Skip to main content

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 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
Politics
Dominance and reputation: How Trump thinks about IranDominance and reputation: How Trump thinks about Iran
Politics

What’s likely behind Trump’s risky provocations.

By Andrew Prokop
Politics
I’m Iranian American. I’m tired of being treated like a political pawn.I’m Iranian American. I’m tired of being treated like a political pawn.
Politics

The dehumanization of people in the Middle East has led us to endless war.

By Mana Kharrazi
World Politics
How Trump got suckered by Iran and North KoreaHow Trump got suckered by Iran and North Korea
World Politics

He’s pushed Iran closer to going nuclear — and spurred an arms race in North Korea, Russia, and China.

By Jeffrey Lewis
World Politics
Trump’s “Mission Accomplished” moment?Trump’s “Mission Accomplished” moment?
World Politics

Trump’s Iran statement was a premature declaration of victory.

By Zack Beauchamp
Politics
A political scientist explains why a war with Iran wouldn’t necessarily help Trump in 2020A political scientist explains why a war with Iran wouldn’t necessarily help Trump in 2020
Politics

The “rally around the flag” effect is real, but under specific circumstances.

By Sean Illing
Defense & Security
Trump’s Iran speech seemed like a victory lap. It actually made things worse.Trump’s Iran speech seemed like a victory lap. It actually made things worse.
Defense & Security

This was not the Iran “victory” speech Trump needed to give.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Trump: No war with Iran — at least for nowTrump: No war with Iran — at least for now
Politics

“Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world,” the president said.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Iran attacks 2 US military targets in Iraq: What we know so farIran attacks 2 US military targets in Iraq: What we know so far
World Politics

This was in retaliation for the US killing Qassem Soleimani. Trump said “All is well!” and no casualties have been reported so far.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Iran just fired missiles at US military targets. What does this mean?Iran just fired missiles at US military targets. What does this mean?
World Politics

An expert weighs in on Iran’s apparent response to Soleimani’s death.

By Jen Kirby
World Politics
It’s all up to Trump nowIt’s all up to Trump now
World Politics

Iran’s attacks on US bases in Iraq could be the end — or the beginning of something far worse. Which road we go down is almost entirely up to the president.

By Zack Beauchamp
Technology
The US is worried about Iran retaliating with a cyberattackThe US is worried about Iran retaliating with a cyberattack
Technology

Iran’s formidable cyber arsenal includes malware and DoS attacks.

By Sara Morrison
Politics
The only remaining check on Trump is the 2020 electionThe only remaining check on Trump is the 2020 election
Politics

Our legal system was not built for a president like Donald Trump.

By Ian Millhiser
Politics
Democrats want to check Trump on Iran — but Congress can only do so muchDemocrats want to check Trump on Iran — but Congress can only do so much
Politics

Democrats are pushing a vote on a resolution in order to put pressure on Republicans.

By Li Zhou
Politics
The US-Saudi alliance is deeply unpopular with the American peopleThe US-Saudi alliance is deeply unpopular with the American people
Politics

A key driver in the conflict with Iran isn’t politically viable.

By Matthew Yglesias
Politics
Trump wants US troops out of Iraq, but says Iraq would face sanctions for expelling themTrump wants US troops out of Iraq, but says Iraq would face sanctions for expelling them
Politics

Iraq’s parliament passed a nonbinding resolution on expelling US troops Sunday.

By Sean Collins
Politics
“These Media Posts will serve as notification”: Trump’s dangerous Iran tweets, briefly explained“These Media Posts will serve as notification”: Trump’s dangerous Iran tweets, briefly explained
Politics

The president capped off a weekend of tweeting with one that threatens to violate multiple laws.

By Aaron Rupar
World Politics
Iran announces it will no longer adhere to 2015 nuclear deal limitsIran announces it will no longer adhere to 2015 nuclear deal limits
World Politics

Iran will no longer limit the number of centrifuges it operates, but will still allow oversight from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

By Riley Beggin
World Politics
Trump threatens new attacks on Iran, as Iranian leaders compare him to ISISTrump threatens new attacks on Iran, as Iranian leaders compare him to ISIS
World Politics

Trump said the US would attack 52 sites in Iran should the country retaliate for the killing of Qassem Soleimani.

By Riley Beggin
World Politics
Iraqi parliament approves a resolution on expelling US troops after Soleimani killingIraqi parliament approves a resolution on expelling US troops after Soleimani killing
World Politics

Iraq’s prime minister said it’s time to “reorganize the relationship.”

By Riley Beggin
Politics
There’s little evidence to support Pence’s tweets tying Qassem Soleimani to 9/11There’s little evidence to support Pence’s tweets tying Qassem Soleimani to 9/11
Politics

Pence claimed the Iranian military leader helped some of the 9/11 hijackers, but there’s really no evidence to suggest this is the case.

By Isaac Saul
Politics
Mourners in Iraq chant threats to America after Soleimani’s deathMourners in Iraq chant threats to America after Soleimani’s death
Politics

In many ways, Qassem Soleimani represented Iraq’s complex relationship with Iran. Saturday, thousands mourned his death in Baghdad.

By Isaac Saul
Politics
A second airstrike against Iranian targets in Iraq: what we knowA second airstrike against Iranian targets in Iraq: what we know
Politics

The attack comes one day after a major escalation in US-Iranian tensions.

By Caroline Houck
Politics
Could a congressional amendment have stopped Trump from striking against Iran?Could a congressional amendment have stopped Trump from striking against Iran?
Politics

Progressives say an amendment they proposed last year would have tied Trump’s hands on Iran.

By Emily Stewart and Li Zhou
Defense & Security
The neoconservative fantasy at the center of the Soleimani killingThe neoconservative fantasy at the center of the Soleimani killing
Defense & Security

No, Mike Pompeo, killing the military leader won’t give Iranians more freedom.

By Alex Ward
An expert on why the Soleimani assassination was almost certainly illegal
Iran

And why Trump likely won’t face any legal consequences for it.

By Sean Illing
Democrats warn of the dangers of war while Republicans fall in line
Politics

A stick of dynamite into a tinderbox”: How US politicians are responding to the Iran strike.

By Emily Stewart
9 big questions about Qassem Soleimani’s killing, answered by an expert
World Politics

Are we at war with Iran? And other pressing questions after the US’s airstrike against a top Iranian general.

By Dylan Scott
World Politics
US airstrike kills Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani: what we knowUS airstrike kills Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani: what we know
World Politics

A major escalation in tensions between the US and Iran.

By Libby Nelson and Caroline Houck
“A nasty, brutal fight”: what a US-Iran war would look like
World Politics

The bottom line: It’d be hell on earth.

By Alex Ward