# Iran
Latest news and articles about Iran
Total: 93 articles found
Beneath the Rubble: How Iran’s Shadow Economy Keeps a Struggling Regime Afloat
Iran’s public economy has unravelled since December 2025: runaway inflation, a collapsing rial, and mass protests followed a fuel subsidy cut. But a large, opaque shadow economy—dominated by the IRGC, Bonyads and resilient shadow‑banking networks—continues to circulate funds and shield the regime’s core, making rapid collapse unlikely and prolonging chronic national decline.
Iran’s 1,000-Drone Push Raises Stakes in Middle East; Swarm Warfare and Proxies Enter a New Phase
Iran has unveiled the induction of 1,000 new military drones and showcased six distinct models, positioning the capability as a deterrent against potential US strikes. The move complicates US force protection in the region, heightens risks from Tehran’s proxy networks, and forces Gulf states into a difficult balancing act between alliance ties and economic self‑preservation.
Israel Signals Readiness for Multi‑Front War as Chief of Staff Orders Heightened Preparations
Israel’s Chief of Staff Zamir has declared the IDF in a period of heightened war readiness, citing lingering tensions with Iran and lessons from the October 2023 Hamas attacks. He called for both stronger defences and preparations for offensive operations across multiple theatres, signalling planning for a possible multi‑front conflict.
Trump’s Iran Gamble: Bluster, Bargaining and What It Means for China
President Trump’s simultaneous threat of force and offer of talks toward Iran reflects deliberate brinkmanship intended to maximize U.S. leverage. Tehran remains resistant on core issues such as ballistic missiles and regional influence, and a military campaign would carry heavy regional and global costs that complicate any claimed benefits for China.
Iran Parades ‘Abu Mahdi’ Cruise Missiles and Underground ‘Missile City’ — A Signal to U.S. Fleets
Iran publicly showcased a subterranean missile complex storing hundreds of new “Abu Mahdi” anti‑ship cruise missiles that Tehran says can reach beyond 1,000 km and penetrate warship defences. The display is both a tactical signal about asymmetric coastal striking capability and a strategic challenge to U.S. naval operations in the Gulf and nearby waters.
Iran Says It Will Treat European Militaries as 'Terrorists' After EU Lists the IRGC — A Dangerous Escalation
Iran’s parliament speaker announced that Tehran will treat European militaries as terrorist organisations after the EU designated the IRGC as a terrorist group. The declaration is largely rhetorical but raises serious legal and operational risks, complicating European deployments and increasing the chance of miscalculation in an already tense region.
Talks Open but Trenches Deepen: U.S. and Iran Signal Willingness Amid Stark Differences
Both Washington and Tehran have publicly signalled willingness to enter talks on nuclear, missile and proxy issues, but deep disagreements over demands, sequencing and verification make successful negotiations uncertain. Military posturing and strict U.S. conditions fuel Iranian scepticism, leaving the region under continued diplomatic and security strain.
Trump Signals Willingness to Negotiate With Iran While Repeating Military Threats
Donald Trump said he hopes the U.S. can reach an agreement with Iran while emphasising U.S. naval strength and warning of military consequences if talks fail. Iran says it remains confident indirect negotiations are productive, insisting on sanctions relief and the right to peaceful enrichment amid a tense regional military backdrop and recent U.S.-Israel coordination.
US Forces at Iran’s Doorstep — But the Crucial Window for Influence Has Closed
US forces are positioned close to Iran, but a critical period in which decisive pressure or punitive action would have been most effective has passed. That missed timing narrows US options, increases regional instability, and forces difficult choices between costly escalation and containment backed by diplomacy.
UAE President Cancels Japan State Visit as Iran‑US Tensions Rise, Underscoring Gulf’s Diplomatic Tightrope
The UAE president has cancelled a planned state visit to Japan amid rising U.S.–Iran tensions, a move widely interpreted as a precautionary response to growing regional instability. The decision underscores Gulf states’ delicate balancing between security ties with the United States and pragmatic engagement with Iran, with implications for diplomacy, energy markets and regional risk calculations.
Flight Tracks, Helicopters and High Stakes: Why a U.S. Special Forces Deployment to Azerbaijan Matters for Tehran
Flight-tracking evidence that a U.S. MC-130J entered Azerbaijani airspace on 29 January has fuelled claims that American special forces could be preparing operations against Tehran. While the presence of a special-operations transport is significant, concrete plans for a decapitation raid remain unproven; nonetheless, the movement complicates regional security, risks pulling Azerbaijan into a confrontation, and heightens the chance of miscalculation between Tehran, Washington, Moscow and Tel Aviv.
Talks and Threats: Washington Keeps Iran Under Deliberate Ambiguity as Naval Forces Patrol the Gulf
The United States has combined public threats and naval deployments with discreet offers to negotiate with Iran, a strategy Washington has kept deliberately ambiguous. Tehran has responded with guarded engagement through intermediaries while reaffirming core red lines, raising the odds that any agreement will be limited and that miscalculation could still spark wider regional conflict.