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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House, Washington, DC, July 7, 2025.

Analysis

Squeezed by Trump and Iran war, how vulnerable is Netanyahu in polls?

The Israeli prime minister faces growing problems over Oct. 7, his alliance with the ultra-Orthodox parties, and Donald Trump questioning his political future.

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Motorists ride past a giant banner depicting Iranian missiles and a sword belonging to Imam Ali, the first Imam of the Shiites, at the Vanak Square in Tehran on June 10, 2026.

Analysis

How Iran is framing deal with US amid competing narratives

Amid growing speculation about details and technicalities of a US-Iran deal, Washington and Tehran are painting different pictures, exposing a gap between public messaging and diplomatic reality.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Feature

Turkey’s World Cup return clouded by politics, dawn kickoffs

Turkey finally has the World Cup moment it waited 24 years for, but much of the country will either be asleep for it or arguing over efforts to claim it.

By Ezgi Akin

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

A man walks past Iran's national flag and a banner bearing the images of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (R), the late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei and his son, the current supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei (L), erected along a street at the Vanak Square in Tehran on June 10, 2026.

Iran deal ‘very close’ but not at finish line, senior US official says

The announcement comes after a week of tit-for-tat strikes between the two sides.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

US President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset, Jerusalem, Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed Israel’s red lines to Trump, but given the current rift between the two leaders, the demands may be little more than a wish list.

By Ben Caspit

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

Latest News

Iran-US draft deal would release $24B in funds, ensure Lebanon ceasefire: Iranian media

Iran

'Pilot zones' offer litmus test for Lebanon to clear Israel border of Hezbollah

Lebanon

Exclusive

Barrack heads to Iraq as US presses Baghdad on Iran-backed militias

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

US strikes on Indian-crewed tankers spark tensions with New Delhi

Iran

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Trump says Iran deal to be signed on Sunday

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 3, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

Trump to meet with Middle East leaders, attend Ukraine session at G7, US officials say

Reuters

A banner with a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei and the late senior Iranian military commander, General Qassem Soleimani, on a building in Tehran, Iran, June 11, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Iran says signing of Islamabad memorandum will not take place on Sunday

Reuters

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a deal 'has never been closer'

US-Iran deal could be finalised soon, mediator Pakistan says

Agence France-Presse

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Interviews

Exclusive conversations with AL-MONITOR.

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Interview

Saudi Arabia eyes state-backed stablecoin amid digital finance push

The symbols of bitcoin and the stablecoin Tether (USDT) are displayed at a cryptocurrency store in Hong Kong on July 29, 2025.

Interview

Top Syrian Kurdish official slams parliamentary vote in northeast as 'undemocratic'

Foza Yusuf

Top Syrian Kurdish official

Interview

As Sudan war drags on, US-Iran conflict compounds humanitarian crisis in Darfur

Janti Soeripto

President and CEO of Save the Children US

Interview

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

Arman Tatoyan

Founder, Wings of Unity Party

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

How Iran is framing deal with US amid competing narratives

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

As Trump admin drops Halkbank case, S-400 last big hurdle in US-Turkey ties

Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile launching system is displayed at the exposition field in Kubinka Patriot Park outside Moscow on Aug. 22, 2017 during the first day of the International Military-Technical Forum Army-2017.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

Squeezed by Trump and Iran war, how vulnerable is Netanyahu in polls?

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Speakers from Iran war energy event: Samuel Wendel, Dr. Carole Nakhle, and Noam Raydan

How the Iran war is reshaping energy markets

May 20, 2026