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Iran

May 8, 2026

Tehran 3:20 am

23°C

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 Lebanon

Iran offers big promises to help rebuild Lebanese economy

Meeting one Lebanese official after another, Iran's top diplomat announced substantial pledges for Lebanon's energy crisis, as foreign players are jostling each other for influence in the Arab country.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's FM says Saudi Arabia talks have progressed 'good distance'

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's comments came after Saudi Arabia confirmed the two rivals held their first round of talks with Tehran's new hard-liner government.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart following their meeting in Moscow on Oct. 6, 2021.

The Takeaway: Khamenei warns neighboring Azerbaijan over Israel ties

Egypt’s Nile encroachers; Morocco and Ethiopia; Turkey and Syria; Israel’s looming budget showdown; Lebanon’s zoo animals; Egyptian mummy faces revealed; Gilles Kepel talks with Alaa Alaswany — all in about 1,400 words!

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Russian FM, Blinken discuss reviving Iran deal

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed prospects for resuming talks over the landmark nuclear deal, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian hold a joint press conference following their meeting in Moscow on Oct. 6, 2021.

Iran concerned by Israel's presence in Caucasus, FM says

Iran’s chief diplomat, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said his country will "not tolerate geopolitical change" in the region.

"Out of Use" signs are displayed on the fuel pumps at a filling station in Baker Street, central London, on Oct. 2, 2021.

Oil minister says Iran capable of resolving global fuel ‘crisis’

Iran’s oil minister said if sanctions targeting his country’s lifeline crude are lifted, the Islamic Republic will have every capability to tackle the world’s energy supply shortages.

An undated image of Baquer Namazi.

US citizen barred from leaving Iran needs life-saving surgery abroad, family says

The son of an American citizen held in Iran urged Tehran to lift a travel ban on his ailing 84-year-old father.

Ahmad Vahidi (interior ministry), Esmail Khatib (intelligence ministry), and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (foreign ministry) attend a parliament session in the capital Tehran on Aug. 21, 2021.

Iran's foreign minister says economy won’t be tied to nuclear talks

Iran’s new foreign minister said the country is serious about the nuclear talks but wants seriousness from the other side as well.

JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images

Iran says Israeli attacks on nuclear sites must stop

Iran has suggested that the International Atomic Energy Agency's access to its nuclear facilities will resume once Israel's attacks on them stop.

MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images

Iran says Israel FM's visit left 'stain' on Bahrain

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the damage could not be undone by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid’s recent visit to Bahrain.

A man enters a Samsung store on June 2, 2014 in Isfahan, Iran.

Iran's supreme leader issues ban on Samsung, LG appliances

Khamenei's directive came after the two South Korean giants were about to make a comeback into their lucrative Iranian market following their brief sanctions-triggered departure.

Borrell

EU's top diplomat says Iran nuclear talks to resume 'soon'

The European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, said he expects a seventh round of negotiations in Vienna would to resume "within an acceptable period of time.”