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May 1, 2026

Tehran 7:19 pm

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Analysis

Without exit strategy, Israel faces emboldened Hezbollah, limited options on Iran

While President Donald Trump remains undecided on striking Iran again, the Israeli military is sinking deeper into its Lebanon quagmire with a reinforced Hezbollah.

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

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 threatens a global economic chill, Trump must choose between military escalation, seeking a partial deal with Iran, or waiting out the pressure campaign.

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.

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

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attends a news conference in Vienna July 18, 2014. Iran and six world powers have agreed to a four-month extension of negotiations on a nuclear deal with Tehran after failing to meet a July 20 deadline due to "significant gaps" between the two sides, the European Union and Iran said on Saturday. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger (AUSTRIA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3ZAIV

Iran’s foreign minister reports to parliament on nuclear talks

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has reported to the Iranian Parliament on the latest developments in the nuclear talks.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) meets with Iraq's Vice President Khudair al-Khuzaie (not seen) during his visit in Baghdad July 18, 2013. REUTERS/Hadi Mizban/Pool (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX11QSK

Iran judiciary investigates Ahmadinejad-era hiring practices

In Iran’s latest corruption case, the administration of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stands accused of overseeing the hiring of hundreds of thousands of unqualified ministerial staff members.

Najaf, Qom take different approaches in Iraq

The two religious authorities Najaf and Qom have divergent views on Iraq's political affairs, with Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi — the religious authority in Qom — identifying various actors in the Iraqi crisis, praising Shiite militias and accusing Sunni politicians.

Tehran mayor says gender segregation a question of dignity

The mayor of Tehran has defended plans to segregate city employees by gender, dismissing criticism in the foreign media with, “Let the BBC talk.”

Smoke trails are seen as rockets are launched towards Israel from the northern Gaza Strip July 12, 2014. Hamas militants launched ten rockets at Tel Aviv on Saturday, causing no casualties or damage, in the largest salvo yet on Israel's main business hub, since Israel launched its Gaza offensive against the Islamist group, five days ago. Picture shot using a long exposure. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR3YB6I

Did Iran train Gaza rocket makers?

While Iran was unable to smuggle rockets in, sources claim Tehran instead trained Gaza Strip groups to make their own.

'A Separation' director criticized in Iran for Gaza Facebook post

A widely-shared photo of Iranian director Asghar Farhadi and a human rights lawyer posing with a banner simply condemning “killing” in Gaza has caused controversy in Iran.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a joint news conference in Cairo June 22, 2014. Kerry said on Sunday the United States wanted Iraqis to find an inclusive leadership to contain a sweeping Islamist insurgency but Washington would not pick or choose who rules in Baghdad. Kerry was speaking at the start of a Middle East tour after talks in Cairo with Egypt's new President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi which covered Western concerns over Egypt's crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood and the fallout of the

Lawmakers: Kerry floats new sanctions on Iran

The secretary of state has told lawmakers that passing triggered sanctions could help get a nuclear deal.

Police explosive experts load the remains of a rocket into a van after it was intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome aerial defense system, in Tel Aviv July 11, 2014. Israeli air strikes on Gaza killed four more Palestinians before dawn on Friday, raising the death toll from the four day offensive to at least 85, while a Palestinian rocket hit a fuel tanker at an Israeli petrol station causing a huge blaze. REUTERS/Yaron Brener/Ynet (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY CONFLICT) ISRAEL OUT. NO COMMERCI

With little help from Iran, Hamas fights Israel with homemade rockets

Hamas’ rockets are locally produced and lacking a qualitative edge due to Iran’s decision to cut military support to the Islamist movement.

Women work in the Iranian interior ministry in Tehran March 15, 2008. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (IRAN) - RTR1YC35

City of Tehran’s female workers fired 'for own well-being'

Citing long hours and possible disruptions to family life, officials at the Tehran municipality have replaced female secretarial workers with men.

Hussein Shariatmadari, head of the hardline Kayhan publishing group and
Iran's most influential conservative commentator speaks with Reuters
correspondents at his office in Tehran January 7, 2003. Shariatmadari
said President Mohammad Khatami's bid to curb hardline opposition to
his reform policies with two new laws is doomed to failure.
REUTERS/Caren Firouz

CJF - RTRG8LH

Conservative Iranian newspaper editor insists on nuclear red lines

Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of the hard-line newspaper Kayhan, has identified several challenges facing the nuclear talks in Vienna.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to film or take pictures in Tehran.

An Internet user tries to log onto social networking site Facebook in Tehran in this May 25, 2009 file photo. The Farsi text reads "Dear Customer, access to this site is not possible. In the event that this site has been mistakenly filtered please email filter@dci.ir with the name of the domain and any other necessary explanation." Internet messages have been circulating

Facebook activists sentenced to prison, lashes in Iran

Eight Iranian Facebook activists have been sentenced to prison for terms ranging from eight to 21 years.

U.S. special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, Robert Einhorn (R) speaks as Daniel Glaser, the Treasury Department's deputy assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crimes looks on during a news conference at the Information Resource Center of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul August 2, 2010. REUTERS/Truth Leem (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY BUSINESS) - RTR2GZAI

US message on enrichment helped open Iran channel

Secret US-Iran diplomatic contacts got underway after US President Barack Obama conveyed a message that the United States would be prepared to accept limited Iran enrichment program in a serious nuclear agreement.