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Iran

April 22, 2026

Tehran 9:12 pm

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How are Iran-linked tankers still moving through Hormuz blockade?

At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have passed through the US blockade on the strait to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa.

Fishing and cargo ships and ferries are pictured in the Gulf off the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, which is the main base of the Islamic Republic's navy and has a strategic position on the Strait of Hormuz, on April 29, 2019.

Iran seizes two cargo ships in Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire

The IRGC Navy’s seizure of two cargo vessels follows US Navy interdictions of two Iran-linked crude oil tankers in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean earlier this week.

Mahdi Farid, who was convicted of espionage for Israel’s Mossad, was executed after his death sentence was upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court, Tehran, Iran, April 22, 2026.

Iran executes 14th person since war over alleged Mossad ties: What to know

Iran has carried out multiple executions since the outbreak of the war with the United States and Israel, as it intensifies a crackdown on individuals accused of spying for Israel.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to the press during a visit to the shrine of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburbs on Jan. 8, 2026.

Analysis

As Iran's power struggle deepens, US talks stall, who’s calling the shots in Tehran?

Ultraconservative figures and security officials have intensified their criticism of the negotiating team, accusing it of jeopardizing Iran’s gains.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Trump extends ceasefire with Iran ‘until discussions concluded’

President Donald Trump walks toward reporters before answering questions before boarding Air Force One on April 10, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

Analysis

Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock

A picture shows the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar's principal site for production of liquefied natural gas and gas-to-liquid, administrated by Qatar Petroleum, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital Doha, on Feb. 6, 2017.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

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

US boards Iran-linked tanker in Indian Ocean, vows pursuit of 'ghost fleet'

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: A US Navy Seahawk helicopter takes off from the deck of the USS Ronald Reagan on July 14, 2017 in Townsville, Australia. USS Ronald Reagan is a 1,092- foot aircraft carrier which carries a crew of 4,539 around 60 aircraft. Exercise Talisman Sabre is the largest combined military exercise undertaken in Australia. The biennial exercise is the principal Australian and U.S. military training activity. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

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 and Saudi foreign ministers in China

Iran, Saudi Arabia FMs meet in China, agree to expand ties

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Saudi Arabia's Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud have agreed to reinstate diplomatic offices and resume flights between the two countries.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd-L) meets with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2nd-R) at Great Hall of the People on March 17, 2017 in Beijing, China. At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, King Salman Bin Abdul-Aaziz Al-Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will pay a state visit to China from March 15 to 18, 2017. (Photo by Lintao Zhang - Pool/Getty Images)

China's emergence as Saudi-Iran broker signals multipolar diplomacy in Middle East

As China hosts on Thursday the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers in Beijing, the Gulf states have an opportunity to capitalize on its growing role.

Pedestrians walk past a political mural at Palestine Square in the Iranian capital Tehran on September 7, 2019. - Iran said Saturday it has fired up advanced centrifuges to boost its enriched uranium stockpiles, in the latest scaling back of commitments under a crumbling 2015 nuclear deal. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran rules out interim nuclear deal

Iranian official dismisses talk of a "less for less" deal as "the outcome of some think tank brainstorming."

Saudi-Iran-China

China to host Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers as detente moves forward

The Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers are meeting in Beijing on Thursday to advance the deal announced last month to restore ties between the two countries.

Ali Shamkhani with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed

Iran appoints first ambassador to UAE in 8 years as Gulf thaw continues

Reza Ameri previously served as Iran’s ambassador to Algeria, Sudan and Eritrea.

Mourners attend the funeral procession for two of Iran's revolutionary guard forces killed by Israel in Syria, held in Tehran on April 4, 2023. - The two Iranian fighters, identified as Milad Heidari and Meghdad Mahghani, were killed on March 31, 2023 when Israel launched several missiles from the occupied Golan Heights against pro-regime positions near Damascus. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran vows revenge against Israel after deadly Syria strikes

As tensions escalated, Iran's promise of vengeance was also coupled with a pledge to further bolster Syria's defenses against Israel.

A F-15 fighter jet takes part in an aerial display during the graduation ceremony of Israeli air force pilots at the Hatzerim base in the Negev desert, on June 23, 2022.

Fourth suspected Israeli strike on Syria in five days kills two

Two Iranian officers were killed by Israeli missiles late last week.

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel's shadow war with Iran escalates in Syria with attacks, drone interception

Israel has reportedly carried out seven raids over the past month and nine since the beginning of the year inside Syria. Israel on Sunday intercepted a drone coming from Syria.

Lilach Shoval

By Lilach Shoval

Israeli soldiers take part in a military exercise near the town of Katzrin, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on the border with Syria, on September 21, 2022. (Photo by JALAA MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel downs flying object from Syria as Iran vows revenge

Israel has struck Syria three times in the past four days, killing officers in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Yemen shipping

US seeks to keep seized Iranian weapons bound for Yemen

The weapons seized in December by US Central Command include more than one million rounds of ammunition and thousands of proximity fuses for rocket-propelled grenades.

Azerbaijani embassy opens

Iran lashes out as Azerbaijan opens embassy in Israel

Israel’s security and political relations with Azerbaijan are strengthening, much to the Islamic Republic’s chagrin.

US army soldiers stand near armoured military vehicles on the outskirts of Rumaylan in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, bordering Turkey, on March 27, 2023. (Photo by Delil souleiman / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Pentagon: 8 Iran-backed fighters killed in Syria strikes

An Iranian drone strike against the US military in Syria last week led to significant hostilities.