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May 1, 2026

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This photo obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim shows an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boat allegedly taking part in an operation to seize ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, on April 21, 2026.

Trump faces three paths ahead in Iran war as Hormuz standoff intensifies

As the Hormuz standoff intensifies, Trump must choose between military escalation, a limited diplomatic deal, or continuing a pressure campaign against Iran.

AFP via Getty Images

In defiant message, Iran’s Khamenei threatens US but appeals to Gulf

The address was Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s third since coming to power and included a pledge to rid the Gulf of the US.

QESHM ISLAND, IRAN - APRIL 28: Boats navigate the sea on April 28, 2026 on Qeshm Island, Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's latest proposal for ending its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz calls on the United States to end its naval blockade of Iran's ports, and sets aside questions about what to do with Iran's nuclear program. The United States has not formally responded to the latest proposal, which was delivered by Iran's foreign minister to Pakistan two days ago. (Photo by Asghar Besharati/Getty Images

US blockade tests Iran's limits, but will global pain force Trump’s hand?

President Trump is doubling down on economic warfare against Iran, betting a naval blockade and sanctions can force a nuclear deal and end the war.

Latest News

Iran-linked group claims stabbing in Jewish area in London: What to know

Local residents look on from outside a cordoned off area in the Golders Green neighborhood of north London on April 29, 2026, following the stabbing to two people nearby.

Oil surges past $120 to war-time high as Trump rejects Iran overture

A pumpjack stands idle in the Huntington Beach oil field, with port cranes visible in the distance, on April 23, 2026, in Huntington Beach, California.

Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates

President Donald Trump gives a speech during the State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn on April 28, 2026, in Washington.

Iranian rial hits new record low as blockade, war take toll: What to know

An Iraqi money dealer counts Iranian rial banknotes bearing a portrait of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, at an exchange office in Baghdad on Feb. 3, 2012.

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

Iranians pass by the recently repainted, famous anti-American mural that depics the US flag with bombs and skulls in Tehran, Iran on April 10, 2025, two days before the first round of indirect nuclear negotiations with President Trump's administration hosted and mediated by Oman. (Photo by Mohammadali Najib / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMADALI NAJIB/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

'Out of loop': Israel increasingly fears being blindsided by a Trump-Iran deal

The Israeli prime minister had wanted to keep the military option on the table, but for now must grit his teeth and let US-Iranian negotiations run their course.

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

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey rank in top 20 global military spenders: What to know

Regional military spending saw a significant increase in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, amid conflicts in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, though it found that Europe drove the overall hike in global expenditures.

Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Iran, Azerbaijan ink 7 MOUs as Pezeshkian visits Baku: What to know

As part of a broader diplomatic thaw, Iran and Azerbaijan have agreed to enhance cooperation in political, economic and security sectors during President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Baku.

A firefighting helicopter flies through thick clouds of smoke after a deadly explosion at Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, on April 27, 2025. The blast, believed to have originated from hazardous chemicals, killed at least 40 people and injured over 1,200, according to local sources. (Photo by Rahim / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by RAHIM/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

As fires rage at Iran's largest port, IAEA team visits Tehran for nuclear talks

The Iranian Foreign Ministry stressed on Monday that the country's right to enrich uranium domestically and the removal of sanctions are nonnegotiable.

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi (R), and Oman's foreign minister, Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi, give a joint press conference in Tehran on Dec. 30, 2024.

Analysis

Iran-US talks set to resume in Oman amid differences over enrichment: What to know

As Iran and the United States are set to kick off a third round of their nuclear negotiations, Tehran is grappling with mounting confusion about Washington's stance while reaffirming that its right to enrich uranium is not up for debate.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

NIKITA BORISSOV/AFP via Getty Images

Russia agrees to supply Iran with 55 bcm of gas, fund nuclear plant: What to know

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad is in Moscow this week, meeting with Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev on Friday.

LEESBURG, VIRGINIA - APRIL 24: U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Leesburg Executive Airport on April 24, 2025 in Leesburg, Virginia. Trump is attending the MAGA Inc. fundraiser dinner at Trump National Golf Club. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump willing to meet Iran's Khamenei but 'will be leading' war pack if no deal

In an interview with Time Magazine, President Donald Trump says he believes a deal with Iran can be reached via negotiations while expressing readiness for war in the event that it doesn't.

Kurilla

Top US general visits Israel ahead of next round of US-Iran nuclear talks

The CENTCOM commander's latest visit comes as the Pentagon considers maintaining two aircraft carriers in the Middle East in case diplomatic overtures to rein in Iran's nuclear enrichment should fail.

ALEX HALADA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran, Russia, China envoys present joint front to Grossi on nuclear talks

As the US-Iran nuclear negotiations progress, Iran, Russia and China presented a united front in a meeting with the international nuclear watchdog chief in Vienna.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon summons Iran’s ambassador in warning against Hezbollah interference

Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amani’s criticism of any plans to disarm Hezbollah sparked controversy in Lebanon as Beirut seeks to gradually bring weapons under state control.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks alongside US President Donald Trump during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10, 2025, in Washington.

US floats imported fuel solution for Iran ahead of third round nuclear talks

Experts say a deal in which Iran keeps its nuclear reactors but abandons its domestic enrichment is likely a nonstarter.

Iranian and Chinese delegations, led by Abbas Araghchi and Wang Yi, respectively, meet in Beijing, on April 23. 2025.

China slams sanctions, voices support for Iran’s nuclear program during FM visit

Iran's foreign minister held high-level talks with Chinese officials on Wednesday on the latest developments in Iran’s ongoing nuclear negotiations with the US.