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US strikes Iran's IRGC minelayer boats near Hormuz: What to know

The Pentagon is shifting focus to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' unconventional warfare tactics could threaten the vital economic shipping lane in the long term.

By Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

People sit in a cafe outside the Apple Store in Dubai on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Citi, HSBC order Gulf evacuations after Iran threatens US tech, banks

The United Arab Emirates is home to Dubai Internet City, which hosts more than 4,000 businesses, including US tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Oracle, Dell, Amazon, Mastercard and Visa. Several of these companies also have offices in Abu Dhabi.

Iran

Top Kurdish critic of Damascus named Syria's deputy defense minister

The move cements a US-brokered truce and signals Damascus’ intent to integrate the Kurdish-led northeast into the national government, even as thorny security and political questions remain.

Syria

Fighters lift flags of Iraq and paramilitary groups, including al-Nujaba and Kataib Hezbollah, during a funeral in Baghdad for five militants killed a day earlier in a US strike in northern Iraq, on Dec. 4, 2023.

US warns of kidnapping threat in Iraq as Iran-backed militia hits diplomatic facility

A number of US-related sites have been targeted by Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, prompting Baghdad to bolster its air defenses.

Iraq

Group of 32 states to release 400M barrels of oil reserves: What to know

The move would mark the agency's largest ever release of oil reserves to stabilize the global market.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Latest News

Iran's new supreme leader injured but 'safe', officials say

A billboard showing Mojtaba Khamenei receiving the national flag from his father, watched over by founder Ruhollah Khomeini

Agence France-Presse

Analysis

As Trump says war may end soon, Iran signals longer fight

US President Donald Trump speaks with the media as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) and special envoy Steve Witkoff (C) look on aboard Air Force One during a flight from Dover, Delaware, to Miami, Florida, on March 7, 2026.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Spain recalls Israel ambassador, calls Iran war 'flagrant illegality': What to know

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a United Nations Summit on Palestinians at UN headquarters during the United Nations General Assembly, New York, Sept. 22, 2025.

Israel

Thai navy says cargo ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz

Thailand's Navy said a Thai ship was attacked in the Hormuz Strait

Agence France-Presse

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US Senate Democrats push for answers on strike targeting Iran girls' school, civilian casualties

Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump walks as he heads to Marine One to travel to Ohio and Kentucky, from the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Trump says he is not worried about Iran-backed attacks on US soil

Reuters

Hundreds of people buried their parish priest Father Pierre Rai

Lebanon village wants army protection from Israel, Hezbollah

Agence France-Presse

Iranian police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan implied that security forces would shoot on protesters

New crackdown feared in Iran after police chief brands protesters 'enemies'

Agence France-Presse

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Syria slams Iran, edges toward Gulf and US as war rages

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How long can the Gulf protect itself from Iranian strikes?

Francesco Schiavi joins Adam Lucente

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Most Iranians would reject US deal, fearing it enables regime survival, says Hamidreza Azizi

Hamidreza Azizi joins Amberin Zaman

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AI, cybersecurity high on Mideast priorities amid global tech rivalry: Tech Mahindra

A man and woman walk along a promenade overlooking the Burj al-Arab and Dubai skyline on January 4, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

Treated as 'enemies’: Ahmad Tibi accuses Netanyahu government of indifference to Arab Israeli lives

Ahmad Tibi

Knesset member and Ta'al Party leader

Interview

YPG spokesman: Syrian forces' strategy is to isolate Kurdish towns and cities

Siyamend Ali

YPG spokesman

Interview

Huckabee confirms US-Israel alignment on Iran, says Hamas will disarm 'sooner or later'

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, US President Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel, testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, March 25, 2025.

Analysis

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Behind Mojtaba Khamenei: How IRGC steers Iran's wartime power structure

A demonstrator holds a picture of Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, at Enghelab Square in central Tehran on March 9, 2026.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Oil-price hikes from Iran war threaten Turkey's rate cuts in inflation fight

By Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Analysis

Running out of time: Israel escalates Iran strikes as Trump weighs ‘elegant exit’

Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot, Tehran, Iran, March 8, 2026.

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

As Trump says war may end soon, Iran signals longer fight

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Joyce Karam, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Holly Dagres, and Ali Hashem

Are the US and Iran closer to war or a deal?

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Saudi Arabia's former and new investment ministers side by side

Saudi Arabia names new investment minister as Vision 2030 funding lags

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Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

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Elizabeth Hagdeorn asking Rubio a question about negotiations with the Iranian government after its killing of protesters

Rubio tells Al-Monitor talks with Iran must address ballistic missiles, proxies

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Past

AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts food security forum with Dr. Conrad Rein

On October 16, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Dr. Conrad Rein, Secretary of the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, alongside representatives from multilateral development banks and the private sector for a discussion on food security in the Middle East and Africa.

Washington, DC

October 16, 2025 11:00 EDT

Past

AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts Digital Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya

On Sept. 21, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, for a discussion on digital inclusion and economic empowerment in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

New York, NY

September 21, 2025 17:00 EDT

Past

Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani at AL-Monitor Global Institute

AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright

On May 22, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in Washington DC to discuss the future of power and energy in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Washington, DC

May 22, 2025 10:30 EDT

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