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 Mon, 07 Sep 2026 14:53:00 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL As the conflict in the Persian Gulf 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-live-blog-trump-middle-east/33803414.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-live-blog-trump-middle-east/33803414.html Mon, 07 Sep 2026 01:26:00 +0200 IranNewsHuman RightsThe Rundown Stories The United States has imposed sanctions on a Turkish investment bank and two subsidiaries, accusing them of helping Iran move oil revenue and providing access to the international financial system as Washington intensifies its campaign to squeeze Tehran. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-turkey-bank-sanctions-treasury-economic-outcast/33847194.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-turkey-bank-sanctions-treasury-economic-outcast/33847194.html Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:16:11 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories An Iranian man was blinded by security forces during the mass nationwide Women, Life, Freedom protests in 2022. He fled the country but then returned and has now been sentenced to death by hanging. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-blinded-protester-death-sentence/33846311.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-blinded-protester-death-sentence/33846311.html Fri, 04 Sep 2026 07:46:37 +0200 IranFeaturesHuman RightsThe Rundown Stories An Iranian court has sentenced a partially blinded protester to death after he returned to Iran. Ali Zarei was blinded in one eye when he was shot by security forces during the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-germany-exile-death-sentence-protest-ali-zarei-women-life-freedom/33846514.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-germany-exile-death-sentence-protest-ali-zarei-women-life-freedom/33846514.html Fri, 04 Sep 2026 07:44:28 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosHuman RightsThe Rundown Stories Ukraine’s top sanctions official says he remains optimistic about prospects for a sweeping Russia sanctions bill in the US Congress despite growing uncertainty over when the House will take it up, as lawmakers face a sharply shortened legislative calendar ahead of the November elections. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-congress-vlasiuk-russia-sanctions-graham/33846754.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-congress-vlasiuk-russia-sanctions-graham/33846754.html Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:31:35 +0200 NewsIranRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories US Vice President JD Vance said the United States is investigating Iranian claims that an air strike struck a wedding party, but he says he is "skeptical" of reports coming out of Tehran. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-vance-wedding-party-attack-probe-skeptical/33846519.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-vance-wedding-party-attack-probe-skeptical/33846519.html Thu, 03 Sep 2026 22:08:29 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories A new draft bill designed to intensify online censorship and limit Internet access in Iran has been presented to lawmakers. Critics say the new proposed legislation mirrors an earlier bill that was abandoned after triggering controversy. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-internet-bill-restriction-access/33845516.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-internet-bill-restriction-access/33845516.html Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:02:14 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Stories Iran has claimed that a US strike hit a wedding party, killing several people. What do we know about the alleged incident? https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-strike-wedding-minab/33845617.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-strike-wedding-minab/33845617.html Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:12:05 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Headline A US House hearing examined the Houthis' growing ties with Russia and China and how they could strengthen the Iran-backed militant group's threat to US interests and Red Sea shipping. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-backed-houthis-russia-china-ties-us-house-hearing/33845462.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-backed-houthis-russia-china-ties-us-house-hearing/33845462.html Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:06:19 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Stories Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscow’s position on the war in the Middle East, in their first meeting since the conflict broke out in February. https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-pezeshkian-iran-russia-support-gulf-conflict-us/33844885.html https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-pezeshkian-iran-russia-support-gulf-conflict-us/33844885.html Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:42:29 +0200 IranNewsRussiaThe Rundown Stories An unfinished stadium in Bishkek played host to an Olympic-scale opening of the sixth World Nomad Games as world leaders -- barring one notable exception -- networked in the stands. https://www.rferl.org/a/world-nomad-games-politics-fireworks-opening-ceremone/33844714.html https://www.rferl.org/a/world-nomad-games-politics-fireworks-opening-ceremone/33844714.html Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:05:55 +0200 Photo GalleriesNewsArmeniaBelarusIranKazakhstanKyrgyzstanRussiaUkraineUzbekistanPhoto GalleriesThe Rundown Stories Ukraine's top sanctions official arrived in Washington on August 31 seeking to keep alive a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that cleared the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support but now faces a tougher test in the House of Representatives. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-us-house-sanctions-russia-bill/33844600.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-us-house-sanctions-russia-bill/33844600.html Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:09:52 +0200 NewsIranRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories The Shanghai Cooperation Organization turns 25 at a moment of extraordinary tension embroiling several of the regional security group’s most prominent members. For China, Russia, Iran, and others, it may be less about substance than a show of influence and independence in the face of the West. https://www.rferl.org/a/shanghai-security-rifts-show-russia-china-iran-west/33844272.html https://www.rferl.org/a/shanghai-security-rifts-show-russia-china-iran-west/33844272.html Mon, 31 Aug 2026 21:12:44 +0200 FeaturesBelarusIranKazakhstanKyrgyzstanRussiaTajikistanUzbekistanPakistanChina In EurasiaThe Rundown StoriesChina New US sanctions are creating new obstacles for Iranian students seeking to study abroad, disrupting access to English-language tests such as TOEFL and GRE. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-toefl-gre-english-students-sanctions/33844084.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-toefl-gre-english-students-sanctions/33844084.html Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:22:14 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Stories US forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz after the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was observed preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the vital waterway, a US official confirmed to RFE/RL. https://www.rferl.org/a/larak-island-iran-launchers-strike/33843587.html https://www.rferl.org/a/larak-island-iran-launchers-strike/33843587.html Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:36:24 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has taken aim at the government of longtime Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, citing what it calls “serious setbacks” in democracy and the rule of law, as well as Belgrade’s ties with US adversaries Iran, Russia, and China. https://www.rferl.org/a/congress-serbia-russia-iran-china-corruption-eu/33842700.html https://www.rferl.org/a/congress-serbia-russia-iran-china-corruption-eu/33842700.html Sat, 29 Aug 2026 10:59:33 +0200 NewsIranRussiaSerbiaThe Rundown Stories The US said it was aware of threats by Iran's armed forces to put Persian-language media outlets including RFE/RL's Radio Farda on a list of potential military targets, and pointed to what it said was Tehran's record of harassment and attempted attacks against journalists and dissidents abroad. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-threats-farda-military-target-srights/33842697.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-threats-farda-military-target-srights/33842697.html Fri, 28 Aug 2026 19:10:51 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Cutting off SIM cards has emerged as one of the more effective tools available to Iranian authorities seeking to punish critics and civil society activists, with consequences that go well beyond losing phone service. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-sim-ban-punish-activists-disrupt-life/33841790.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-sim-ban-punish-activists-disrupt-life/33841790.html Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:45:07 +0200 IranFeaturesHuman RightsThe Rundown Stories Six months after US-Israeli strikes, the Iran conflict remains unresolved. Despite military losses, Iran retains leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. Experts say key questions involve economic pressure, diplomacy, shipping, and support from Russia and China. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-six-months-four-issues-experts/33842411.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-six-months-four-issues-experts/33842411.html Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:27:32 +0200 News AnalysisFeaturesIranThe Rundown Headline CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow on August 25, US officials confirmed to RFE/RL, a rare trip that comes as Washington’s efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine have stalled and tensions over Moscow’s relationship with Iran have intensified. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-us-cia-unannounced-rare-visit/33839330.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-us-cia-unannounced-rare-visit/33839330.html Tue, 25 Aug 2026 22:01:55 +0200 NewsIranRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline