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US, Iran resume nuclear talks as Trump ratchets up war threats

The negotiations come after President Donald Trump sought to build a case for war in his State of the Union address.

The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford departs Souda Bay on the island of Crete, on Feb. 26, 2026.

US aircraft carrier nears Middle East as Geneva talks end without Iran breakthrough

Washington’s flagship aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is in transit across the Mediterranean as US and Iranian negotiators wrapped up a third round of talks in Geneva.

Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2nd L), Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani (3rd R) and SDF commander Mazlum Kobane (4th R) meet on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, on Feb. 13, 2026 in Munich.

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Rubio said 'no meeting' with Syria’s Shibani in Munich unless Kurdish commander included

Rubio’s insistence was aimed at satisfying lawmakers demanding stronger US support for the SDF.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Syria begins prisoner exchange with Druze militia in south: What to know

The Suwayda area has seen significant instability since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, complicating government efforts to address sectarian factionalism.

Syria

In this handout image released by the South Korean Defense Ministry, US F-22 fighter jets move after landing at the Kunsan airbase during the joint air drills on Dec. 20, 2022 in Kunsan, South Korea.

US F-22 fighter jets reach Israel as military pressure builds on Iran

The US Air Force's tier-one stealth fighter last June penetrated Iranian airspace undetected to pave the way for B-2 bomber strikes on key nuclear facilities, Pentagon officials said at the time.

By Jared Szuba

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

Latest News

Asia liquefied petroleum gas prices spike after damage to Saudi facility

Close-up of an LPG dispenser nozzle filling a car's fuel tank. This illustrates the use of alternative fuel sources for automobiles. LPG is a cleaner-burning fuel compared to gasoline.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi plans oil output hike amid fears of Iran-US war supply shock: Report

A general view of Saudi Aramco's Abqaiq oil processing plant on Sept. 20, 2019.

Saudi Arabia

Analysis

India's Modi arrives in Israel as fears grow of US-Iran conflict

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Kuwait amends citizenship law amid revocation spree: What to know

Kuwait

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In his latest State of the Union address to Congress, US President Donald Trump spoke of Iran's 'sinister nuclear ambitions'

On Iran, Trump administration's messaging is mixed

Agence France-Presse

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy looks on as he delivers a statement along with Bavarian federal state prime minister Markus Soeder (not pictured), chairman of the Munich Security Conference Wolfgang Ischinger (not pictured), Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (not pictured) during the Munich Security Conference MSC, at the Residenz of the former Bavarian Kings, in Munich, Germany, February 14, 2026. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen/File Photo

Zelenskiy says next trilateral talks will likely take place in Abu Dhabi in early March

Reuters

White House envoys disappointed after morning talks with Iranians, Axios reports

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends the Ministry of Awqaf conference titled "Unity of Islamic Discourse" at the Conference Palace in Damascus, Syria, February 16, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo

Exclusive-Washington presses Syria to shift from Chinese telecom systems

Reuters

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Are Israel and Hezbollah heading toward a new war in Lebanon?

Beatrice Farhat joins Adam Lucente

14:25

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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Is US-Iran energy cooperation possible as nuclear talks, potential strikes loom?

Sam Wendel joins Adam Lucente

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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

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

India's Modi arrives in Israel as fears grow of US-Iran conflict

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Iran’s student protests enter fourth day as campuses test limits to regime control

Fires are lit as protesters rally on Jan. 8, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Israel fears Trump will clear path for partial Iran deal on nuclear standoff

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

JPMorgan to drop UAE from emerging market bond indexes: What to know

By Jack Dutton

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

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

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

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0:59

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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3:39

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 Live Journalism

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 Live Journalism

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 Live Journalism

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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