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Iran

May 10, 2026

Tehran 5:18 am

14°C

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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

The Pentagon building, located in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

US airstrikes hit Iran-backed militia after drone attacks in Iraq

CENTCOM is trying to deter militia attacks without starting a war.

COLE BURSTON/AFP via Getty Images

Iran, Canada spar over downed plane report

Iran and Canada continue to engage in a war of words over Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752, which was shot down over Tehran last year.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's supreme leader gets jab of Iranian-made COVID-19 vaccine

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he turned down foreign-made vaccines because receiving Iran's own vaccine is a source of "national honor."

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani (C) addresses parliament in the capital, Tehran, on Sept. 3, 2019.

Iran's Rouhani blames hard-liners for deadlock with US

The statement was yet another sign of frustration from the outgoing president, who has found hard-liners closing windows on a deal between his government and the United States.

Abbas Araghchi in Vienna

‘Serious differences’ remain in nuclear talks, US official says

A State Department official said the United States and Iran still have major disagreements but a deal to restore the landmark nuclear agreement remains possible.

Simorgh satellite rocket at Tehran parade

Imagery suggests Iran failed to launch satellite, set to try again

Iran appears to be planning to launch a Simorgh satellite that the Islamic Republic may have failed to get off the ground earlier this month.

Iran's President-elect Ebrahim Raisi is pictured during his first press conference in the Islamic republic's capital Tehran, on June 21, 2021.

The Takeaway: Raisi likely can’t resist economic benefits of Iran nuclear deal

Also: Turkey as wild card on Syria aid; United States says it is not trading Syrian oil for aid; Russia rebuilds Palmyra; the latest reporting from Idlib; Bedouin lawmaker a headache for Israel’s Arab party; Cairo museum gets makeover.

Iran's President-elect Ebrahim Raisi delivers speech at the Imam Reza shrine in the city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran, on June 22, 2021. - On June 19 the 60-year-old was named the winner of the Islamic republic's presidential election, set to take over from moderate Hassan Rouhani in August. (Photo by Mohsen ESMAEILZADEH / ISNA NEWS AGENCY / AFP) (Photo by MOHSEN ESMAEILZADEH/ISNA NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images)

Some variety possible in new Iranian president's cabinet

With Iranian news outlets speculating about Raisi’s future cabinet, some analysts believe he will form an inclusive government — within limits.

In this handout image provided by EU Delegation Vienna, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) speaks with other participants at the JCPOA Iran nuclear talks on April 27, 2021, in Vienna, Austria.

Iranian official says US agrees to lift Trump-era oil sanctions

The chief of staff to outgoing Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was quoted as saying that Washington had agreed to remove more than 1,000 sanctions imposed upon Iran by the previous US administration.

The US Department of Justice is seen on June 11, 2021, in Washington, DC.

US government seizes news sites linked to Iran

The US government seized several websites affiliated with Iran and its allies, including Press TV.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Virus outpaces Iran's sluggish vaccination effort

Several provinces are facing a worrisome resurgence at a time of confusion, disorder and stoppages in the nationwide vaccination program.

Iran's President-elect Ebrahim Raisi is pictured during his first press conference since his election on the weekend in Tehran, on June 21, 2021.

Iran accuses US of interfering in domestic affairs

State Department spokesperson Ned Price described President-elect Ebrahim Raisi’s landslide win as “pre-manufactured.”