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Iran

October 8, 2026

Tehran 6:58 pm

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An undated image of Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi.

Meet Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, Iran's defense minister nominee

Akhlaghi Ketabchi has been heavily involved in Iran's missiles programs, and it is not clear how much input Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had in the nomination process.

Kyrgyz servicemen take part in the "Eurasia-Antiterror 2023" joint military drills

Iran joins SCO drill as China resists direct intervention in US-Iran war

An IRGC official said the exercise will focus on countering extremist activities and containing violent groups.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at the Pnyx hill, where ancient Athenians held democratic assemblies, with the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis seen in the background, in Athens on October 7, 2026. (Photo by Mark Schiefelbein / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Explainer

Rubio says Iran ‘lost’ Hormuz. Has it?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Iran has “lost complete control” of the waterway, pointing to the recovery in Gulf oil exports in September.

Vance

US enrichment stance unclear as Vance urges 'meaningful' Iran cuts

It's unclear whether Vice President Vance was signaling a retreat from earlier demands of zero enrichment in a final deal or describing preliminary steps Iran would need to take to end the war.

Latest News

Satellite images could indicate return to activity at Iranian compound: Report

smoke rising after a strike on the Iranian capital of Tehran

Analysis

Iran’s execution drive intensifies as war provides cover for repression

People gather during protest on Jan. 8, 2026 in Tehran

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Hormuz tanker attacks mount, putting oil flows at risk

Vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of the port city of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran

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

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

Iran's presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi (3rd R) joins a crowd of supporters in Tehran June 17, 2009. REUTERS/Demotix (IRAN POLITICS ELECTIONS CONFLICT) - GM1E56I0IW301

Freeing Green Movement leaders is losing value as trump card for Tehran

While the Iranian political establishment could once have energized the disheartened public via the release of the detained Green Movement leaders, such a step is no longer likely to have the same impact it once would have had.

Why Iran isn't concerned over US plans for 'Arab NATO'

Contrary to what some may have expected, Iran does not appear concerned about US efforts to set up an "Arab NATO" — and for good reasons.

Talk of referendum on Trump meeting goes viral in Iran

The idea of holding referendums in Iran is generating lots of posts on social media, especially a vote on President Hassan Rouhani possibly meeting with Donald Trump, a topic on which the print media is largely steering clear.

US game plan on Iran written in Tel Aviv, claim Israeli insiders

Israeli sources claim that the actions taken by the Donald Trump administration against the Iranian regime all originate in Tel Aviv.

Iran’s president goes on TV to offer hope as US reimposes sanctions

In a televised interview, Iran’s president tried to renew hope among Iranians as US sanctions were reimposed on the country’s troubled economy.

Iranian MPs, activists lobby to force government to hire young managers

An initiative to compel the Iranian government to start hiring younger staff for managerial positions appears to be gaining steam.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 08: White House National Security Advisor John Bolton (L) and Vice President Mike Pence listen to President Donald Trump announce his decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in the Diplomatic Room at the White House May 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. After two and a half years of negotiations, Iran agreed in 2015 to end its nuclear program in exchange for Western countries, including the United States, lifting decades of economic sanctions. Since then interna

US hopes new sanctions fuel Iran protests

The US administration said it hoped that renewed economic sanctions on Iran going into effect Tuesday will spur Iranian protests and pressure the regime to accept Donald Trump’s offer for talks.

US Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson (C), is seen inside a car escorted by Turkish plain clothes police officers as he arrives at his house on July 25, 2018 in Izmir. - A Turkish court on July 25, 2018 ruled to place under house arrest US pastor who has been imprisoned for almost two years on terror-related charges in a case that has raised tensions with the United States, state media said. The state-run Anadolu news agency said he was being put under house arrest, although it was not clear if he had already lef

Turkey remains defiant in row with US over pastor as deal falls through

A possible deal to end the US-Turkish row over an American pastor detained in Izmir appears to have failed after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heaped additional demands on an agreement.

How regional politics is restraining Kurdish militancy in Iran

While some Iranian Kurdish armed opposition groups are intent on raising the heat on Iran amid ongoing US pressure, other groups are careful not to enter a conflict that may spiral out of control.

Iraqi-Kurdistan

Zarif says US primary goal is to ‘create chaos’ in Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif believes Iran can weather the storm of US sanctions.

Culture alert: Music mixed with history in August

Some of the August festivals in the Middle East take place in spectacular settings, from Cairo to Byblos to Troy.

As ringmaster, Russia runs Israel-Iran balancing act in Syria

A deal brokered by Russia has something for everyone involved — Syria, Israel, Iran and, of course, Russia itself — and has defused at least temporarily what could have become a deadly showdown between Israel and Iran.