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Iran

December 19, 2025

Tehran 6:58 am

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Brig. Gen. Alireza Elhami, pictured in this undated image, has been appointed as the commander of Iran’s Air Defense Headquarters.

Iran appoints new air defense, air force chiefs in post-war shakeup

The promotion of Brig. Gen. Alireza Elhami and Brig. Gen. Bahman Behmard follows Iran's efforts to rebuild its air defenses following the war with Israel in June.

TATYANA MAKEYEVA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran’s FM Araghchi in Moscow as biting sanctions drive closer Russia ties

The economic agenda of the meetings in Moscow and Tehran reflected a deliberate effort by both governments to signal momentum in a partnership increasingly shaped by isolation from the West.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Youssef Rajji meets with Maj. Gen. Diodato Abagnara, UNIFIL head of mission and force commander, at the UN peacekeeping headquarters in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, Oct. 24, 2025.

Lebanon FM lashes out at Iran amid ambassador impasse: What to know

Lebanese officials have grown more frustrated at Tehran over its perceived meddling in Lebanon’s internal affairs by making repeated comments about its ally, Hezbollah, and the importance of its weapons, at a time the country is working to extend control over all arms.

Iranian soldiers keep watch at a patrol post in Zabol, southeastern Iran, near the Afghan border, on Oct. 10, 2012.

Analysis

Militant merger in Iran’s Baluchistan signals new threat to Tehran

The group’s outreach to broader ethnic communities reflects a strategic bid for wider legitimacy and a role in the wider struggle against the Islamic Republic.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Iran’s World Cup players face US visa uncertainty over military service: What to know

Iran’s forward #9 Mehdi Taremi looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers Group A football match between Iran and the North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025.

Russia to launch 3 Iranian satellites into orbit this month: What to know

The Soyuz MS-15 rocket carrying three crew members of the International Space Station (ISS) blasts off to the ISS from the launch pad of the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 25, 2019.

Three IRGC members killed near Iran-Pakistan border: What to know

A motorcyclist rides past a banner with the portraits of (L-R) Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, welcoming Iran's president during his state visit in Islamabad on August 2, 2025. (Photo by Farooq NAEEM / AFP) (Photo by FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's FM snubs Iran, turns down invitation to visit Tehran: What to know

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji visits the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, on October 24, 2025, touring border villages and the Blue Line aboard a UNIFIL helicopter as part of efforts to assess the security situation along the frontier. (Photo by Courtney Bonneau / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by COURTNEY BONNEAU/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Andrew Parasiliti

President and Chief Content Officer

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

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

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

Robert Malley, Biden administration special envoy for Iran, testifies about the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations on Capitol Hill May 25, 2022, in Washington, DC.

Iran nuclear deal’s future a ‘huge question mark,’ US negotiator says

US Special Envoy for Iran Rob Malley told lawmakers that prospects for a renewed agreement with Tehran were "at best, tenuous."

Iran economy

The economics of social unrest in Iran

While the protests themselves are unsurprising, given the economic crises plaguing the country, the fact that they were centered in the southwestern province of Khuzestan is significant.

Remains of the building collapse in Abadan.

Iran high-rise collapse reignites debates on corruption

In the wake of the tragedy, Iranian authorities made multiple arrests, but offered conflicting accounts on the fate of the building owner known for his connections with corridors of power.

Fans wave US and Iranian flags during the World Cup 2006.

Will the FIFA World Cup help bridge Iran-US gaps?

The US men's national soccer team is in the most politically charged group along with Iran and possibly Ukraine, among other teams.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran, Oman to jointly develop oil field

Iran's president is in Muscat seeking increased cooperation with Oman on energy and transportation.

Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Enrique Mora speaks to journalists in front of the Coburg palace after a meeting of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in Vienna, Austria on Nov. 29, 2021.

Iran nuclear deal back in play after EU envoy's visit

Multiple sources in Iran say Mora left Tehran with 'more than suggestions' for a revival of the deal, while both sides may have moved on from differences.

An Iranian shops at a food store in Tehran on May 13, 2021.

Iran vows harsh crackdown on economic protests

Despite a massive security presence, many Iranian cities continue to witness rallies triggered by soaring prices, with protesters chanting slogans against the country's top leadership.

Iran babies

Khamenei warns Iranians of danger in declining birth rate

Iran’s Supreme Leader has encouraged officials to continue the work of increasing the birth rate, but that is a challenge even in economically prosperous countries.

Abdelkhah

Iran reveals identities of two detained French 'spies'

State media aired what it said was Intelligence Ministry footage of the arrest of two French citizens, accused of attempting to "instigate chaos" by inciting Iran's protesting teachers.

YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images

Cuba seeks food security help from Iranian private sector

Iran and Cuba also pledged to boost trade during a summit in Tehran.

Iranian Army office/AFP via Getty Images

Iran opens drone factory in Tajikistan

Iran is seeking to strengthen ties with its fellow Persian-speaking country and drones play a big role in the Islamic Republic’s military strategy.

Iranians work at a food store in Tehran on May 13, 2021.

Nationwide protests in Iran as food prices increase

Subsidy cuts have led to nationwide protests in Iran.