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May 14, 2026

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TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump (C) is escorted by China's Vice President Han Zheng (R) upon his arrival at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran looms large over Trump’s China visit, but breakthrough unlikely

Analysts say China is cautiously looking to de-escalate the US-Iran war while limiting its direct involvement.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

Iran's IRGC holds anti-helicopter drills in Tehran: What to know

Iran said it downed two US helicopters last month as American forces use the aircraft for strikes in the Gulf.

FADEL Itani / AFP via Getty Images

In first, Lebanon files formal UN complaint against Iran: What to know

The move comes as relations between Iran and Lebanon continue to deteriorate in light of what is perceived as ongoing Iranian interference in Lebanese affairs via its proxy group, Hezbollah.

Latest News

Analysis

Ahead of Trump-Xi summit, Iran looks to China as guarantor — but with reservations

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Kuwait unveils Iran IRGC infiltration plot, arrests 4: What to know

TTA KENARE/AFP/GettyImages

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 enrichment may hit 20% if impasse drags on

Iran could be on the way to upgrading its nuclear technology to industrial levels after suspending its nuclear deal obligations for the third time since May.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani walks with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres as they meet on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Yana Paskova - HP1EF9P1DL8HJ

Lost opportunity? Rouhani departs NY without meeting Trump

A US-Iran breakthrough seems elusive after attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Iran's supreme leader says it’s time to move on from Europe

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has signaled that there remains no hope in Europe’s ability to save the 2015 nuclear deal.

Is Iran-Turkey rapprochement sustainable?

As Turkey and Iran's interests align their cooperation is expanding, but their newfound friendship won't last unless their potential for rivalry is curtailed.

Oman's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah meets with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (not pictured) in Tehran, Iran July 27, 2019. Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC19F47221C0

Interview

Oman minister describes role as 'facilitator' of diplomacy in turbulent region

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Oman’s minister responsible for foreign affairs, describes his country's role as facilitator, not mediator, to resolve the region's conflicts, including Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Yemen, and the embargo of Qatar.

Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah

Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, speaks with Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif during a meeting among remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal at United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Yana Paskova - HP1EF9P13PXEY

US and world powers continue to talk past each other on Iran at UN

While the remaining parties to the nuclear deal tried to restart diplomacy with Iran, the United States punished one of them for links to Tehran.

NEW YORK, USA - SEPTEMBER 25: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY MANDATORY CREDIT - "IRANIAN PRESIDENCY / HANDOUT" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) meets with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) on the sidelines of the 74th session of UN General Assembly in New York, United States on September 25, 2019. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Iran's hard-liners tell Rouhani to seek solutions at home, not in New York

The Iranian president has drawn the ire of his uncompromising domestic critics after sitting down with Western leaders in New York.

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces members guard near the building belonging to a Popular Mobilization Forces in Basra, Iraq September 8, 2018. REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani - RC1209B9A4C0

PMU under pressure to integrate into Iraqi state

Following dramatic changes in the leadership of the Popular Mobilization Units, two rockets hit near the US Embassy in Baghdad, signaling discontent with the move.

Local fishermen move their boat to a safe place during Cyclone Gonu in Jusk seaport, 2000 km (1240 miles) southeast of Tehran, June 6, 2007. Iran does not expect any disruption to oil exports from a cyclone that swept nearby Oman for a second day on Wednesday, a senior Iranian oil official said. REUTERS/Rezvani/Fars News (IRAN) - GM1DVKSEXTAA

Iranian fishermen feel waves of tension from the US

Friction between the West and Iran threatens to rile the waters for fishermen near the Strait of Hormuz.

Demonstrators rally to support a leadership change in Iran outside the U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 24, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton - RC18D9A6D590

Iran hawks cement ties to former US-designated terrorist group

United Against Nuclear Iran's CEO embraces the MEK as his group prepared to host Pompeo.

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during their meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S., September 23, 2019. REUTERS/John Irish - RC1C497E08B0

Rouhani dismisses European statement on Iran role in Saudi attacks

The Iranian president is in New York with a "peace initiative" meant to resolve regional tensions at a time when pressure is building on Tehran over its alleged involvement in attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

Former diplomat: Iran attacks create opportunity for talks

The Donald Trump administration should use the investigation into suspected Iranian attacks on Saudi oil facilities to de-escalate regional tensions, a former top US diplomat said at an Al-Monitor event Sept. 24.