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Iran

May 7, 2026

Tehran 10:03 pm

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

Analysis

China shores up Iran support as Trump seeks exit

China understands how badly Trump wants an exit from the conflict. But timing is critical: if no agreement is reached before Trump arrives in China on Thursday, Beijing would be better positioned to set the agenda.

Joyce Karam

An Iranian woman holds up an image of Iran's new supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iran president says he held official meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know

The president’s announcement marks the first public confirmation of a meeting between a senior official and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the start of the war.

Latest News

Iran, China discuss Hormuz reopening amid potential US-Iran talks

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second right, talks to his Iranian Counterpart Abbas Araghchi, left, during the bilateral meeting in Beijing, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Rubio warns Iran of 'total defeat' if it refuses deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on May 5, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Analysis

Iran's Gulf gambit: Attacking the UAE to shift US calculations

A billboard with the image of the late Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wraps the front of a building in Tehran on May 5, 2026.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

KOOSHA MAHSHID FALAHI/MIZAN/AFP via Getty Images

Fire at Iranian prison renews pressure for US prisoner release

Efforts to free Siamak Namazi and Emad Shargi have taken on greater urgency following a deadly fire that erupted at their detention center.

AFP via Getty Images

IRGC warns Saudi Arabia over Iran protest coverage

The head of the IRGC has issued a warning to Saudi Arabia over coverage by Persian-language news outlets.

CIS summit

Middle Eastern leaders converge on Kazakhstan

The Central Asian nation hosted the annual Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States summits this week.

Blinken Iran

Analysis

Iran nuclear talks on hold for now as US, EU focus on protests

MENA region is expected to suffer more than most from the global slowdown partly caused by the Ukraine war.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Iran protest

Ayatollah criticizes ‘British Shia’ as protests continue

The tweet from the Iranian Supreme Leader follows the Islamic Republic's complaints about London-based Persian language media outlets’ coverage of ongoing anti-government protests in Iran.

European flags fly at half-mast during a meeting of European Union energy ministers to find solutions to rising energy prices at the EU headquarters, one day after the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Brussels, Belgium, Sept. 9, 2022.

Report: Iran warns EU over sanctions threat

Some European diplomats have been advocating for sanctions against the Islamic Republic over its violent response to protests.

A demonstrator with an Iranian flag and red hands painted on her face attends a rally.

Iran chief judge says no mercy for protest organizers

The directive came after a green light from Iran's supreme leader and following another day of deadly unrest nationwide.

An Iranian pro-government protester wears a pin displaying a portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran's Khamenei tells officials to 'act on their duties' amid ongoing protests

Hours after Iran's supreme leader renewed his order for measures against protesters, Iranians took to the streets in several cities once again, calling for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.

Iran rials

Iran wants to use national currencies with Caspian states

At the Caspian Economic Forum, Iran promoted the idea, which would allow it to evade international financial sanctions.

AFP via Getty Images

Security forces reportedly fire on crowds as protests rock Kurdish city

Iranian security forces have been seen firing indiscriminately into residential neighborhoods in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj, which has hot spot of anti-government protests.

ROSH HANIKRA, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 11: Wind surfers surf by an Israeli navy boat in the mediterranean sea at the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon on October 11, 2022 in Rosh Hanikra, Israel. The agreement should resolve a territorial dispute in the eastern Mediterranean sea, where Lebanon wants to explore for natural gas. Israel is already extracting natural gas at nearby fields. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)

New PRO Memo: Israel-Lebanon maritime agreement to prompt working relations

Israel and Lebanon stand to gain much more than just new maritime borders after their recent deal. (access now with a free trial)

A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran on Sept. 21, 2022, shows Iranian demonstrators taking to the streets of the capital Tehran during a protest for Mahsa Amini, days after she died in police custody.

Iran’s Raisi heckled by female students as more protesters killed

Several deaths were reported in yet another day of turmoil in Iran, with women and men taking to the streets to confront armed riot police.