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Iran

March 21, 2026

Tehran 12:10 am

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Indian vessel 'Nanda Devi' carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) arrives at Vadinar Port in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat state on March 17, 2026 after Iran allowed it to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy corridor that remains disrupted by the Middle East war.

Iran’s Hormuz choke hold leaves West divided as energy markets reel

Between March 1 and March 19, there were only 114 crossings of the strait, according to analytics firm Kpler — 95% less than prewar traffic.

A picture taken on March 12, 2017, shows an Iranian tanker docking at the platform of the oil facility in the Khark Island, on the shore of the Gulf.

Why a Kharg Island blockade could be Iran’s greatest economic threat

The island is an energy hub that accounts for 90% of Iran's oil exports and is home to key Iranian military installations.

This picture taken on August 11, 2025, shows the headquarters of the Qatari state-funded news television network Al Jazeera in the capital Doha. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatar-based Al Jazeera commentators go dark on social media: What to know

Saeed Ziad, who offered a pro-Iran perspective on the war, has not posted on X in days, and the account of Fatima al-Smadi was deleted, though their exact status is not known.

France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) wearing sunglasses shakes hands with Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam prior to their meeting at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on January 23, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Narrow opening: Can Lebanon’s push for talks shift Israel’s war calculus?

Although Israel, for the moment, refuses to halt military operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah as rocket and missile strikes continue, sources say Israel is nevertheless leaving the door open to negotiations.

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

Latest News

Analysis

Iran expands energy targets beyond Gulf as Red Sea and East Med come into play

Excess gas is burned at the oil refinery in Israel's northern city of Haifa late on March 19, 2026.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

In Hormuz standoff, Trump struggles to rally allies

US President Donald Trump steps of Marine One as he returns to the White House on March 18, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

UK, Netherlands probe Iran links to plots targeting Jewish sites: What to know

Rabbi Daniel Walker and King Charles III view floral tributes during a visit to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Oct. 20, 2025, in Manchester, England.

US weighs easing Iran oil sanctions amid Hormuz crisis: What to know

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrives to attend an event in the East Room of the White House, Washington, DC, March 5, 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

A view of Haj Omran border between Iran and Kurdistan, Iraq October 14, 2017. Picture taken October 14, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari - RC1DF1E5DF00

Iran willing to normalize ties with KRG, but not without change

Having helped bring the Iraqi Kurdish leadership to its knees, Tehran has increased its sway over the future of Iraqi Kurdistan.

A view of the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen August 16, 2017. Picture taken August 16, 2017. To match Special Report YEMEN-SAUDI/BLOCKADE REUTERS/Abduljabbar Zeyad - RC11826AF340

US says Saudis agree to lift blockade on key Yemen port

The Saudis announced they will lift a blockade on a key Yemen port after growing pressure from the Trump administration.

A damaged building is seen following an earthquake in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah, Iran November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Tasnim News Agency ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC1DA9F5AB00

Will Tehran be able to withstand 'long overdue' quake?

The recent earthquake in western Iran renews talk of how prepared Tehran is for a big quake, which experts say is long overdue.

Iranian members of parliament attend a parliamentary session in Tehran on June 23, 2015. Iranian lawmakers passed a bill obliging the government to safeguard the country's "nuclear rights and achievements," despite talks with global powers on curbing the Islamic republic's disputed atomic programme. AFP PHOTO / BEHROUZ MEHRI (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Iranians furious over rumors of 70% increase in MP salaries

Rumors of an impending 70% increase in Iranian parliament members' salaries have angered the public and media.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Qassem Soleimani (L) stands at the frontline during offensive operations against Islamic State militants in the town of Tal Ksaiba in Salahuddin province March 8, 2015. Picture taken March 8, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT POLITICS) - GM1EB3I1GDS01

Iran's Soleimani sends message of defiance in calls to Hamas

In the aftermath of the US president's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the head of the Quds Force called the leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad to affirm Iran's ongoing political and military support.

General view of Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) in Isfahan, about 420 km (261 miles) south of Tehran, August 8, 2005. Iran resumed uranium conversion on Monday at its facility near Isfahan, a move [EU officials have warned will probably see its nuclear case sent to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions].
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Republican dig at Iran deal jeopardizes effort to keep government open

Congressional efforts to ban future purchases of heavy water from Iran could complicate efforts to avoid a government shutdown.

Iran wakes up to HIV/AIDS epidemic among expectant mothers

The Iranian government is trying to combat the spread of an HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country, especially among pregnant women, but much work remains to be done.

Ahmadinejad and Iran’s judiciary chief trade accusations

Verbal clashes between former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and conservative judiciary chief Sadegh Amoli Ayatollah Larijani are reaching new heights.

Iraq's PMU leaders 'resign' in preparation for elections

Several leaders in Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units have signaled that they are handing over control of their factions to the central government as they prepare to run in next year's elections, but some argue they will maintain their influence.

Head of Hamas delegation Saleh Arouri attends a reconciliation deal signing ceremony in Cairo, Egypt, October 12, 2017. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RC1E7AE97DA0

Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas seek new strategy for resistance

Hamas is moving closer to Iran and Hezbollah, as the "axis of resistance" shifts priorities now that the Syrian war is winding down.

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he talks to the media on South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., before his departure to Camp David, December 16, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1695095ED0

Trump national security strategy doubles down on Iran

The US president’s first national security strategy outlines the White House’s growing campaign to turn the screws on Iran.

Iranian fishermen return to shore after checking their nets for sturgeon in the Caspian Sea near Rezvanshahr 410km (254 miles) northwest of Tehran October 3, 2006. In April 2006 a U.N. body set up to safeguard endangered species said it was extending a ban on the export of caviar from the Caspian Sea for all countries except Iran. Iranians are trying to combat the demise of the sturgeon with ambitious networks of hatcheries, designed to replenish stocks by releasing millions of young fish each year. Environ

Will Iran, Russia find solution to Caspian dilemma?

Russian talk of progress aside, Iran and other Caspian Sea states appear locked in a dispute over the world’s largest inland lake.