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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

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

Iran judiciary investigates Ahmadinejad-era hiring practices

In Iran’s latest corruption case, the administration of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stands accused of overseeing the hiring of hundreds of thousands of unqualified ministerial staff members.

Najaf, Qom take different approaches in Iraq

The two religious authorities Najaf and Qom have divergent views on Iraq's political affairs, with Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi — the religious authority in Qom — identifying various actors in the Iraqi crisis, praising Shiite militias and accusing Sunni politicians.

Tehran mayor says gender segregation a question of dignity

The mayor of Tehran has defended plans to segregate city employees by gender, dismissing criticism in the foreign media with, “Let the BBC talk.”

Smoke trails are seen as rockets are launched towards Israel from the northern Gaza Strip July 12, 2014. Hamas militants launched ten rockets at Tel Aviv on Saturday, causing no casualties or damage, in the largest salvo yet on Israel's main business hub, since Israel launched its Gaza offensive against the Islamist group, five days ago. Picture shot using a long exposure. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR3YB6I

Did Iran train Gaza rocket makers?

While Iran was unable to smuggle rockets in, sources claim Tehran instead trained Gaza Strip groups to make their own.

'A Separation' director criticized in Iran for Gaza Facebook post

A widely-shared photo of Iranian director Asghar Farhadi and a human rights lawyer posing with a banner simply condemning “killing” in Gaza has caused controversy in Iran.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a joint news conference in Cairo June 22, 2014. Kerry said on Sunday the United States wanted Iraqis to find an inclusive leadership to contain a sweeping Islamist insurgency but Washington would not pick or choose who rules in Baghdad. Kerry was speaking at the start of a Middle East tour after talks in Cairo with Egypt's new President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi which covered Western concerns over Egypt's crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood and the fallout of the

Lawmakers: Kerry floats new sanctions on Iran

The secretary of state has told lawmakers that passing triggered sanctions could help get a nuclear deal.

Police explosive experts load the remains of a rocket into a van after it was intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome aerial defense system, in Tel Aviv July 11, 2014. Israeli air strikes on Gaza killed four more Palestinians before dawn on Friday, raising the death toll from the four day offensive to at least 85, while a Palestinian rocket hit a fuel tanker at an Israeli petrol station causing a huge blaze. REUTERS/Yaron Brener/Ynet (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY CONFLICT) ISRAEL OUT. NO COMMERCI

With little help from Iran, Hamas fights Israel with homemade rockets

Hamas’ rockets are locally produced and lacking a qualitative edge due to Iran’s decision to cut military support to the Islamist movement.

Women work in the Iranian interior ministry in Tehran March 15, 2008. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (IRAN) - RTR1YC35

City of Tehran’s female workers fired 'for own well-being'

Citing long hours and possible disruptions to family life, officials at the Tehran municipality have replaced female secretarial workers with men.

Hussein Shariatmadari, head of the hardline Kayhan publishing group and
Iran's most influential conservative commentator speaks with Reuters
correspondents at his office in Tehran January 7, 2003. Shariatmadari
said President Mohammad Khatami's bid to curb hardline opposition to
his reform policies with two new laws is doomed to failure.
REUTERS/Caren Firouz

CJF - RTRG8LH

Conservative Iranian newspaper editor insists on nuclear red lines

Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of the hard-line newspaper Kayhan, has identified several challenges facing the nuclear talks in Vienna.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to film or take pictures in Tehran.

An Internet user tries to log onto social networking site Facebook in Tehran in this May 25, 2009 file photo. The Farsi text reads "Dear Customer, access to this site is not possible. In the event that this site has been mistakenly filtered please email filter@dci.ir with the name of the domain and any other necessary explanation." Internet messages have been circulating

Facebook activists sentenced to prison, lashes in Iran

Eight Iranian Facebook activists have been sentenced to prison for terms ranging from eight to 21 years.

U.S. special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, Robert Einhorn (R) speaks as Daniel Glaser, the Treasury Department's deputy assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crimes looks on during a news conference at the Information Resource Center of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul August 2, 2010. REUTERS/Truth Leem (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY BUSINESS) - RTR2GZAI

US message on enrichment helped open Iran channel

Secret US-Iran diplomatic contacts got underway after US President Barack Obama conveyed a message that the United States would be prepared to accept limited Iran enrichment program in a serious nuclear agreement.

Israeli strike kills family having coffee

Members of the Hamad family were sitting drinking coffee in front of a relative’s home when an Israeli strike claimed their lives.