AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Vessels transit the Hormuz Strait off the coast of Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas on September 7, 2026. Iran's top negotiator threatened on September 6 of a more forceful response to any further US attacks after Tehran targeted American warships in their latest round of clashes. The exchanges of fire, which began with US raids last week, come amid a deadlock in the six-month war between the two foes. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images) /

Breaking

Last Updated: September 8, 2026, 7:43 pm

US strikes Iranian tankers after attempted attack on Navy ship

Iran fired ballistic missiles into Jordan in response, targeting a key US air base in escalation after US aircraft destroyed five more oil tankers in Tehran’s fleet.

Iran

TOPSHOT - Explosions from projectile interceptions by Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system are pictured over Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that the Iranian supreme leader had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel braces for Iran attack as Trump’s economic squeeze on Tehran intensifies

Skeptical about the effectiveness of the American economic blockade on Tehran to weaken the regime, Israel is preparing for the possibility that Iran could decide to strike the Jewish state during the upcoming high holidays.

By Ben Caspit

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

12 countries including France, UK, Canada end trade with West Bank settlements

The decision comes against the backdrop of an escalation in settler violence and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.

Israel

Forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government

Analysis

What Houthi setbacks in Yemen mean for Iran's regional influence

The renewed fighting in Yemen is testing one of Iran's most valuable regional partnerships just as Tehran scrambles to preserve its remaining leverage.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

73 wounded in Houthi strike on Saudi Arabia as Riyadh vows response: What to know

The World Health Organization said Monday that at least 728 people have been killed or wounded in Yemen since Aug. 24.

Yemen

Latest News

US hits 27 Iranian airlines with latest sanctions

A picture take on September 14, 2017 shows an Airbus A340 of Mahan Air at the tarmac at Dubai's International Airport. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran

Egypt's Sisi hosts Greece, Cyprus leaders for energy talks: What to know

Egypt

Israeli escalation in south Lebanon leaves 27 dead in 3 days as talks stall

Lebanon

Saudi Arabia preparing to grant IAEA more intrusive powers, Grossi says

Get unlimited access for as little as $2/week.

The most authoritative roundup for Middle East news everyday on site, app and your inbox.

See Offers

Subscriber-Only Benefits

Our Independent Journalism | No agendas. No influences. Just factual stories.
The Daily Briefing | Intelligent, concise insights—delivered daily.
Unlimited Access | Reporting & analysis—without paywalls.

Shipping traffic via Strait of Hormuz stays below 10-day average, data shows

Reuters

Iranian crude oil carriers before being struck, which U.S. Central Command says it targeted after attempted Iranian missile attacks on a U.S. Navy warship over the past two days, at an unknown location in this still image taken from video released September 8, 2026. U.S. Central Command/Handout via REUTERS

US military says it destroyed five Iranian oil carriers after attempted missile attacks

Reuters

A person enters the British Consulate, on the day Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he would close it in response to trade sanctions imposed by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, in Jerusalem, September 8, 2026. REUTERS/Jamal Awad

Israel tells Britain to close East Jerusalem consulate within 30 days, sources say

Reuters

An Iranian crude oil carrier identified as M/T Riesco burns as it sinks after being struck, which U.S. Central Command says it targeted after attempted Iranian missile attacks on a U.S. Navy warship over the past two days, at a location given as the Gulf of Oman, in this still image taken from video released September 8, 2026. U.S. Central Command/Handout via REUTERS

Several merchant vessels hit by disabling fire in Gulf and Gulf of Oman

Reuters

Featured Newsletters

Editor's choice

Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

Expert insight on the Middle East—delivered regularly

Read By

See all newsletters

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Three million views in 24 hours: Turkey's curiosity about Syrian Kurdish leader Kobane explodes in first TV interview

Bana Guven joins Amberin Zaman

8 September, 2:28 PM ET

33:35

Middle East Minute

12 states including France, UK halt trade with West Bank settlements

Adam Lucente

8 September, 9:05 AM ET

3:21

Middle East Minute

Israel releases five Lebanese prisoners

Adam Lucente

4 September, 8:25 AM ET

4:04

Interviews

Exclusive conversations with AL-MONITOR.

See All

Interview

Israel's deputy FM, Sharren Haskel, bets on a new right after breaking with Netanyahu

Sharren Haskel speaks at an event marking 60 years of diplomatic ties between Germany and Israel hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Berlin, Oct. 16, 2025.

Interview

Resumption in Yemen's oil exports 'possible' with security measures: VP

Deputy chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council Sultan Ali al-Aradah

Interview

PJAK leader mocks Iran’s claim Turkey spiked US Kurdish-backed regime-change plan

A Kurdish fighter from the Iranian Kurdish armed faction Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) stands with his rifle at a site near the Iraqi border with Iran in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, on March 8, 2026.

Siamand Moeini

PJAK Executive Council Member

Interview

Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks

Masrour Barzani

KRG Prime Minister

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Israel braces for Iran attack as Trump’s economic squeeze on Tehran intensifies

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Iran war tests Gulf's theme park ambitions

The entrance to the city of Qiddiya, south of the capital Riyadh, April 25, 2019.

By Jack Dutton

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

Analysis

LORA missile test reveals limits of Germany’s Gaza criticism of Israel

A woman walks past a model of a Lora missile, Israel's long range artillery missile at the Israel defence stall at the international DefExpo 2008 defence fair, in New Delhi on February 16, 2008. India kicked off South Asia's largest defence fair, with hundreds of global weapons firms offering their latest hardware to the country's technology-hungry military. About 450 weapons companies from 30 countries are present at the four-day "DefExpo" in New Delhi, with several big-ticket announcements expected. AFP P

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

What Houthi setbacks in Yemen mean for Iran's regional influence

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Inside US-Israel fault lines on Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey

July 29, 2026