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Iran

May 8, 2026

Tehran 12:13 pm

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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.

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

The establishment of an entity seeking to control maritime transportation in the Strait of Hormuz is the latest sign that Iran wants to formalize authority in the strategic waterway.

Popular Mobilization Forces

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

The Trump administration is cautiously sizing up Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, as a potential partner in pushing back on Iranian influence.

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.

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 economy

Unprecedented inflation hammers Iran

Iranians have grown accustomed to high inflation and rising prices, yet recent macroeconomic trends are unprecedented.

Abdollahian

Why IRGC issue won’t go away

Even if the US terrorist designation is not lifted, and there is agreement on the JCPOA, the IRGC will still be the power broker of Iranian domestic politics.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) meets Josep Borell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (R), as Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Enrique Mora (C) looks on, at the foreign ministry headquarters in Iran's capital Tehran on June 25, 2022.

Analysis

Ahead of Biden Mideast trip, Iran nuclear deal looms large

US president to blend diplomacy and deterrence in approach to Iran, region.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani.

Iran galvanizes regional diplomacy amid impasse in nuclear talks

Iran's chief negotiator traveled to Oman a day after Qatar's foreign minister visited Tehran in what seemed to be diplomatic efforts for an impetus to US-Iran nuclear talks.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian gives a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

US unveils fresh sanctions on Iranian oil trade network

The Biden administration designated 15 individuals and entities located in Iran, Vietnam, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran denies asking for new concessions in nuclear deal

Iran’s foreign minister says that economic guarantees from the nuclear deal are nothing new.

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's chief negotiator warns Israel against war preparations

The raging war of words coincided with protracted diplomacy over the revival of the Iran nuclear deal, which Israel has relentlessly criticized.

AFP via Getty Images

Iran, Iraq exchange more soldiers' remains

Although the Iran-Iraq War ended in 1988, the remains of fallen soldiers continue to be repatriated between the two countries.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

IRGC chief warns of spy war as new intel head takes over in Iran

The comments were made against the backdrop of an unexpected shakeup within the IRGC's intelligence wing following a series of breaches.

The Karnak Temple in Upper Egypt's ancient city of Luxor is pictured on March 1, 2020 with the Chinese flag in solidarity with the Chinese people amidst a world outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19, which originated in China. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

China will expand energy, economic partnerships — not security — in Middle East

Howard J. Shatz

Howard J. Shatz

Mora nuclear

Iran media publishes conflicting reports over status of nuclear talks in Qatar

Indirect talks in Qatar have made little or no progress on restarting nuclear deal, Islamic Republic outlets agree.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran negotiator in Doha for indirect nuclear talks with US

The new round is starting at a critical moment for Iran, where lingering sanctions and soaring prices have intensified public discontent.