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October 21, 2026

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Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrive to hold a press conference after a meeting in Tehran on October 19, 2026. The Russian foreign minister arrived in Iran on October 19, in his first visit since the outbreak of the Middle East war as Moscow seeks to play a mediating role. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran

As Tehran looks for an off-ramp from renewed conflict, Moscow is positioning itself as a diplomatic partner while pushing Iran to deliver on long-delayed economic deals.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Ships are anchored off the coast of Khasab in Oman's Musandam Governorate, near the Strait of Hormuz, on Oct. 2, 2026.

IRGC claims it downed US drone, set two tankers ablaze near Hormuz

Iran has stepped up attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks.

Safin HAMID / AFP via Getty Images

Iran says deal reached with Iraq to expel Kurdish separatists: What to know

Iran said an agreement was reached with Iraq to expel or hand over members of Kurdish separatist groups based in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival in Tehran on Oct. 19, 2026.

Lavrov visits Tehran as Trump praises Russia's role on Iran: What to know

During a meeting with his Iranian counterpart earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin renewed Moscow’s offer to mediate between Tehran and Washington.

Latest News

Analysis

As Iran’s oil lifeline runs dry, can it outlast Trump's economic siege?

shoppers walking through the Tajrish Bazaar, a traditional market in Tehran

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Turkey turns to Iran to contain Houthis as Saudi defense commitments grow

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a press conference in Tehran on November 30, 2025.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Window for diplomacy with Iran may be closing as Trump again threatens Pickaxe Mountain

US President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse, New York, on Oct. 9, 2026.

Analysis

How much oil can cushion another Middle East supply shock?

A vessel transits the Gulf of Oman

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

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

Seated at the table are French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (L), U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (4th L), Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (C), European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (4th R), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (3rd R) and British Foreign Secretary William Hague (R) during a meeting of the Foreign Ministers representing the permanent five member countries of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly at th

Breaking: Iran, US hold direct talks in Geneva

During the latest round of P5+1 meetings, the US and Iran held bilateral talks which both sides described as 'useful.'

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) speaks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during a photo opportunity before the start of two days of closed-door nuclear talks at the United Nations offices in Geneva October 15, 2013. Iran will face pressure on Tuesday to propose scaling back its nuclear programme to win relief from crippling sanctions as talks between world powers and Tehran resume after a six-month hiatus. REUTERS/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool (SWITZERLAND - Tags: ENERGY PO

Diplomats: Follow on Iran nuclear talks in Geneva in November

In a rare joint statement issued by Iran and the P5+1, diplomats said that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif presented a framework for the negotiating process, which the US is seriously considering.

Islamic State urges Turkish businessmen to return to Iraq

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Turkey's economy minister says that in addition to IS prompting Turkish businessmen to return to Iraq, trade with Israel remains unaffected despite the current crisis, and 2015 will see an increase in exports and decrease in deficit.

Delegations from Iran and other world powers sit before the start of two days of closed-door nuclear talks at the United Nations offices in Geneva October 15, 2013. Iran will face pressure on Tuesday to propose scaling back its nuclear programme to win relief from crippling sanctions as talks between world powers and Tehran resume after a six-month hiatus. REUTERS/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool (SWITZERLAND - Tags: ENERGY POLITICS) - RTX14BO2

US and Iran Speak 'Same Language' in Nuclear Talks

Western diplomats have said that the latest round of talks on Iran's nuclear program, the first since the election of Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, have been the most substantive and given hope that an agreement could eventually be possible.

Reformist Iranian newspaper under fire for Gaza cartoon

An Iranian newspaper is under fire for a cartoon depicting Palestinian civilians as being "neutral" victims in a war between two sides, which some have interpreted the depicted conflict as being between Israel and Iran.

Wendy Sherman, U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs, talks during a news conference in Dhaka May 27, 2013. Sherman, a senior official of the U.S government, on Monday has asked international buyers, particularly U.S buyers, to play a critical role to ensure the safety and security of Bangladesh's garment workers. REUTERS/Andrew Biraj (BANGLADESH - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT) - RTX102T0

US negotiator to brief Congress on Iran talks

Lead US Iran nuclear negotiator, Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel that the Iranians seemed serious about wanting to close a deal and assured that the Obama administration would remain firm in negotiations.

Minister of Strategic and Intelligence Affairs for International Relations of Israel Yuval Steinitz attends a news conference after a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee during the 68th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York September 25, 2013. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX13ZWY

Israel Intel Minister: Not pessimistic about Iran deal

Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz has said while he believes Iran wants a nuclear deal to save its economy, the US should not let up on economic pressure or close an interim deal with the Islamic Republic as it would lead to the sanctions regime crumbling.

U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman (C) looks on at the start of two days of closed-door nuclear talks at the United Nations offices in Geneva October 15, 2013. Iran will face pressure on Tuesday to propose scaling back its nuclear programme to win relief from crippling sanctions as talks between world powers and Tehran resume after a six-month hiatus. REUTERS/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTX14BOC

Obama officials ask Congress to delay new Iran sanctions

Senior White House national security officials met with aides to Senate leaders and urged for a delay in new sanctions legislation being considered by the Senate Banking Committee.

(L-R) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken, National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Secretary of State John Kerry listen as President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki address reporters after their meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, November 1, 2013. Obama told visiting Al-Maliki on Friday that the United States wants an inclusive, prosperous Iraq free of violence. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLIT

White House meets Jewish leaders to press for delay in new Iran sanctions

Administration officials met with Jewish leaders and assured them the US would not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, but warned that additional sanctions at time could derail diplomacy.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif addresses a news conference following nuclear negotiations with European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who is leading talks with Iran on behalf of the six world powers, at the United Nations in Geneva October 16, 2013. Iran called two days of nuclear talks with six world powers, United States, Russia, France, Britain, Germany and China, that ended on Wednesday "fruitful" and said it hoped for a new phase in relations. He said two sides had for t

Iran FM Zarif outlines ideas to exit nuclear dispute

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif has said that throughout the last two month of nuclear talks he has proposed mechanisms be put in place to address the P5+1's concern of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon, while noting that Iran must be allowed to reach its objective of retaining a peaceful nuclear energy program.

Jacques Audibert, General and Stategic Affairs director of France (3rd L) talks to Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov (2nd L) as U.S. ambassador William Burns (C) Chinese assistant Foreign Minister Hailong Wu, European political adviser Robert Cooper from Britain and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (4th L-R) arrive for a meeting at the conference centre near the Swiss mission to the United Nations in Geneva, December 6, 2010. Six world powers began their first talks with Iran in more

Negotiators seek progress at Iran nuclear talks

Diplomats from the P5+1 and Iran aim to make headway during the next round of nuclear talks; however, Zarif has said that if a deal is not reached during the next meeting 'it’s not a disaster'.

U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman (C) looks on at the start of two days of closed-door nuclear talks at the United Nations offices in Geneva October 15, 2013. Iran will face pressure on Tuesday to propose scaling back its nuclear programme to win relief from crippling sanctions as talks between world powers and Tehran resume after a six-month hiatus. REUTERS/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTX14BOC

US sees 2-phase Iran nuclear deal

The US and five other powers will aim to reach an interim agreement that would halt the expansion of Iran's nuclear program in exchange for limited sanction relief before attempting to negotiate a comprehensive deal.