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Iran

May 16, 2025

Tehran 9:19 pm

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US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Levant Affairs and Special Envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn delivers a statment ahead of a meeting of the Syria constitution-writing committee on October 29, 2019 at the United Nations Offices in Geneva. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Joel Rayburn commits to helping lift Syria sanctions, boxing in Iranian influence

In a hearing with Senate lawmakers, the White House’s pick to become the State Department’s top diplomat on the Middle East argued for capitalizing on Iran’s losses in Syria and Lebanon while stressing that the Islamic Republic should not have the ability to enrich uranium domestically.

US President Donald Trump looks on as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets the crowd during the Saudi-US investment forum at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. Saudi Arabia on May 13 promised billions of dollars in deals with the United States from defence to artificial intelligence as it threw a lavish welcome for President Donald Trump on the first state visit of his second term. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty I

Analysis

Trump’s Gulf tour alarms Iran as it fears isolation, shifting alliances

Sanctions-hit Iran is anxiously watching Trump clinch multibillion-dollar trade deals with regional heavyweights, yet it is finding a moment of relief in the "sidelining" of Israel.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

US President Donald Trump (L) bids farewell to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he leaves the White House after a meeting on April 7, 2025, in Washington.

Analysis

How Trump's Gulf tour and release of Edan Alexander expose rift with Netanyahu

The US-Hamas deal for the release of Edan Alexander is just one of a series of issues where the gaps between Washington and the Netanyahu government keep growing.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks as Vice President JD Vance (R) and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (C) embrace, during the swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House on May 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. Witkoff provided an update on the Houthi conflict in the Middle East. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

US 'encouraged' by latest Iran nuclear talks ahead of Trump's Gulf visit

After three hours of talks in Oman on Sunday, the two sides agreed to meet again to work through the technicalities of a potential deal.

Latest News

Analysis

Iran's counterbalancing act: Araghchi in Saudi Arabia ahead of Trump tour

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to AFP during an interview at the Iranian consulate in Jeddah on March 7, 2025.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iran’s IRGC unveils underground 'drone city': What to know

The "Mohajer 6" drone is displayed during Iran's defense industry achievements exhibition, on Aug. 23, 2023 in Tehran.

Exclusive

Skepticism shrouds Syria-Israel indirect talks with bets on Sharaa

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa upon arriving for a meeting at the Elysee presidential palace, Paris, May 7, 2025.

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

Iran denies role in alleged plot on Israel's UK embassy: What to know

Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images

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

new delhi

Iranian, Saudi officials in India as more airlines halt service amid Pakistan row

Iranian and Saudi officials headed to New Delhi in separate visits following Indian airstrikes in Pakistan that raised fears of war between the neighboring countries.

Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images

Israel warns citizens traveling to Switzerland of Eurovision protests

With the Eurovision contest set for next week, Israelis have been warned to be discreet in the streets of Basel, Switzerland.

Skyscraper in Doha, Qatar.

As Iran lashes out, Trump undecided on changing ‘Persian Gulf’ to ‘Arabian Gulf’

Trump distanced himself from a report that he would instruct the government to stop using the term "Persian Gulf."

A woman walks past a banner depicting launching missiles bearing the emblem of the Islamic Republic of Iran in central Tehran on April 15, 2024.

Iran vows ‘unrestrained’ force with new missile ahead of next round of US nuclear talks

Iran's state media said the solid-fuel, precision-guided ballistic missile, Qasem Basir, carried "a clear message" to Israel, which has "prior experience" with being hit by Iranian projectiles.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) meets with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on May 5, 2025.

Iran’s Araghchi calls for restraint in Pakistan visit as India tensions rise

Iran’s top diplomat will travel to India later this week as regional states call for de-escalation in South Asia.

Iranians pass by the anti-American murals painted on the walls of the former embassy of the United States of America in Tehran, Iran on April 16, 2025.

Analysis

What lies ahead for Iran nuclear talks as meeting postponed, threats ratchet up?

As threats mount and talks face delays, Iran spots fresh openings — including the ouster of Mike Waltz as national security adviser.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Rubio links Iran's economic fate to nuke deal as Trump vows sanctions

The top US diplomat's comments come amid a delay in the fourth round of Oman-mediated talks between Washington and Tehran over a potential deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for international sanctions relief.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Steve Witkoff, special envoy to the Middle East at the White House on Feb. 11, 2025.

Trump's Gaza diplomacy takes back seat to Iran, Ukraine in first 100 days

Gaza is on the back burner as nuclear negotiations with Iran and talks to end the Ukraine war command the attention of President Trump and his Middle East envoy.

This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025 shows navy vessels taking part in a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese military drill in the Gulf of Oman.

Iran unveils new navy ship amid regional tensions, nuclear talks

Iran has been expanding its naval fleet in recent years amid tensions with the United States and Israel, though the Islamic Republic is currently engaged in negotiations with Washington.

Heavy smoke rises at the scene of an explosion that took place a day earlier at the Shahid Rajaee port dock on April 27, 2025.

Outrage grows at Iran port explosion as IRGC rejects blame: What to know

The Revolutionary Guard distanced itself from the blast after facing accusations that the cargo contained military-grade materials linked to Iran's missile program, as criticism mounted over conflicting official accounts and the government's post-disaster response.

ALIREZA/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

US sanctions China-Iran network aiding Tehran missile program

The Trump administration is stepping up sanctions on Iran as it conducts talks over its rapidly expanding nuclear program.

RAHIM/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

New explosion hits Iranian factory after deadly port fire: What to know

Iranian officials ruled out sabotage as being behind the recent fire at the Shahid Rajaee port but have not commented on the cause of Tuesday’s blast in Isfahan.