Mideast Correspondent

The Wall Street Journal is looking for a tenacious, deeply sourced correspondent to cover Iran and its footprint across the Middle East, based in Dubai. The role sits in the Dubai bureau and feeds into the Journal’s global national security and foreign affairs coverage, giving you a chance to shape high-level reporting from the Gulf and beyond.

Based in the Dubai bureau, this position emphasizes remote sourcing, cross-border investigative methods, forensic open-source intelligence, and tapping into the broader Iranian diaspora and Gulf business networks to tell complex, agenda-setting stories. The right candidate will build a wide mix of sources and deliver reporting that helps readers understand Iran’s internal politics, economy, succession dynamics, military ambitions, and proxy networks across the region.

Fluency in Farsi and deep expertise in Iranian domestic and security affairs are required for this role. The team seeks someone who can translate intricate developments for a global audience and contribute to a body of work that informs policy, markets, and public understanding.

The Wall Street Journal is an equal opportunity employer.

Daily rhythm in the Dubai bureau

From here, you’ll be chasing the story behind Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions evasion networks, and the shifting dynamics of regional proxies, while also tracking leadership changes and milestones within the Iranian state. The work blends fast-breaking reporting with longer, textured features that peel back the layers of how decisions are made and how power flows in Tehran and its outreach across the Gulf.

Expect to develop sources among regional diplomats, sanctions monitors, military analysts, Iranian business leaders, and dissident networks, then weave those strands into stories that illuminate how Iran’s actions ripple through the broader Middle East. Collaboration will extend beyond Dubai to colleagues in Washington, New York, London, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, and other hubs to trace Iran’s wider impact and connect the dots across borders.

The essentials you need

• Eight or more years of professional journalism experience covering international affairs, foreign policy, or national security, with substantial time dedicated to Iran and Middle East security
• Professional working fluency in Farsi (Persian), including the ability to conduct complex interviews, monitor state and dissident media, read technical or official documents, and interpret nuances in speeches, alongside native or bilingual English writing skills
• A broad and deep understanding of Iranian political institutions, regional militia networks across the Axis of Resistance, and U.S./multilateral sanctions frameworks
• High ethical standards, precise editorial judgment, and the ability to maintain accuracy under deadline pressure while upholding source protection protocols

The listing doesn’t call out any additional nice-to-haves.

Compensation and on-site details

This is a full-time, on-site role based in Dubai, aligned with the needs of a Dubai bureau and the Journal’s global reporting network.

Tips for tackling the Middle East beat

Lead your resume with your strongest Iran/Middle East security coverage and international reporting credentials to show you understand the stakes and the landscape.

When you describe your must-have skills, point to concrete examples: interviews conducted in Farsi, analysis of state or dissident media, and demonstrations of remote sourcing or OSINT techniques that added depth to a story.

In interviews, be ready to discuss how you would approach sourcing in a restricted environment, how you verify information from diaspora networks, and how you would structure a long-form piece that demystifies internal decision-making in Tehran.

Ask a focused question about how the Dubai bureau coordinates with Washington, New York, London, Tel Aviv, and Istanbul teams on Iran coverage, and what the current reporting priorities are for the region.

Applying to the role

Please submit your CV, a cover letter detailing your approach to covering Iran from the Gulf, and 3–5 representative clips by December 3rd showcasing enterprise reporting and scoops.

If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, email [email protected] with "Reasonable Accommodation" in the subject line and a brief description of the assistance you need. This inbox will not be monitored for application status updates. Please refer to the privacy notice at the bottom of this page for data access, deletion, or other data subject rights requests, where permitted under local laws and regulations.

The Wall Street Journal is an equal opportunity employer.