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Iran

May 8, 2026

Tehran 2:03 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

Mora nuclear

EU says no plans for Iran nuclear meeting in Brussels

A spokesperson for the European Union pushed back on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's claim that Iranian officials would be meeting with EU counterparts on Thursday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, accompanied by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, right, speaks at a bilateral meeting at the State Department in Washington, DC, on Oct. 13, 2021.

Intel: Israel sees bad faith in Iran’s delay to return to nuclear talks

Israeli officials see diminishing prospects for a return to the 2015 nuclear deal, even if Iran sends negotiators back to Vienna.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

EU sends diplomat to Tehran as uncertainty grows over Iran deal

The envoy's visit came at a "critical" time as the Iranian side continues to remain vague on the timing of the talks over the revival of the nuclear deal.

Blinken Lapid

US envoy headed to Gulf to discuss ‘options’ on Iran’s nuclear program

With the Vienna talks stalled, US officials are warning that they have other ways to rein in Iran's nuclear enrichment.

Iranians use internet at a cybercafe in the center of the Iranian capital Tehran on May 14, 2013.

Iran’s president calls for tighter internet control

Iran’s president called for tighter control of the internet while “digitizing” the economy.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken warns Iran 'time is running short' on nuclear deal return

In a joint press conference with his counterparts from Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Blinken said the United States is prepared to pursue “other options” if Tehran doesn’t resume compliance under the nuclear deal.

STEPHANIE LECOCQ/AFP via Getty Images

Azerbaijan, Iran agree to de-escalate through dialogue

Following weeks of heightened tensions between the two countries, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian agreed to settle their differences through dialogue.

Iran air

Iran kicks off air defense drills amid tensions with Israel, Azerbaijan

The exercise comes as Israeli officials are reportedly seeking assurances that the Biden administration is ready for joint operations should nuclear negotiations in Vienna fail.

Iran's outgoing president, Hassan Rouhani (L), attends the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected President Ebrahim Raisi (R).

Iran's hard-liners push to prosecute Rouhani

The lawmakers' formal complaint was appended by a public petition that, among other allegations, accuses Rouhani of betraying Iranians through signing the nuclear deal with the world powers.

Iran nuclear

Israel, US gloss over differences on Iran, but frictions remain

US-Israel strategic dialogue finds few points of agreement on Iran's nuclear capability; Iraq looks forward to smooth, transparent election.

An exterior view of the building of US Department of the Treasury is seen on March 27, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Intel: US lifts Iran-related sanctions, says no connection to nuclear deal

The US Treasury Department has delisted Iran-based entities sanctioned by the Trump administration for alleged involvement in Iran’s ballistic missile program.

Iran speedboat

Iranian state TV claims boats chased US Navy ship

The US' Fifth Fleet said it was unaware of any such incident.