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June 22, 2026

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Explainer

What’s the status of Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran talks?

Oil tankers continued to transit the strait in both directions, but many turned off their transponders over the weekend after Iran's military declared Hormuz closed once again.

Aamir QURESHI / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

After US-Iran deal, can Pakistan sustain regional mediator role?

Pakistan emerged as a key mediator after helping secure the deal that ended the war between Iran and the US, but whether it can sustain this role in the Middle East in the future will depend on a range of regional and geopolitical factors.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

This photograph shows a Turkish national flag at the Razi-Kapikoy border crossing with Iran next to a black flag on the Iranian side, following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in eastern Turkey on March 2, 2026.

Analysis

Turkey eyes gains from US-Iran deal as Ankara balances Tehran, Washington

Turkey sees the US-Iran memorandum as a chance to reduce regional spillover risks, revive trade with Tehran and gain diplomatic breathing room.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Analysis

How Netanyahu used Lebanon strikes to push back on Trump’s Iran deal

US President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 29, 2025.

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

Explainer

Sanctions relief and reconstruction: How China benefits from Trump-Iran deal

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

Israel fans flames separating Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank

Recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are feeding suspicions between Hamas and Fatah and widening the divisions between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Award-winning Palestinian author's 'White Horse' gallops onto stage

"Time of White Horses," a 2007 novel by award-winning Palestinian writer Ibrahim Nasrallah, makes its way onto the stage in both Palestine and the United States.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi welcomes his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov before their meeting, in Amman, Jordan April 7, 2019. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RC19E3A1E9F0

What did Lavrov discuss in Egypt, Jordan?

The Russian foreign minister completed his continual Mideast tour with visits to Cairo and Amman.

Iranian rials, U.S. dollars and Iraqi dinars are seen at a currency exchange shop in Basra, Iraq November 3, 2018. Picture taken November 3, 2018. REUTERS/Essam al-Sudani - RC18BD110300

Iran signals change to FX regime, crackdown on profiteering

The Iranian authorities said renewed turbulence on foreign exchange markets will be short-lived as signals were sent that a crackdown on profiteering is ahead.

A supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party waves flags, one bearing the name of U.S. President Donald Trump, as the crowd reacts to exit polls in Israel's parliamentary election at the party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC12929E4A50

Netanyahu’s call to annex West Bank inspired by Trump support

Palestinian and international experts and politicians are convinced that the extraordinary statements made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about annexing all settlements come from the realization that he has support from US President Donald Trump for his radical call.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan walks past a guard of honour as he attends a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia April 8, 2019. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC139E354840

Erdogan flirts with fire as sparks fly over missile deal

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to almost revel in the controversy over Turkey's planned purchase of a Russian missile system even as pressure mounts to scrap it and stakes continue to rise.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) and Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu face reporters before their meeting at the State Department in Washington, U.S., November 20, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas - RC17E36FD880

Turkish-American ties enter uncharted territory

The US-Turkish relationship is in such a bad state that the sides can’t even agree on what was discussed during high-level bilateral talks.

Qatar boosts its influence in Gaza

As Qatar works to alleviate the living conditions plaguing Palestinians due to the blockade, it also seeks to achieve greater influence in the Palestinian territories.

A Russian S-400 air defence mobile missile launching system takes part in a rehearsal for a military parade in Minsk June 26, 2014. Belarus will mark the 70th anniversary of the country's liberation from the Nazis on July 3. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (BELARUS - Tags: MILITARY ANNIVERSARY) - GM1EA6R03KP01

Intel: How the US, Turkey got into standoff over Russia’s S-400 air defense system

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi speaks during a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (not pictured) at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, October 30, 2018. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke - RC1766211940

Senators rebuke Egypt as White House rolls out red carpet for Sisi

Congress is pushing the Donald Trump administration to take a tougher line on Egypt amid concerns that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will use this week’s White House visit to legitimize his efforts to extend his rule through 2034.

Members of the Iranian revolutionary guard march during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran September 22, 2011. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo - S1AETZITMIAA

Intel: The history of Trump vs. IRGC

Members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards march during a military parade to commemorate the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war in Tehran September 22, 2007. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl/File Photo - S1AETZITNEAA

Trump names Iran’s IRGC terror organization, downplaying risks to US troops, Iraq stability

Critics warn that the US administration's announcement to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization could escalate risks to US troops and reduce chances for future diplomacy.