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Iran

July 3, 2026

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Iranians walk past a billboard bearing a picture of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei ahead of his funeral in Tehran on July 3, 2026. Iranian leaders began paying their respects on July 3 before the coffin of the country's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, as Tehran prepared for a vast funeral. Khamenei's body arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on July 3 ahead of ceremonies which are expected to draw millions. (Photo by AFP via Getty

Analysis

Iran set to bury Khamenei, but his hard-line legacy may endure

The elaborate funeral for the late supreme leader is becoming more than a farewell; it serves as a carefully staged test of regime continuity after his decades-long rule.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Motorists drive past a billboard bearing a picture of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei, ahead of his funeral in Tehran on July 3, 2026. Iranian leaders began paying their respects on July 3 before the coffin of the country's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, as Tehran prepared for a vast funeral. Khamenei's body arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on July 3 ahead of ceremonies which are expected to draw millions. (Photo by AFP via Ge

Analysis

As US-Iran talks falter, Israel views war outcome as 'total strategic failure’

Israeli officials believe the US failure to attain the kind of agreement with Iran that it originally sought stems from the strategic mistakes made during and after the recent war.

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

Nathan Howard / AFP via Getty Images

As Trump touts nuclear progress, US-Iran talks show little momentum

With a final nuclear agreement far from reach, the US-Iran conflict risks settling into a new status quo.

Crude oil tankers, bulk carriers and vessels sit anchored around Qaboos Port on June 22, 2026, in Muscat, Oman.

Oil falls below $71 as US-Iran talks continue, Gulf exports rebound

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in an X post on Wednesday that Iran and the United States had made "positive progress."

Latest News

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

A woman touches victims' portraits as mourners attend an outdoor vigil for the victims of Ukrainian passenger jet flight PS752.

Canada, Ukraine take case against Iran for downed plane to UN court

Iran recently sentenced members of the armed forces to prison for their role in shooting down Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in 2020, but Canada, Ukraine and other countries whose citizens died in the incident continue to reject Iran’s handling of the matter.

Women take part in a rally in support of Iranian women in Pristina on Oct. 12, 2022.

Iran's Raisi blames 'enemies' for hijab violations, urges action against women defying

The Iranian president's order for action came in response to fast-growing defiance from a new generation of women challenging the strict dress code, which has been a fundamental pillar of the ruling theocracy.

A picture shows the Iranian South Pars quarter one (SPQ1) gas platform in the Gulf near Qatar's territorial waters on Jan. 26, 2011.

Kuwait rejects Iran's drilling plans in disputed gas field in Gulf

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have a longstanding dispute with Iran over the Durra gas field. The recent disagreement follows improvement in Iran's relations with both countries.

A kiosk in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Oct. 30, 2022.

Iran: 3 women journalists go on trial as rulers continue with crackdown

Repression of journalists has worsened since widespread protests began in Iran last year, and the government is also restricting use of VPNs.

Malley

GOP lawmakers demand answers on Iran envoy Malley's suspension

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul is requesting “all documents and communications” related to Robert Malley’s leave and security clearance suspension.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdoulahian hold a joint press conference following their talks in Moscow on March 29, 2023.

Iran to become full member of Shanghai alliance: Russian FM

Gulf states are also seeking to join China and Russia in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Robert Malley, Biden administration special envoy for Iran, waits to testify about the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations on Capitol Hill May 25, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran envoy Rob Malley on leave over security clearance probe

The State Department says Abram Paley is currently serving as the acting special envoy for Iran.

A photo illustration taken on March 30, 2018 in Beijing shows the screen of a laptop with the word "VPN" written in the search field of the Chinese Baidu website. Chinese authorities had announced that all unrecognised VPN services would be blocked by March 31, meaning that Chinese and foreign companies must choose from a limited number of state-approved VPNs. / AFP PHOTO / FRED DUFOUR (Photo credit should read FRED DUFOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran, Yemen, Saudi Arabia follow close behind China in VPN blocking

China led the ranking, blocking about 73% of all attempts to access VPN providers, with Iran and several Gulf Arab countries following close behind.

Iranian police chief General Ahmad-Reza Radan attends a military parade marking the country's annual army day in the capital Tehran on April 18, 2023. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran police chief makes rare visit to Russia for surveillance deals

The police commander's trip came against the backdrop of Iran's months-long unrest and reports that Tehran has been seeking Moscow's advice and surveillance equipment to crack down on dissent.

Antony Blinken

Blinken denies ‘agreement’ with Iran amid talk of informal deal

The US Secretary of State said "there is no agreement in the offing" amid reports the two countries are close to an informal arrangement aimed at de-escalating tensions.

Muslim worshippers take pictures of each other after attending the Eid al-Adha morning prayers at Doha's Education City Stadium, which hosted matches during Qatar's 2022 FIFA World Cup, on the first day of the Muslim holiday on June 28, 2023. Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, marks the end of the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatar seen most peaceful in Middle East as Israel dips, Turkey ties Iran: GPI

The Global Peace Index placed Turkey as the least peaceful country in Europe ranking, and tied with Iran as the 147th most peaceful country globally.

Members of the People's Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI) hold the picture of a deceased person.

Iran cheers Albania's raid on exiled MEK group, wants more

Tehran expressed satisfaction with the Albanian government's surprise crackdown on the largest exiled Iranian opposition organization, which has been engaged in violence against the Islamic Republic for over four decades.