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Iran

August 16, 2026

Tehran 1:04 am

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A Baluch Iranian man rides a bicycle

Analysis

Why Iran is intensifying wartime crackdown in restive Baluchistan

A string of security operations in Iran's southeast has underscored Tehran's enduring fears that wartime instability could aggravate longstanding ethnic, sectarian and economic grievances.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Motorists drive vehicles past a billboard depicting Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei along a street in central Tehran on August 8, 2026. Hopes for an imminent US-Iran deal to end the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz added to optimism that oil and gas, along with other key products, would again start flowing freely after more than five months of war. But oil prices turned higher ahead of the weekend in the absence of any confirmation of an accord, amid reports that Iran was planning to block US and Is

Explainer

What would BRICS Bank membership mean for Iran's reeling economy?

Iran’s Central Bank governor said the country will soon join the New Development Bank as he traveled to India this week for a meeting of the group’s finance leaders.

A photograph obtained from the Iranian Students’ News Agency shows an oil slick along the southern coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, August 13, 2026.

Oil spills off Oman, Iran's Qeshm Island reap environmental havoc amid war

One oil leak off the coast of Oman is estimated to cover more than 772 square miles, devastating local habitats.

Latest News

Iran’s Hormuz authority denies Trump claims of control over strait: What to know

Children swimming in the Strait of Hormuz

Hormuz traffic sinks to one-week low as ships attacked, talks stagnate

port attack

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's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif gestures as he speaks during a news conference in Riga, Latvia, June 2, 2016. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins - RTX2FB1T

Furious Zarif defends Iran's foreign policy to critic

In his first appearance since the Islamic Republic’s 10th parliament was inaugurated in May, Iran’s foreign minister lashed out at a political opponent for questioning the intentions of the country’s foreign policies.

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 22: Director Asghar Farhadi poses with his award for the Best Screenplay for the movie 'The Salesman (Forushande)' during the Palme D'Or Winner Photocall during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 22, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Celebrated abroad, Oscar-winning Iranian director comes under fire at home

Award-winning director Asghar Farhadi’s latest film to be chosen as Iran’s Oscar submission has come under fire from conservative critics at home.

The flag-draped coffin of former Israeli President Shimon Peres is carried by an honour guard at the start of his funeral ceremony at Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem September 30, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSQ60B

Is Peres’ peace legacy turning to ashes?

Akiva Eldar and Daoud Kuttab reflect on the legacy of former Israeli president Shimon Peres, who Eldar says offered a "bit of hope" for peace; Al-Monitor credited for breaking news on delisting of Iranian banks.

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani takes part in a press conference near the United Nations General Assembly in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., September 22, 2016. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson - RTSP0V5

Why Iran's hard-liners are ripping into Rouhani over NY visit

Despite the lack of buzz about potential meetings or phone calls with US officials, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has not been spared from domestic criticism following his latest trip to New York.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres talks during a presentation of his biography book in Tel Aviv in this March 21, 2006 file photo. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic/Files - RTSPRM8

Iran reacts to death of Israel’s founding father

As news of the death of Israeli founding father and prominent politician Shimon Peres broke, Iranian media outlets wasted no time in commenting on his legacy, and their various obituaries tell the story of a long and complex relationship between the two countries.

How Khamenei played his ace to sideline Ahmadinejad

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appeared to be on the verge of disobeying Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei until the ayatollah went public with his disapproval.

Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speak at their first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, U.S., September 26, 2016. Picture taken September 26, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar - RTSPO3R

Trump-Clinton debate dominates headlines in Iran

While some stayed awake in Iran to follow the first round of the US presidential debates live, others read about it in the press, which extensively covered both the event and the lively conversation sparked by the debate.

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati (R), a candidate for the upcoming vote on the Assembly of Experts, and Iran's former chief negotiator Saeed Jalili attend a conservatives election campaign gathering in Tehran February 24, 2016. The campaign gathering was titled "No to UK Meddling". REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX28EQJ

Financial watchdog worries Iranian hard-liners

Fierce criticism of engagement with the Financial Action Task Force rages on in Iran, but the government is holding firm with the support of several political heavyweights.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) meets with Iraq's Vice President Khudair al-Khuzaie (not seen) during his visit in Baghdad July 18, 2013. REUTERS/Hadi Mizban/Pool (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX11QSK

Khamenei puts stop to Ahmadinejad's return

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad finally puts an end to months of speculation about whether he will run for office in next year’s presidential vote.

Iran's former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (C), Iranian former vice president Mohammad Reza Aref (centre, L) and a group of reformists pose for a photo in Tehran February 22, 2016. REUTERS/Mohammad Kazempour/TIMA TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. IT IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ON

Is Iran's Rouhani about to ditch his longtime patron?

Rumor has is that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is distancing himself from his longtime patron Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

A man looks from the roof of a house destroyed by a Saudi-led air strike in old Sanaa city, Yemen, September 24, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi - RTSP8QJ

Will next US president shift Washington's Yemen policy?

To be seen as a legitimate peace broker, the United States must urge all sides in the Yemeni civil war to make necessary compromises.

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani takes part in a press conference near the United Nations General Assembly in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., September 22, 2016. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson - RTSP0V7

Iran releases jailed Iranian-Canadian academic

Just back from New York, President Hassan Rouhani has been harshly reminded that engagement with the United States should not go beyond the nuclear deal. Meanwhile, Iran releases a detained Iranian-Canadian professor.