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June 12, 2026

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Members of the Iranian national soccer team including midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh (R) arrive at Tijuana International Airport on June 7, 2026, in Tijuana, Mexico.

Culture

World Cup opens amid visa disputes for Iran, Iraq and Somalia

Iran says a number of team staff were denied entry into the US, with Trump administration officials touting efforts to prevent affiliates of designated terrorist groups from entering.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Bessent says Iran's frozen assets will pay for Gulf damage, Hormuz tolls

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that any damage Iran inflicts on Gulf allies will be paid for with funds extracted from Iranian accounts.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Explainer

US strategic oil stockpile nears four-decade low as Iran war drags on

The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve fell to 349.2 million barrels amid the global energy shock caused by the war in Iran.

President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Air Force One prior to departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport, in New York, on June 9, 2026.

Trump weighs releasing billions to Iran after blasting past payments

As mediators scramble to broker a peace deal, a key hurdle remains the release of Iranian assets frozen under US sanctions.

Latest News

Trump vows continued ‘very hard’ strikes on Iran as negotiators leave Qatar

Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Trump launches new airstrikes on Iran as deal stalls

In this US Navy released handout, an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, prepares to take off from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury on March 1, 2026 at Sea.

US, Iran trade strikes after downing of Apache helicopter: What to know

In this US Navy released handout, an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury, Feb. 28, 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

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) and head of Iran TV, Ezzatollah Zarghami, (L) applaud as they attend the 44th General assembly of the Asia-Pacific Broadcaasting Union in Tehran 03 November 2007. AFP PHOTO/ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Could Iran’s next president be former TV boss?

The former head of the Iranian state broadcaster, Ezzatollah Zarghami, is increasingly being touted as a potential Principlist candidate in the May presidential elections.

TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY STUART WILLIAMS Iranian Hossein Shariatmadari, director of the hardline Kayhan (Universe) newspaper group for the past 15 years, looks on during an interview with AFP at his office in Tehran, 16 September 2007. Ridiculing the latest US threats against Tehran and advocating the need to expose traitors, Shariatmadari remains one of the most ardent champions of Iran's Islamic system. Appointed by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself, few in Iran can match Shariatmadari's autho

Iranian hard-liner slams Trump for not tearing up nuclear deal

A prominent hard-liner in Iran has expressed his anger over US President Donald Trump going back on his words about tearing up the nuclear deal.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh flashes the victory sign during a ceremony to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, in Tehran's Azadi square February 11, 2012. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on the anniversary of the revolution that the Islamic Republic would soon announce "very important" REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: ANNIVERSAR

Hamas insists ties with Iran strong, despite regional polarization

Iran continues to provide financial and military support for Hamas amid a positive atmosphere that promises stronger ties and efforts to defuse the sectarian tension while bilateral meetings between the two are still being held outside Tehran, according to the movement’s representative in Iran.

Why this Iranian conservative-turned-moderate will succeed Rafsanjani

Conservative-turned-moderate Iranian parliament Speaker Ali Larijani increasingly appears the most suited figure to assume the influential role that was played by Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei departs after casting his ballot in the parliamentary election in Tehran March 2, 2012. Polls opened on Friday for a parliamentary election in Iran that will test the popularity of the clerical establishment at a time of a standoff with the West over the country's nuclear programme. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN - Tags

Khamenei thanks Trump for 'revealing real face of US'

Iran’s supreme leader on Feb. 7 thanked President Donald Trump for revealing “the real face of the US.” Meanwhile, the Iranian foreign minister stated that the international community will not accept a renegotiation of the nuclear deal.

Senior Hamas leader Khaled Mashal (C), Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed el-Tayeb, Egyptian Imam of al-Azhar Mosque (L) and Mousa Abu Marzouk (R), the deputy-head of Hamas's talk during a Hamas delegation visit to the Imam of al-Azhar mosque in Cairo January 24, 2012. REUTERS/Mohamed Al Hams/Handout (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIEN

Hamas leader: Gaza won't harbor individuals who 'aim to harm Egypt'

Deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al-Monitor that Hamas does "not interfere in Egypt's security affairs" and said some countries had contacted the movement to discuss a prisoner swap deal with Israel.

Lebanon's Hizbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (L) shakes hands with Maronite Christian leader Samir Geagea (R) during a meeting of Lebanese rival politicians at the parliament in downtown Beirut, May 16, 2006. REUTERS/Hassan Ibrahim /Pool - RTR1DF3M

How Iran-Saudi rapprochement is impacting Lebanon

Iran has been hinting at potential rapprochement with Saudi Arabia for quite some time now, and in Lebanon, historical rival parties are showing signs of consensus as well.

Iran's Esmaeil Ebadi shoots as teammates Majid Gheidi (C) and Amir Kazempour (R) watch during their men's compound team bronze medal archery match against the Philippines at the Gyeyang Asiad Archery Field during the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon September 27, 2014. REUTERS/Issei Kato (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SPORT ARCHERY) - RTR47W41

Americans to wrestle in Iran; Iranian archers not so lucky

Iran reversed its ban on the entry of US wrestlers for a meet, but Iranian archers will not be able to compete at US event.

Three Iranian couples recount heartbreak of Trump’s travel ban

The new US president's Jan. 27 executive order to ban Iranians and nationals of six other countries from entering the United States has directly impacted countless families, including couples who have found themselves separated.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to film or take pictures in Tehran.

The SPQ1 gas platform is seen on the southern edge of Iran's South Pars gas field in the Gulf, off Assalouyeh, 1,000 km (621 miles) south of Tehran, January 26, 2011. Picture taken January 26. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN - Tags: BUSINESS ENERGY) - RTXX59M

Will Iran challenge Russian interests in European natural gas market?

Iranian gas exports have been held back not only by sanctions, but also by Iran's lack of energy infrastructure and the country's domestic calculations.

Why GCC has been silent on Trump's 'Muslim ban'

Gulf states have failed to criticize the Trump administration for its recent "Muslim ban" in an attempt to keep the new US administration on their side in light of the economic and security challenge the Gulf region faces.

Jordan Ernest Burroughs of U.S. (in blue) fights with Iran's Sadegh Saeed Goudarzi on the final of the Men's 74Kg Freestyle wrestling at the ExCel venue during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 10, 2012. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (BRITAIN - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT WRESTLING) - RTR36MXD

US wrestlers barred from Iran in retaliation for Trump visa ban

As US-Iran relations deteriorate over visa bans and missile launches, sports exchanges are collateral damage.