Iran
Explore our coverage of Iran’s politics, economics, business and culture, in articles, charts, podcasts and video
Leaders
From Nixon to China, to Trump to Tehran
Iran is weak. For America’s next president that creates an opportunity
Middle East in 2025
The outlook for the Middle East depends on three cantankerous old men
Ali Khamenei, Binyamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump will determine whether the conflict continues
By Invitation: United States in 2025
Sally Paine outlines how America should deal with the “quartet of chaos”
The professor of history and grand strategy at the US Naval War College says history offers valuable lessons
Middle East & Africa
Get ready for “Maximum Pressure 2.0” on Iran
The Trump White House may bomb and penalise the regime into a deal
Middle East & Africa
Iraq could be the Middle East’s next battleground
Until recently violence was at its lowest since the American invasion
Culture
The six-day siege that put terror on television
A dramatic rescue attempt ended it and shot Britain’s SAS to fame
Middle East & Africa
Will Donald Trump “stop the wars” in the Middle East?
What he does may depend on which son-in-law spoke to him last
Middle East & Africa
Israel is keeping open the nuclear option
It has prepared a path to hit Iran’s nuclear sites after America’s election
Middle East & Africa
Iran needs a new national-security strategy
Will it choose a nuclear bomb or detente with America?
Middle East & Africa
Israel’s limited missile strike on Iran may be the start of a wider assault
Whatever Iran’s response to the attack, it carries risks for the regime
Middle East & Africa
America’s election and Israel’s wars reach a crescendo—together
An Israeli aerial strike on Iran remains likely in the coming days
Leaders
How the Biden administration botched America’s sanctions against Iran
With the financial deterrent undermined, only military deterrence is left
Finance & economics
Inside the secret oil trade that funds Iran’s wars
An investigation by The Economist uncovers a multi-billion-dollar, America-defying network
China
Does China welcome—or dread—an Iran-Israel war?
It wants American interests to suffer, but not at any price
Middle East & Africa
America boosts Israel’s missile shield. What did it get in return?
The THAAD battery could indicate Israeli restraint on Iran