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Iran

May 9, 2026

Tehran 4:14 pm

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China’s overland trade routes offer Iran wartime economic lifeline: What to know

Cargo rail traffic between China and Iran has reportedly surged since the US blockade began in April as Tehran seeks overland trade alternatives to help buy time.

A woman walks past a banner featuring Iran's late supreme leaders, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (L) and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (C), next to newly elected Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in Tehran on April 19, 2026.

Analysis

Why Iran's wartime behavior risks lasting rupture with Gulf states

Iran's rhetoric and policies toward Gulf states have sharply escalated, raising questions about whether years of painstaking regional rapprochement can survive mounting distrust and maritime confrontations.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Traffic passes a billboard depicting Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web," Valiasr Square, Tehran, April 15, 2024. ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images.

Analysis

CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates

The findings cast doubt on Israel’s wartime gains and put pressure on Netanyahu’s campaign strategy ahead of elections.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Getty

US strikes Iran tankers as UAE reports fresh missile, drone attacks

Strikes on Iranian tankers and fresh exchanges in the Gulf escalate tensions as Washington awaits Tehran’s response to a deal proposal.

Latest News

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

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.

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

Popular Mobilization Forces

Analysis

China shores up Iran support as Trump seeks exit

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

Joyce Karam

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

A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on October 24, 2020, shows him wearing a protective face mask as he gives a speech in the capital Tehran during a meeting of the national staff to discuss the issue of the novel coronavirus pandemic crisis. (Photo by - / KHAMENEI.IR / AFP) / XGTY / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / KHAMENEI.IR" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS === (Photo by

Iran to enact new restrictions as coronavirus deaths soar

Iran is taking some new measures to address its rising death count and considering others.

Iran unveils new missile launching system

Iran announces a new missile system in what seemed to be yet another message to Western leaders that the Islamic Republic will press ahead with its “non-negotiable” missile program no matter who is US president.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a news conference in the capital Tehran, on February 16, 2020, with the portraits of Iran's (L to R) former and current Supreme Leaders, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seen behind. - Iran's President Hassan Rouhani ruled out resigning and vowed to see out his term, even as he admitted he had offered to step aside twice since being elected. Speaking ahead of a general election next Friday, Rouhani also appealed to voters to turn out desp

Rouhani: US election results not important to Iran

Iranian President Hasan Rouhani called for whoever wins in the United States to return to "international and multilateral accords."

A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on October 24, 2020, shows him wearing a protective face mask as he gives a speech in the capital Tehran during a meeting of the national staff to discuss the issue of the novel coronavirus pandemic crisis. (Photo by - / KHAMENEI.IR / AFP) / XGTY / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / KHAMENEI.IR" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS === (Photo by

Iran's supreme leader breaks silence on US election

In his first public speech on the US presidential election, Iran’s supreme leader said victory by a Democratic or a Republican candidate will not trigger any change of policy in Tehran.

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Trump's former national security adviser says reentering Iran deal would be 'huge mistake'

Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, who served as national security adviser from 2017 to 2018, assesses Trump’s Middle East record, reflecting on his career in the region’s battlegrounds.

US officials confirm Iranian hackers stole voter data

The security breach is the latest attempt targeting the 2020 US election, US intelligence officials warned, including attempts to hit the campaigns of President Donald Trump and his opponent, Joe Biden.

Iranians walk next to a sign advising people to wear masks as they shop in Tajrish square in the capital Tehran on November 1, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic crisis. - Iran yesterday announced the expansion beyond Tehran of measures against Covid-19, amid growing calls for a full lockdown after the country posted a string of record highs in deaths and infections. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran announces new record in COVID-19 deaths

The Health Ministry confirmed 440 deaths on Monday, bringing the death toll to 35,738.

IRGC wants Iranians to ignore US elections

A statement by the IRGC has urged citizens to rely on domestic capabilities — rather than a US election — to solve the country’s problems.

Iran calls US 'pirates' for selling seized oil

The Justice Department announced Thursday the sale of 1.1 million barrels of Iranian refined petroleum.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: A woman lights candles marking the number of days Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been imprisoned for next to a photo of her during a vigil for British-Iranian mother, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, imprisoned in Tehran outisde the Iranian Embassy on January 16, 2017 in London, England. Charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was jailed for five years in September 2016 for allegedly attempting to overthrow the Iranian government. The vigil, being held outside the Iranian Embassy in

UK summons Iranian ambassador over plight of British aid worker

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a dual citizen convicted of plotting to topple the government and serving a five-year sentence, is due to reappear in court in Iran.

Tehran, IRAN: TO GO WITH AFP STORY IRAN-JUSTICE-PRISON-SOCIT BY PIERRE CELERIER Iranian women inmates sit at their cell in the infamous Evin jail, north of Tehran, 13 June 2006. AFP PHOTO/ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Jailed academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert sent back to Iran’s Evin Prison

The British-Australian detainee had been held at the notorious Qarchak women's prison since July after two previous years in Evin.

Pentagon chief visits Israel, Bahrain with little fanfare

The quiet visit came less than a week after the defense secretary said the United States would like to see regional security cooperation with Israel to deter Iran.