https://www.rferl.org/z/660 RFE/RL's latest news, features, commentary, and multimedia content on Iran. https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org/z/660 en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Sun, 21 Jun 2026 06:09:37 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL After briefly appearing to falter, US-Iran implementation talks are back on track, with senior American and Iranian delegations converging on Switzerland for what could prove a decisive phase in turning a fragile wartime memorandum into a broader political settlement. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-burgenstock-ceasefire-vance-witkoff-kushner-araqchi/33785268.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-burgenstock-ceasefire-vance-witkoff-kushner-araqchi/33785268.html Sat, 20 Jun 2026 23:39:53 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Israeli strikes have killed dozens in south Lebanon despite the US-Iran memorandum's first clause calling for an end to the war there. Tehran is facing a rising chorus from hard-liners demanding a response. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-lebanon-israel-war-us-agreement-pressure/33785116.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-lebanon-israel-war-us-agreement-pressure/33785116.html Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:16:43 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East As the US-Israeli war with Iran continues to impact and shape the region, journalists from RFE/RL's Central Newsroom and Iranian service, Radio Farda, deliver ongoing updates and analysis. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil-blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil-blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html Sat, 20 Jun 2026 09:01:00 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories What was supposed to be the first face-to-face technical engagement between the US and Iran after their surprise memorandum of understanding (MOU) has instead become an early test of whether the fragile diplomatic opening can survive the pressures of a wider regional war. https://www.rferl.org/a/burgenstock-switzerland-vance-us-iran-mou-war/33784777.html https://www.rferl.org/a/burgenstock-switzerland-vance-us-iran-mou-war/33784777.html Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:17 +0200 News AnalysisNewsIranPakistanThe Rundown Stories Iranian-born author Marjane Satrapi, who wrote the hit graphic novel Persepolis, was laid to rest on June 19 in Paris amid tributes honoring her work. Her graphic novel was later adapted into a Cannes-winning animated film. Known for her wit, provocative and irreverent storytelling, and outspoken positions on human rights, Satrapi was buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery amid commemorations from international artists. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-france-marjane-satrapi-funeral-persepolis-radiation-cannes-human-rights-film-animation/33784759.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-france-marjane-satrapi-funeral-persepolis-radiation-cannes-human-rights-film-animation/33784759.html Fri, 19 Jun 2026 21:33:02 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosHuman Rights The Iran framework agreement gave an immediate boost to markets, with shares rising and oil prices dipping. But whether this translates into durable economic gains will largely depend on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-hormuz-shipping-revival-trump/33783948.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-hormuz-shipping-revival-trump/33783948.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:13:29 +0200 News AnalysisFeaturesIranThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East While the US and Iran have reached a historic agreement to restore stability in the Strait of Hormuz, the path to a full global energy recovery is dangerously lopsided. As energy expert Ariel Cohen notes, the infrastructure damage is not uniform: "Oil supply is expected to be fully restored by the end of the year, but LNG supply restoration is projected to take much longer, possibly until 2028." https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-energy-prices/33783923.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-energy-prices/33783923.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:12:51 +0200 IranThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East Iranian authorities have sentenced singer Parastoo Ahmadi to a punishment of 74 lashes for performing in a YouTube video that has racked up 2.9 million views over the last two years. Ahmadi sang the well-known patriotic song From The Blood Of The Youth to an empty theater space in 2024 with the help of eight musicians and crew. They have also been sentenced to flogging, a travel ban, and a prohibition on any "artistic activities" for the next two years. Ahmadi was accused of "offending public decency" after she performed without a hijab, the head covering mandated by Iranian morality police. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-singer-sentence-flogging-morality-police-ban-women-life-freedom-hijab-concert-youtube/33783873.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-singer-sentence-flogging-morality-police-ban-women-life-freedom-hijab-concert-youtube/33783873.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:26:54 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories The US-Iranian deal to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is inevitably being compared with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed with Tehran by then US President Barack Obama. So how do they stand apart? https://www.rferl.org/a/obama-iran-deal-trump-agreement/33783735.html https://www.rferl.org/a/obama-iran-deal-trump-agreement/33783735.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:33:06 +0200 News AnalysisFeaturesIranThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict that has roiled the Middle East since late February. https://www.rferl.org/a/uran-us-sign-deal-trump-pezeshkian-hormuz-nuclear/33783570.html https://www.rferl.org/a/uran-us-sign-deal-trump-pezeshkian-hormuz-nuclear/33783570.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:01:01 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline Senior US officials have disclosed details of the framework deal with Iran that is set to be officially signed during a ceremony in Switzerland on June 19. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-memorandum-of-understanding-details-us-officials-nuclear-hormuz-sanctions/33783235.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-memorandum-of-understanding-details-us-officials-nuclear-hormuz-sanctions/33783235.html Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:15:58 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline The first shipments of Iranian crude oil in two months have departed the Strait of Hormuz, according to ship-monitoring firm TankerTrackers.com. This comes just days before senior Iranian and US officials are expected to sign a preliminary agreement in Switzerland aimed at ending the war. Using satellite imagery and shipping data, TankerTrackers said it had verified Iran's first crude oil exports since a US naval blockade was imposed two months ago. https://www.rferl.org/a/first-iranian-crude-exports-in-two-months-leave-hormuz/33783096.html https://www.rferl.org/a/first-iranian-crude-exports-in-two-months-leave-hormuz/33783096.html Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:50:33 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideos US President Donald Trump said the United States could resume military action against Iran if he is dissatisfied with the implementation of the memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-us-iran-deal-talks/33783001.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-us-iran-deal-talks/33783001.html Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:41:02 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East The question now confronting negotiators is what should happen to that stockpile as part of a broader agreement between Tehran and Washington. In recent weeks, Kazakhstan has been mentioned as a possible third-party custodian. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-uranium-stockpile-kazakhstan-united-states-iaea/33782975.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-uranium-stockpile-kazakhstan-united-states-iaea/33782975.html Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:45:32 +0200 IranFeaturesKazakhstanThe Rundown Stories Dozens of soccer fans displayed Iran’s pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag during the country’s World Cup opener against New Zealand in defiance of FIFA, which won a court hearing allowing it to prohibit the symbol inside venues. The Lion and Sun flag, flown over Iran before the Islamic Revolution in 1979, has become a symbol of resistance to decades of repressive theocratic rule in the country. It is also widely displayed by Iranian monarchist exiles. https://www.rferl.org/a/pre-revolutionary-flags-fly-at-iran-s-world-cup-opener-defying-fifa-ban/33782275.html https://www.rferl.org/a/pre-revolutionary-flags-fly-at-iran-s-world-cup-opener-defying-fifa-ban/33782275.html Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:11:28 +0200 VideosIranVideo Archive US President Donald Trump held a “very good meeting” with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G7 summit in France, adding that “Russia should make a deal” while hinting that Europe’s largest conflict since World War II might be moving up his priority list. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-ukraine-focus-iran-russia/33782190.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-ukraine-focus-iran-russia/33782190.html Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:57:38 +0200 NewsIranRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories US President Donald Trump said a framework agreement to be signed with Iran this week makes it "loud and clear" that Tehran will not develop or acquire nuclear weapons as the two sides try to move toward ending their war. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-deal-iran-nuclear-weapons/33782189.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-deal-iran-nuclear-weapons/33782189.html Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:38:48 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East RFE/RL spoke with Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, a former US diplomat and current distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council focusing on Middle East security and strategy, to unpack the framework deal between Iran and the US, what remains unsettled, and what the world should watch for next. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-framework-agreement-memorandum-of-understanding/33782127.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-framework-agreement-memorandum-of-understanding/33782127.html Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:00:56 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Stories Iranians say they have been warned by security officials not to speak to US-funded Persian-language media, such as RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, amid a crackdown in which the Iranian authorities say they have charged increasing numbers with espionage for “cooperation with the enemy.” https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-fear-crackdown-protests-dissent-media/33781430.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-fear-crackdown-protests-dissent-media/33781430.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:32:46 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East The United States and Iran have electronically signed a framework deal to end the three-month-long war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, senior US administration officials said on June 15. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-peace-agreement-pakistan-israel-lebanon/33780270.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-peace-agreement-pakistan-israel-lebanon/33780270.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:40:12 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East