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May 1, 2026

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This photo obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim shows an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boat allegedly taking part in an operation to seize ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, on April 21, 2026.

Trump faces three paths ahead in Iran war as Hormuz standoff intensifies

As the Hormuz standoff intensifies, Trump must choose between military escalation, a limited diplomatic deal, or continuing a pressure campaign against Iran.

AFP via Getty Images

In defiant message, Iran’s Khamenei threatens US but appeals to Gulf

The address was Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s third since coming to power and included a pledge to rid the Gulf of the US.

QESHM ISLAND, IRAN - APRIL 28: Boats navigate the sea on April 28, 2026 on Qeshm Island, Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's latest proposal for ending its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz calls on the United States to end its naval blockade of Iran's ports, and sets aside questions about what to do with Iran's nuclear program. The United States has not formally responded to the latest proposal, which was delivered by Iran's foreign minister to Pakistan two days ago. (Photo by Asghar Besharati/Getty Images

US blockade tests Iran's limits, but will global pain force Trump’s hand?

President Trump is doubling down on economic warfare against Iran, betting a naval blockade and sanctions can force a nuclear deal and end the war.

Latest News

Iran-linked group claims stabbing in Jewish area in London: What to know

Local residents look on from outside a cordoned off area in the Golders Green neighborhood of north London on April 29, 2026, following the stabbing to two people nearby.

Oil surges past $120 to war-time high as Trump rejects Iran overture

A pumpjack stands idle in the Huntington Beach oil field, with port cranes visible in the distance, on April 23, 2026, in Huntington Beach, California.

Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates

President Donald Trump gives a speech during the State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn on April 28, 2026, in Washington.

Iranian rial hits new record low as blockade, war take toll: What to know

An Iraqi money dealer counts Iranian rial banknotes bearing a portrait of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, at an exchange office in Baghdad on Feb. 3, 2012.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Benjamin Houghton

In Durham, reporting on China in the Middle East

Rahim Rahimov

In Baku, reporting on Middle East-Caucasus ties

Mehrnaz Samimi

In Washington, DC, reporting on Iranian culture

ranian President Ebrahim Raisi (L) and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R).

Iran, Algeria to build closer energy, tourism ties

Europe is increasingly interested in Algeria as an alternative to Russia for gas supplies, while Iran is seeking to boost its own gas output amid continued US sanctions.

TEHRAN, IRAN - MARCH 01: Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R)leaves after casting his ballots during the parliamentary and key clerical body elections at a polling station on March 1, 2024 in Tehran, Iran. Iranians are voting in parliamentary elections and will also cast ballots for the Assembly of Experts, which selects and nominally oversees the work of Iran's supreme leader. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Two winners from Iran's elections: Hardliners and security crackdown

The ruling establishment scrambled to persuade voters, anticipating a record low turnout following its deadly crackdown on the 2022 unrest.

A man watches a video of Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour, who was released in Tehran today after being arrested for his song in support of protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, in the Cypriot capital Nicosia on October 4, 2022. - Hajipour, a 25-year-old Iranian pop singer and songwriter, rose to fame for the song "Baraye", "For", in which he put together messages posted on Twitter about the reasons for protests. The emotional performance became a viral hit on different social media platforms, with million

Culture

Iran sentences 'Baraye' singer Shervin Hajipour to three years in jail

The singer’s hit "Baraye" became an anthem for the 2022 anti-government protests in Iran and his sentencing is the latest example of the Islamic Republic’s repression of those who took part in them.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (C) inspects the guard of honour upon his arrival for a state visit at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare on July 13, 2023. (Photo by Jekesai NJIKIZANA / AFP) (Photo by JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran’s Raisi to make first visit to Algeria in 14 years as Africa ties grow

Algeria has maintained friendly ties with Iran as Tehran faces growing Western isolation.

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian news agency Sputnik on Dec. 7, 2023, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow.

Iran exports to Russia hit high of $2B as sanctions strengthen alliance

The significant jump in Iranian exports to Russia is indicative of the two states' increasing focus on joint solutions to circumvent international sanctions that have squeezed their economies.

The picture illustrates euro and United States 100-dollar banknotes bearing the portrait of US statesman, inventor and diplomat Benjamin Franklin next to Iran's rial banknotes, bearing a portrait of Iran's late founder of Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on September 30, 2012. Iran's currency, the rial, dived to a new low of around 29,600 to the dollar in open trading, losing over 60 percent of its value since the end of last year according to exchange tracking websites as draconian We

Will the value of the Iranian Rial collapse?

Bijan Khajehpour

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

An Iranian worker stands in front of a section of a pipeline after the project was launched during a ceremony with presidents of Iran and Pakistan on March 11, 2013 in the Iranian border city of Chah Bahar.ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline gets a reset, can it overcome sanctions?

As Tehran and Islamabad work to make progress on the Iran-Pakistan natural gas pipeline that has been decades in the making, the threat of US sanctions and financing challenges still remain.

This photograph taken on January 17, 2024 shows destroyed cars in the courtyard of a residential building following a drone attack in Odesa. Kyiv said on Jan. 17, 2024 that Russia had launched 20 Iranian-designed attack drones at targets in southern Ukraine overnight, and that its air defense systems destroyed all but one.

Two years into Ukraine war, Iran continues to play Russia enabler

Mounting international pressure and onerous sanctions do not seem to have deterred Tehran from its increasing involvement in the Ukraine war, as the Islamic Republic heavily invests in its alliance with Russia for survival.

Local residents inspect damages outside an apartment building after the overnight Russian drones attack in Kharkiv, Dec. 31, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv said on Dec. 31, 2023, it destroyed 21 of 49 Iranian-made "Shahed" drones fired by Russia overnight, adding that six guided missiles had also targeted the northeastern city of Kharkiv.

US sanctions target Russia’s production of Iranian attack drones

On the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine, the Biden administration has rolled out new measures meant to counter Russia’s drone partnership with Iran.

The Indian Navy frigate INS Satpura (F48) is underway with the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) during Exercise Malabar 2012.

Iran participates in Indian naval drill amid Red Sea tensions

India recently deployed warships near the troubled body of water amid attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on ships.

AFP via Getty Images

With voter apathy at 77%, what will Iran's elections bring next week?

Next week's elections will be the first since the massive national protests were met with a violent crackdown.

An Iranian Navy warship in the Strait of Hormuz, on April 30, 2019.

Iran says arms exports up 40% as missiles transfers to Russia take spotlight

Iran boasted significant growth in its weapons exports as its controversial military ties with Russia have come under the spotlight again with reports of new ballistic missile shipments.