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Iran

May 10, 2026

Tehran 1:12 am

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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

Iranian men monitor the stock market at Tehran Stock Exchange on July 1, 2019. - Iran's stock market is thriving, despite US sanctions which have battered its economy and an uncertain future as geopolitical tensions soar in the Gulf. Its main index, TEDPIX, has steadily risen over the last 12 months, accelerating in the most recent quarter to hit a historic high of 248,577 last week -- more than twice its level a year ago. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP via Get

Tehran Stock Exchange: The end of an illusion

Many Iranian investors have recently seen the value of their portfolios drop significantly due to governmental overregulation in times of market growth.

Iran advances diplomacy with Switzerland, India as US maintains 'maximum pressure'

In yet another diplomatic push to ease mounting pressure from the United States, Iranian officials were busy hosting two visiting foreign ministers to talk solutions for economic relief.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: A photo of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is seen amongst candles during a fourth birthday vigil for her daughter Gabriella opposite the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A on June 11, 2018 in London, England. Richard Ratcliffe has not seen his wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 38, or daughter Gabriella, 4, since March 2016 when they flew to Iran to visit Nazanin's parents. At the airport on their return to London, Nazanin was arrested while Gabriella's pass

British-Iranian charity worker faces new charge in Iran: state TV

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was convicted of plotting to overthrow the Iranian government, has been notified of "a new indictment."

Iran’s nuclear deal and the US presidential election

The deal’s fate depends on the outcome of US elections, not the UN.

Iranians wearing face masks walk down a street in the capital Tehran amid the novel coronavirus pandemic on August 9, 2020. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran prepares for a third wave of coronavirus outbreak

Iranian officials have warned that the country would experience a third wave of coronavirus in the fall.

Speculation grows over Larijani nomination for Iran presidency

Iran’s former parliament speaker Ali Larijani is hoping for wide support in his bid for the presidency.

Owners of Iranian fuel seized by US raise challenge in court

The US Justice Department says the companies challenging the fuel seizure are fronts for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iranian protesters block a road during a demonstration against an increase in gasoline prices in the central city of Shiraz on November 16, 2019. - One person was killed and others injured in protests across Iran, hours after a surprise decision to increase petrol prices by 50 percent for the first 60 litres and 300 percent for anything above that each month, and impose rationing. Authorities said the move was aimed at helping needy citizens, and expected to generate 300 trillion rials ($2.55 billion) per a

Amnesty International accuses Iran of using torture to extract confessions after 2019 protests

Some 7,000 people were arrested by Iranian authorities, including children as young as 10, the rights group reported.

Abdou-Abarry-Pompeo - Copy.jfif

Niger's envoy reaffirms rejection of Iran snapback sanctions as UN Security Council president

The African state's UN ambassador, who is chairing the Security Council for September, said the United States cannot trigger the return of UN sanctions on Iran.

Iran nuclear deal members agree on preserving landmark pact

Iran and representatives of China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom met in Vienna as Washington presses on with its bid to restore sanctions on Tehran.

Khamenei blasts Emirati ‘treason’ against Muslims after Israel deal

In a strongly worded speech, Iran’s supreme leader attacked the UAE government for normalizing ties with Israel, a move he slammed as “treason” against the Islamic world.

Tourists visit The National Museum of Iran in Tehran on October 09, 2018. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iranian tourism drops to 'near-zero levels' due to coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic is choking Iran’s tourism industry as the number of foreign tourists drops to an all-time low, prompting record layoffs and reducing income to near-zero levels.