Iran

List of Iran articles

Iran's presidential election candidate and former reformist member of the Iranian parliament, Masoud Pezeshkian (R), and Former foreign minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif (L), during an electoral campaign rally in Tehran, on June 19.
Iran's presidential election candidate and former reformist member of the Iranian parliament, Masoud Pezeshkian (R), and Former foreign minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif (L), during an electoral campaign rally in Tehran, on June 19.

Will Pezeshkian’s Win Lead to a Thaw in U.S.-Iran Relations?

Although it’s hard to imagine a new nuclear deal, a reformist administration could present some opportunities for de-escalation.

Supporters cheer as newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrives at the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on July 6, 2024.
Supporters cheer as newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrives at the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on July 6, 2024.

Iranians Voted for Change. Will They Get It?

Masoud Pezeshkian was elected on an ambitious reformist platform, but it’s not yet clear he can deliver.

Afghan refugees carry their belongings after being deported back from Iran at the Islam Qala Border between Afghanistan and Iran, in the western Herat province, on May 30.
Afghan refugees carry their belongings after being deported back from Iran at the Islam Qala Border between Afghanistan and Iran, in the western Herat province, on May 30.

Afghan Asylum Seekers Face Hostility in Iran

As the country heads to a presidential run-off election, its largest immigrant population has featured prominently in the debate.

Iranian women arrive to cast their votes at a polling station during the presidential election in Tehran on June 28.
Iranian women arrive to cast their votes at a polling station during the presidential election in Tehran on June 28.

What Will Elections in France, Iran, and the U.K. Mean for U.S. Foreign Policy?

As more countries prepare to go to the polls, Julian Assange is freed and Vladimir Putin cozies up to Kim Jong Un.

Supporters of reformist Iranian presidential candidate Massoud Pezeshkian lift his portraits during a rally in Tehran on June 26.
Supporters of reformist Iranian presidential candidate Massoud Pezeshkian lift his portraits during a rally in Tehran on June 26.

Can a Reformist President Change Iran?

Masoud Pezeshkian could win the election, but that doesn’t mean he’d have the power to change the country’s direction.

Supporters of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf hold a banner depicting him, in Shahr-e-Rey, south of Tehran, on June 7, 2013.
Supporters of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf hold a banner depicting him, in Shahr-e-Rey, south of Tehran, on June 7, 2013.

The Conservative Power Struggle Shaping Iran’s Election

Iran’s reformists are back—but the competition among conservatives deserves far more attention.

Supporters attend an election campaign rally for Iranian presidential candidate and former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in Tehran on June 24.
Supporters attend an election campaign rally for Iranian presidential candidate and former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in Tehran on June 24.

Elections Could Reshape U.S.-Iran Dynamic

Voters in Iran are focused on restrictive Western sanctions as both countries head to the polls this year.

A line of tanks moves down a street with snow-covered mountains in the distance in a black and white photo.
A line of tanks moves down a street with snow-covered mountains in the distance in a black and white photo.

The Forgotten World War III Scare of 1980

Moscow and Washington trapped themselves in a cycle of fear over Iran.

A banner depicting the late President Ebrahim Raisi hangs above a gathering of women at the Shah Abdol-Azim shrine in Rey, a conservative southern suburb of Tehran, during the funeral of Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
A banner depicting the late President Ebrahim Raisi hangs above a gathering of women at the Shah Abdol-Azim shrine in Rey, a conservative southern suburb of Tehran, during the funeral of Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

The Mood From Tehran

As Iran gears up for elections to replace Raisi, the country is divided.

Iranians mourn late president Ebrahim Raisi at the Imam Reza shrine during the funeral ceremony in the city of Mashhad on May 23, 2024.
Iranians mourn late president Ebrahim Raisi at the Imam Reza shrine during the funeral ceremony in the city of Mashhad on May 23, 2024.

Raisi’s Funeral Has Exposed the Two Irans

The president’s death has shocked a political system that was designed to survive.

A story in the front page of a newspaper in Tehran covers the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties on March 11, 2023.
A story in the front page of a newspaper in Tehran covers the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties on March 11, 2023.

Democracies Aren’t the Peacemakers Anymore

How Washington can reclaim its diplomatic primacy in an authoritarian age.

People wearing black and holding up posters of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi mourn the death of the president at Valiasr Square in Tehran.
People wearing black and holding up posters of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi mourn the death of the president at Valiasr Square in Tehran.

Raisi’s Death Represents a Tipping Point for Iran

But it won’t change Tehran’s domestic or foreign policy.

An Iraqi soldier stands guard next candles list by people paying their respects to Iran's late president Ebrahim Raisi outside the Iranian embassy in Baghdad on May 20.
An Iraqi soldier stands guard next candles list by people paying their respects to Iran's late president Ebrahim Raisi outside the Iranian embassy in Baghdad on May 20.

Why Iran Believes It’s Winning Against Israel

Tehran has concluded that a regional reordering is underway. The death of the president and foreign minister won’t change that.

A TV camera is seen behind a man in a robe, hat, and cleric's color. Another man in a dark jacket is at right. They stand in front of a curtain topped with a bank of flowers.
A TV camera is seen behind a man in a robe, hat, and cleric's color. Another man in a dark jacket is at right. They stand in front of a curtain topped with a bank of flowers.

What Raisi’s Death Means for Iran’s Future

The president’s sudden death in a helicopter crash creates uncertainty for the country amid regional turmoil.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Hassan Firouzabadi, then head of the Iranian military, look through binoculars during the test firing of short- and medium-range missiles.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Hassan Firouzabadi, then head of the Iranian military, look through binoculars during the test firing of short- and medium-range missiles.

The Day After Iran Gets the Bomb

Scholars and policymakers are still trying to understand what would happen after Tehran acquires a nuclear weapon.

Loading graphics