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March 15, 2026

Tehran 4:24 pm

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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) listens to a speech by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, Jerusalem, Feb. 25, 2026.

Could Israel-US war on Iran save Netanyahu’s political future?

It remains unclear whether the Israeli prime minister will get a "victory photo" to rescue his image after the security debacle and Hamas attack in October 2023.

Lukoil

Analysis

How Russia stands to win, lose as Iran war squeezes Gulf oil exports

As crude prices surpassed $100 per barrel with the Strait of Hormuz shut, Russia is reaping benefits amid new US sanctions flexibility — but experts say Moscow faces challenges capitalizing on this new market opening.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Ali IHSAN OZTURK / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

No strangers to turmoil, Turkey-Iran to maintain ties under Mojtaba Khamenei

Even as war heighten tensions between Ankara and Tehran, the mix of rivalry and pragmatic cooperation that has long defined Turkey–Iran relations is likely to endure.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

AFP via Getty Images

Oil fires, toxic air and water risks: Environmental cost of Iran war expands to region

The bombing of oil facilities in Iran and critical water infrastructure in the Gulf threatens the Middle East with long-lasting environmental destruction, as have similar tactics employed in previous conflicts.

Latest News

Analysis

How Iran's IRGC is charting war course beyond Khamenei's heir

A billboard shows a graphic depicting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei with military commanders, as people attend the annual anti-Israeli Quds Day on March 13, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority

Displaced Palestinians gather for a fast-breaking Iftar meal amid the rubble of destroyed buildings at the Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, Feb. 23, 2026.

Abeer Ayyoub

By Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Analysis

Alternative supply routes emerge as Iran war tests Gulf food security

Saudis shop for fresh products at a market in Riyadh on Feb. 18, 2026, on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia.

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

Iran war hits fertilizer supplies as Fitch warns prices could rise some 25%

Young wheat shoots emerge from moist soil in farmland near Zakho, Iraqi Kurdistan region, Dec. 19, 2025.

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

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 08: White House National Security Advisor John Bolton (L) and Vice President Mike Pence listen to President Donald Trump announce his decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in the Diplomatic Room at the White House May 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. After two and a half years of negotiations, Iran agreed in 2015 to end its nuclear program in exchange for Western countries, including the United States, lifting decades of economic sanctions. Since then interna

US hopes new sanctions fuel Iran protests

The US administration said it hoped that renewed economic sanctions on Iran going into effect Tuesday will spur Iranian protests and pressure the regime to accept Donald Trump’s offer for talks.

US Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson (C), is seen inside a car escorted by Turkish plain clothes police officers as he arrives at his house on July 25, 2018 in Izmir. - A Turkish court on July 25, 2018 ruled to place under house arrest US pastor who has been imprisoned for almost two years on terror-related charges in a case that has raised tensions with the United States, state media said. The state-run Anadolu news agency said he was being put under house arrest, although it was not clear if he had already lef

Turkey remains defiant in row with US over pastor as deal falls through

A possible deal to end the US-Turkish row over an American pastor detained in Izmir appears to have failed after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heaped additional demands on an agreement.

How regional politics is restraining Kurdish militancy in Iran

While some Iranian Kurdish armed opposition groups are intent on raising the heat on Iran amid ongoing US pressure, other groups are careful not to enter a conflict that may spiral out of control.

Iraqi-Kurdistan

Zarif says US primary goal is to ‘create chaos’ in Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif believes Iran can weather the storm of US sanctions.

Culture alert: Music mixed with history in August

Some of the August festivals in the Middle East take place in spectacular settings, from Cairo to Byblos to Troy.

As ringmaster, Russia runs Israel-Iran balancing act in Syria

A deal brokered by Russia has something for everyone involved — Syria, Israel, Iran and, of course, Russia itself — and has defused at least temporarily what could have become a deadly showdown between Israel and Iran.

A picture taken on January 14, 2017 shows street traffic in the Iranian capital Tehran on the first anniversary of the nuclear agreement.
The first anniversary, of the nuclear deal between Iran and six powers, that lifted a large part of international sanctions on Iran in return for limits on Tehran's nuclear programme, comes four days before the inauguration of Republican president Trump on January 20. / AFP / ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

China set to fill vacuum left by French carmakers exiting Iran

The exit of French automakers from Iran is leaving a vacuum that appears set to be filled by Chinese auto manufacturers.

Iraq's Basra plans dam on vital river

After angry demonstrations against the government in Basra about the lack of potable water, the southern Iraqi province is preparing to tackle the problem by building a dam on the Shatt al-Arab River.

U.S. President Donald Trump signs a proclamation declaring his intention to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 8, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC157E042900

US reimposes sanctions as Iran deal crumbles

With the Donald Trump administration set to reimpose Iran sanctions after exiting the nuclear deal, it’s looking less and less likely the rest of the world can salvage the accord.

Iranians flock to greener pastures on Caspian coast

The nationwide drought in Iran is triggering internal migration and its water-rich areas are already suffering shortages.

Senior Iranian clerics ask Rouhani to fight corruption

Grand ayatollahs in Iran are asking the judiciary and the Rouhani administration to fight corruption rather than blaming sanctions.

Idlib takes center stage at Sochi Syria talks

The latest round of Syria talks between Russia, Iran and Turkey held in Russia's Sochi discussed important issues, but deadlocks remain.