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Women walk past a large banner depicting Iran's current supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and his predecessor and late father, Ali Khamenei, along a street in Tehran on May 6, 2026.

US, Iran move toward deal framework after Trump halts Hormuz operation

Iran said it is reviewing the US proposal and will relay its response through mediator Pakistan.

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

People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs neighborhood of Haret Hreik on May 6, 2026.

Israel strikes Beirut in breach of Lebanon ceasefire

Israel has continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon but had not targeted Beirut since the ceasefire took effect.

Lebanon

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second right, talks to his Iranian Counterpart Abbas Araghchi, left, during the bilateral meeting in Beijing, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Iran, China discuss Hormuz reopening amid potential US-Iran talks

China’s foreign minister told his Iranian counterpart that “persisting in negotiations is particularly important.”

Iran

Lebanon, Israel eye third round of talks, but no Netanyahu-Aoun meeting in sight

The US appears to be pushing for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the Lebanese government says it won't happen while Israel continues to launch attacks on Lebanon.

Lebanon

A billboard with the image of the late Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wraps the front of a building in Tehran on May 5, 2026.

Analysis

Iran's Gulf gambit: Attacking the UAE to shift US calculations

Tehran is escalating pressure on the United Arab Emirates through strikes and rhetoric, signaling a strategy to widen the conflict and indirectly force Washington to ease its blockade on Iranian ports.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Saudi FM in Turkey as Ankara, Riyadh step up coordination amid Iran war

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, May 6, 2026.

Turkey

Analysis

Why Iran’s regime didn't break: The hidden networks behind its survival

Mahmoud Karimi, a maddah, leads a mourning ritual during the Muslim month of Muharram in the lead-up to Ashura, a 10-day period commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein in Tehran on July 3, 2025.

By Jamshid Jamshidi

Rubio warns Iran of 'total defeat' if it refuses deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on May 5, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Iran

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A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag, during a protest against the U.S. backing of the Israeli military operation in Gaza, outside the Washington office of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 22, 2025. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril/ File Photo

Tensions over pro-Israel lobbying group highlight rifts in Democratic primaries

Reuters

Iraq's historic marshes revive as water returns after years of drought

Reuters

A man watches as rescuers work at the site of an Israeli strike that took place yesterday, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Mohamad Azakir

Israel says it killed Hezbollah commander in first strike on Beirut since ceasefire

Reuters

A group of Australian women linked to Islamic State jihadists in Syria landed on a flight from Doha to Melbourne

Women linked to IS fighters return to Australia from Middle East

Agence France-Presse

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The AL-MONITOR Brief

China’s diplomacy on Iran

Rosaleen Carroll joins Adam Lucente

6 May, 2:58 PM ET

9:24

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Don’t blame the PKK for all the Kurds’ losses in Syria, says Kurdish expert Aliza Marcus

Aliza Marcus joins Amberin Zaman

5 May, 1:15 PM ET

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Saudi Arabia hates Iran’s regime but did not want war, says former US ambassador to Riyadh Michael Ratney

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4 May, 3:29 PM ET

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Interview

UAE official says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable'

Abdulla Balalaa

UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability

Interview

Minister warns aid cuts to Lebanon risk empowering Hezbollah

Haneen Sayyed

Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs

Interview

Despite Trump’s U-turns, US may still support Iran’s Kurds, says Komala’s Mohtadi

A armed Kurdish Peshmerga of the Komala party waves the Komala flag in a ceremony held in memory of Komala Martyrs' Day in Sidakan, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, on March 17, 2021.

Abdulla Mohtadi

Leader of Komala

Interview

Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Ehud Olmert

Former Israeli prime minister

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Israel fears Trump seeking Hormuz win while sidestepping Iran nuclear issue

Amirhossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Why Iran’s regime didn't break: The hidden networks behind its survival

By Jamshid Jamshidi

Analysis

What UAE’s $3.45B pullback from Pakistan signals about Abu Dhabi's priorities

A security personnel sits in a market after markets reopened in Islamabad on April 23, 2026, following heightened security measures amid the ongoing US-Iran peace talks.

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Analysis

Iran's Gulf gambit: Attacking the UAE to shift US calculations

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Joyce Karam, Randa Slim, Hamidreza Azizi, Hasan Alhasan

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April 1, 2026

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February 24, 2026

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Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

February 10, 2026

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Amberin Zaman, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Danny Makki, Joyce Karam in a virtual discussion on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington

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Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon

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US confrontation with Iran’s proxies: Live Q&A with Jared Szuba and Elizabeth Hagedorn

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The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Amb. David Satterfield (Part 2)

January 25, 2024

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The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Amb. David Satterfield (Part 1)

November 21, 2023

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The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Shibley Telhami and Rina Bassist

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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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