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Iran

March 23, 2026

Tehran 7:34 am

12°C

An undated image of Eran Etzion.

Interview

Ex-Israeli security official: Netanyahu pushed US, Israel into Iran war without imminent threat

Eran Etzion, a former Israeli deputy national security adviser and opposition politician, says Netanyahu might decide to prolong the war against Hezbollah and Iran even if the United States opts out.

US President Donald Trump and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi clasp hands as they speak to the press before their meeting on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

How Egypt is navigating limited options in Iran war to stay neutral

Egypt, so far spared from Iranian retaliatory attacks, is pushing for a diplomatic solution as the war with the US and Israel threatens its already fragile economy.

United Arab Emirates army helicopters fly from the Burj al Arab hotel (R) toward Burj Khalifa, Dubai, Jan. 16, 2026.

Analysis

Iran war drives Turkey-Gulf defense alignment, but not alliance

Despite accelerated cooperation as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran, structural and political constraints would make a formal military alliance unlikely.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Traffic rolls along a main throughfare under a banner with images of past and present leaders that reads in Farsi, "Domino fall", as daily life returns to the streets following nationwide protests, in the Iranian capital Tehran on January 19, 2026. Demonstrations sparked in late December by anger over economic hardship exploded into protests widely seen as the biggest challenge to the Iranian leadership in years. Limited internet access briefly returned in Iran before dropping again, a monitor said January

Analysis

Iran’s longest-ever internet blackout leaves 99% offline: What to know

Facing a historic internet blackout, Iranians are locked in a struggle with authorities to find loopholes to get around this communications crackdown, leading to "shutdowns within a shutdown."

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Analysis

Unclear chains of command in Iran complicate Russia’s diplomatic play

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrive for a documents signing ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Analysis

Meet the hard-liner who could replace Larijani as Iran’s wartime security chief

Saeed Jalili, the radical presidential candidate of Iran, among supporters at Shahada airport on July 2, 2024.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

How deployment of 4,000+ US Marines could change war in Iran

Soldiers board a US Marines CH-53 Super Stallion during an airfield seizure exercise as part of the US-Philippines Balikatan joint military exercise at San Vicente Airport in Palawan on May 1, 2024.

Iran’s Hormuz choke hold leaves West divided as energy markets reel

Indian vessel 'Nanda Devi' carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) arrives at Vadinar Port in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat state on March 17, 2026 after Iran allowed it to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy corridor that remains disrupted by the Middle East war.

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

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MARCH 28: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) greets Iran's President Hassan Rouhani (L) during their meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace on March 28, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. President of Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani is having a state visit to Russia. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

US escalation in Syria strengthens Iran-Russia partnership

The race to recapture eastern Syria may soon lead to direct confrontation between the US-led coalition and Syria’s Russian and Iranian allies.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (2nd L) is greeted by the Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit (L) before their meeting in Cairo, Egypt May 29, 2017. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RTX382BY

Rethinking Russia’s Mideast ambitions

Iran and Russia make for surprising allies in the Middle East, but ultimately Russia values its own interests over any alliance.

A ballistic missile is launched and tested in an undisclosed location, Iran, March 9, 2016. REUTERS/Mahmood Hosseini/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. IT IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. NOT FOR USE BY REUTERS THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTORS. -

Iranians divided over new Senate sanctions

Iranian officials and scholars disagree on whether the US Senate’s new sanctions bill against the Islamic Republic violates the nuclear deal.

A Turkish army tank drives towards to the border in Karkamis on the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern Gaziantep province, Turkey, August 25, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX2MYWT

Does the US have answer for Turkish threats against Syrian Kurds?

Turkey also seeks sway in Salafi-controlled Idlib; Hamas inches closer to Iran, Hezbollah.

People shout slogans as they hold Turkish and Qatari flags during a demonstration in favour of Qatar in central Istanbul, Turkey, late June 7, 2017. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RTX39JA6

How Turkey fits into the Qatar puzzle

Turkey's military presence in Qatar seems to be complicating an already complex situation for the coalition that recently cut ties with Doha.

Women hold t-shirts as they protest for Iranian women's rights to enter stadiums in Iran, ahead of the FIVB Volleyball World League match between Poland and Iran, at Atlas Arena in Lodz, Poland June 17, 2017. REUTERS/Parham Ghobadi - RTS17HJ6

Iranian women get a foothold in volleyball games

The ban on Iranian women allowed into stadiums to watch men play volleyball is slowly reversed.

TEHRAN, IRAN - JUNE 7: Police officers stand outside Iran's parliament building following an attack by several gunmen on June 7, 2017 in Tehran, Iran. At least 12 people were killed and dozens more wounded during simultaneous gun and suicide bomb attacks in Iran's capital. A suicide bomber targeted the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini while several gunmen launched an attack on the parliament building, which is now reportedly over following hours of audible gun-fire. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Iran cracks down on Salafists in wake of Tehran attacks

Iranian authorities have rounded up a large number of terror suspects in Kurdish areas following the June 7 attacks in Tehran.

Members of the Iranian revolutionary guard march during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran September 22, 2011. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo - RTX2O26E

Citing US threat, Iran parliament looks to boost IRGC budget

Iran’s parliament seeks to increase the military budget for the IRGC in response to the new policies of the Trump administration.

Financial watchdog drama provides ammunition for Iran's hard-liners

While hailed by pro-Reform media outlets, the FATF’s decision to extend its temporary suspension of countermeasures on Iran has provided ammunition for hard-liners in Tehran.

Reporters wait outside the U.S. Supreme Court before it granted parts of the Trump administration's emergency request to put his travel ban into effect immediately while the legal battle continues, in Washington, U.S., June 26, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas - RTS18PDP

Revival of 'Muslim ban' stirs outrage in Iran

The US Supreme Court’s partial revival of President Donald Trump’s ban on citizens of six Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, triggers harsh condemnation by Tehran.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks over the phone with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan while he inspects the work on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project aboard the Pioneering Spirit pipeline-laying ship in the Black Sea near Anapa, Russia, June 23, 2017. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RTS18CTC

Moscow carefully assessing international energy scene

Russia’s long-term energy plan relies heavily on gas sectors in the Middle East and Eurasia as it struggles with low prices and sanctions.

Saudi foreign policy pushes Iran, Turkey closer

Saudi Arabia’s blockade of Qatar appears to open space for Iranian efforts to engage in regional diplomacy and cooperation.