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Iran

March 18, 2026

Tehran 7:10 am

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Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, arrives in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Analysis

How Larijani's killing could narrow diplomatic offramps for Iran war

The IRGC, already strengthened by its central role in the war and its ties to newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, may consolidate further influence over security and foreign policy.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

The city skyline is pictured in Dubai on March 11, 2026.

Analysis

How long can markets hold their bet on Gulf resilience as war drags on?

A prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz and continued assaults on Gulf energy infrastructure are likely to lead to regionwide credit deterioration, experts say.

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

Ali Larijani, former Iranian parliament speaker, addresses the media following his registration at the elections registration office, ahead of the country's election of a new president next month, Tehran, Iran, May 31, 2024.

Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani killed in Israeli strike: Katz

Israel announced that it killed Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, in an overnight strike in Tehran.

A smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026.

Analysis

Why Iran sees UAE as attractive target in war against US, Israel

As the war enters its third week, the Gulf state has come under heavier Iranian missile and drone fire than its neighbors — and even more than Israel.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Latest News

No ceasefire in sight as Trump claims Iran wants a deal

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.

As Trump presses allies on Hormuz support, reopening hurdles mount

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

State Department says second American 'wrongfully detained' by Iran

Kamran Hekmati

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

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

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

Culture Alert: Art speaks to power in February

February exhibitions in the Middle East offer satirical and fantastic looks at politics and society, clearly demonstrating that the fighting spirit in the arts is far from being defeated by the powers that be.

Iranian soldiers march during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of its devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, on September 22,2017 in Tehran.
President Hassan Rouhani vowed that Iran would boost its ballistic missile capabilities despite criticism from the United States and also France. / AFP PHOTO / str (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Will Iran’s military really divest from business holdings?

Despite its complex challenges, the Iranian military’s planned divestment from the economy holds the potential for more transparency and accountability.

The case for net neutrality in Iran

The further undermining of net neutrality in Iran draws mixed responses among Iranians.

Iran hopeful about Europe remaining in nuclear deal

Iran’s deputy foreign minister has expressed satisfaction with Europe's resistance to US pressures to kill the nuclear deal.

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani arrives for a news conference in Tehran, Iran, May 22, 2017. TIMA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RC1CFEB6D770

Iran’s parliament rejects Rouhani’s anti-subsidy budget

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s budget proposal, which sought subsidy reforms, was rejected by Iran’s parliament.

Iranian students run for cover from tear gas at the University of Tehran during a demonstration driven by anger over economic problems, in the capital Tehran on December 30, 2017.
Students protested in a third day of demonstrations, videos on social media showed, but were outnumbered by counter-demonstrators. / AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Iran’s regional allies keep close eye on protest aftermath

While Iran’s regional allies have assured their supporters that the recent protests in the country are not a threat, the reality is that groups such as Hezbollah are highly vulnerable to any change in Iranian foreign policy.

Rouhani under fire over criticism of Shiite imams

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s apparent insistence that everyone can be criticized, including Shiite saints deemed infallible, riles the clergy.

Iran’s Interior Ministry outlines 3 reasons for recent protests

Iran’s Interior Ministry has issued a report on both the makeup of the Iran protests and reasons for them.

Icelandic musician discovers fan base in unlikely place

Young Iranians welcome the rare opportunity to see a popular international musician perform live in their country.

A Turkish military tank is seen near Mount Barsaya, northeast of Afrin, Syria January 23, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC17EC8A27B0

GCC's silence on Turkey’s Afrin adventure is telling

The Sunni Gulf states have failed to make a unified statement on Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Syria, a sign of their competing interests.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump makes a statement on the administration's strategy for dealing with Iran, in the Diplomatic Reception Room in the White House, October 13, 2017 in Washington, DC. President Trump stated that the Iran nuclear deal is not in the best interests for the security of the United States, but stopped short of withdrawing from the 2015 agreement. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

US, Europe huddle on Iran after Trump ultimatum

The United States and major European powers are holding working group consultations to explore cooperation on Iran, but the Europeans say they will not renegotiate the nuclear deal.

Iran's absence at Davos sparks speculation

Following reports that he had canceled his trip, Iran’s Foreign Ministry claims Mohammad Javad Zarif never planned to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos this year.