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Traffic rolls along a main throughfare under a banner with images of past and present leaders that reads in Farsi, "Domino fall", as daily life returns to the streets following nationwide protests, in the Iranian capital Tehran on January 19, 2026. Demonstrations sparked in late December by anger over economic hardship exploded into protests widely seen as the biggest challenge to the Iranian leadership in years. Limited internet access briefly returned in Iran before dropping again, a monitor said January

Analysis

Iran’s longest-ever internet blackout leaves 99% offline: What to know

Facing a historic internet blackout, Iranians are locked in a struggle with authorities to find loopholes to get around this communications crackdown, leading to "shutdowns within a shutdown."

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Saeed Jalili, the radical presidential candidate of Iran, among supporters at Shahada airport on July 2, 2024.

Analysis

Meet the hard-liner who could replace Larijani as Iran’s wartime security chief

As Iran weighs a successor to its slain security chief, Ali Larijani, the choice may determine whether the Islamic Republic deepens confrontation or preserves its narrowing pathways to easing tensions.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrive for a documents signing ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Unclear chains of command in Iran complicate Russia’s diplomatic play

Multiple power centers in Tehran and the rising influence of the IRGC could complicate Moscow’s ties with Iran and its hopes of playing a mediating role in the conflict.

By Anton Mardasov

US authorizes temporary delivery, sale of oil originating from Iran

Reuters

France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) wearing sunglasses shakes hands with Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam prior to their meeting at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on January 23, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Narrow opening: Can Lebanon’s push for talks shift Israel’s war calculus?

Although Israel, for the moment, refuses to halt military operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah as rocket and missile strikes continue, sources say Israel is nevertheless leaving the door open to negotiations.

By Ben Caspit

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

Latest News

How deployment of 4,000+ US Marines could change war in Iran

Soldiers board a US Marines CH-53 Super Stallion during an airfield seizure exercise as part of the US-Philippines Balikatan joint military exercise at San Vicente Airport in Palawan on May 1, 2024.

Iran

Iran’s Hormuz choke hold leaves West divided as energy markets reel

Indian vessel 'Nanda Devi' carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) arrives at Vadinar Port in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat state on March 17, 2026 after Iran allowed it to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy corridor that remains disrupted by the Middle East war.

Iran

Why a Kharg Island blockade could be Iran’s greatest economic threat

Iran

Qatar-based Al Jazeera commentators go dark on social media: What to know

Qatar

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FILE PHOTO: A U-2 aircraft flies after take off from RAF Akrotiri, a British sovereign base that was hit by a drone early on Monday, causing limited damage, in Cyprus, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou/ File Photo

UK says its bases on Cyprus will not be used in offensive operations, Cypriot spokesperson says

Reuters

The British-Palestinian doctor described working 'against the clock' to save children injured in Israeli bombings

From Gaza to Lebanon, doctor races against time to treat war-wounded children

Agence France-Presse

Debris lies on the street following reported Iranian drone strikes, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Sitra, Bahrain, March 9, 2026 in this screengrab taken from a social media video. SOCIAL MEDIA/via REUTERS

Exclusive-Bahrain cites Patriot interception in March 9 Iranian drone incident

Reuters

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, February 21, 2026. Iran's Presidential website/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

Iran's president says immediate cessation of US-Israeli aggression needed to end war

Reuters

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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.

Interview

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

Yadlin: Israel's war goal to weaken Iran, not immediate regime change

Retired Israeli general and executive director of Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies Amos Yadlin attends a session at the Manama Dialogue security conference in the Bahraini capital, on Dec. 5, 2020.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Unclear chains of command in Iran complicate Russia’s diplomatic play

By Anton Mardasov

Analysis

Meet the hard-liner who could replace Larijani as Iran’s wartime security chief

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Narrow opening: Can Lebanon’s push for talks shift Israel’s war calculus?

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Iran’s longest-ever internet blackout leaves 99% offline: What to know

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Ezgi Akin at Turkey's Kapikoy border crossing

Al-Monitor's Ezgi Akin at Turkey-Iran Border Crossing

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Rebecca Anne Proctor in Dubai offering an update on US-Israel-Iran war

Dubai: Day 7 of US-Israel-Iran War

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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

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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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