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September 17, 2026

Tehran 3:14 pm

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China presses Iran, US to reopen Hormuz as disruptions threaten oil supply

Conflicts in the region are disrupting two key routes for oil bound for China, with Iranian crude affected by the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi shipments facing growing risks in the Red Sea.

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities, brandish their weapons during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa on September 10, 2026. The country relapsed into war in July after years of calm, drawn into the regional conflict triggered by the US-Israeli offensive against Iran that began at the end of February. (Photo by Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP via Getty Images)

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Lacking deterrence, Israel’s security establishment opposes attacks on Houthis

Senior Israeli intelligence sources told Al-Monitor that Israel seeks to avoid involvement in the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, despite concerns that Yemen could further unravel and that Iran is backing the group.

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

Houthi fighters marching

Analysis

How far will Iran push Houthis against Saudi Arabia amid raging conflict?

As Iran-backed Houthis broaden attacks on Saudi Arabia, Tehran's delicate calculation is exploiting the current conflict without being dragged into an escalation of its own making.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia's balancing act with US, Iran, Houthis risks collapse

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities shout slogans during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 10, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Exclusive

Houthi top diplomat says no intention to shut down Red Sea shipping, group open to talks

Houthi

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

US hits major Russian bank VTB with Iran-linked sanctions

VTB Bank in Moscow

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

Reformist Iranian newspaper under fire for Gaza cartoon

An Iranian newspaper is under fire for a cartoon depicting Palestinian civilians as being "neutral" victims in a war between two sides, which some have interpreted the depicted conflict as being between Israel and Iran.

Wendy Sherman, U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs, talks during a news conference in Dhaka May 27, 2013. Sherman, a senior official of the U.S government, on Monday has asked international buyers, particularly U.S buyers, to play a critical role to ensure the safety and security of Bangladesh's garment workers. REUTERS/Andrew Biraj (BANGLADESH - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT) - RTX102T0

US negotiator to brief Congress on Iran talks

Lead US Iran nuclear negotiator, Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel that the Iranians seemed serious about wanting to close a deal and assured that the Obama administration would remain firm in negotiations.

Minister of Strategic and Intelligence Affairs for International Relations of Israel Yuval Steinitz attends a news conference after a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee during the 68th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York September 25, 2013. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX13ZWY

Israel Intel Minister: Not pessimistic about Iran deal

Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz has said while he believes Iran wants a nuclear deal to save its economy, the US should not let up on economic pressure or close an interim deal with the Islamic Republic as it would lead to the sanctions regime crumbling.

U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman (C) looks on at the start of two days of closed-door nuclear talks at the United Nations offices in Geneva October 15, 2013. Iran will face pressure on Tuesday to propose scaling back its nuclear programme to win relief from crippling sanctions as talks between world powers and Tehran resume after a six-month hiatus. REUTERS/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTX14BOC

Obama officials ask Congress to delay new Iran sanctions

Senior White House national security officials met with aides to Senate leaders and urged for a delay in new sanctions legislation being considered by the Senate Banking Committee.

(L-R) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken, National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Secretary of State John Kerry listen as President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki address reporters after their meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, November 1, 2013. Obama told visiting Al-Maliki on Friday that the United States wants an inclusive, prosperous Iraq free of violence. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLIT

White House meets Jewish leaders to press for delay in new Iran sanctions

Administration officials met with Jewish leaders and assured them the US would not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, but warned that additional sanctions at time could derail diplomacy.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif addresses a news conference following nuclear negotiations with European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who is leading talks with Iran on behalf of the six world powers, at the United Nations in Geneva October 16, 2013. Iran called two days of nuclear talks with six world powers, United States, Russia, France, Britain, Germany and China, that ended on Wednesday "fruitful" and said it hoped for a new phase in relations. He said two sides had for t

Iran FM Zarif outlines ideas to exit nuclear dispute

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif has said that throughout the last two month of nuclear talks he has proposed mechanisms be put in place to address the P5+1's concern of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon, while noting that Iran must be allowed to reach its objective of retaining a peaceful nuclear energy program.

Jacques Audibert, General and Stategic Affairs director of France (3rd L) talks to Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov (2nd L) as U.S. ambassador William Burns (C) Chinese assistant Foreign Minister Hailong Wu, European political adviser Robert Cooper from Britain and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (4th L-R) arrive for a meeting at the conference centre near the Swiss mission to the United Nations in Geneva, December 6, 2010. Six world powers began their first talks with Iran in more

Negotiators seek progress at Iran nuclear talks

Diplomats from the P5+1 and Iran aim to make headway during the next round of nuclear talks; however, Zarif has said that if a deal is not reached during the next meeting 'it’s not a disaster'.

U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman (C) looks on at the start of two days of closed-door nuclear talks at the United Nations offices in Geneva October 15, 2013. Iran will face pressure on Tuesday to propose scaling back its nuclear programme to win relief from crippling sanctions as talks between world powers and Tehran resume after a six-month hiatus. REUTERS/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTX14BOC

US sees 2-phase Iran nuclear deal

The US and five other powers will aim to reach an interim agreement that would halt the expansion of Iran's nuclear program in exchange for limited sanction relief before attempting to negotiate a comprehensive deal.

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

Iranians shout anti-U.S. and anti-Israel slogans as one of them holds a Palestinian flag during Friday prayers after the Jerusalem Day demonstration in Tehran September 3, 2010. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION) - RTR2HV3V

Iranian leaders stress unity in support of Gaza on Quds Day

At rallies to mark Quds Day, Iran’s leaders called for Muslim solidarity with the Palestinian people and accused the West of hypocritically supporting human rights while ignoring genocide in Gaza.

Residents shop at a market in the city of Mosul, June 24, 2014. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged leaders of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region on Tuesday to stand with Baghdad in the face of a Sunni insurgent onslaught that threatens to dismember the country. Picture taken June 24, 2014. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS CONFLICT BUSINESS SOCIETY) - RTR3VNJC

Iran dominates Iraqi market after occupation of Mosul

Doors closed to the markets of Turkey and Syria after militants took the town of Mosul, leading to a jump in prices for consumers, but a surge in imported Iranian goods could plug the gaps.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during Friday prayers in Tehran September 14, 2007. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN) - RTR1TTSE

Ayatollah Khamenei calls for armed struggle in West Bank

Iran's supreme leader has said that the Israeli and Palestinian people should hold a referendum to decide their fate and that until that happens, the West Bank should begin an armed struggle like Gaza.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (3R) poses with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (2R) and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman (2L) during a photo opportunity at the start of two days of closed-door nuclear talks at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva November 7, 2013. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX153PI

Gaps narrowing as Iran nuclear talks continue

At the end of the second day of P5+1 talks with Iran, diplomats are reporting significant progress with gaps narrowing and only a handful of issues remaining.