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Iran

March 20, 2026

Tehran 5:24 pm

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Excess gas is burned at the oil refinery in Israel's northern city of Haifa late on March 19, 2026.

Analysis

Iran expands energy targets beyond Gulf as Red Sea and East Med come into play

In retaliation for strikes on its energy sector, Tehran's campaign against regional oil and gas infrastructure has intensified and broadened to include Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port and an Israeli refinery in Haifa.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

US President Donald Trump steps of Marine One as he returns to the White House on March 18, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Analysis

In Hormuz standoff, Trump struggles to rally allies

President Donald Trump again urged US allies to “step up," while insisting their help isn't needed unblocking the Strait of Hormuz.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Rabbi Daniel Walker and King Charles III view floral tributes during a visit to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Oct. 20, 2025, in Manchester, England.

UK, Netherlands probe Iran links to plots targeting Jewish sites: What to know

British authorities said two men had spied on the Jewish community in London for Iran, and synagogues were recently targeted in Belgium and the Netherlands.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrives to attend an event in the East Room of the White House, Washington, DC, March 5, 2026.

US weighs easing Iran oil sanctions amid Hormuz crisis: What to know

A possible move by the Treasury would reduce pressure on Iranian crude as Washington seeks to offset supply losses tied to Iran's virtual closure of the strait.

Latest News

Turkey, Qatar pledge to deepen defense ties, blame Israel for Iran war

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R) and Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (2L) arrive to address a joint press conference in Doha on March 19, 2026. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How Iran's strike on Qatar gas field could impact LNG market for years

A picture of Qatar Energy's operating facilities on March 3, 2026 in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

After 35% surge, how far could Gulf disruptions push European gas?

In this aerial view, Storage tanks at Grain LNG importation terminal, operated by National Grid Plc sit near the River Medway in the Thames Estuary on March 12, 2026, in Isle of Grain, England.

US tells citizens to leave Saudi Arabia as Iran strikes energy sites: What to know

Lorries roll along the highway between Riyadh and al-Ahsa, some 200 kilometers east of the Saudi capital, on March 15, 2026. The war sparked by US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28 has sparked chaos on global markets, and sent the price of oil soaring after the Islamic republic imposed control by force over the crucial artery. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP via Getty Images) /

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

Hezbollah and Syrian flags flutter on a military vehicle in Western Qalamoun, Syria August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC19B2052B90

Syrian Druze wary of Hezbollah, Iranian presence

Since the Syrian war erupted, Iran has been trying to gain a foothold in Syria, most recently in the south, which includes trying to win over the local Druze community.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's spiritual guide, casts his ballot at the Imam Khomeiny mosque in Tehran, 26 February, during the country's first municipal elections since the 1979 Islamic revolution. The elections for some 200,000 seats on municipal councils across the country are seen as an important yardstick of social changes set in train by reformist President Mohamad Khatami. (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Leaked video reveals new details about election of Iran's supreme leader

A leaked video from 1989 shows how Ali Khamenei became supreme leader of Iran.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attends a meeting with European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Brussels, Belgium January 11, 2018. REUTERS/John Thys/Pool - RC1B2DED04A0

Europe takes center stage as Iran weighs response to Trump

Though suspicion and mistrust lingers, Iran maintains hope that Europe will resist US pressure to torpedo the nuclear deal.

Palestinian Hamas militants take part in a rally marking the 30th anniversary of Hamas' founding, in Gaza City December 14, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC1E83709490

Iran's aid to militant groups not going anywhere despite protests

Although groups funded by Iran throughout the region have refrained from expressing a stance on Iran’s protests, it's believed that Iran is unlikely to cut or halt such aid even as protesters demand ending the support.

US sanctions hinder Iranian protesters’ ability to organize online

As the Iranian protests die down, hawkish lawmakers and dovish advocates are united in their concern that US sanctions are inhibiting protesters’ ability to organize.

Iranian exiles shout slogans in front of a mock gallows to protest against executions in Iran during a demonstration outside the Iranian embassy in Brussels December 29, 2010. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir (BELGIUM - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - GM1E6CT1T7M01

Iran’s judiciary moves to radically cut executions

Iran’s judiciary chief has ordered a halt to executions of people convicted of most drug-related crimes.

Rouhani’s bad news budget

The Rouhani administration’s proposed budget for the coming Iranian year is set to be contractionary in real terms and could lead to a credit crunch.

Iran’s conservative-dominated judiciary under attack — from conservatives

Iran's conservative-dominated judiciary finds itself on the receiving end of allegations of corruption.

Iran’s supreme leader points finger at Saudi Arabia, US, Israel over unrest

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei distinguished between peaceful protesters and those who damaged public property during the recent unrest.

Saudis watch Iran protests intently

While Saudi Arabia's economy is suffering due to low oil prices and discontent at home grows, the kingdom is following the protests in Iran with great interest, hoping national issues will distract from Iran's regional advances.

One year later, questions linger about former Iranian president's death

A daughter of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has continued to raise doubts about her father’s death, though the motivation may be as much political as it is about finding the truth.

Iran's Minister of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi, a candidate for upcoming vote on the Assembly of Experts, speaks during a campaign gathering of candidates mainly close to the reformist camp, in Tehran February 23, 2016. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - GF10000320085

Iran intelligence minister says protests not 'guided' by foreigners

Iranian officials said they are still compiling the total arrested but they believe the situation in Iran has calmed down.