Iran

Timeline

1. 16 Aug2026
   International

   Iran and Oman agree map of shipping transit route through Strait of Hormuz¹²³

   Iran said on about 15-17 August 2026 that it and Oman had agreed a shipping route map through the Strait of Hormuz after weeks of technical talks; a joint statement was still to follow and a temporary route was announced on 25-26 August, with full reopening tied by Iran to US actions.

   • Iran's foreign ministry spokesman announced agreement on a route map, about 15-17 August 2026
   • Reported design: ships enter close to Iran and exit close to Oman, no fees in the interim
   • Joint statement and joint management arrangements still being finalised
   • Temporary route announced by Deputy FM Gharibabadi around 25-26 August
   • Iran links full reopening to an end to the US naval blockade
2. 25 May2026
   International

   Iran restores internet after 87-day blackout⁴⁵⁶

   Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the internet restored on 25 May, ending an 87-day national blackout that began during the war.

   • President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered international internet access reopened on 25 May 2026; partial restoration began on 26 May after about 88 days of near-total shutdown
   • Mobile internet stayed cut at first and many sites remained restricted; connectivity reached about 86 percent of pre-shutdown level on 28 May by NetBlocks' measure
   • Described as the longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history
3. 12 Mar2026
   International

   Strait of Hormuz crisis: Iran blockade, oil above USD 100 and global fuel stress⁷⁸⁹¹⁰

   After the West Asia war began, the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed to tanker traffic. Brent topped about USD 114 in late March, and Iran's parliament drafted a law to charge ships passage fees.

   • The Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed to tanker traffic after the West Asia war began, with only a trickle of ships passing
   • Brent topped about USD 114 a barrel in the last week of March 2026 (Bloomberg)
   • Iran's parliament was drafting a law to charge passage fees of up to USD 2 million per ship (reported 26 March)
   • Iran named six countries whose ships could pass after coordination: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Bangladesh
4. 28 Feb2026
   International

   US and Israel strike Iran; Khamenei reported killed^1112131415

   On 28 February the US and Israel launched large strikes on Iran (the US operation was named Epic Fury). Israel and the US said Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed; Iranian state media confirmed it on 1 March. Iran retaliated against Israel and US bases in Gulf states, and several Gulf airspaces closed.

   • Strikes began 28 February 2026 (US operation named Epic Fury)
   • Khamenei killed per Israel and the US; Iranian state TV confirmed it and declared 40 days of mourning
   • Iran retaliated with missiles and drones on Israel and on US bases in Gulf states
   • Gulf airspaces closed to civilian flights
   • India approved docking for Iranian naval vessels on humanitarian grounds; IRIS Lavan reached Kochi on 4 March
5. 17 Feb2026
   International

   Iran briefly closes part of the Strait of Hormuz for military drills^16171819

   Iran announced a partial closure of parts of the Strait of Hormuz for a few hours on 17 February, linked to an IRGC naval drill amid US-Iran nuclear talks. It was unclear whether shipping was actually halted.

   • 17 February 2026: Iranian media announced parts of the Strait would be closed for a few hours for IRGC drill safety
   • Linked to the IRGC 'Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz' drill, during US-Iran talks in Geneva
   • Reports conflicted on whether traffic was actually stopped (AP said unclear)
   • The strait has never been fully closed
6. 13 Jan2026
   International

   Iran protests escalate with internet blackout and mounting death toll²⁰²¹²²

   Mass protests over living costs in Iran grew through January, met with force and a near-total internet shutdown. Rights groups reported deaths in the thousands, and figures were disputed.

   • Protests began late December 2025 over living costs
   • Near-total internet blackout from 8 January 2026 (NetBlocks)
   • Death toll disputed: over 2,000 reported around 13 January, HRANA 3,090 verified by 17 January, Iranian state TV 3,117 on 21 January; later rights-group counts above 6,000
   • EU foreign ministers agreed on 29 January to designate the IRGC a terrorist organisation
7. 29 Dec2025
   International

   Protests spread in Iran as rial collapses; central bank chief resigns²³²⁴²⁵

   Protests broke out in Tehran around 28-29 December 2025 as the Iranian rial hit a record low. Central bank governor Mohammad Reza Farzin resigned on 29 December and former economy minister Abdolnasser Hemmati was named to replace him.

   • Central bank governor Mohammad Reza Farzin resigned on 29 December 2025
   • Rial hit a record low of about 1.39 million per US dollar
   • Protests in Tehran, mainly by shopkeepers, over the economy
   • Abdolnasser Hemmati named as new governor (31 December per one report)

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Sources

1. Al Jazeera
2. Ahram Online
3. Aaj News
4. Khaleej Times
5. OPB (AP)
6. People's Daily Digital
7. Arab News
8. The Standard (HK)
9. Business Standard
10. Ada Derana
11. NPR (NHPR)
12. The New Arab
13. The Daily Signal
14. The Wire
15. Ada Derana (AP)
16. The National
17. Al-Monitor
18. All India Radio
19. Israel Hayom
20. The Statesman
21. Al Jazeera
22. The Defense Post
23. BusinessDay (Reuters)
24. The Daily Pioneer
25. Agenzia Nova