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Iran

October 22, 2026

Tehran 11:55 am

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US sanctions law firm based in Panama, Greece over Iran shipping ties

The Treasury Department accused Karnakis and Karnakis of registering shipping companies linked to Iran's so-called shadow fleet.

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

Latest News

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

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

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

Safin HAMID / AFP via Getty Images

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

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

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

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

Policemen check oil pipelines during a patrol in Shueiba refinery in Iraq's southern province of Basra August 26, 2010. Baghdad has signed multi-billion deals with oil firms to boost output capacity to 12 million barrels a day in seven years, rivalling top oil exporter Saudi Arabia. That could give Iraq the money it needs to rebuild after decades of war, sanctions and economic degradation. But everything depends on whether the OPEC member can secure its vital oilfields, refineries and other infrastructure a

Iran wary of Iraqi plans to increase oil exports

Though its own exports are limited by international sanctions, Iran has criticized Iraq’s intentions to fill the market gap by increasing its own oil exports.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (2nd R) hugs French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius after a ceremony at the United Nations in Geneva November 24, 2013. Iran and six world powers reached a breakthrough agreement early on Sunday to curb Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief, in a first step towards resolving a dangerous decade-old standoff. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX15QNB

The deal with Iran, and what comes next

The agreement with Iran opens up new possibilities for both the United States and Russia in the Middle East.

'Rouhani moment' in announcing nuclear deal in Iran

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani lauds the Iranian people for support of their “initial steps” in securing a first-step nuclear agreement.

Should Reformists go conservative in parliamentary elections?

As former Iranian Reformist presidential candidate Mohammad Reza Aref begins to form a broad coalition of Reformist groups, analysts and activists are taking public positions on what is the best strategy for Reformists to take over the parliament and aid President Hassan Rouhani's moderate policies.

Egypt's interim President Adly Mansour (C), General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (2nd R) and Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy (R) meet with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (2nd L) and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) at El-Thadiya presidential palace in Cairo, November 14, 2013. Sisi hailed a new era of defence cooperation with Russia on Thursday during a visit by Russian officials, signalling Egyptian efforts to revive ties with an old ally and send a message to Washington after it suspended military aid. RE

Russia's turnaround in the Middle East

Russian foreign policy in the region has benefited from a steady, nonideological focus as well as the missteps and neglect of other powers.

French President Francois Hollande and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) listen to speeches during the second edition of the Israel-France innovation day in Tel Aviv, November 19, 2013. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX15JYG

The next frontier in US-Iran relations: Reducing Iran-Israel tensions

As the US brokered the normalization of ties between Egypt and Israel, the same could happen in Iran-Israel ties.

Iraq's Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani votes at a polling station in Arbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region, about 350 km (217 miles) north of Baghdad September 21, 2013. Kurds went to the polls on Saturday to elect a new parliament in an election that is being dubbed as the most crucial in the history of Iraqi Kurdish political powers, with potential to change the political structure of the next parliament and government cabinet.About 1,129 candidates representing 32 political entities are co

Turkey, Iran influence Iraqi Kurdistan politics

The post-election politics of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is subject to relationships among Iran, Iraq and Turkey.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat (C) directs remarks to Israel's Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (L) during a news conference with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) at the end of talks at the State Department in Washington July 30, 2013. Israeli and Palestinian negotiators held their first peace talks in nearly three years on Monday in a U.S.-brokered effort that Kerry hopes will end their conflict despite deep divisions. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX124ZT

Mistrust Clouds Israeli-Palestinian talks

According to a Palestinian source, no understanding has been reached so far by the negotiating parties.

More than 70,000kg (154000lbs) of drugs confiscated in the past year are prepared for burning during a ceremony to mark the United Nations' International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking in northeast Tehran June 26, 2007. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN) - RTR1R654

Drug addiction takes toll in Iran

Iran has more than 1.3 million registered drug addicts, costing the Iranian economy an estimated $10 billion.

U.S. Republican Congressman Ted Poe, a Representative of Texas, talks with business leaders at a breakfast forum on what Houston employers need from immigration reform, sponsored by ImmigrationWorks USA, in Houston August 20, 2013. As lawmakers return to their home districts in the final weeks of summer, hundreds of U.S. businesses have quietly mobilized to persuade Republicans such as Poe that an immigration overhaul is broadly supported by their constituents, even if some conservative activists loudly obj

Congressman Ted Poe: US-Israeli ties 'very tenuous at best'

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he hopes "that the United States would mend its relationship with Israel."

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint news conference with French President Francois Hollande (not pictured) at his residence in Jerusalem November 17, 2013. President Hollande assured Israel on Sunday that France would continue to oppose an easing of economic sanctions against Iran until it was convinced Tehran had ended a pursuit of nuclear weapons. REUTERS/Alain Jocard/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX15HKF

Israeli public closes ranks with Netanyahu on Iran

Israeli media fails to inform the public on the alternative interpretation of the Iran nuke deal.

US Senator Bob Corker, R-Tennessee, talks with reporters at the White House after a meeting on Iran with President Obama in Washington, DC, November 19, 2013. US President Barack Obama met with key Senate committee chairpersons and ranking members about Iran, urging them to hold off on more sanctions against the regime in Tehran over its nuclear program. AFP PHOTO / Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Senate holds off on new Iran sanctions

US President Barack Obama’s meeting with congressional leaders offers a reprieve from the Senate moving ahead with sanctions legislation on Iran, at least until December.