Iran-US tensions

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a press conference on May 11, 2011, at the green zone area in Baghdad, Iraq.

Iraq’s Maliki rejects Trump criticism, vows to stay in PM race

Maliki refused to withdraw from the race, despite mounting pressure from the US, and expressed a desire for good relations with Iraq’s neighbors and Washington.

Motorists drive past as firefighters battle a fire that broke out in Jannat Bazaar, west of Tehran on Feb. 3, 2026.

Analysis

US, Iran weigh de-escalation declaration as first step of talks

Behind the scenes, Iran and the United States are exploring a cautious diplomatic track centered on de-escalation rather than immediate concessions.

A correspondent in Iran

By A correspondent in Iran

In Iran, reporting on politics

Commuters drive along a bridge near a building bearing a landmark anti-US mural in Tehran, on June 22, 2025.

Bracing for backlash, Iran sends mixed signals on US talks

Iran's public messaging remains fragmented, with cautious openness from the presidency, rigid red lines from security officials and outright rejection from hard-liners, who see negotiations as futile.

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff arrives for a press conference with the US president and Israel's prime minister in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on Feb. 4, 2025.

Witkoff meets Netanyahu as Israel warns against potential Iran deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s security chiefs briefed US envoy Steve Witkoff on the country’s concerns ahead of Friday’s US-Iran talks.

Latest News

Iran seeks nuclear-only US talks, to drop Turkey as host: Source

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

US F-35 downs Iran drone as IRGC boats target tanker near Hormuz

This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025 shows navy vessels taking part in a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese military drill in the Gulf of Oman.

On eve of talks, UAE's Gargash throws weight behind Iran-US deal

Diplomatic advisor to the United Arab Emirates President Anwar Gargash (C) react on stage with Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe (R) during the World Governments Summit in Dubai on February 3, 2026. Spain will seek to ban social media for under-16s to protect them from harmful content such as pornography and violence, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on February 3, in the latest such move by governments. Australia established a world first i

United Arab Emirates

UAE’s MBZ reportedly cancels Japan visit amid US-Iran standoff: What to know

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrives for a welcoming ceremony prior to talks with the Russian president at the Kremlin in Moscow, on Jan. 29, 2026.

United Arab Emirates

Oil rigs on the background of the Iranian flag.

Oil prices climb on Iran strike fears as OPEC flags steady demand growth into 2027

Benchmark Brent crude traded around $66 a barrel on Wednesday, up roughly 10% since Jan. 7 to its highest level since October 2025.

Retired Israeli General and Executive Director of Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) Amos Yadlin attends a session at the Manama Dialogue security conference in the Bahraini capital, on Dec. 5, 2020.

Interview

Yadlin: Israel’s regime-change goal in Iran remote without US 'boots on the ground'

The former head of Israel's military intelligence directorate told Al-Monitor that Israel must prepare itself for a possible Iranian response if the US follows through on its threat to hit the Islamic Republic.

Amos Yadlin

Amos Yadlin

Former head of Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a joint press conference in Tehran, on Nov. 30, 2025.

In call with Araghchi, Turkey's Fidan urges Iran to negotiate with US

The top Turkish diplomat held back-to-back calls with Iranian and US officials as Ankara watches developments in Iran with mounting concern.

Members of the Petroleum Oils and Lubricants squadron at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing take a break from replacing a 50,000-gallon fuel bladder in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, on Dec. 30, 2002, in Al Udeid, Qatar.

US evacuates some personnel from Qatar air base amid Trump threat to strike Iran

Iran's Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned Tuesday that Tehran will retaliate for any attacks on the country.

Fires are lit as protesters rally on Jan. 8, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

Analysis

Bruised, not broken: Iran’s regime shows no deep structural cracks — yet

One of the clearest indicators of regime vulnerability — namely defections among the elite or military positions — has not materialized yet.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Sadaf Ebrahimi walks down a row of demonstrators at Lafayette Park in front of the White House during the "Free Iran" rally on Jan 10, 2026, in Washington.

Analysis

Trump dials up risky Iran tariffs that would hit China, UAE and others: What to know

Any country trading with Iran now faces a 25% tariff, per the White House, but the move is unlikely to ratchet up pressure on Tehran in the short term.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

US President Donald Trump takes questions from the members of the press aboard Air Force One on Jan. 11, 2026, en route back to the White House from Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump rejects talks with Iran as protest deaths mount

President Trump urged Iranian anti-government protesters to hold the line while promising unspecified US assistance.

People cross a street next to a billboard bearing the portrait of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a quote that reads "Sing Oh Iran" in Tehran on July, 9, 2025.

IRGC to Majlis: Who are central players in Iran's regime?

Iran’s political system concentrates ultimate authority in the supreme leader and a network of loyal institutions.

TEHRAN, IRAN - JANUARY 10: The heavily damaged Tax Affairs building is pictured on January 10, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. Some areas of Tehran sustained heavy damage during ongoing protests that came to a head on January 8, amid a growing economic and political crisis sweeping the country. (Photo by Stringer/Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel assesses Trump may opt for Iran strike despite protest crackdown

The prevailing assessment in Israel is that US President Trump will opt to strike the Tehran government in order to show the protesters that the United States has not abandoned them.

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

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 9, 2026.

From Iraq to Yemen, how Iran proxies are responding to protests

Iraqi militias and the Houthis are growing more vocal in their defense of Iran amid the protests sweeping the country, while Hezbollah and Palestinian groups are remaining relatively quiet.

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 9, 2026.

Iran dangles diplomacy as Trump weighs strikes amid protests

Despite the outreach, Iran doesn't appear willing to abandon its red lines in talks with the United States.

IN FLIGHT - JANUARY 11: U.S. President Donald Trump takes questions from the members of the press aboard Air Force One on January 11, 2026 en route back to the White House from Palm Beach, Florida. The President spent the weekend at his private club Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

From cyberattacks to airstrikes, Trump has host of options on Iran

The White House has a bevy of options to turn up the heat on Iran's government short of regime change, former US military and intelligence officials say.

Jared Szuba

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