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Iran

May 8, 2026

Tehran 2:44 pm

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In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on May 4, 2026, the Iran-flagged tugboat Basim sails near a ship anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.

What to know about Iran's 'Persian Gulf Strait Authority' to control Hormuz traffic

The establishment of an entity seeking to control maritime transportation in the Strait of Hormuz is the latest sign that Iran wants to formalize authority in the strategic waterway.

Popular Mobilization Forces

US sets expectations for Iraq’s next PM to confront Iranian militias

The Trump administration is cautiously sizing up Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, as a potential partner in pushing back on Iranian influence.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China in Beijing on May 6, 2026. Credit: Telegram

Analysis

China shores up Iran support as Trump seeks exit

China understands how badly Trump wants an exit from the conflict. But timing is critical: if no agreement is reached before Trump arrives in China on Thursday, Beijing would be better positioned to set the agenda.

Joyce Karam

An Iranian woman holds up an image of Iran's new supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iran president says he held official meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know

The president’s announcement marks the first public confirmation of a meeting between a senior official and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the start of the war.

Latest News

Iran, China discuss Hormuz reopening amid potential US-Iran talks

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second right, talks to his Iranian Counterpart Abbas Araghchi, left, during the bilateral meeting in Beijing, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

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

Meet Iran's first ever Sunni female ambassador

The Iranian government has appointed its first ever female Sunni ambassador, reviving hopes for greater senior political representation among the marginalized religious minority.

Iranian rials, U.S. dollars and Iraqi dinars are seen at a currency exchange shop in Basra, Iraq November 3, 2018. Picture taken November 3, 2018. REUTERS/Essam al-Sudani - RC1645948610

Iran pushes Iraq to maintain trade without US dollar

Iran is pushing for an agreement with the Iraqi Central Bank to maintain trade in local currencies after dollar-base trade halted following the reimposition of US sanctions.

Russia, Turkey content with talks on Syria but fate of YPG still unclear

Russian and Turkish officials meet in Moscow following President Trump's decision to withdraw US forces from Syria, but make no public mention of what will happen in Manbij.

A general view shows the "Si-o-Se Pol" bridge (33 Arches bridge) over the Zayandeh Rud river in Isfahan, which now runs dry due to water extraction before it reaches the city on April 11, 2018.
The 295 metre long bridge was completed in 1596 by Iranian Safavid king, Shah Abbas the Great (Shah Abbas l). / AFP PHOTO / ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Iran drought turns political as lawmakers fight over water share

The acute drought that Iran is going through has started to show its political face as lawmakers from crisis-hit areas protest the "unjust" distribution of the already shrinking water resources.

Are Turkey, Syria squaring off in response to US decision?

The US announcement that it will pull its troops out of Syria has sparked serious reactions, with Syria repositioning its forces around Manbij and opposition fighters weighing what the outcome could mean for them.

Israeli Air Force F-35 flies during an aerial demonstration at a graduation ceremony for Israeli air force pilots at the Hatzerim air base in southern Israel December 26, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1E7D135800

Memo from Israel: Game still on in Syria

Israel's most recent airstrikes against positions in Syria was a declaration of intent, to signal to all parties that the game continues and the rules have not changed.

Iranians shop in the capital Tehran's grand bazar on November 3, 2018. - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said today that President Donald Trump has "disgraced" US prestige and would be the ultimate loser from renewing sanctions on the Islamic republic.
Trump announced in May he was withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposing sanctions, sparking outrage among world powers who say Iran has been complying with commitments to restrict its atomic programme. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

Iran consumer prices remain stubbornly high despite rial recovery

Despite the Iranian national currency's comeback, consumer prices have yet to see commensurate drops due to price rigidity and uncertainty over the country's economic future.

Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran speaks during the first meeting of national security secretaries of Afghanistan, China, Iran, India and Russia, in the Iranian capital Tehran on September 26, 2018. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

After US-Taliban talks, Iran also confirms dialogue

After years of accusations, Iran has confirmed that they have held talks with the Taliban.

Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) chat with members of U.S. forces in the town of Darbasiya next to the Turkish border, Syria April 29, 2017. Picture taken April 29, 2017. REUTERS/Rodi Said - RC16BE0EE700

How Iran sees 'post-America' Syria

Rather than gloating, Iran has adopted a cautious approach to the US withdrawal from Syria as it examines whether and how it will impact Washington’s greater strategy to contain its regional role.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (C-R) submits documents outlining his budget for 2018-2019 to Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani (4th-L) in the capital Tehran on December 25, 2018. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Rouhani presents budget bill in raucous parliament session

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani presented his government's budget bill, which includes several belt-tightening measures in anticipation of US sanctions, to a chamber of furious lawmakers.

Iraqi border eyes Iran influence as US plans Syria pullout

After the retaking of IS-held territory across the border and the US announcement it would pull its troops out of Syria, Iraq’s western Anbar is grappling with the prospect of increased Iranian influence amid joblessness, a lack of electricity and reports of cross-border drug smuggling.

Iran's leading reformist politician Saeed Hajjarian smiles as he receives guests at home following his release from prison in Tehran on September 30, 2009. Iran granted bail to Hajjarian, who was arrested in the aftermath of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's hotly disputed June re-election. A key member of the reformist Islamic Iran Participation Front who survived a 2000 assassination attempt, Hajjarian was among scores of reformist activists and journalists detained when the regime cracked down on the prote

Soul-searching Reformists debate whether to run in Iran’s next polls

Wary of having lost their political capital amid deepening public disapproval of President Hassan Rouhani’s performance, Iranian Reformists are debating whether and how to participate in coming parliamentary and presidential elections.