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September 29, 2026

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An Airbus A321 airliner arrives at the Mehrabad international airport during the delivery of the first batch of planes to the Iranian state airline Iran Air in the capital Tehran on Jan. 12, 2017.

Iraq announces Iran flights to resume: What to know

Iraqis protested the latest move aimed at pressuring Iran and an Iran-backed militia vowed a response if the flights do not come back.

In this handout released by the US Navy on July 15, 2010, the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) transits the Pacific Ocean.

New US aircraft carrier heads to Middle East as Iran war stretches on

The USS Theodore Roosevelt is expected to be the fifth US Navy carrier to participate in the now seven-month war against Iran.

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon PM meets Rubio as Israel talks stall: What to know

The visit comes as US-brokered talks between Lebanon and Israel have made little headway, with Israeli elections looming.

Traditional Qatari dhows docked in front of Doha's skyline from the Corniche promenade, Nov. 28, 2022.

Analysis

Qatar confronts new economic reality with Wall Street deals, Hormuz hopes

As the Iran war approaches its seventh month, Doha presses for new deals in confronting challenges to the economic foundations underpinning the Gulf state's wealth.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Analysis

Despite fanfare, Xi shows Trump no sign of breaking with Iran

OINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) walks on a red carpet after greeting Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) during an arrival ceremony on September 23, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. President Trump is hosting President Xi for a three-day state visit to Washington, DC where the leaders are expected to discuss trade practices, artificial intelligence and furthering “strategic stability” between their countries. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Analysis

Could Iran's 7-day Hormuz proposal culminate in diplomatic deal?

A tugboat guides a ship at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in Sharjah Emirate, along the Gulf of Oman on July 14, 2026.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Interview

Trump's Africa adviser denies Libya plan would entrench rival families

US Department of State's senior advisor to the President for Arab and African Affairs Massad Fares Boulos attends a conference for the support of peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region, in Paris, on October 30, 2025. The international community gathered in Paris on October 30, 2025 to raise awareness about the dire humanitarian situation in the Great Lakes region, aiming to raise hundreds of millions of euros despite a drastic decrease in international aid, particularly from the United States. (Phot

Analysis

Can Netanyahu turn Israel's UN isolation into strength at home?

ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

A Kurdish fighter stands with his weapons near a fluttering Kurdish flag in the Ghwairan neighborhood of Hasaka, Syria, August 23, 2016.REUTERS/Rodi Said - RTX2MP4F

Ankara riled by US push for Kurdish seat at Syria talks

US statements that Syrian Kurds should be included in talks on Syria's future have further agitated Turkish leaders, who are already upset about Washington's coalition with the People's Protection Units.

Pedestrians walk past the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv August 2, 2013. U.S. embassies that would normally be open this Sunday - including those in Abu Dhabi, Baghdad and Cairo - will be closed that day because of unspecified security concerns, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday. CBS News said U.S. embassies would also be closed in Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. REUTERS/Nir Elias (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX12876

Palestinians ponder possible US Embassy move to Jerusalem

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has written a letter to US President-elect Donald Trump in an attempt to convince him not to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

Former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani attends Iran's Assembly of Experts' biannual meeting in Tehran March 8, 2011. Rafsanjani lost his position on Tuesday as head of an important state clerical body after hardliners criticised him for being too close to the reformist opposition. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2JLGP

Iran loses flawed champion of renewed ties with US

A powerful and pragmatic political figure both before and long after his term as Iranian president, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has died of a heart attack at age 82, leaving the task of safeguarding the nuclear agreement and outreach to Washington to President Hassan Rouhani and others he groomed over the years.

Riot police scuffle with protesters trying to march to the Turkish Parliament as the lawmakers gather to debate the proposed constitutional changes in Ankara, Turkey, January 9, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX2Y3PK

Contentious debate opens on Turkish presidential system

Although a constitutional amendment to switch the Turkish government to a presidential system looks likely to pass parliament, the outcome of a referendum on the measure is anyone's guess.

EU wants P4+1 model on Israeli settlements

The European Union is considering establishing a P4+1 group, without the United States, dealing separately with the Israeli-Palestinian issue and the Iran file.

Should Iran worry about Putin throwing it under the bus?

Iranian officials have always had a pessimistic outlook toward Russia, which could serve them well given the apparent possibility of closer US-Russian relations under Donald Trump.

Palestinians: Kerry speech too little, too late

Palestinians welcomed US Secretary of State John Kerry’s strong position on settlements, but do not believe it will positively influence the incoming US administration.

Russia pleased with deepening US-Turkey rift over Syria

Russia is cleverly filling the void created by the estrangement between the United States and Turkey.

Political Islamists brace for Trump era

The president-elect and his advisers take a dim view of the Muslim Brotherhood and its cousins, but could shutting them out end up hurting America the most?

Why Trump can’t save Israeli settlements

Despite his harsh declarations, not even President-elect Donald Trump has the power to cancel the UN Security Council's resolution against the settlements or quiet the world’s objections to Israel’s policies.

Here’s why Russia gives itself high marks for 2016

Russia achieved many of its 2016 goals in the Middle East and paved the way for potentially significant successes in 2017 and beyond.

Is Erdogan trying to wreck US-Turkey relations?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims he has “evidence” of US support for the Islamic State; Iranian President Hassan Rouhani applauds valuable “victory” in Aleppo.