# Iran
Latest news and articles about Iran
Total: 186 articles found
U.S. Defence Chief Warns Iran: Talks or ‘Other Options’ as Washington Says It Is ‘Very Prepared’
U.S. Defence Secretary Hegseth warned that Iran faces “other options” if nuclear talks fail, saying the military is “very well” prepared, while President Trump reiterated threats of force. Both officials framed diplomacy as possible but secondary to a posture of preparedness, raising concerns about escalation in a region already strained by sanctions and nuclear tensions.
Iran Shows Underground 'Missile City' and 1,000km Anti‑Ship Cruise Missile, Putting U.S. Fleets on the Back Foot
Iran has publicly showcased an underground missile complex and a new anti‑ship cruise missile, "Abu Mahdi," claiming over 1,000 km range and a heavy warhead capable of damaging large U.S. warships. The display underscores Tehran’s reliance on concealment, mobility and asymmetric tactics to complicate U.S. naval operations in the Gulf and Arabian Sea.
Netanyahu Seeks U.S. 'Freedom to Act' on Iran While Pressing Gaza Preconditions
Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. special envoy Witkoff that Israel needs 'freedom to act' on Iran, demanding Tehran halt ballistic missile production and uranium enrichment. The meeting also covered Gaza reconstruction, with Israel insisting on Hamas disarmament, full demilitarization, and exclusion of the Palestinian Authority from Gaza's governance.
Trump Says Talks with Iran Underway — Possible Nuclear Deal in the Offing as Regional Hosts Offer to Broker
President Trump said talks with Iran are ongoing and expressed hope for a deal, while Tehran confirmed plans for imminent negotiations and said Turkey and Oman have offered to host. A meeting between U.S. envoy Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Araghchi in Istanbul on Feb. 6 has been reported; any agreement faces deep trust deficits, regional sensitivities and domestic political constraints on both sides.
Talk or War? US and Iran Place Diplomacy and Force Side by Side
The United States and Iran have placed both diplomacy and military options on visible display: negotiators are due to meet in Istanbul even as both capitals conduct exercises and issue stark warnings. The dual posture widens room for bargaining but also raises the risk of miscalculation and regional escalation.
F‑35 Downs Iranian Drone as IRGC Fast Boats Harass U.S.‑Flagged Tanker — Diplomacy on a Knife‑Edge
A U.S. F‑35C shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, and IRGC fast boats later harassed a U.S.‑flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The incidents occurred as fragile talks between Washington and Tehran were being arranged, highlighting the risks that operational friction could derail diplomacy and raise the chance of miscalculation in regional waters.
Iran’s Bold Signals: Boat-Borne Harassment, Drone Shootdown and a Tactical Pause in Exercises Ahead of Nuclear Talks
A series of confrontations on February 3 — IRGC fast boats attempting to board a US‑flagged tanker and a US shootdown of an Iranian drone near USS Abraham Lincoln — were followed by Iran’s decision to postpone naval exercises with China and Russia. Tehran frames the delay as tactical de‑escalation ahead of nuclear talks while continuing to signal deterrence through asymmetric maritime actions.
Fragile Diplomacy: U.S. and Iran Agree to Oman Talks as Naval Confrontations Raise Stakes
The United States and Iran agreed to hold direct talks in Oman after Tehran demanded bilateral, nuclear-focused negotiations and shifted the venue from Turkey. Hours before the talks, a U.S. warplane shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln and U.S. forces escorted a tanker away from Iranian vessels, underscoring how fragile the diplomatic opening is and how quickly it could be ruptured by maritime incidents.
First Shot Fired: U.S. Downs Iranian Drone as Tehran Narrows Talks and Sidelines Five Mediators
A U.S. jet shot down an Iranian drone near an American carrier on Feb. 3, prompting Tehran to shift Feb. 6 talks to Oman and limit the agenda to nuclear issues while excluding missiles and proxies. The move signals Iran's reluctance to accept broad concessions without sanctions relief and narrows the role for regional mediators, increasing the risk of miscalculation.
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.