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Iran

May 8, 2026

Tehran 12:54 am

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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

Iran plant

Iran responds to reports of Israel's $1.5 billion 'strike fund'

News about an Israeli fund designated for attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities has irked Iranian officials.

Iran talks

US envoy: 'Other tools' available if Iran nuclear diplomacy fails

Robert Malley said the US and its allies feel a "shared impatience" with Iran's delay in returning to the bargaining table.

Peyman Jebelli, chief of the world service for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

Iran's state broadcaster veers further right under IRGC control

Iran's already conservative, state-funded broadcaster appears ready to pursue an even more ideological approach under its new IRGC-linked director.

Mask-clad Iranians gather in a mosque in the capital, Tehran, to perform Friday prayers.

Friday prayers resume in Tehran amid fears of new virus surge

Services were held some 20 months after coronavirus concerns forced Iranian Health Ministry officials to bar Muslim worshippers from attending Friday prayers.

Iran internet

Iranian public fears government plan to restrict cyberspace

Critics say the plan harms free access to the Internet and social networking media, which small business owners rely heavily on.

An Azerbaijani national flag flies next to the medieval Khudaferin bridge in Jebrayil district at the country's border with Iran, on Dec. 9, 2020.

Iran tests drones amid simmering tensions with Azerbaijan

The exercise was held at a time of intensifying hostile rhetoric between Tehran and Baku, as Russia continues its cautious position in between.

Iran vaccine

Despite vaccination push, Iran nearing sixth wave of COVID

Despite rising vaccination rates, Iran sees a sixth wave of coronavirus on the horizon.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami.

Iran commander rejoices at US ‘defeats’

The IRGC commander was enumerating US failures in the region only hours after reports that Israel was allocating a special budget for a military strike on Iran.

Pakistani soldiers wear facemasks on the closed border of Pakistan-Iran in Taftan, as fears over the spread of the coronavirus escalate following an outbreak in neighboring Iran, Pakistan, Feb. 25, 2020.

Iran, Pakistan work to strengthen ties as Afghan situation remains fluid

Iran and Pakistan are talking about the strengthening of their military relations, in the face of the Taliban takeover in neighboring Afghanistan and the region's geopolitical changes.

Taliban

Iran to host Afghanistan’s neighbors for Oct. 27 talks

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the foreign ministers from Russia, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will meet in Iran for talks on Afghanistan next week.

Iran economy

Poll: Iranians blame economic woes on corruption, not sanctions

A new poll shows Iranians have unfavorable views of the Biden administration, the Taliban and Saudi Arabia, but favorable views of Iran-backed militias in the region, as well as Russia and China.

VIRGINIA MAYO/AFP via Getty Images

Iran says no negotiations happening in Brussels

Iran says the current discussion with the European Union is not a negotiation on the nuclear deal.