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April 7, 2026

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A view of the damaged B1 bridge, a day after it was destroyed by an airstrike, on April 3, 2026, west of Tehran in Karaj, Iran.

Israel, seeking wider war, hits Iranian railways, bridges as Trump deadline nears

Since the Trump administration announced its deadline, Israel has prepared for a potential US escalation, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure or ground operations.

The Foreign Minister chaired the Security Council session on cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United Nations.

Breaking | Last Updated: April 7, 2026, 12:42 pm

China, Russia veto scaled-back Hormuz resolution at UN Security Council

The vote came hours before the US deadline for Iran to reopen the global chokepoint.

The Dubai skyline with the landmark Burj Khalifa skyscraper (R) is pictured as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport on March 16, 2026. Flights were gradually resuming at Dubai airport on March 16, previously the world's busiest for international flights, the airport operator said, after a "drone-related incident" sparked a fuel tank fire nearby, as Iran kept up its Gulf attacks. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /

Gulf nations in line of fire brace for Iran escalation: What to know

A bridge linking Saudi Arabia to Bahrain was briefly closed as Iran escalates its attacks in the Gulf ahead of a looming US deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

United Arab Emirates

Motorists ride scooters near a large political banner, depicting missiles being fired behind Iranian demonstrators in solidarity with the government, at Valiasr Square in Tehran on April 6, 2026.

US strikes Iran’s Kharg Island as Trump threatens 'whole civilization'

Iranian outlets reported several explosions on the island, which is crucial to the country’s oil industry, just hours ahead of a US deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz.

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Four Israeli soldiers arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran: What to know

Israeli soldiers patrol a street in Hebron's Old City in the occupied West Bank on January 23, 2026, deployed as settlers entered the area under army protection. (Photo by Mosab Shawer / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

With Trump's goals unmet, can strikes on Iran's economy force a deal?

TOPSHOT - A view of the B1 bridge is pictured, a day after it was destroyed by a strike in Karaj, around 20miles (35kms) southwest of Tehran, April 3, 2026. US President Donald Trump said on April 2 the tallest bridge in Iran had been destroyed, hours after threatening to bomb the country "back to the Stone Ages." (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images) /

From France to India: Who is Iran allowing through the Strait of Hormuz?

Indian vessel Nanda Devi, carrying liquefied petroleum gas, 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

‘No bridges, no power plants’: Trump ups threats against Iran if deal fails

US President Donald Trump looks on during a press conference about the conflict in Iran in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, on April 6, 2026, in Washington.

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

Iran's representatives led by their top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili (back 4th L) take part in talks on Iran's nuclear programme in the Kazakh city of Almaty on February 27, 2013. World powers and Iran were due to respond today to offers presented by both sides in a final day of talks aimed at breaking a decade of deadlock over Tehran's nuclear drive.AFP PHOTO / POOL / ILYAS OMAROV (Photo credit should read ILYAS OMAROV/AFP/Getty Images)

P5+1 hopes new Iran nuclear team responds to Almaty offer

Political directors will meet in Brussels on July 16 in anticipation of resuming nuclear talks upon the election of new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. These leaders hope the new Iran nuclear team will respond substantively to a confidence building proposal presented to Iran in Almaty, Kazakhstan in February.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani meets with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (not seen) on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, 2013 in New York City. While their have been talks of diplomatic relations between Iran and the United states restarting, Rouhani turned down an opportunity to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama earlier in the week. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

US sees opportunity in Iran election for progress in nuclear talks

The US hopes that progress in addressing international concerns over Iran's nuclear program will take place under the newly elected more moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouahni who has taken a "positive tone."

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton holds a news conference after an European Union emergency foreign ministers meeting to discuss the crisis in Mali January 17, 2013. European Union states agreed on Thursday to send hundreds of military personnel to train Mali government forces in fighting Islamist rebels, whose campaign to impose Islamic law across north Africa is causing growing unease in Western capitals. REUTERS/Yves Herman (BELGIUM - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTR3CKC1

EU's Ashton hopes Iran nuclear talks resume soon

After meeting with political directors from the P5+1 countries, lead international negotiator, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, expressed an eagerness to resume nuclear talks with Iran after the election of the Islamic Republic's Hassan Rouhani to be President.

Iran's supreme leader rules out broader engagement with US

Iran's supreme leader supports the continuation of the nuclear talks but has criticized bilateral talks between Iranian and US officials.

A general view of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington February 28, 2013. Positions hardened on Wednesday between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican congressional leaders over the budget crisis even as they arranged to hold last-ditch talks to prevent harsh automatic spending cuts beginning this week. Looking resigned to the $85 billion in "sequestration" cuts starting on Friday, government agencies began reducing costs and spelling out to employees how furloughs will work. REUTERS/Jason Reed

131 House members sign letter supporting US diplomacy with Iran (Updated)

17 House Republicans and 114 House democrats signed a letter to President Obama urging him to commit to diplomacy following the election of new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani arrives at Pudong International Airport, ahead of the fourth Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) summit in Shanghai May 20, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (CHINA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3Q000

Rouhani says 'to hell' with nuclear critics

President Hassan Rouhani has lashed out at critics of the nuclear negotiations, calling them "timid and cowardly."

Turkey’s exports decrease amid regional tension

Turkey has suffered unexpected declines in its exports to Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Ukraine and Russia, though Turkish exports to Russia may have more potential following its recent foodstuff import boycott of the United States and European Union.

Hezbollah supporters wave Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian and Hezbollah flags as they listen to their leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addressing his supporters during a rally to mark "Quds (Jerusalem) Day" in Beirut's southern suburbs July 25, 2014. REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST RELIGION) - RTR4056R

Gaza war brings Hamas, Hezbollah closer

The war on Gaza offers an opportunity to renegotiate the strategic relationship between Hamas and Hezbollah, whose relationship has been severed over the past three years, providing major obstacles can be overcome.

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton addresses the media in Moscow, June 19, 2012. Iran and world powers failed to resolve differences over Tehran's nuclear programme on Tuesday and agreed to a technical follow-up meeting in Istanbul on July 3, Ashton said. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (RUSSIA - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTR33VN2

Ashton congratulates Iran's Rouhani, urges renewed nuclear talks

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton sent a letter to new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulating him and expressing an eagerness to pursue a deal on Iran's nuclear program.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton arrives at NATO headquarters after meeting Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci (not pictured) and Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic (not pictured) in Brussels April 19, 2013. Serbia and its former province of Kosovo struck an historic accord on Friday to settle relations, potentially setting Belgrade on the path to membership of the European Union in a major milestone in the region's recovery from the collapse of Yugoslavia. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir (BEL

Top Iran, EU diplomats agree to meet to plan new nuclear talks

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and new Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif have agreed to meet, fueling speculation that Iran's nuclear negotiating file might be put under the control of newly elected President Hassan Rouhani.

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 man looks at newspapers at a news stand in Tehran March 4, 2012. Hardliners allied with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei maintained their lead in the country's parliamentary vote, with partial results on Sunday showing supporters of the president trailing behind. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR2YTIX

Rouhani announces new guild for Iran journalists

Iran's president has announced plans to open a new guild for journalists, sidestepping the issue of the closure of the previous professional association.

The headquarters of the Washington Post newspaper is seen in downtown Washington, DC, August 7, 2013. The building, estimated to be worth around 80 million USD, has been up for sale prior to the newspaper's sale to Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos earlier this week. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Detained Post journalist accused of spying in Iran media

Conservative Iranian media organizations have accused jailed Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian of spying, a crime punishable by death.