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Russia

March 15, 2026

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Russia denied sharing intelligence with Iran in Trump call, Witkoff says

Russia denied US reports that it may have provided Tehran with targeting information on American assets in the region.

ALEXEI DRUZHININ/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Putin becomes first to congratulate Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know

Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Armenia have all congratulated the Khamenei's son.

A picture taken on November 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, during an official ceremony to kick-start works on a second reactor at the facility.

Russia doubles down on Iran nuclear cooperation as US talks inch forward

Moscow’s energy minister said Russia is currently building equipment for new units at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant.

A missile launches from IRIS Sabalan, an Alvand-class frigate of the Iranian Navy, during the Velayat 91 drill in the Gulf of Oman on January 1, 2013. The Velayat 91 drill is a sixday Iranian naval exercise held in late December 2012 and early January 2013 across the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and the northern Indian Ocean to test naval readiness and secure strategic waterways. (Photo by Mohammadali Najib / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

Russia, China, Iran to hold joint naval drills in Strait of Hormuz: What to know

The drills come as the three countries strengthen their ties amid growing US economic and military pressure on Iran.

Latest News

Israeli-Russian journalist removed from Netanyahu’s US flight: What to know

Israeli state aircraft Wing of Zion, which flew to Greece from Ben Gurion Airport, is seen at International Airport in Athens on June 13, 2025, in Athens, Greece.

Russian delegation in Syria to preserve military bases: What to know

A Russian military Ilyushin Il-76 strategic airlift aircraft takes off from Qamishli International Airport in northeastern Syria's Hasakah province on January 27, 2026. Russia withdrew troops and equipment on January 27 from the airport in Kurdish-held northeast Syria where its forces were based, as Kurdish forces who once controlled swathes of territory in the country's north and east have withdrawn in the face of military pressure of Syrian army advance while the country's new Islamist authorities seek to

Putin meets Iran’s top security official as Trump says Tehran wants deal

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, arrives in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 27, 2025, to attend a memorial service for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

UAE President meets Putin in Russia to discuss nuclear energy, trade, Iran

MAXIM SHIPENKOV / AFP via Getty Images

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi talks on his mobile phone ahead the family photo during the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, on June 21, 2025.

Iran's Araghchi doubles down on China, Russia ties at Shanghai meeting

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi seized the opportunity at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China to denounce Israeli and US attacks on Iran, rally diplomatic support against sanctions and warn of regional instability should the fragile ceasefire collapse.

Wang Yi held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, on April 23, 2025.

Iran’s Araghchi to meet China, Russia FMs at Shanghai Cooperation meeting

Iran is seeking to deepen economic ties with the China-led bloc amid US sanctions and the aftermath of last month's war with Israel.

A S-200 surface-to-air missile system is on display as heavy weaponry, including ballistic missiles, air defense systems and unmanned aerial vehicles, are showcased during an exhibition that marks the 44th anniversary of the 8-year war with Iraq, known as the "Holy Defense Week", in Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran on Sept. 26, 2024.

Analysis

Can China and Russia fill Iran's defense vacuum after 12-day war?

With its air defenses shattered by Israeli strikes in the recent war, Iran is scrambling to rebuild amid growing public doubt over the reliability of its "strategic alliances."

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Pashinyan and Erdogan

Analysis

Why peace with Turkey has come to mean survival for Armenia’s Pashinyan

As Yerevan edges closer to the West, regional power struggles and domestic unrest threaten to derail the Armenian leader’s strategy.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/AFP via Getty Images

Putin hosts Iran’s FM as Tehran strikes US bases

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Moscow on Monday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a day after US airstrikes hit three Iranian nuclear facilities.

TO GO WITH STORY BY NATACHA YAZBECK (FILES) A picture dated June 13, 2003 shows Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher (L) attending their father's funeral in Damascus on June 13, 2000. As Bashar al-Assad's regime fights to stay in power, one man has emerged as the symbol of the dynasty's brutal military might -- the president's feared younger brother Maher. AFP PHOTO/RAMZI HAIDAR / AFP PHOTO / RAMZI HAIDAR (Photo credit should read RAMZI HAIDAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Was Maher al-Assad, brother of ousted Syrian president, spotted in Moscow?

Maher al-Assad is wanted for war crimes and reportedly fled to Russia by way of Iraq as rebel forces took over Syria.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan.

UAE's MBZ and Putin hold call as Gulf, Russia push diplomacy on Iran-Israel

Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be courting Gulf support for a diplomatic role in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.

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)

Analysis

Can Russia broker Iran-Israel deal as Putin looks to divert West from Ukraine?

A mediating role between Tehran and Tel Aviv could help the Kremlin boost its credentials as well as turn attention away from ongoing war in Ukraine.

Kasia A. Houghton

By Kasia A. Houghton

TEHRAN, IRAN - JUNE 15: People observe fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot on June 15, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Iran's foreign minister said the country would respond "decisively and proportionally" to a wave of attacks that Israel launched beginning in the early hours of June 13. The attacks targeted multiple military, scientific and residential locations, as well as senior government officials. (Photo by Stringer/Getty Images)

Analysis

As Israel-Iran strikes escalate, Russia weighs risks and opportunities

With evacuations underway and investments at risk, the Kremlin still sees a chance to benefit by boosting gas exports and mediating US-Iran talks.

Nikita Smagin

By Nikita Smagin

A view of Iran's domestically made satellite launch vehicles (SLVs) and missiles in the Museum of Holy Defense in Tehran, Iran on April 17, 2025. The term "Holy Defense" is used to refer to Iran-Iraq war that took 8 years. (Photo by AO / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by AO/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

As Trump gets 'less confident' about deal, Iran threatens US bases in region

The US has maintained military bases across the Middle East for decades, with the largest—by personnel count—being Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

US President Donald Trump (R) attends a meeting with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, during the G20 summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019.

Analysis

Russia's Putin offers Trump help on Iran, likely with strings attached

As Iran weighs the US proposal for a nuclear deal, Russia has volunteered to play a role facilitating future talks.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and Libya's eastern military strongman Khalifa Haftar (L) attend their meeting in Moscow on May 10, 2025, during celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. (Photo by Gavriil GRIGOROV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Mi-26s and T-62s: What Russia's military backing of Haftar means for Libya

A sweeping display of arms and alliances in Benghazi reflects Khalifa Haftar’s effort to project statehood, Moscow’s deeper investment in Libya, and a shifting power balance that could reshape peace prospects.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance