https://www.rferl.org/z/23310 The main story of the day from RFE/RL Central Newsroom. https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org/z/23310 en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:18:05 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL RFE/RL's senior Washington correspondent, Alex Raufoglu, was at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner when a gunman breached security at the black-tie gala attended by President Donald Trump. Raufoglu recounted the chaotic scenes inside the hotel during and after the incident. https://www.rferl.org/a/white-house-corresponents-dinner-trump-gunman-security/33742837.html https://www.rferl.org/a/white-house-corresponents-dinner-trump-gunman-security/33742837.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:53:02 +0200 FeaturesThe Rundown Headline When Klavdia Omelchenko left her home in Pripyat, she thought it would be for a few days. But the 19-year-old had no idea that the biggest nuclear power plant disaster in history would change her life forever: destroying her health, killing her friends, and leaving her childless. https://www.rferl.org/a/chernobyl-40-anniverary-survivor-returns-home/33737962.html https://www.rferl.org/a/chernobyl-40-anniverary-survivor-returns-home/33737962.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:14:51 +0200 UkraineFeaturesThe Rundown Headline While officials in Tehran have long emphasized self-reliance, experts say battlefield evidence points to a far more interconnected war effort, reflecting deepening partnerships that have helped Iran replenish its military, improve targeting, and blunt Western operations during the conflict. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-russia-china-war-cooperation-support/33741900.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-russia-china-war-cooperation-support/33741900.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:52:17 +0200 IranFeaturesRussiaThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle EastChina Some analysts argue there’s a hidden struggle going on in the Kremlin between security structures and economic interests. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-politics-rift-putin-influencer-internet-economy/33740904.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-politics-rift-putin-influencer-internet-economy/33740904.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:21:49 +0200 RussiaFeaturesThe Rundown Headline In a political climate where bipartisan unity is increasingly unique, a consensus is forming among US lawmakers and foreign policy heavyweights: the relationship between Moscow and Tehran has moved far beyond diplomatic convenience. https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-russia-ukraine-partnership/33737935.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-russia-ukraine-partnership/33737935.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:38:33 +0200 News AnalysisIranRussiaUkraineThe Rundown Headline As the clock ticked toward the end of a two-week cease-fire, US President Donald Trump on April 21 announced he was extending the truce to give Iran a chance to make a “unified” peace proposal but said a blockade of Iranian ports that has angered Tehran will remain in place. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-ceasefire-iran-peace-talks-pakistan/33737273.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-ceasefire-iran-peace-talks-pakistan/33737273.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:57:48 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline Iran's Internet shutdown has passed 52 days, the longest since the 2011 blackout in Libya but affecting nearly 15 times the population. Business leaders warn of up to $80 million in daily losses. The government's answer: a paid Internet Pro tier that critics say helps no one. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-internet-shutdown-costs-rights/33736283.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-internet-shutdown-costs-rights/33736283.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:33:10 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Headline US President Donald Trump said his representatives are traveling to Islamabad, Pakistan, for another round of talks on April 20 with Iran as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Tehran has not yet confirmed it will take part. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-pakistan-talks-hormuz-closed-ceasefire-deadline/33735675.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-pakistan-talks-hormuz-closed-ceasefire-deadline/33735675.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:31:37 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline Hopes that shipping would resume through the Strait of Hormuz proved short-lived on April 18, as Iranian forces attacked at least three civilian ships after Tehran announced it was reversing its decision to reopen the vital waterway. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-ceasefire-negotiations-iran-hormuz-pakistan/33734753.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-ceasefire-negotiations-iran-hormuz-pakistan/33734753.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:38:13 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline The Czech Republic demanded an explanation after Russia’s Defense Ministry published a list of companies it claimed are helping produce attack drones for Ukraine and bellicose former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called it “a list of potential targets” for the Russian military. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-drones-europe-czech-threat-medvedev/33733898.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-drones-europe-czech-threat-medvedev/33733898.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:46:22 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline Despite suffering significant losses, Iran believes it is winning the war against the United States and Israel. That view is shaping Tehran’s conduct in the conflict and its demands in peace talks. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-victory/33733726.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-victory/33733726.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:29:02 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could be over "very soon," and Pakistan's powerful army chief visited Tehran in a bid to bridge the gap between the United States and Iran and pave the way for a new round of talks. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-peace-talks-iran-blockade-china-russia/33732708.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-peace-talks-iran-blockade-china-russia/33732708.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:48:04 +0200 IranNewsRussiaThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle EastChina US President Donald Trump suggested that talks with Iran could resume in a day or two, while the US military said that no ships slipped through a naval blockade targeting vessels headed to or from Iranian ports in the first 24 hours of the restrictive measure. https://www.rferl.org/a/us-blockade-iran-ships-transit-hormuz/33731994.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-blockade-iran-ships-transit-hormuz/33731994.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:32:22 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East After nearly six weeks of war, air strikes on Iran have paused, but uncertainty remains. As they brace for what may come next, Tehran residents describe anxiety on the streets of the Iranian capital amid rising prices, job losses, and an ongoing Internet blackout. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-ceasefire-after-war-residents-fear-future/33731253.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-ceasefire-after-war-residents-fear-future/33731253.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:26:32 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Headline Marathon talks aimed at halting the war in Iran ended without a breakthrough, as US Vice President JD Vance flew back to the United States amid major questions what comes next for the 43-day-old conflict. https://www.rferl.org/a/us-vance-iran-peace-talks-pakistan/33730441.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-vance-iran-peace-talks-pakistan/33730441.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:14:54 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East Hackers connected to Russia’s military intelligence agency snuck into thousands Internet routers used in homes and offices worldwide and secretly monitored e-mail traffic and website logons and passwords for months, authorities said. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-hacker-routers-gru-military-intelligence-forest-blizzard/33728527.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-hacker-routers-gru-military-intelligence-forest-blizzard/33728527.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:56:02 +0200 NewsRussiaThe Rundown Headline Pakistan appears to have achieved a significant diplomatic breakthrough by playing a proactive role in brokering a 14-day cease-fire and setting the stage for the US-Iran talks in Islamabad on February 10. https://www.rferl.org/a/how-pakistan-bolstered-its-diplomatic-image-by-brokering-a-cease-fire/33727687.html https://www.rferl.org/a/how-pakistan-bolstered-its-diplomatic-image-by-brokering-a-cease-fire/33727687.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:48:04 +0200 FeaturesNewsIranPakistanThe Rundown Headline Hours before a US deadline for Iran to reach a deal or face intense attacks on power plants and other infrastructure, Pakistan urged President Donald Trump to give Tehran two more weeks to allow the two sides to reach a peace settlement. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-trump-deadline-power-plant/33726600.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-trump-deadline-power-plant/33726600.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:03:24 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East Iran has reportedly conveyed a 10-point response to US proposals for ending the war to Pakistan, rejecting a temporary cease-fire and demanding a permanent end to hostilities as US President Donald Trump's deadline for massive strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure entered its final hours. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-us-deadline-iran-open-strait-hormuz/33725369.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-us-deadline-iran-open-strait-hormuz/33725369.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:09:54 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline US President Donald Trump repeated his threat to strike Iranian infrastructure hard on if Tehran it does not open the Strait of Hormuz, using explosive language hours after announcing that US forces rescued the second crew member of a downed F-15 fighter jet in a high-risk mission. https://www.rferl.org/a/crew-member-f15-rescued-/33725134.html https://www.rferl.org/a/crew-member-f15-rescued-/33725134.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 06:18:10 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline