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May 2, 2026

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies during a Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 22, 2026 in Washington, DC.

US sanctions Iran’s shadow banking channels moving oil proceeds from China

The latest sanctions come as the Trump administration weighs Iran's latest proposal to end the war.

Ibrahim AMRO / AFP via Getty Images

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.

Latest News

US blockade tests Iran's limits, but will global pain force Trump’s hand?

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

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.

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

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

Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hassan Firouzabadi (R) and former Revolutionary Guards commander Yahya Rahim-Safavi salute during a military parade to commemorate the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, in Tehran September 22, 2010. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: ANNIVERSARY MILITARY POLITICS) - RTXSIL4

Former IRGC leader claims Iran's border to Lebanon's shores

The Lebanese presidential elections are of a piece with Iran's regional strategy.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attends the annual Munich Security Conference February 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lukas Barth (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX184O0

Iran Foreign Ministry welcomes Saudi overture

Iranian officials have lauded the invitation of Iran's foreign minister to visit Saudi Arabia, but improving relations will take much more than diplomacy.

Former U.N. chief weapons inspector Hans Blix arrives to give evidence to the Iraq Inquiry at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, in London July 27, 2010. Blix is likely to heap further criticism on the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq at a British inquiry on Tuesday, adding weight to the negative appraisals given by other senior figures. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTR2GRQQ

Blix: Listen to Iran on 'practical needs' for nuclear program

In an exclusive interview, Hans Blix, the former director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, says that he understands Iran’s resistance to any restriction on research and development and that Iran should not be forced to use old centrifuge technology.

Khamenei adviser backs Iranian negotiators

The supreme leader's foreign policy adviser, Ali Akbar Velayati, has declared his support for the current Iranian negotiators while criticizing the methods of the previous teams.

From R-L: Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov from Russia, Erlan Idrissov from Kazakhstan and Mohammad Javad Zarif from Iran gather for a family photo session during the Caspian Sea littoral states conference in Moscow, April 22, 2014. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov (RUSSIA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3M69D

Russia stakes out Iranian market

Both Russia and Iran see a shared interest in deepening economic ties, parallel to the P5+1 talks.

Rouhani says 'We will not accept scientific or nuclear apartheid'

Before the nuclear negotiations resume this week, Iran's supreme leader, speaker of parliament and president all gave speeches about Iran's priorities in the negotiations.

ATTENTION EDITORS - VISUAL COVERAGE OF SCENES OF INJURY OR DEATH

People carry a wounded woman after an accidental explosion caused by leftover ordnance at Bustan al-Diwan, in old Homs City, May 10, 2014. Hundreds of residents return to Homs, after rebels left the city. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) TEMPLATE OUT - RTR3OKXD

What can we learn from Homs?

Given the collapse of the Geneva process, and the Syrian government’s staying power, localized cease-fires may be the latest trend in the conflict.

U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice (L) and Israel's President Shimon Peres speak before their meeting in Jerusalem May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3O62A

Israel makes its case on Iranian enrichment

Israel is making its case to US officials to allow Iran only the most minimal nuclear enrichment in the context of negotiations of a comprehensive nuclear agreement.

Iranian nominee for intelligence minister, Ghlamhossin Mohseni Ejei (below) speaks to lawmakers as parliament speaker Gholamali Haddadadel looks on in Iranian parliament in Tehran August 22, 2005. Ahmadinejad on Sunday recommended his chosen cabinet to potentially hostile parliamentarians who must approve his selections. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi RH/TW - RTRL9BK

Iran’s top prosecutor calls for revisions in use of death penalty

Iran’s top prosecutor recommends reconsidering the cases of smaller drug offenders to address the high level of executions in the country.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R), Turkey's President Abdullah Gul (L), Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (C), his wife Emine Erdogan pray with Head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate Mehmet Gormez during the opening ceremony of Marmaray, a subway links Europe with Asia some 60 metres below the Bosphorus Strait, in Istanbul October 29, 2013. Turkey opened the world's first underwater rail link between two continents on Tuesday, connecting Asia and Europe and allowing PM Erdogan to realise a project

Who speaks for Islam in Turkey?

Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate is under scrutiny.

Iran news publications suspended over bail reports

The Reformist newspaper Ghanoon and conservative news site Dana have both been suspended by the Tehran judiciary, likely for reporting on the enormous bail set for a government official.

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

Iran's Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi speaks with foreign and local media at a news conference in Tehran January 11, 2011. Iran warned neighbouring countries not to help its arch-foe Israel, one day after announcing it had rounded up a spy ring linked to Israel which it said had assassinated an Iranian nuclear scientist. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: CRIME

Iran’s former intelligence minister discusses clash with Ahmadinejad

Former Iranian Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi has commented on his near-firing by former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a conflict that revealed deep divisions between Iran’s conservatives.