Iran Deal

US President Donald Trump (R) attends a meeting with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, during the G20 summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019.

Analysis

Russia's Putin offers Trump help on Iran, likely with strings attached

As Iran weighs the US proposal for a nuclear deal, Russia has volunteered to play a role facilitating future talks.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

US soldiers patrol in Syria's northeastern city Qamishli, in the Hasakeh province, mostly controlled by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, on January 9, 2025. (AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

US' Syria pullout continues amid looming Iran clash

The Trump administration is taking advantage of a rare moment of quiet following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in hope of disentangling the US military from nearly a decade of involvement in Syria.

Jared Szuba

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

An oil tanker unloads imported crude oil at Qingdao port in China's eastern Shandong province on May 9, 2022.

Iran oil exports to China fall sharply amid US sanctions, weakened demand

China is by far Iran’s largest customer for oil, snapping up around 90% of the Islamic Republic’s shipments.

ranians pass by a mural that depicts the two Supreme Leaders of Iran near Enghelab (Revolution) Square in downtown Tehran, Iran on April 8, 2025.

As US proposal takes shape, Iran mulls response to nuclear compromise

Iran says it will soon respond to what the White House described as a "very detailed and acceptable proposal."

Latest News

Analysis

If Iran rejects Trump’s nuclear deal, will Israel seize moment to strike?

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

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

Iran, Egypt, IAEA hold nuclear talks as Tehran mulls US proposal: What to know

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (C) meets with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi (L) and Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Cairo on June 2, 2025.

Analysis

With clock ticking, Iran shows mix of defiance, engagement in nuclear talks

A picture taken on Sept. 7, 2019, shows traffic driving past a political mural at Vali Asr Square in the Iranian capital Tehran.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Rebuffed by Trump, has Netanyahu missed his chance to strike Iran?

This satellite image shows a nuclear reactor facility near Bushehr, Iran, that the United States believes could along with others in Iran be used to make nuclear weapons, Jan. 13, 2002.

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

Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi (R) meets with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Muscat, on April, 25, 2023. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran’s FM visits Qatar, Oman as indirect talks with US see momentum

Qatar and Oman have maintained communications with Iran and Saudi Arabia, also playing a mediating role between Washington and Tehran.

The official welcoming ceremony of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran, Uzbekistan ink major deals during rare visit by Uzbek president

The Islamic Republic offered to share its "experience" in overcoming international sanctions in the first visit by an Uzbek leader to Tehran in 20 years, marked by multiple trade and energy agreements.

Iranian embassy

Analysis

Saudi-Iran detente offers dubious economic benefits, say analysts

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Fatih spoke brightly this week about the economic potential of the China-brokered agreement, but experts who spoke to Al-Monitor are more skeptical.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi speaks during a press conference with his Iranian counterpart (unseen), Tehran, Iran, Nov. 19, 2022.

Interview

US, Syria exchange messages on journalist Austin Tice, Oman’s FM says

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi also discussed Syria's re-integration, prospects for normalization with Israel and talks to end Yemen's war in an interview with Al-Monitor.

Sayyid Badr Albusaidi

Sayyid Badr Albusaidi

Foreign Minister of Oman

International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors are seen at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, June 15, 2023.

Analysis

Israel acknowledges inability to thwart a US-Iran 'mini agreement'

On the backdrop of strained relations with the US, Israel realizes it has limited influence only over the Biden administration’s policy on Iran.

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

Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant (R) and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin shake hands after delivering a statement to the press at the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) headquarters near the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, on March 9, 2023.

Israeli, US defense chiefs meet on sidelines of NATO meeting

Banned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from traveling to Washington, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met in Brussels with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi.

Interview

Oman FM says US, Iran 'close' on prisoner deal

Oman's foreign minister told Al-Monitor that the two sides are ironing out the details on a deal to release the prisoners.

Sayyid Badr Albusaidi

Sayyid Badr Albusaidi

Foreign Minister of Oman

Presidents Nicolas Maduro and Ebrahim Raisi during their meeting in Tehran. June 11, 2022

Iran's president travels to Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela in anti-US blitz

The visit will take the Iranian president to three leftist countries with which Tehran shares both American sanctions and a vigorous anti-American agenda.

Photo of Fattah hypersonic missile as it was unveiled on Iran's Press TV on June 6, 2023

Iran unveils first hypersonic missile 'Fattah,' says no system can intercept it

Boastfully adding to its already massive stockpile of long-range projectiles, Tehran appeared headed for a fresh collision course with Israel and its Western adversaries, which remain unnerved by Iran's missile program.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) meets with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi in Tehran on March 4, 2023.

IAEA chief rebuffs Israeli criticism, says Iran meets 'fraction' of commitments

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi noted that Iran made positive steps in enabling the inspection of its nuclear sites but is still a long way from fulfilling the March 4 agreement commitments.

Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said (L) meets with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) in Tehran on May 29.

Analysis

Israel alarmed by IAEA report, possible US backchannel diplomacy with Iran

Also: IAEA report hints at Iran’s post-JCPOA nuclear posture; Gulf uncertainty over US policy; Omani diplomacy back in spotlight.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi arrives for the IAEA Board of Governors meeting, Vienna, Austria, March 6, 2023.

Israel slams IAEA for closing two Iran nuclear sites probes

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Foreign Ministry slammed the IAEA for caving into Iranian pressure and ending two probes on traces of enriched uranium found at the Fordo and Marivan sites.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs