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Iran

Nuclear deals? Sanctions? Proxy wars? This is Vox’s home for explanation and analysis of a key player in the Middle East.

Syria
Why Democrats are blasting Biden’s attack against Iranian proxies in SyriaWhy Democrats are blasting Biden’s attack against Iranian proxies in Syria
Syria

It’s not clear that the president’s decision was legal.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Biden launched airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Syria to “send a message”Biden launched airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Syria to “send a message”
Politics

It’s the first known military action of Biden’s presidency.

By Alex Ward
Politics
GOP opposition to the Iran deal is threatening to sink a Biden Pentagon nomineeGOP opposition to the Iran deal is threatening to sink a Biden Pentagon nominee
Politics

Colin Kahl, Biden’s pick for a top Pentagon job, is a staunch Iran deal supporter. That might doom his nomination.

By Alex Ward
Defense & Security
Iran is “considering” joining the US for informal nuclear deal talksIran is “considering” joining the US for informal nuclear deal talks
Defense & Security

It’s a strong signal that US and Iranian negotiators may soon meet face to face to once again discuss curbing Tehran’s nuclear program.

By Alex Ward
Defense & Security
What the US offer to talk to Iran means — and doesn’t — for the nuclear dealWhat the US offer to talk to Iran means — and doesn’t — for the nuclear deal
Defense & Security

Even US officials say the offer for negotiations isn’t a “breakthrough.”

By Alex Ward
Climate
Iran nuclear deal: Trump holds the key to the agreement’s fateIran nuclear deal: Trump holds the key to the agreement’s fate
Climate

What the deal means for the Middle East, America, and the world.

By Vox Staff
World Politics
Don’t expect Biden to reenter the Iran nuclear deal right awayDon’t expect Biden to reenter the Iran nuclear deal right away
World Politics

Three top Biden team members made clear that reentry into the pact is a “long ways” away.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Iran expands nuclear program amid heightened tensions with the USIran expands nuclear program amid heightened tensions with the US
Politics

Iran plans to enrich uranium to 20 percent purity — a level it last reached before the 2015 nuclear deal.

By Cameron Peters
World Politics
Iran’s execution of journalist Ruhollah Zam, briefly explainedIran’s execution of journalist Ruhollah Zam, briefly explained
World Politics

Zam was best known for reporting on a wave of anti-regime protests in 2018.

By Cameron Peters
Israel
The assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, briefly explainedThe assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, briefly explained
Israel

Iran has blamed Israel for the attack, and pledged retaliation.

By Cameron Peters
Explainers
Mysterious explosions keep happening in Iran. Israel is likely behind it.Mysterious explosions keep happening in Iran. Israel is likely behind it.
Explainers

Experts say the suspected sabotage is part of Israel’s long-term efforts to delay any and all of Iran’s nuclear development.

By Alex Ward
Defense & Security
The US retaliatory strikes on an Iran-backed militia in Iraq, briefly explainedThe US retaliatory strikes on an Iran-backed militia in Iraq, briefly explained
Defense & Security

The US has set a red line: kill an American, be met with force.

By Alex Ward
Science
Iran’s growing coronavirus crisis, in 3 stunning photosIran’s growing coronavirus crisis, in 3 stunning photos
Science

The new large burial trenches are visible from space.

By Alex Ward
Defense & Security
What Iran stockpiling uranium for a nuclear bomb is really aboutWhat Iran stockpiling uranium for a nuclear bomb is really about
Defense & Security

It’s scary, but nowhere near as scary as it could be.

By Alex Ward
Science
Iran’s coronavirus outbreak has hit the highest levels of governmentIran’s coronavirus outbreak has hit the highest levels of government
Science

The supreme leader is also at risk.

By Alex Ward
Science
Why Iran’s coronavirus outbreak may be worse than you thinkWhy Iran’s coronavirus outbreak may be worse than you think
Science

If you had to pick a region primed for an outbreak, the Middle East would be a top choice.

By Alex Ward
Politics
The Senate just voted to check Trump’s ability to take military action against IranThe Senate just voted to check Trump’s ability to take military action against Iran
Politics

Eight Republicans joined with Democrats to send the president a message.

By Li Zhou
World Politics
Trump said no US troops were hurt in the Iran strike. The number is now up to 34.Trump said no US troops were hurt in the Iran strike. The number is now up to 34.
World Politics

First, it was “no casualties.” Then, 11 military members injured. Now? It’s 34.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Thousands in Iraq called for US troops to leave the country. But there’s more to the story.Thousands in Iraq called for US troops to leave the country. But there’s more to the story.
World Politics

It doesn’t look like these anti-US protests will be sustainable, at least for now.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Top US Iran envoy: We will kill Soleimani’s successor if another American is murderedTop US Iran envoy: We will kill Soleimani’s successor if another American is murdered
World Politics

Brian Hook says the new Quds Force leader could “meet the same fate.”

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Trump downplays US troop injuries from Iran’s attack, calling them “not very serious”Trump downplays US troop injuries from Iran’s attack, calling them “not very serious”
World Politics

Trump’s remarks struck many as callous. But he may have had a reason for making them.

By Alex Ward
Defense & Security
11 US troops were injured in Iran’s attack. It shows how close we came to war.11 US troops were injured in Iran’s attack. It shows how close we came to war.
Defense & Security

“The more that comes out, the more it looks like we got incredibly lucky in avoiding a war,” an expert told Vox.

By Alex Ward
Explainers
How thousands of Iranians went from mourning a general to protesting the regime, in a weekHow thousands of Iranians went from mourning a general to protesting the regime, in a week
Explainers

“The positions are not mutually exclusive.”

By Jen Kirby
World Politics
Iran says it’s now enriching uranium at levels higher than before nuclear dealIran says it’s now enriching uranium at levels higher than before nuclear deal
World Politics

The announcement is mainly a message to Western Europeans, an Iranian audience, and maybe Trump.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Iran, China, and war: Foreign policy topics to watch for in the January debateIran, China, and war: Foreign policy topics to watch for in the January debate
Politics

Foreign policy may actually play a role in the Iowa debate.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Iran makes plane crash arrests, but continues to blame the US for the disasterIran makes plane crash arrests, but continues to blame the US for the disaster
World Politics

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani: “It was the US that caused such an incident to take place.”

By Sean Collins
Defense & Security
Trump has apparently wanted to kill Soleimani for quite a while — since as far back as 2017Trump has apparently wanted to kill Soleimani for quite a while — since as far back as 2017
Defense & Security

Two new reports show Trump’s “imminent” attack claim may not be the whole story.

By Alex Ward
9 questions about the US-Iran crisis you were too embarrassed to ask
World Politics

Why did the US kill Qassem Soleimani? Why do the US and Iran hate each other?

By Alex Ward and Zack Beauchamp
Politics
The Trump administration is still struggling to get its story straight on why it killed SoleimaniThe Trump administration is still struggling to get its story straight on why it killed Soleimani
Politics

Trump said Soleimani was planning attacks on “four US embassies,” but Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he “didn’t see” intelligence about such strikes.

By Katelyn Burns
World Politics
Trump demands Iran allow new anti-government protests to continueTrump demands Iran allow new anti-government protests to continue
World Politics

Protesters lashed out at the Iranian government following its admission it accidentally shot down a passenger plane.

By Katelyn Burns
Politics
The administration’s deceptions about the Soleimani strike are a big dealThe administration’s deceptions about the Soleimani strike are a big deal
Politics

Lies about wars lead to more wars.

By Matthew Yglesias
World Politics
A Ukrainian plane crashed in Iran: What we knowA Ukrainian plane crashed in Iran: What we know
World Politics

Iran has admitted to accidentally shooting down the plane.

By Sean Collins and Jen Kirby
Explainers
Trump’s team insists Soleimani was an “imminent” threat. Just don’t ask for details.Trump’s team insists Soleimani was an “imminent” threat. Just don’t ask for details.
Explainers

“They really need to get their story straight,” an expert said.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Did impeachment weigh on Trump’s Soleimani decision? Maybe.Did impeachment weigh on Trump’s Soleimani decision? Maybe.
World Politics

Trump reportedly spoke to associates about feeling pressure from Republican lawmakers ahead of his Senate impeachment trial.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
The US killed Soleimani. What will Iran do next?The US killed Soleimani. What will Iran do next?
World Politics

Militia attacks? Cyberattacks? An attack on a high-level US official? Maybe.

By Alex Ward
Politics
The House sent a major message about checking the president’s war powers on IranThe House sent a major message about checking the president’s war powers on Iran
Politics

Democrats overwhelmingly want Trump to obtain congressional approval before further military action.

By Li Zhou
World Politics
Evidence is mounting that Iran accidentally shot down the Ukraine flightEvidence is mounting that Iran accidentally shot down the Ukraine flight
World Politics

If true, this significantly raises the death toll in the US-Iran conflict.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
“Probably the worst briefing I’ve seen”: Inside the disastrous congressional Iran meeting“Probably the worst briefing I’ve seen”: Inside the disastrous congressional Iran meeting
World Politics

At one point, the CIA director told lawmakers to read an intelligence report instead of just briefing them.

By Alex Ward
The case for killing Qassem Soleimani
World Politics

Why Trump’s decision to target the Iranian military commander was the right call, explained by an expert.

By Alex Ward
The case against killing Qassem Soleimani
World Politics

Why Trump’s decision to target the Iranian military commander was a mistake, explained by an expert.

By Sean Illing