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June 19, 2026

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US President Donald Trump arrives for the G7 Leaders' Summit at the Hotel Royal, Evian Resort on June 15, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France.

Feature

Trump’s Iran deal sidesteps fate of detained Americans

The White House declined to say whether the release of the six Americans would be included in a final deal.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Achraf Hakimi #2 of Morocco shoots and misses a chance against Gabriel Magalhaes #3 of Brazil during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Culture

Morocco, Egypt impress with notable draws despite winless World Cup start for Mideast teams

Several teams from the Middle East and North Africa could advance to the knockout stage under the new format, and Morocco climbed in the rankings despite a tie in its opener.

Explainer

Sanctions relief and reconstruction: How China benefits from Trump-Iran deal

It is no exaggeration to say that every provision of the 14-point deal favors China.

Latest News

How Iran stands to win major financial relief in Trump-backed deal

A shop owner counts Iranian banknotes at a store in the capital Tehran on Jan. 7, 2026.

Explainer

Oil’s slide wavers as Trump warns US-Iran deal ‘not final’

A general view shows the Awad oil field in the eastern Qamishli countryside in northeastern Syria, on Feb. 9, 2026.

After US-Iran deal, Ghalibaf says Tehran seeks deeper ties with China

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks with Tehran's Chamber of Commerce, June 17, 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

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) and his Finnish counterpart Erkki Tuomioja hold a joint press conference following a meeting in the capital Tehran, on August 31, 2014. Tuomioja pays a two-day visit to the Islamic Republic during which he is expected to meet high-ranking Iranian officials. AFP PHOTO/ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Iran MP defends trip to Finland to 'promote Islam'

Conservative Iranian MP Hamid Rasaei has been criticized for once again traveling to Europe.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (C), Head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi and Hossein Fereydoon (R), brother and close aide to President Hassan Rouhani meet with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (not pictured) at a hotel in Vienna, Austria July 3, 2015. A year and half of nuclear talks between Iran and major powers were creeping towards the finish line on Friday as negotiators wrestled with sticking points including questions about Tehran's past atomic research. R

Iranian negotiators determined to reach nuclear deal

Iranian diplomats have said they will continue talking until an agreement is reached or it becomes absolutely clear that one is not possible.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (C), Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, National Security Council point person on the Middle East Robert Malley (front L) and Chief of Staff Jon Finer (R) meet on the terrace of a hotel where the Iran nuclear talks meetings are being held in Vienna, Austria July 2, 2015. Iran's stockpile of low-enriched uranium gas dropped below the maximum level required under a 2013 interim nuclear agreement with world powers, a U.N. report showed, but a U.S. t

Iran’s Additional Protocol concerns need not stop deal

Iran has little to worry about in agreeing to enforce the NPT Additional Protocol, with resources like "managed access" and precedents for dispute resolution from other countries.

Rafsanjani's Instagram diplomacy

Hashemi Rafsanjani is engaging in Instagram diplomacy with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran.

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini talks to journalists outside Palais Coburg, the venue for nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria, July 7, 2015. Iran and major powers will continue negotiations on an historic nuclear deal past a deadline for a long-term agreement, which is set to expire later on Tuesday, Mogherini said. "We are continuing to negotiate for the next couple of days. This does not mean we are extending our deadline," Mogherini told reporters. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger - RTX1JDO3

Iran talks kick into overdrive

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said the negotiators need a couple more days to try to conclude a final Iran nuclear accord.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, US Secretary of State John Kerry, British Foreign minister Philip Hammond (not seen), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, German Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, EU Deputy Secretary General for the External Action Service Helga Schmid, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Ja

Negotiators may ‘stop the clock’ to finish Iran deal

While the July 7 deadline for the Iran nuclear talks may not be met, officials still hope to have a deal by July 9 in order to avoid giving the US Congress a 60-day window to review the deal instead of a 30-day one.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani arrives to attend the closing statement for the Asian-African Conference in Jakarta April 23, 2015.
REUTERS/Darren Whiteside - RTX19YAE

Iranians look to post-deal economic, political challenges

As Iran moves toward a final nuclear deal, the national media is buzzing with the domestic political and economic issues to be addressed the day after.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry addresses a news conference in front of Palais Coburg, the venue for nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria, July 5, 2015. The top U.S. and Iranian diplomats met for a sixth consecutive day on Sunday to try to resolve obstacles to a nuclear accord, including when Iran would get sanctions relief and what advanced research and development it may pursue. Iran and the United States have made "genuine progress" on a nuclear deal but there are several difficult issues to resolve and W

House starts its review of Iran deal

A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of July 6.

Head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi (2nd R) walks near the hotel where the Iran nuclear talks meetings are being held in Vienna, Austria in Vienna, Austria July 4, 2015. Iran and world powers made progress on future sanctions relief for Iran in marathon nuclear talks on Saturday, but remained divided on issues such as lifting United Nations sanctions and the development of advanced centrifuges. REUTERS/Carlos Barria TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1J12P

Finish line in sight at Iran nuclear talks

Substantial progress has been made in resolving key issues for a final Iran nuclear deal, but diplomats said some big and small issues still remain to be overcome to conclude the deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stands on the balcony of Palais Coburg, the venue for nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria, July 2, 2015. Iran and six world powers gave themselves an extra week to reach a final nuclear accord after it became clear they would miss a deadline on Tuesday, with U.S. and Iranian officials sounding upbeat even though obstacles remain.
REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger - RTX1IPX5

Zarif: US must decide between deal, sanctions

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discusses the final steps necessary to seal the Iran deal.

A security personnel asks reporters to leave a room where U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) is meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (2nd R) at a hotel in Vienna, Austria July 1, 2015. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Yukiya Amano will be in Tehran on Thursday to discuss monitoring sensitive nuclear sites with senior officials as major powers and Iran seek a breakthrough in forging a lasting nuclear agreement. Iran and world powers gave themselves an extra week on Tu

Opportunities for US-Iran cooperation await nuclear deal

If signed, a nuclear accord might spur better relations between the United States and Iran.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano addresses a news conference after a board of governors meeting at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, June 8, 2015. Any possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear programme can be clarified if the details of a preliminary deal sealed in April between Tehran and six world powers are implemented, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog Amano said on Monday. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1FN0B

Iran's conservatives suspicious after IAEA head's visit

Iranian conservatives believe that the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, traveled to Tehran to resolve issues over possible military dimensions.