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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.

World Politics
Trump’s not killing the Iran deal — yetTrump’s not killing the Iran deal — yet
World Politics

But this could be the last time he extends it.

By Zeeshan Aleem
World Politics
The massive new protests in Iran, explainedThe massive new protests in Iran, explained
World Politics

At least 20 people have died, and the protests show no signs of stopping.

By Zack Beauchamp
World Politics
Why an expert thinks we’re as close to war with Iran as we’ve been in 25 yearsWhy an expert thinks we’re as close to war with Iran as we’ve been in 25 years
World Politics

Hint: Trump isn’t helping.

By Sean Illing
World Politics
“A colossal miscalculation”: why the Kurds’ independence bid might lead to civil war in Iraq“A colossal miscalculation”: why the Kurds’ independence bid might lead to civil war in Iraq
World Politics

America’s allies are shooting at each other. It could get much worse.

By Sean Illing
World Politics
Trump just slapped new sanctions on Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard CorpsTrump just slapped new sanctions on Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
World Politics

Analysts say the measures could cause Iran to retaliate.

By Zeeshan Aleem
World Politics
What Trump’s decision to “decertify” the Iran nuclear deal actually doesWhat Trump’s decision to “decertify” the Iran nuclear deal actually does
World Politics

Trump’s big new Iran deal policy is both pointless and incredibly dangerous.

By Zack Beauchamp
World Politics
An anti-nuclear weapons group won the Nobel Peace Prize. The timing couldn’t be better.An anti-nuclear weapons group won the Nobel Peace Prize. The timing couldn’t be better.
World Politics

ICAN, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, explained.

By Jennifer Williams
Politics
A Trump hotel project seems to have involved a front for Iran’s Revolutionary GuardA Trump hotel project seems to have involved a front for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
Politics

It wouldn’t be the first time Trump got into money-laundering trouble.

By Matthew Yglesias
Oscars
Watch Iranian Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi’s statement protesting Trump’s “inhuman law”Watch Iranian Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi’s statement protesting Trump’s “inhuman law”
Play
Oscars

The Best Foreign Language Film winner wasn’t at the ceremony for a reason.

By Caroline Framke
World Politics
Why Iran’s supreme leader just thanked Trump for his Muslim banWhy Iran’s supreme leader just thanked Trump for his Muslim ban
World Politics

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei unleashed a counterintuitive tweet storm Tuesday.

By Zeeshan Aleem
World Politics
Trump’s new sanctions targeted Iran. So why is China angry about them?Trump’s new sanctions targeted Iran. So why is China angry about them?
World Politics

China is in the crosshairs of some of the US’s new penalties.

By Zeeshan Aleem
Culture
A Separation, an Oscar-winning glimpse into Iranian life, is one of the best films of the decadeA Separation, an Oscar-winning glimpse into Iranian life, is one of the best films of the decade
Culture

Director Asghar Farhadi is nominated for a second Oscar in 2017, but won’t attend in protest of Donald Trump’s refugee ban.

By Alissa Wilkinson
World Politics
Trump’s new sanctions against Iran aren’t as aggressive as you might thinkTrump’s new sanctions against Iran aren’t as aggressive as you might think
World Politics

They’re meant to send a message, but they won’t unravel the Iran deal.

By Zeeshan Aleem
Culture
Iranian Oscar nominee Asghar Farhadi on why  he wouldn’t attend this year’s ceremony even if he couldIranian Oscar nominee Asghar Farhadi on why  he wouldn’t attend this year’s ceremony even if he could
Culture

The Salesman director issued a statement warning of “hardliners” creating an “us and them mentality.”

By Caroline Framke
Politics
“But I have a valid visa”: an Iranian researcher barred from flying to US for new job“But I have a valid visa”: an Iranian researcher barred from flying to US for new job
Politics

A 30-year-old, award-winning scientist had a job waiting in Boston. But under Trump’s new executive order, she was sent home.

By Sarah Kliff
Politics
This 21-year-old Iranian woman is fighting cancer in the US. Now her father can’t visit her.This 21-year-old Iranian woman is fighting cancer in the US. Now her father can’t visit her.
Politics

“When you are going through treatment for something so serious, the last thing you want to think about is your status.”

By Tara Golshan
Culture
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi is an Oscar nominee. He probably can’t travel to the ceremony.Iranian director Asghar Farhadi is an Oscar nominee. He probably can’t travel to the ceremony.
Culture

Here’s what he told us about in November about finding hope amid turmoil.

By Emily St. James
World Politics
Iran’s big new oil deal with Shell will help keep its nuclear agreement safe from TrumpIran’s big new oil deal with Shell will help keep its nuclear agreement safe from Trump
World Politics

Foreign investment in the country makes it harder to return to sanctions.

By Zeeshan Aleem
World Politics
Meet Jim “Mad Dog” Mattis, the Iran hawk that will run Trump’s PentagonMeet Jim “Mad Dog” Mattis, the Iran hawk that will run Trump’s Pentagon
World Politics

The retired general could push Trump to take a harder line toward Tehran — and Russia.

By Yochi Dreazen
If Trump actually rips up the Iran deal, Tehran wins
World Politics
By Zeeshan Aleem
World Politics
No, Mike Pence, the US didn’t give Iran a $400 million ransom paymentNo, Mike Pence, the US didn’t give Iran a $400 million ransom payment
World Politics

Here’s what actually happened.

By Zack Beauchamp
This is what climate change is doing to Iran
World Politics

One of Iran’s best known lakes is disappearing. These photos show what’s left behind as the waters recede.

By Yochi Dreazen
The US paid Iran $1.3 billion in secret. It’s not a scandal.
Media

Just stop it.

By Zack Beauchamp
Politics
The fake controversy about Clinton’s emails getting an Iranian scientist killed, explainedThe fake controversy about Clinton’s emails getting an Iranian scientist killed, explained
Politics

Trump tweeted that Clinton’s emails might have led to Shahram Amiri’s death. His source: “Many people are saying” it.

By Tara Golshan
Iran
Vox Sentences: Did the US really pay Iran a $400M ransom?Vox Sentences: Did the US really pay Iran a $400M ransom?
Iran

The belated scandal over the $400 million the US paid Iran in January; hundreds of suspected drug users and dealers killed in the Philippines; President Obama shortens another 214 prison sentences.

By Dara Lind and Dylan Matthews
World Politics
4 reasons Iran’s new parliament is a really big deal4 reasons Iran’s new parliament is a really big deal
World Politics

It could be the most consequential elected assembly since the founding of the Islamic Republic.

By Hanif Zarrabi-Kashani
World Politics
6 things you need to know about Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps6 things you need to know about Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
World Politics

You can’t really understand Iran without understanding the IRGC: why it was formed, what role it plays in Iran’s foreign policy, and why it is so deeply anti-American.

By Afshon Ostovar
Politics
Why many of Iran’s “moderates” say they prefer Trump to ClintonWhy many of Iran’s “moderates” say they prefer Trump to Clinton
Politics

Many of Iran’s political and economic elites calculate that a President Trump would provide better opportunities for Iran to reestablish its place in the world.

By Jeremy Shapiro and Ellie Geranmayeh
2016 Presidential Election
How the nuclear deal boosted Iran’s moderates — and showed Iranian elections can matterHow the nuclear deal boosted Iran’s moderates — and showed Iranian elections can matter
2016 Presidential Election

The deal was an opportunity for moderates to prove they have a better way, and the support to get there.

By Max Fisher
2016 Presidential Election
4 reasons Iran’s election is a bigger deal than you think4 reasons Iran’s election is a bigger deal than you think
2016 Presidential Election

Maybe it’s time to acknowledge that Iran’s politics matter.

By Max Fisher
2016 Presidential Election
Vox Sentences: What to make of Iran’s election resultsVox Sentences: What to make of Iran’s election results
2016 Presidential Election

What it means to say Iran’s election was a victory for “reformers”; Donald Trump and the KKK, explained; Oscars recap.

By Dara Lind and Dylan Matthews
Iran
Vox Sentences: Russia and Saudi Arabia want to cap oil production. One problem: Iran.Vox Sentences: Russia and Saudi Arabia want to cap oil production. One problem: Iran.
Iran

A (probably doomed) plan to cap oil exports; Democrats belatedly realize not all of their voters are white; Kendrick Lamar robbed again.

By Dara Lind and Dylan Matthews
How Iran’s election could make history
Video

Iran is about to hold a national election that could shape the country’s future for a generation.

By Johnny Harris and Max Fisher
World Politics
The very silly controversy over Iran and Italy’s nude statues, explainedThe very silly controversy over Iran and Italy’s nude statues, explained
World Politics

Italian officials put some boxes over nude statues at a Rome museum where Hassan Rouhani was speaking.

By Max Fisher
Iran
The Republican myth of Ronald Reagan and the Iran hostages, debunkedThe Republican myth of Ronald Reagan and the Iran hostages, debunked
Iran

Sorry, GOP candidates. Your favorite foreign policy story about Reagan is a myth.

By Amanda Taub
Politics
Clinton’s argument with Sanders about normalizing relations with Iran, explainedClinton’s argument with Sanders about normalizing relations with Iran, explained
Politics

A risky replay of a 2008 campaign tactic that didn’t work.

By Matthew Yglesias
Iran
Thought experiment: what if the Iran nuclear deal had failed?Thought experiment: what if the Iran nuclear deal had failed?
Iran

Graham Allison imagines the world without the Iran nuclear deal, and it’s not pretty.

By Jennifer Williams
World Politics
Why we fight about IranWhy we fight about Iran
World Politics

The debates are so vicious because they’re not really about Iran — they’re about much deeper disputes.

By Max Fisher