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Iran

August 18, 2026

Tehran 5:01 pm

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Ships are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 10, 2026, off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Iran says understanding reached with Oman over new Hormuz route map

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters in Tehran on Monday that “an understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route.”

Smoke rises after explosions were heard and air defences activated near the airport in Erbil, on July 24, 2026.

Explainer

Why Iran targeted Barzani family stronghold in Iraqi Kurdistan

Iran’s Kurdish opposition groups have turned Iraqi Kurdistan into a frontline in the war.

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence on Aug. 14, 2026 in Garden City, New York.

Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it 'gets in the way' of US-Iran deal

The US president also threatened to "blow up" the Gulf partner in May.

Latest News

Analysis

Why Iran is intensifying wartime crackdown in restive Baluchistan

A Baluch Iranian man rides a bicycle

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Explainer

What would BRICS Bank membership mean for Iran's reeling economy?

Motorists drive vehicles past a billboard depicting Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei along a street in central Tehran on August 8, 2026. Hopes for an imminent US-Iran deal to end the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz added to optimism that oil and gas, along with other key products, would again start flowing freely after more than five months of war. But oil prices turned higher ahead of the weekend in the absence of any confirmation of an accord, amid reports that Iran was planning to block US and Is

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

Amid slump in oil prices, Iran focuses on mining

Faced with a slump in oil prices, Iran turns to its vast mineral resources.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks during a news conference in Moscow, Russia, September 22, 2015. Amir-Abdollahian said on Tuesday his country had no troops or military advisers in Syria or Yemen, the RIA news agency reported. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev - RTX1RTQL

Is Iran deal stopping regional cooperation?

Despite the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, it appears that an improvement in Saudi-Iranian relations in the short term is unlikely, if not impossible.

Muslim pilgrims walk on roads as they head to cast stones at pillars symbolizing Satan during the annual haj pilgrimage in Mina on the first day of Eid al-Adha, near the holy city of Mecca September 24, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood - RTX1S609

Khamenei condemns Saudi Arabia for hajj stampede

Iranian officials have blamed Saudi management of the hajj for the stampede that left at least 125 Iranians dead.

A general view of the Central Bank of Iran building in Tehran January 23, 2006. Iran's central bank has not implemented any measures in preparation for U.N. action over its atomic programme because it does not believe sanctions will be imposed, the bank said on Monday. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl - RTR18RHP

Senate lays off Iranian banks in latest draft of post-deal bill

The latest iteration of Sen. Ben Cardin's pending legislation addresses many — but not all — of its critics' concerns

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks at a news conference during a visit in Tunis September 1, 2015. REUTERS/Anis Mili - RTX1QJXN

Why do Iranian hawks keep circling over Zarif?

With Iran disappointed with US actions in the region following the nuclear deal, prospects for broader dialogue appear dimmed.

An Iranian journalist in symbolic rope shackle holds a copy of a banned reformist newspaper at a protest gathering in Tehran, July 26, 2004. More than 100 journalists gathered to protest against what they think is a fresh round of press crackdown in Iran. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi AP/DBP - RTR7D7P

Have spies infiltrated Iranian media?

Twelve conservative Iranian Parliament members wrote in a statement to the Intelligence Ministry that it must take action against spies that have infiltrated the media.

Iranian teachers protest in front of the parliament building in Tehran March 8, 2007. Iranian police clashed on Thursday with scores of rights activists who gathered in front of parliament to celebrate International Women's Day, one of the activists said. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN) - RTR1N8EO

Beyond glass ceiling, Iranian women face iron fence

The Iranian Ministry of Education's decision to impose gender quotas has raised bewilderment and disappointment.

Iran welcomes Russian help to end crisis in Syria

Iranian officials have said they welcome Russian involvement in Syria, as Russia builds up its military presence in the country.

US offer of anti-Iran bomb lands as a dud in Israel

Some in Congress are keen to share the latest bunker-busting technology, but Israel is skeptical.

IAEA chief testifies before Iran parliament committee

Yukiya Amano, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, faced tough questions from parliament members of Iran who are reviewing the final nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1.

Will boycott campaign put the brakes on Iran's auto industry?

On the cusp of no longer facing Western sanctions, Iranian carmakers now face a domestic boycott of their vehicles over price and quality concerns.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, September 21, 2015. Netanyahu said his visit to Moscow on Monday was aimed at preventing clashes between Russian and Israeli military forces in the Middle East. REUTERS/Ivan Sekretarev/Pool - RTS25BW

Israel fears return of Persian Empire

According to a senior IDF source, Israel's major concern should be the Iran-Shiite-Hezbollah axis and Iran gaining regional influence and power after the nuclear agreement.