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Iranian walks past a giant billboard reading "The Strait of Hormuz remains closed" at the Revolution Square in Tehran on April 22, 2026.

Iran floats ‘plan B’ to defuse Hormuz standoff, delay nuclear talks

The proposal would postpone negotiations over Iran's nuclear program in an attempt to break the deadlock.

Iran

Gulf leaders to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss response to Iranian strikes

Reuters

Lebanese president Joseph Aoun (L) stands next to the parliament speaker Nabih Berri as he delivers a speech at the parliament building in Beirut Jan. 9, 2025.

'Treason is war for external interests': Lebanon’s Aoun hits back at Hezbollah

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejects Hezbollah’s criticism of talks with Israel, insisting negotiations are aimed at ending hostilities and saying “treason” is taking the country to war for external interests.

Lebanon

Breaking | Last Updated: April 27, 2026, 3:43 pm

Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know

Ali al-Zaidi, who leads a bank accused of money laundering, received support from previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will approve of him.

Iraq

Iranian women walk on a street, amid a ceasefire between U.S. and Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 27, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo

Iran eases internet curbs for businesses as blackout enters third month

Reuters

Latest News

Iran FM meets Putin, Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know

Iran

Analysis

Turning point on Israel? Democrats’ Senate vote signals shift driven by Iran, Gaza wars

The US Capitol building is shown on April 20, 2026, in Washington.

By Jared Szuba

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

Turkey’s military spending jumps to $30B, leads Mideast growth in 2025

Turkey

Bahrain strips 69 people of citizenship for 'glorifying' Iran attacks

Bahrain

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Rabih Khreisse, 44, a displaced Lebanese man from the southern village of Khiyam, near the border with Israel, shows a photograph of his son Ziad, 11, lying in a hospital after being wounded in an Israeli strike in 2024, as they sit at their shelter in a makeshift encampment, amid a temporary ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, in Beirut, Lebanon April 27 2026. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

As war nears two months, displaced Lebanese family sinks into despair

Reuters

Estonia's President Alar Karis and Finland's President Alexander Stubb during the delegation meeting of the state visit of the Estonian presidential couple in the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, April 28, 2026. Lehtikuva/Emmi Korhonen/via REUTERS

Finland and Estonia say US defence deliveries delayed over Middle East war

Reuters

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to the media as he arrives to attend an informal European leaders' summit in Ayia Napa, Cyprus April 23, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Israel's purchase of 'stolen' Ukrainian grain is not 'legitimate', Zelenskiy says

Reuters

Philippines not concerned Iran war will distract US from region, top defence official says

Reuters

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The AL-MONITOR Brief

Israel-Hezbollah clashes test US-backed Lebanon ceasefire

Elizabeth Hagedorn joins Adam Lucente

24 April, 2:41 PM ET

11:28

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘running the show’ despite public absence, says academic Hassan Ahmadian

Hassan Ahmadian joins Amberin Zaman

23 April, 4:30 PM ET

27:34

The AL-MONITOR Brief

What to make of Pakistan’s increased defense ties with Saudi Arabia

Sabena Siddiqui joins Adam Lucente

21 April, 3:38 PM ET

14:11

Interviews

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Interview

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

Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, United Arab Emirates

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'

Analysis

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Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on the margins of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, on April 17, 2026.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Araghchi’s Russia, regional tour tests path to breaking US-Iran deadlock

TEHRAN, IRAN - APRIL 23: A police officer stands holding a flag in Valiasr Square beneath a mural of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on April 23, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced an extension of the current ceasefire between his country and Iran, despite Iran declining to attend the latest proposed round of peace talks in Islamabad. The focus of the war has shifted largely to the Strait of Hormuz, where both sides are trying to assert control over the critical m

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps

US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (R) holds a signed "Make America Great Again" hat while (L-R) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanon Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad listen to US President Donald Trump speak during a meeting with Lebanon Ambassador to the US and Israel Ambassador to the US, at the White House in Washington, DC on April 23, 2026. US President Donald Trump met Lebanese and Israeli envoys at a new round of peace talks Thursday, with Beirut seeking a one-month extension of a

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Turning point on Israel? Democrats’ Senate vote signals shift driven by Iran, Gaza wars

By Jared Szuba

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

Joyce Karam, Randa Slim, Hamidreza Azizi, Hasan Alhasan

Iran War at One Month: Outlook and Implications

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sits across from Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Ukraine's Zelenskyy capitalizes on Iran war to ink security deal with Saudi Arabia

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Joe Snell appears on a street wearing a black jacket; in the frame next to it, a woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a black blazer appears on a laptop screen from a Zoom meeting.

French ISIS Member Convicted of Genocide Against Yazidis

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Ezgi Akin at Turkey's Kapikoy border crossing

AL-MONITOR's Ezgi Akin at Turkey-Iran Border Crossing

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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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