with Hamas over Syria.

Congress Not Won Over By Rouhani Victory in Iran

Congress wants to press ahead with sanctions on Iran but the White House may go slow if Iran improves cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

A supporter of moderate cleric Hassan Rohani celebrates his victory in Iran's presidential election along a street in Tehran June 16, 2013. Rohani won Iran's presidential election on Saturday, the interior ministry said, scoring a surprising landslide victory over conservative hardliners without the need for a second round run-off. REUTERS/Yalda Moayeri (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTX10PBJ

The Rouhani Surprise

The election of Hassan Rouhani as president of Iran has defied analysts and created an opportunity for the West.

Shi'ite Muslims attend a religious ritual at the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, January 8, 2011. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen (IRAQ - Tags: RELIGION POLITICS) - RTXWC4X

Prominent Shiite Clerics Diverge From Iran on 'Islamic' Punishment

While Iran continues to enforce Islamic punishment through its legal system, many Shiite clerics remain critical of such practices.

A Shi'ite Muslim reads a book at the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, January 9, 2011. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen (IRAQ - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY) - RTXWD4I

Fewer Iranian Religious Tourists Are Visiting Iraq's Holy Places

Economic and security concerns have led to a marked decrease in the number of Iranians visiting Iraq as religious tourists.