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August 7, 2026

Tehran 10:55 am

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Explainer

Iran-Oman deal spurs Hormuz hopes as Red Sea threats evolve

Iran has signaled that an agreement was reached with Oman establishing a Hormuz shipping route even as Houthi attacks in the Red Sea expand.

Latest News

US stock markets soar to new records amid Hormuz deal hopes

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US lifts sanctions on Iraqi airline linked to Iran's IRGC: What to know

A memorial depicting Qassem Soleimani, the slain commander of the "Quds Force" of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), who was killed by a US airstrike in Iraq in 2020, is pictured at Valiasr Square in Tehran on April 6, 2026. Israeli strikes killed the intelligence chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, as the Islamic republic on April 6 defied threats from the US President to devastate civilian infrastructure if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Ima

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

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

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

Rouhani: 'Merchants of sanctions' upset by nuke deal

In a televised interview, President Hassan Rouhani says the gates of the world have opened up to the Iranian people.

A group of Mirage fighter planes prepare to take off during a visit to the air force 499th wing as part of a model unit's tour organised by the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense, in Hsinchu, August 29, 2008. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (TAIWAN) - RTR21SWA

Will Iran buy French warplanes?

With restrictions set to come off in the medium term, Iran has an even greater incentive to modernize its antiquated air force.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (2nd L) poses for members of the media with foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council as they meet to discuss Middle East concerns about an emerging nuclear deal with Iran, at the Chief of Mission Residence in Paris, France, May 8, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew Harnik/Pool - RTX1C3NI

How Iran should approach the GCC

After reaching the nuclear deal, Iran has a chance to improve relations with the GCC states — but it must tread cautiously.

Ali Akbar Velayati (L), Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's top adviser on international affairs, meets with Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut May 18, 2015. REUTERS/Aziz Taher - RTX1DG9U

Lebanese split over Iran deal

Political views in Lebanon diverge over the Iranian nuclear deal, as some consider it a tool to tighten relations between Tehran and Beirut and others as a way for Iran to further expand its influence in the region.

Iranian hard-liners take aim at culture minister

Already holding two "yellow cards" from parliament, Iran's culture minister may be on the verge of impeachment as conservatives ramp up criticism.

Conservatives increase pressure on Rouhani

Nuclear deal or no deal, Iranian conservatives who have anxiously been losing ground now face further isolation by President Hassan Rouhani's reforms and will redouble their political efforts.

Turkish media digs deeper into gold mogul corruption scandal

New media reports on Reza Zarrab, an Iranian-born Turkish businessman accused in Turkey’s infamous December 2013 corruption probe, could have serious repercussions for Ankara and Tehran.

Will nuke deal open door to Iranian military assistance to Lebanon?

The Iranian nuclear agreement has removed a major obstacle to Tehran's offer of military assistance to Lebanon, but government dysfunction in Beirut remains a stumbling block.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.
A cleric, who is member of Iran's Basij militia, attends a military parade to mark Basij week in front of the former U.S. embassy in Tehran November 25, 2011. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) - RTR2UG1O

Iran's Basij lash out at nuclear deal

While President Rouhani has not faced severe criticism over the nuclear deal from Principlists and even IRGC commanders, some members of the Basij are voicing their opposition

An Iranian customer speaks with a bank clerk at the Export Development Bank of Iran in the capital Tehran on July 27, 2015. Iran's central bank chief said that Iran has assets of $29 billion in overseas banks that could be unlocked under a nuclear deal struck on July 14, far less than reported estimates of over $100 billion. AFP PHOTO / BEHROUZ MEHRI (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Will Iran get its billions back?

Iranian officials have issued contradictory statements about the size of Iran's blocked foreign reserves.

Fabius takes over Tehran

The trip by the French foreign minister to Iran was the first in 17 years and signals deeper economic cooperation with Iran after the nuclear deal.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari (R) welcomes his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Baghdad, July 27, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad - RTX1M0DY

Can Iraq bring Iran, GCC closer?

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's recent visit to Iraq sends several important signals — all centering on increasing regional security in the Middle East.