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US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on September 2, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran’s Pickaxe mountain tests limits of Trump’s military options

A secretive Pentagon innovation agency has hastened to test munitions that may penetrate deeper than the GBU-57 bombs dropped on Iran’s two main enrichment facilities.

By Jared Szuba

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

A photograph taken from the southern Lebanese area of Nabatieh shows smoke as it rises from the site of Israeli strikes that targeted the hilltops of the mountainous area of the strategic Ali al-Taher Ridge on Aug. 14, 2026.

Breaking | Last Updated: September 10, 2026, 5:52 pm

Israel says it destroyed Hezbollah tunnels in Ali al-Taher ridge: What to know

The ridge has become a flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon due to its extensive tunnel network Israel says is utilized by the Iran-backed group.

Israel

Pedestrians walk past a wall mural along a street in downtown of Tehran on Aug. 31, 2026.

Analysis

Could Iran’s nuclear ambitions harden as war escalates?

A new report has raised alarm about the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site that President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Explainer

Fueled by regional rivalries, Algeria severs diplomatic ties with UAE

Algiers accused Abu Dhabi of increasingly “provocative and hostile actions” after years of friction over Morocco, Western Sahara and competing regional interests.

Algeria

The navigation bridge of a sunken vessel is all that is seen at the surface of the water in the Port of Mocha the day after an attack by the Houthis on the city Mocha, held by Yemen's internationally recognized, Aden-based government, on Aug. 10, 2026.

Houthis seize Red Sea city, tighten grip near strategic Bab al-Mandeb: What to know

Taking control of the towns bordering the Bab al-Mandeb Strait deals a significant blow to Saudi Arabia, which has relied heavily on the key waterway to keep its exports afloat.

Yemen

Latest News

UAE announces plans to invest $46B in Germany during MBZ visit

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia’s oil production slumps to lowest in 36 years as war bites

Saudi Arabia

Majority of Palestinians lose trust in Hamas and Fatah, new poll finds

Palestinians hold up the green Hamas flag during a protest by supporters of both the Fatah and Hamas movements, as they rally in support of the Palestinian people following Friday noon prayers in Hebron, occupied West Bank, Nov. 3, 2023.

Palestine

Netanyahu threatens to sue Haaretz for reporting UAE warned Israel of Oct. 7 attack

Israel

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Fighters loyal to the Houthis march during a rally to recruit more fighters

Yemen's Houthis complete takeover of Bab al-Mandab area: govt official to AFP

Agence France-Presse

Wars, global trade turbulence and oil are expected on the BRICS summit agenda

India welcomes Russia, Iran leaders for BRICS summit overshadowed by war

Agence France-Presse

Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball during a Saudi Pro League football match

Ronaldo takes last crack at Asian glory as Saudi teams set to dominate

Agence France-Presse

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka speaks with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar during an official ceremony at the new Israeli embassy in Suva earlier this year.

Statecraft or scripture: Why Pacific nations want Jerusalem embassies

Agence France-Presse

Featured Newsletters

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Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

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Middle East Minute

Yemen’s Houthis capture Red Sea port of Mocha

Adam Lucente

10 September, 8:36 AM ET

3:40

Middle East Minute

Iran fires 20 missiles at Jordan

Adam Lucente

9 September, 8:29 AM ET

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Interviews

Exclusive conversations with AL-MONITOR.

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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

Iran’s Pickaxe mountain tests limits of Trump’s military options

By Jared Szuba

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

Analysis

How Saudi Arabia seeks to contain Yemen's Houthis without provoking Iran

Fighters supporting the Aden-based, internationally recognized Yemeni government gather during a vigil along the Red Sea shore in Khokha, in Yemen's western Hodeidah province, on July 20, 2026.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

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

Forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Could Iran’s nuclear ambitions harden as war escalates?

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

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

July 29, 2026