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Iran

November 7, 2026

Tehran 5:18 pm

14°C

Alexey BABUSHKIN / AFP via Getty Images

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

Iran protest

Ayatollah criticizes ‘British Shia’ as protests continue

The tweet from the Iranian Supreme Leader follows the Islamic Republic's complaints about London-based Persian language media outlets’ coverage of ongoing anti-government protests in Iran.

European flags fly at half-mast during a meeting of European Union energy ministers to find solutions to rising energy prices at the EU headquarters, one day after the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Brussels, Belgium, Sept. 9, 2022.

Report: Iran warns EU over sanctions threat

Some European diplomats have been advocating for sanctions against the Islamic Republic over its violent response to protests.

A demonstrator with an Iranian flag and red hands painted on her face attends a rally.

Iran chief judge says no mercy for protest organizers

The directive came after a green light from Iran's supreme leader and following another day of deadly unrest nationwide.

An Iranian pro-government protester wears a pin displaying a portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran's Khamenei tells officials to 'act on their duties' amid ongoing protests

Hours after Iran's supreme leader renewed his order for measures against protesters, Iranians took to the streets in several cities once again, calling for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.

Iran rials

Iran wants to use national currencies with Caspian states

At the Caspian Economic Forum, Iran promoted the idea, which would allow it to evade international financial sanctions.

AFP via Getty Images

Security forces reportedly fire on crowds as protests rock Kurdish city

Iranian security forces have been seen firing indiscriminately into residential neighborhoods in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj, which has hot spot of anti-government protests.

ROSH HANIKRA, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 11: Wind surfers surf by an Israeli navy boat in the mediterranean sea at the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon on October 11, 2022 in Rosh Hanikra, Israel. The agreement should resolve a territorial dispute in the eastern Mediterranean sea, where Lebanon wants to explore for natural gas. Israel is already extracting natural gas at nearby fields. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)

New PRO Memo: Israel-Lebanon maritime agreement to prompt working relations

Israel and Lebanon stand to gain much more than just new maritime borders after their recent deal. (access now with a free trial)

A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran on Sept. 21, 2022, shows Iranian demonstrators taking to the streets of the capital Tehran during a protest for Mahsa Amini, days after she died in police custody.

Iran’s Raisi heckled by female students as more protesters killed

Several deaths were reported in yet another day of turmoil in Iran, with women and men taking to the streets to confront armed riot police.

Iran protest

Teen deaths mark new episode in Iran's crackdown on protests

While the case of Mahsa Amini's death in custody is still far from being settled, Iranian officials have been embroiled by one report after another on the killing of teenage protesters.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Iran protests put Turkish government in tight spot

As their Western partners strongly react to the Iranian protests, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his administration remain curiously quiet.

A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran on Sept. 21, 2022, shows Iranian demonstrators taking to the streets of the capital Tehran during a protest for Mahsa Amini, days after she died in police custody.

US targets senior Iranian officials with new sanctions

Those sanctioned include Iran's interior and communications ministers.

Iranians walk past Sepah Bank in the capital Tehran, on June 15, 2022. - Iran has been wrestling with rampant price growth for years, exceeding 30 percent annually every year since 2018, according to the International Monetary Fund. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran's banking sector faces hurdles to reconnect to global financial system post-sanctions

Bijan Khajehpour

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics