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Iran

August 16, 2026

Tehran 9:07 pm

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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

Rouhani praises 'historic' day for Iran, India, Afghanistan

The leaders of Iran, India and Afghanistan gathered in Tehran to sign an agreement to develop a transit system connecting their countries via the southeastern Iranian port of Chabahar.

Is it time to tame Iran's lawless publishing sector?

Iranians are debating whether to join the international Berne Convention on copyright, with advocates arguing that signing on will bring legitimacy to Iranian publishing and detractors fearing copyright enforcement will only benefit the corrupt and powerful.

How Leonardo DiCaprio became unlikely champion in Iran

Iranians are elated that actor Leonardo DiCaprio is helping to raise awareness of the drying of Lake Urmia.

Iraqis divided over Soleimani's role in their country

Iran's Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani is stirring controversy in the Iraqi street, where citizens are waving both Iranian and Iraqi flags during demonstrations for or against his presence.

An Iranian anti-narcotics policeman stands guard beside a display of confiscated drugs during a ceremony concluding anti-narcotics manoeuvres in Zahedan, 1,605 kilometers (1,003 miles) southeast of Tehran May 20, 2009. The head of the U.N. crime agency praised Iran during a visit on Wednesday for curbing the flow of smuggled heroin from Afghanistan and helping keep the drug off Western streets. Picture taken May 20, 2009. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN CRIME LAW POLITICS SOCIETY) - RTXKL1B

Will Iran stop executions for drug offenses?

Mohammad Javad Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Human Rights Council, has been joined by other officials in his repeated calls to cut down on executions for drug offenses.

Rouhani’s greatest win on the verge of becoming liability

Both ends of the bargain of the nuclear deal must be delivered to ensure the agreement will be a lasting legacy.

Last year's disaster offers Saudis excuse to clamp down on hajj

The Saudi Interior Ministry is doing everything it can to keep this year's hajj season tragedy-free — including, conveniently, shutting out Iranian pilgrims over visa problems.

Why Iran should focus on Turkey, not Russia, for Syria cooperation

Despite all talk of a nascent Russian-Iranian alliance, it appears that Iranian interests — and the objective of peace in Syria — are perhaps best served through Iranian-Turkish cooperation.

Is Rafsanjani’s daughter headed for more legal trouble?

Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani faces possible legal action after appearing in a photo with leaders of Iran’s Baha’i community.

Iranian former vice-president Mohammad Reza Aref speaks during a reformist campaign for upcoming parliamentary election, in Tehran February 18, 2016. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX27KDB

Who will be Iran's next speaker of parliament?

The competition for the position of parliament speaker is heating up in Iran.

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington March 29, 2016. The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday split 4-4 for the first time in a major case since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia on a conservative legal challenge to a vital source of funds for organized labor, affirming a lower-court ruling that allowed California to force non-union workers to pay fees to public-employee unions. REUTERS/Gary Cameron - RTSCOU4

How Supreme Court decision to freeze Iran assets undermines US foreign policy

The US Supreme Court’s decision to seize Iranian assets to compensate terror victims is creating a backlash that undermines US business interests and could sabotage US foreign policy.

Iran parliament seeks damages for US support of Saddam

Iranian parliament passes bill to seek American assets for US actions taken against Iran in the past 63 years.