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August 5, 2026

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President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport on Aug. 2, 2026 in Morristown, New Jersey.

Trump’s strategy on Iran may pay off as deal appears imminent

Through far-sighted diplomacy and a durable new regional architecture, Trump has cornered Iran between alignment and atrophy — and a deal may now be imminent.

Two brothers watch oil tankers, general cargo ships, bulk carriers, and fishing boats anchored in the waters off Muscat near the Strait of Hormuz on June 18, 2026 in Muscat, Oman.

Analysis

Why Iran is fighting to keep Hormuz at center of US negotiations

As Washington seeks a broader deal with Iran, Tehran says the Strait of Hormuz is the only issue on the table, reflecting a wider struggle over maritime security and regional power.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (2nd L), Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (2nd R) and Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi (R) walk inside a building in Muscat, Oman, on June 22, 2026.

Explainer

The emerging Iran-Oman Hormuz deal: What's at stake?

A framework that gives Tehran a formal role in determining how ships move through the waterway could strengthen its hand in future negotiations with the US.

Latest News

Analysis

Another US-Iran truce, same Hormuz standoff: What comes next

TOPSHOT - This aerial photograph shows boats anchored off Oman's northern Musandam Peninsula near the Strait of Hormuz on June 27, 2026. Iran launched attacks on US sites in the Gulf in response to American strikes on the country, state media said on June 27, after Washington accused Tehran of attacking one of its cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The trading of fire raised questions about efforts to keep the crucial waterway open while Washington and Tehran negotiate a final settlement to a war that beg

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Analysis

Lacking leverage over Trump, Israel stays quiet on US-Iran talks

US President Donald Trump (C) is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion International Airport on Oct. 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US military options narrow as Trump calls off Iran strikes: What to know

US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listen to questions from the press during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David in Maryland, on July 31, 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

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) meets with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington September 4, 2015. This is the king's first visit to the United States since ascending to the throne in January. REUTERS/Gary Cameron TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1R4YF

How Obama can push the Saudis to talk to Iran

As US President Barack Obama is due to visit Saudi Arabia, the UN Security Council should consider acting on its mandate to jump-start dialogue between regional actors on an inclusive security architecture.

A man walks on the rubble of damaged buildings in the rebel-controlled area of Jobar, a suburb of Damascus, Syria March 2, 2016. REUTERS/Bassam Khabieh - RTS8ZZ9

Syria talks pulled back from brink

UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura looked to the United States and Russia for help after the Syrian opposition said it will pause its participation in formal negotiations but stay in Geneva until it sees progress on strengthening the cease-fire and aid access.

Jordan's King Abdullah (R) meets with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan, August 4, 2015. REUTERS/Yousef Allan/Jordan's Royal Palace/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING

Iranian-Saudi rivalry claims another victim

Jordan recalling its ambassador from Tehran for consultations opens another front in the Iranian-Saudi rivalry, along with conflict over the hajj and oil.

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

An Iranian investor checks stock information on a screen at the Tehran Stock Exchange August 3, 2010. Sanctions against Iran have done nothing to dent a boom in its stock market, as investors bet on a continued rise in company stocks which have been undervalued for years, the head of the Tehran bourse said. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) - RT

How Rouhani is moving to boost Iran's stock market

Given Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s efforts to dislodge rials locked in bank deposits, amid the weak returns of traditional investments such as gold, foreign currency and property, it appears that the Iranian stock market is set for a major influx of capital.

Iranian official says Nusra, not IS, main threat to West

The tug of war in Syria will grind on as political talks appear to be going nowhere.

Valiollah Seif, Governor of Central Bank of Iran, waits to start a meeting with Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (unseen) in Tehran, Iran August 23, 2015. REUTERS/Darren Staples - RTX1PBAT

Central Bank governor: Iran expects access to US financial system

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Central Bank Governor Valiollah Seif said Iran has made economic progress even before the lifting of sanctions and invited American companies to compete with Europeans in trading with and investing in Iran.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrives the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Istanbul Summit in Istanbul, Turkey April 14, 2016. REUTERS/Arif Hudaverdi Yaman/Pool - RTX29X09

OIC conference begins with Iran-Saudi spat

Iran’s foreign minister has condemned Saudi Arabia's attempts to introduce anti-Iranian resolutions ahead of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Istanbul.

An ethnic Armenian soldier stands next to a cannon at artillery positions near the Nagorno-Karabakh's town of Martuni, April 7, 2016. REUTERS/Staff - RTSDZLE

Will Iran and Russia join forces on Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict?

The renewed fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region has allowed Iran to present itself as a responsible and peace-seeking actor in its northern neighborhood.

Iran President Hassan Rouhani (L) talks with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at the Campidoglio palace in Rome, Italy, January 25, 2016. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX23YOB

Khamenei says US preventing tangible results from nuclear deal

Much of the Iranian media believe that the trip of Italy’s prime minister to the country is the first step toward better relations with Europe, but that the United States is still holding Iran back.

Iran revs up for auto revolution

The ownership structure of the Iranian auto market is set to radically change over the coming year as international carmakers make their entry.

People walk past damaged buildings in the Douma neighbourhood of Damascus, Syria February 9, 2016. REUTERS/Bassam Khabieh TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX267OK

Fragile Syria cease-fire under strain

The United States and Russia are trying to salvage an increasingly fragile Syria cease-fire.

Former Iran negotiator says he would not have signed nuclear deal

As obstacles from the remaining US sanctions continue to impede European business with Iran, domestic critics have argued the nuclear deal has had no benefits.