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Iran

May 7, 2026

Tehran 11:59 pm

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In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on May 4, 2026, the Iran-flagged tugboat Basim sails near a ship anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.

What to know about Iran's 'Persian Gulf Strait Authority' to control Hormuz traffic

The establishment of an entity seeking to control maritime transportation in the Strait of Hormuz is the latest sign that Iran wants to formalize authority in the strategic waterway.

Popular Mobilization Forces

US sets expectations for Iraq’s next PM to confront Iranian militias

The Trump administration is cautiously sizing up Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, as a potential partner in pushing back on Iranian influence.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China in Beijing on May 6, 2026. Credit: Telegram

Analysis

China shores up Iran support as Trump seeks exit

China understands how badly Trump wants an exit from the conflict. But timing is critical: if no agreement is reached before Trump arrives in China on Thursday, Beijing would be better positioned to set the agenda.

Joyce Karam

An Iranian woman holds up an image of Iran's new supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iran president says he held official meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know

The president’s announcement marks the first public confirmation of a meeting between a senior official and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the start of the war.

Latest News

Iran, China discuss Hormuz reopening amid potential US-Iran talks

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second right, talks to his Iranian Counterpart Abbas Araghchi, left, during the bilateral meeting in Beijing, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

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

Saudi air force

US approves sale of air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia

The Biden administration says the weapons are key to Saudi Arabia's self-defense from Iran-backed drone attacks out of Yemen.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran increases enriched uranium stockpile ahead of Vienna talks

Indirect talks between the United States and Iran on the latter’s nuclear program will resume in late November after months of delay.

A young Iranian girl waving a national flag takes part in a rally outside the former US Embassy in the capital, Tehran, on Nov. 4, 2021.

Iran marks US Embassy takeover amid soaring tensions

"Death to America" was shouted by government loyalists, as the latest anniversary was held following state media reports about a "triumphant encounter" with US naval forces in the Sea of Oman.

This picture taken on June 15, 2019, shows tanker ships in the waters of the Gulf of Oman.

Iran claims it stopped US from seizing oil tanker

Iran said the US had attempted to steal an Iranian ship carrying oil but was thwarted by the Iranian military.

Iran women football

Iran's female soccer fans still can't attend games

While Iranian authorities said that spectators had been banned from recent games due to health protocols, many fans speculated the move was aimed at avoiding pressure from FIFA to allow women into stadiums.

JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images

Iran wants guarantee that US won't quit nuclear deal again

The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said that President Joe Biden must be prepared to give assurances that future administrations won't abandon a revived nuclear deal.

Demonstrators attend a demonstration organized by the Anglo-Iranian Community.

Plight of Iranian environmentalists raised at Glasgow summit

An Iranian advocacy group seized the opportunity of the UN climate change conference to highlight the plight of Iranian environmentalists facing pressure and prosecution under the Islamic Republic.

Iran minister

Iran says 'all countries' of Gulf should get details on nuclear talks

Iran’s position that they will inform the region of the details of the nuclear talks is a departure from the previous administration.

Iranian rials are displayed in Tehran on July 31, 2019.

Iran’s plan to get rid of the subsidized exchange rate

Iran's subsidized exchange rate has failed to prevent the downfall of the rial — and a move to do away with it could actually help the economy.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

US unveils sanctions targeting Iran's drone program

The Treasury Department issued fresh sanctions on Friday targeting individuals and companies the United States says are supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ drone program.

Iran gas

Iran president says cyberattack not the first, won’t be last

Iranian officials said that no personal data was compromised in the latest cyberattack.

Iran prison

Iran lashes out at UN's latest report on human rights violations

The Islamic Republic questioned the credibility of the rapporteur’s latest account, saying it was founded on claims by "terrorist groups."