New York Times Navigates Challenges in Covering Iran-Israel War

Journalists collaborate across continents to gather facts, assess footage, and make sense of the chaos.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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As the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran rages on, The New York Times has mobilized reporters and editors around the world to cover the unfolding events. Adrienne Carter, a senior editor on the International desk, discusses the challenges of reporting from Iran, where access for journalists is highly restricted, and the importance of verifying information and visual material. The Times is focused on providing real-time updates, broader context and analysis, and prioritizing coverage of the civilian toll of the conflict.

Why it matters

The war in Iran has global implications, and The New York Times' coverage is crucial in helping readers understand the complex and rapidly evolving situation. The challenges faced by the Times' journalists, such as limited access to Iran and the need to verify information, highlight the difficulties of reporting on a conflict of this scale and intensity.

The details

The Times does not currently have reporters on the ground in Iran due to the country's restrictive policies towards journalists. Instead, the paper relies on a team of Farsi-speaking reporters who tap into government sources, contacts, and try to reach ordinary Iranians to piece together an understanding of the situation. Verifying visual material, such as user-generated content and satellite imagery, is also a critical part of the reporting process. The Times is transparent about what it knows and doesn't know, prioritizing accurate attribution of information. The coverage aims to provide a range of perspectives, from real-time updates to broader analytical pieces, to appeal to a variety of readers.

  • In the past couple of years, The Times has had only 2-3 visas to enter Iran, none during recent major events like protests or the 12-day war last summer.
  • The Times was able to get one visa around Iran's presidential election in 2024 and after the recent war.

The players

Adrienne Carter

A senior editor on The Times's International desk who is leading the war coverage from London.

The New York Times

An American newspaper that has mobilized reporters and editors around the world to cover the unfolding events of the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

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What they’re saying

“You're trying to figure out who you're going to need on the ground; who you're going to need for breaking news; who you're going to need for deeper coverage; how are we going to work with photo, video, audio, graphics. We shift resources to ensure that we can cover the totality of the conflict.”

— Adrienne Carter, Senior editor on The Times's International desk (The New York Times)

“The strike on the elementary school in Iran that killed so many children has been a reporting priority from outset. Once we became aware of the strike and its magnitude, reporters tried to identify the families of victims and witnesses to the tragedy.”

— Adrienne Carter, Senior editor on The Times's International desk (The New York Times)

What’s next

The Times will continue to push to reach people who can provide more information about the deadly strike on the elementary school in Iran, in order to better understand the tragedy and hold those responsible to account.

The takeaway

The New York Times' coverage of the war in Iran and the broader Middle East conflict highlights the immense challenges journalists face in reporting on complex, fast-moving global events, especially in highly restricted environments. The Times' commitment to accuracy, transparency, and a multifaceted approach to storytelling is crucial in helping readers make sense of the chaos.