Iran
Explore our coverage of Iran’s politics, economics, business and culture, in articles, charts, podcasts and video

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

Middle East & Africa
Israel has these four options for attacking Iran
Its politicians, and some generals, are gung-ho that the moment has come

Middle East & Africa
Iran’s leader must choose how to fight his war with Israel
Hardliners may force the supreme leader to escalate the conflict with Israel

Middle East & Africa
The threat of an Israeli attack is reviving Iranian nationalism
Iranians fear their country is being dragged into war

United States
Will the next president follow Israel into war with Iran?
Kamala Harris is likely to maintain Joe Biden’s awkward policy, while Donald Trump’s belligerent words mask a record of caution

Briefing
The bloodshed in the Middle East is fast expanding
Israel seems certain to retaliate to Iran’s missile attack

Leaders
The year that shattered the Middle East
Kill or be killed is the region’s new logic. Deterrence and diplomacy would be better

Briefing
What Hamas misunderstood about the Middle East
A war meant to draw in the militant group’s allies has instead left them battered

Middle East & Africa
Iran bombards Israel as the war escalates further
Israel may take it as justification to attack Iran

Briefing
After the decapitation of Hizbullah, Iran could race for a nuclear bomb
The embattled clerical regime might feel the need for stronger deterrence

Middle East & Africa
Iran’s damage-limitation efforts may not go to plan
As war with Israel intensifies on two fronts, Iranian presidential hopes for a rapprochement may fade

International
A new “quartet of chaos” threatens America
The rulers of China, Iran, North Korea and Russia are growing worryingly close


Middle East & Africa
The threat of war is empowering the Islamic republic’s hardliners
As a result, Iran’s new president is off to a disappointing start

Middle East & Africa
Iran’s electronic confrontation with Israel
The two adversaries are engaged in an intense cyber struggle, with Israel still a click ahead