June 2021
Iran elects hardliner as nuclear talks enter critical phase
Ultra-conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi swept to a landslide win in Iran’s presidential election, potentially setting Tehran on a more hostile course towards the West.
February 2021
Why ‘hostage diplomacy’ works
From China to Iran to the United States, arbitrary detention is an immoral - and often effective - pressure tactic.
November 2020
Brazen killings expose Iran’s vulnerabilities
With the killing of their top nuclear scientist, Iranians are grappling with a sense of vulnerability, with hardliners calling for retaliation.
Iran blames Israel, vows revenge for slain scientist
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Iran's first priority is the 'definitive punishment' of whoever was responsible for the attack on the head of its military nuclear program.
July 2020
Rouhani says 25 million Iranians may have been infected with virus
Mr Rouhani's office said the number of infections was based on an "estimated scenario" from a health ministry research report.
March 2020
Iran's coronavirus response makes matters worse
By downplaying the seriousness of the coronavirus crisis, Iranian officials have actually managed to aggravate the public panic they wanted to avoid.
Panic tests the trust of nations
In infected countries the spread of the virus is driving a wedge between citizens, governments, and the rest of the world.
How the COVID-19 outbreak is changing global politics
The past week has seen the coronavirus mutate into a truly global crisis. The worst-case health scenarios will probably be avoided. But the political effects of the outbreak are only just beginning.
February 2020
Saudi Arabia halts travel to Islam's holiest site
Saudi Arabia on Thursday halted travel to the holiest sites in Islam over fears about a viral epidemic just months ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
January 2020
Unsustainable economy keeps Tehran cornered
Iran's leaders will accept economic suffering as the price of staying in power. But a popular backlash may see the regime seek further confrontation with the US.
Iran protests turning violent in ongoing anger over downed jet
Security forces stepped up their patrols as protesters, many of the them students, came out in force in Tehran's landmark Azadi Square and at Shahid Beheshtri University, as well as in several regional cities.
Rage in Iran and Ukraine after Tehran admits shooting down jet
The criticism of Iran over shooting down the Ukrainian plane, killing 176, may eclipse whatever sympathy Tehran garnered in its confrontation with Donald Trump.
Missiles fired by Iran downed passenger jet, say US and allies
The disclosures suggested that the deaths were a consequence of the heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran that have played out since a US drone strike killed a top Iranian general last week.
US and Iranians lower tensions, at least for now
Donald Trump backed away from further military action against Iran and called for renewed diplomacy as the bristling confrontation of the past week eased in the aftermath of an Iranian missile strike.
Weeping, Iran supreme leader prays over general slain by US
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself prayed over the caskets of Soleimani and others slain in the attack. Khamenei, who had a close relationship with Soleimani, wept at one point.
Rockets fired after day of mourning for slain Iranian leader
The day of mourning in the Iraqi capital ended on Saturday evening with a series of rockets that were launched and fell inside or near the Green Zone, which houses government offices and foreign embassies, including the US Embassy.
November 2019
Petrol price rise sparks violent protests in Iran
The unrest has added to pressure on the government as it struggles to overcome US sanctions.
September 2019
Iran to speed up its uranium enrichment
Iran says it will speed up its centrifuges to enrich uranium faster, setting aside all commitments under a previous deal with the West.
July 2019
Russia backs EU effort to bolster Iran trade
Moscow’s involvement would mark a significant step forward in attempts by the EU and Russia to rescue a 2015 Iran nuclear deal.