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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

TEHRAN, IRAN - JULY 6: Newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian gestures during a visit to the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on July 6, 2024 in Tehran, Iran. Masoud Pezeshkian, considered the reformist candidate among the six approved contenders for the country's presidency, won office on Friday after a runoff election. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

After Pezeshkian win, Iran nuclear diplomacy hinges on US election

Iran’s president-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, says he wants to negotiate with the United States, but is the feeling mutual?

Newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a visit to the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on July 6, 2024.

Iran's Pezeshkian assures Russia’s Putin, Hezbollah chief of continued support

Masoud Pezeshkian's messages indicate that Iran's strategic ties with Russia and militia allies are unlikely to change under his presidency, as the agenda largely rests with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 04: Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines speaks during a hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 04, 2023 in Washington, DC. Haines testified alongside Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier and took questions on the intelligence communities annual threat assessment. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Top intelligence official warns Iran meddling in Gaza protests inside US

The director of national intelligence said "actors tied to Iran's government" are encouraging the protests and "even providing financial support" to those participating.

Iranian reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian (C-R) and Iran's former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (C-L) gesture after voting in Tehran on July 5, 2024. Polls opened on July 5 for Iran's runoff presidential election, the interior ministry said, pitting reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili in the race to succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a May helicopter crash. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Can Iran's new president challenge country's powerful hard-liners?

From the revival of the nuclear deal and fixing the battered economy to easing hijab restrictions and improving women's rights, the Reformist president has made ambitious promises to the disillusioned electorate.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iranian reformist presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian (C) gestures while surrounded by supporters outside a polling station in Tehran on July 5, 2024.

Polls close in Iran's presidential runoff: Estimates of nearly 50% turnout

Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and hard-liner Saeed Jalili faced off in Friday's vote after many Iranians boycotted the first round of the voting.

Presidential candidates Masoud Pezeshkian (L) and Saeed Jalili are seen in a screen grab from Monday's debate.

Iran’s Jalili, Pezeshkian spar over sanctions as calls for boycott grow

Iran's supreme leader remained silent on the record-low turnout seen last week, and state media went out of their way to draw in more voters to prevent further embarrassment.

An Iranian woman casts her vote at a polling station in Tehran during Iran's presidential election on June 28, 2024.

Analysis

Iran's record low voter turnout stirs debates on eroding legitimacy

Amid widespread boycotts and despite the state's media campaigns to bring out voters, Iran's presidential election registered the lowest ever turnout for the theocratic establishment that has long invested in public support to boost its legitimacy abroad.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Saeed Jalili, ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator and Iran's presidential candidate, waves to the crowd after casting his vote at a polling station in Tehran during Iran's presidential election on June 28, 2024.

Polls close in Iran's election with vote marred by apathy, discontent

The four candidates, who are all approved by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, are running at a time of economic crunch and discontent with the government inside Iran.

An Iranian cleric walks past a banner and posters with the image of presidential candidate, conservative Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as he walks along a street days before the national snap elections, in Tehran on June 26, 2024. Six candidates are vying in the June 28 snap elections to succeed the ultraconservative president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran election: With 4 candidates left, hard-liners rally behind Ghalibaf, Jalili

Hard-liner Saeed Jalili and Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian topped two recent polls, though many Iranians say they don't plan to vote amid widespread opposition to the government.

ABDEL GHANI BASHIR/AFP via Getty Images

Iran claims Saudi Arabia won't let Iranian pilgrims vote

Iranian worshippers resumed Umrah pilgrimages to holy sites in Saudi Arabia in April after the two countries resumed relations last year.

A man gestures as he holds up a small election flag during a campaign rally for reformist candidate Massoud Pezeshkian at Afrasiabi Stadium in Tehran on June 23, 2024 ahead of the upcoming Iranian presidential election. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Does China have favorite in Iran's presidential election?

The question of whether Iran's next president will maintain the country's current anti-West, anti-US position while pursuing improved relations with Beijing is foremost in China's mind.

Pictured are participants of the 19th Asia Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial Meeting held June 24, 2024, in Tehran.

US cautious on Iran’s Bahrain frozen funds claims, warns of sanctions

The official Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Monday that officials from Iran's and Bahrain’s central banks held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the release of Iran's “foreign exchange resources in Bahrain.”