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Iran

March 17, 2026

Tehran 2:21 am

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Black smoke rises following an airstrike, as Iranians take part in the Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day rally, a commemoration in support of the Palestinian people on the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in Tehran on March 13, 2026.

No ceasefire in sight as Trump claims Iran wants a deal

President Donald Trump continues to offer mixed messages about how long the war, now in its third week, might continue.

A cargo ship is pictured off coast city of Fujairah, in the Strait of Hormuz in the northern Emirate, on Feb. 25, 2026.

As Trump presses allies on Hormuz support, reopening hurdles mount

Key European allies have balked at Trump’s request to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, raising doubts about how quickly the US can secure the waterway from Iranian missile and drone threats.

Kamran Hekmati

Breaking | Last Updated: March 16, 2026, 6:34 pm

State Department says second American 'wrongfully detained' by Iran

Kamran Hekmati is serving a two-year prison sentence for visiting Israel more than a decade ago.

Aluminum ingots in the Aluminium Dunkerque plant of the American Industrial Partner group on Jan. 13, 2022, in Loon-Plage, near Dunkirk, France.

Iran war hits Gulf aluminum exports, risking nearly 10% of global supplies

The Gulf region is a critical hub for aluminum production, supplying roughly 8% to 9% of global output, with disruptions linked to the war now set to ripple through industrial supply chains.

Latest News

Iran detains over 500 accused of spying for Israel, US: What to know

Funerals are held for members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and other military figures at Enghelab Square on March 11, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

IEA's Asian members begin deploying emergency oil reserves

A fuel pump is seen while refuelling a car at a gas station on March 13, 2026 in Kobe, Japan. Japan will release oil reserves to address the rise in gasoline and other petroleum products prices starting next Monday, said Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. The International Energy Agency (IEA) stated that its member countries agreed to release the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in its history, responding to the disruption in energy markets caused by the Middle East War. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/G

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

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.

Analysis

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

Lukoil

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

Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference at the Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 30, 2018. REUTERS/ Amir Cohen - RC11C40F3DE0

How Netanyahu’s nuclear 'show' could harm Mossad

While revelations by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Iranian nuclear program exposed Tehran's lies about past efforts to reach nuclear capacity, they also revealed involuntarily that Iran has obeyed the 2015 accord.

Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference at the Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv, Israel April 30, 2018. REUTERS/ Amir Cohen - RC1480BD75A0

Europe says Bibi’s ‘atomic archive’ pitch proves need for Iran deal

European powers and Russia said Israel’s claimed seizure of documents from Iran’s shuttered nuclear weapons research program proves the need for 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

A money changer displays U.S. and Iranian banknotes at the Grand Bazaar in central Tehran October 7, 2015. To match Insight IRAN-BANKING/ REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA/File Photo ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - S1BETSJMVNAC

Iran pushes for transparency to deal with currency instability

While Iran’s push for transparency is positive, its new integrated system for hard currency transactions seems ill-prepared to manage the complexities of the Iranian currency market.

Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference at the Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 30, 2018. REUTERS/ Amir Cohen - RC11A2857FF0

Iran: Netanyahu's claims 'childish' attempt to influence Trump

Iranian officials reacted to Israeli allegations about Tehran’s nuclear program, warning Israel against “conspiracies” against Iran and “dangerous behavior.”

For Netanyahu, Israel’s only problem is Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pretends the Iranian threat is the only problem that Israel faces.

Iran, Russia, Turkey close ranks on Syria coordination amid US pressure

Moscow and its partners in Tehran and Ankara move to strengthen coordination on Syria as the Trump administration signals an intention to up the stakes.

Supreme leader serves notice to Iran's enemies: Era of ‘hit and run’ is over

Iranian sources deny that any of its fighters were killed in a missile strike against Syrian bases, while the supreme leader took the opportunity to strike out at the US presence in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 5, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - HP1EE351C8I7G

Trump, Netanyahu stand firm against Europe on Iran deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is encouraged by more and more hints that President Donald Trump will nix the Iranian nuclear agreement.

Will Russia provide the 'new Kissinger' for Iran-Israel diplomacy?

Moscow works back channels between Tehran and Jerusalem; hard-line Saudi stance toward Iran adheres to Wahhabi line favored by conservative clerics.

Russia acting as buffer between Israel, Iran

Moscow is being called on to deliver on its promised role as Mideast mediator.

Iran’s currency tensions spur crypto ban

Iran’s recent move to ban cryptocurrencies is not only far from clear in its scope, but also likely a mere temporary fix amid efforts to combat capital flight.

Iraqi Shi'ite Muslims from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) march during a parade marking the annual al-Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, in Baghdad, Iraq June 23, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RC160C330360

Iraq’s Shiite militias hope battlefield wins can secure electoral victory

An electoral coalition formed by some pro-Iranian Shiite Popular Mobilization Units is confident it can secure enough seats in parliament to form a majority and claim the premiership.