Iran US Conflict

Iran is consolidating control of Hormuz with checkpoints, diplomatic deals, and fees

With Iran now in de facto control of the strait, the system can involve government-to-government arrangements, intense vetting by the Iranian government, and sometimes fees in exchange for passage.

 A drone view shows the Malta-flagged tanker Agios Fanourios I, an oil tanker that sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, arriving in Iraq's territorial waters off Basra, Iraq, April 17, 2026.
US President Donald Trump points his finger towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, December 29, 2025.

Netanyahu 'not surprised' by US-Iran negotiations development, says there is 'full coordination'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens to US President Donald Trump speak during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, shortly after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 25, 2026.

Rubio on White House shooting: 'A lot of leadership' and warns Iran 'seeks to dominate the region'

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets with the Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (2nd R) in St. Petersburg, Russia on April 27, 2026.

Araghchi visit highlights Iran-Russia coordination during US-Iran conflict tensions


Trump says he was 'surprised' by 'Chinese gift to Iran' found in seized tanker ship

"We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it, which wasn’t very nice. A gift from China perhaps, I don’t know, but I was a little surprised," Trump said during an interview with CNBC.

 An illustrative photo of the Iranian and Chinese flags.

Six ships turned around as part of Strait of Hormuz blockade, US military says

"No ships made it past the US blockade, and six merchant vessels complied with direction from US forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman," CENTCOM said.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches from the flight deck of the US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran April 1, 2026.

IMF warns of potential global recession if Iran war worsens in latest economic outlook report

The report notes that the worst-case "severe scenario," which assumes an extended conflict and high oil prices, would lead the world into another recession.

Oil barrels and several hundred dollars; Illustrative.

Trump says US could end Iran war in two to three weeks

Trump added that Tehran does not have to make a deal with Washington to end the conflict.

US President Donald Trump speaks during the signing ceremony for an executive order on mail ballots, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, March 31, 2026.

Iranian leadership remains 'unshaken' even as senior officials targeted by US, IDF strikes

Araghchi said Iran’s political system will stay intact despite reported assassinations of senior officials, saying “the presence or absence of a single individual does not affect this structure."

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi speaks at a weekly news conference in Tehran, Iran, on March 16, 2026.

Netanyahu adviser to 'Post': Best way to remove ayatollah threat is to remove ayatollahs

Foreign policy adviser Ophir Falk described Netanyahu and Trump as an "epic tag team," further describing current US-Israel cooperation in Iran as "unprecedented."

US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago club on December 29, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida.

Iranian FM Araghchi claims Arab neighbors are not targets, says Israel, US are losing war

"We have not attacked Muslim countries," said Aragchi, adding that Iran has "no problem" with its Muslim neighbors.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi looks on as he speaks during the 17th edition of the Al-Jazeera Forum in Doha on February 7, 2026.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts divided over plans to hand power to Khamenei’s second son - report

Many experts have reportedly taken issue with “hereditary leadership." Mojtaba Khamenei has also formed close political alliances with Ahmad Vahidi, the newly appointed IRGC commander.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, the head of the judiciary and Alireza Arafi, deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, attend the meeting of the interim leadership council of Iran in an unknown location, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, March 1, 2026.

US, Kurds discuss potential Iran military operation, sources say

While a final decision has not yet been made, the goal of a joint operation would be to create room for Iranians opposed to the Islamic regime to rise up.

Kurdish internal security forces stand guard, as Syrian Kurds demonstrate to demand the release of Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has been held in prison by Turkey since his capture in 1999, in Qamishli, Syria February 15, 2026.

Conflict casts doubt over Iran’s participation in World Cup

Iran secured qualification for its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance and was drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.

WHILE HAVING qualified for the 2026 World Cup, Iran’s national soccer federation stated that participation in the tournament is now in doubt amid the current US and Israeli strikes.