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Iran parliament speaker gets special envoy role on China

May 17, 2026, 09:06 GMT+1Updated: 11:12 GMT+1

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was appointed as the Islamic Republic’s special envoy for China affairs, Iran’s state media reported.

The appointment was made at the proposal of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and with approval from Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, according to the reports.

The role had previously been held by Ali Larijani, Iran's slain top security official, and Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, a former interior minister.

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Iran internet blackout enters 79th day, NetBlocks says

May 17, 2026, 08:47 GMT+1

Iran’s internet blackout continued into its 79th day and 12th week on Sunday, internet monitor NetBlocks said.

“The mass-censorship measure has reshaped the nature of civic participation with information controls being used to relegate the general public to mere observers in their own country,” it added in a post on X.

Iran still wants to kill Americans and destroy Israel, Senator Scott says

May 17, 2026, 04:04 GMT+1

US Senator Rick Scott said Iran still seeks to kill Americans and destroy Israel despite recent conflict involving Tehran, Washington and Tel Aviv.

“Iran wants to rebuild its weapons, they still hate this country, they still want to kill us, they still want to destroy Israel,” Scott said in an interview with Fox News on Saturday.

Scott also said Tehran of continuing to support Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, while praising US President Donald Trump’s approach toward Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.

Former US hostage warns of rise in Iran executions during ceasefire

May 17, 2026, 03:49 GMT+1

Former US hostage in Iran Barry Rosen said Tehran is increasing executions as a way to suppress dissent amid the ongoing ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

In a post on X, Rosen cited reports by Amnesty International, The New York Times and Center for Human Rights in Iran, saying Iranian authorities are using executions and court rulings to intimidate potential protesters.

Mark Levin calls for regime change in Iran with no boots on the ground

May 17, 2026, 00:59 GMT+1

Conservative commentator Mark Levin called for the “liberation” of the Iranian people and the overthrow of Iran’s government, saying it should be achieved without deploying US ground troops.

"We must help liberate the Iranian people, and we can do it. We can do it without our troops on the ground. Without a forever war. We can do it. Train them. Arm them. Support them. And we will never have to worry about nuclear arms from the Iranian regime ever again," Levin posted on X. "Not only that, but the Middle East will also change for the better in ways that we cannot even imagine. The regime must be destroyed. The time is now."


US lets Russian oil sanctions waiver lapse - report

May 17, 2026, 00:14 GMT+1

The Trump administration allowed a sanctions waiver to lapse that previously permitted countries including India to buy Russian seaborne oil, Newsmax reported.

The waiver had temporarily allowed purchases of Russian oil stored on tankers despite broader sanctions, but no renewal notice was posted by the US Treasury Department after its expiration on Saturday.

The measure had been extended in recent months amid volatility in global energy markets linked to disruptions in key shipping routes. The Treasury officials have not yet commented on whether the waiver will be reinstated or replaced.