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Iran

April 23, 2025

Tehran 7:42 am

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Amid differences, Trump and Netanyahu hold call, discuss Iran nuclear talks

It was their first conversation since the prime minister's visit to the White House two weeks ago, when the US president announced direct talks with Iran.

This picture shows a portrait of late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini next to the Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Tehran, on April 21, 2025.

Analysis

In shift, Iran's IRGC backs nuclear talks as Araghchi courts US investment

Iran’s previously anti-engagement camp, which relentlessly dismissed talks with the US as “humiliating,” has pivoted and is demonstrating alignment with the negotiating team after Khamenei’s U-turn toward diplomacy.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

: A mural depicting a revolver painted with the colours of the US flag is seen painted on the outer walls of the former US embassy in Tehran, colloquially-referred to as the Spy Den, on April 19, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Talks between the United States and Iran over the fate of the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment program continue at the Omani embassy in Rome today. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Analysis

Netanyahu's influence over Trump wanes as US-Iran talks progress

Fear is growing in Israel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is incapable of shaping the nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

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

US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on April 3, 2025, in Washington.

White House denies staffer Merav Ceren’s ties to Israeli defense ministry: What to know

Ceren previously worked for the US Senate, and the administration downplayed reports of her past connection to the Israeli government.

Latest News

Araghchi to visit China ahead of US-Iran technical talks: What to know

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to AFP during an interview at the Iranian consulate in Jeddah on March 7, 2025. Iran will not resume negotiations with the United States on its nuclear programme while President Donald Trump applies his "maximum pressure" policy, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told AFP during the interview. (Photo by Amer HILABI / AFP) (Photo by AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Under US pressure, can Lebanon disarm Hezbollah without Iran's green light?

Teargas fumes erupt during clashes between supporters of the Lebanese Shiite Islamist movement Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army amidst a Hezbollah-organised rally to block the road to Beirut International Airport over a decision to bar two Iranian flights from landing there, in Beirut on February 15, 2025. An AFP correspondent said tear gas was fired to disperse crowds on February 15 after again blocking amidst calls by the Iran-backed group for a sit-in. (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO / AFP) (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO/

Dario Sabaghi

By Dario Sabaghi

Analysis

Araghchi’s second act: Meet diplomat behind Iran’s nuclear deal gambit

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to the press, in front of the portrait of slain Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, after meeting with Syrian officials at the Iranian embassy in Damascus on Oct. 5, 2024.

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Analysis

Enrichment clash in focus as Iran, US set for contentious talks in Rome

A woman walks along Karim Khan Zand Avenue in Tehran on April 8, 2025, past the building with the landmark anti-US mural with the slogan, "Down with the USA," and skulls replacing the stars on the US flag.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Elizabeth Hagedorn

State Department Correspondent

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

Andrew Parasiliti

President and Chief Content Officer

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

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

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

The front page of Iran's newspapers in a sidewalk newsstand in Tehran, Iran, on April 13, 2025.

Trust gap widens ahead of next US-Iran nuclear talks

With distrust running high on both sides, will this next round of negotiations be the last?

This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on April 17, 2025 shows Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major-General Mohammed Bagheri (L) receiving Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman (C) in Tehran on April 17, 2025.

Saudi defense chief meets Khamenei in historic Iran visit: What to know

Prince Khalid’s visit marks a further step in Iran and Saudi Arabia’s political reconciliation, but it comes at a tense time in the region, with the second round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations just two days away.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Analysis

US-Iran gaps seen as bridgeable as Israeli strike leak undermines Netanyahu

If the New York Times report is correct, the Israeli prime minister intended to strike Iran but backed away under pressure by the Trump administration, much like he did in 2011 and in 2012.

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

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov walk together after their meeting to give a joint press conference at the foreign ministry headquarters in Tehran on February 25, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

IAEA chief in Tehran as Iran FM returns to Russia with Khamenei letter

A flurry of meetings are taking place in Iran, Russia and the US ahead of the second round of nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran on Saturday.

This combination of file photos created on April 9, 2025, shows US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaking to reporters.

Witkoff’s enrichment U-turn sows confusion over Trump’s Iran strategy

The Trump administration has offered mixed messages on whether it would tolerate some level of uranium enrichment by Iran.

A man and woman walk past a mural depicting an Iranian official in civilian clothing sitting across the table from an American official wearing military fatigues painted on the outer walls of the former US embassy in Tehran, colloquially referred to as the "Spy Den," on April 8, 2025.

Analysis

Iran claims upper hand in nuclear talks even as Trump floats military option

The Iranian leader's comment came as the US president accused Tehran of dragging out the negotiation process and renewed threats of military action.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump bids farewell to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he leaves the White House after a meeting on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump was meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Analysis

As Witkoff hints US won't dismantle Iran nuclear program, Israel fears Trump may settle for 'bad deal'

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu cannot go openly against the nuclear talks with Iran initiated by US President Trump, but he can hope for Tehran to anger him enough to break the negotiations.

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

US President Donald Trump looks on during a meeting with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on April 14, 2025.

Ahead of Rome meeting, Trump says Iran dragging out nuclear talks

President Donald Trump said Iranian negotiators were “tapping us along” and threatened military action if a deal is not reached.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi pose for a photo before their meeting in Tehran on November 14, 2024. (Photo by Atta KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

IAEA’s Grossi to visit Tehran ahead of second round of US-Iran nuclear talks

The IAEA chief’s visit comes just days after nuclear talks between the US and Iran and less than a week after a senior Iranian official threatened to halt compliance with the nuclear watchdog.

Cheng Xin/Getty Images

China's oil imports highest since 2023 amid Iran crude spike: What to know

Data from analytics firm Kpler from April 11 showed that Iran’s imports were up 20% from February and at a five-month high.