Iran-US tensions

People walk and drive past a billboard covering the facade of a building on Vali-Asr square, depicting as postage stamps the disputed Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb islands that were seized by Iran in 1971, in Tehran on October 26, 2024. Residents of Tehran awoke and went about their business as planned on October 26 after their sleep was troubled by Israeli strikes that triggered blasts that echoed across the city. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran’s new military drills near disputed islands ratchet up tensions with UAE

By combining high-tech capabilities, publicized warnings to foreign vessels and historical framing of territorial sovereignty, Tehran is seeking to assertively position itself in a dispute that has resisted resolution for decades.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

The US National flag flies at half staff on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on December 4, 2025, in honor of Sarah Beckstrom, the National Guard member who was fatally shot the week before. An Afghan man accused of shooting two members of the National Guard near the White House, killing one, pleaded not guilty on December 2, 2025 to murder charges. Lakanwal is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Sarah Beckstrom, 20, a National Guard member from West Virginia, as well as ass

US strategy document names Iran 'chief' destabilizer, calls Syria 'potential problem'

The document frames US engagement as shifting away from energy and conflict and toward broader economic and defense partnerships.

currency exchange in Tehran

Iran currency dips to new low of 1.2M per dollar as sanctions bite: What to know

Since US President Donald Trump took office in January, the rial has plummeted.

People walk past electoral campaign posters ahead of Iraq's parliamentary elections in central Baghdad on Nov. 6, 2025.

Analysis

Iraq’s next PM? Shatri, Eidani, Kadhimi and others jostle for lead

A number of establishment figures are being circulated as potential candidates, though experts believe the Coordination Framework, a powerful Shiite coalition, will again have the final say.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Latest News

Analysis

F-35s, chips but no security guarantees: What MBS achieved — and didn’t — in Washington

US President Donald Trump meets with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on Nov. 18, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Jared Szuba

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

Analysis

How Iraq’s next government could shape the US-Iran rivalry

Supporters of incumbent Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani wave national flags in front of a screen displaying his portrait as they celebrate following the announcement of preliminary election results in Baghdad on Nov. 12, 2025.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Iran stops IAEA inspections following UN watchdog's reprimand

In this handout photo released by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) on November 10, 2025, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi (L) is accompanied by AEOI chief Mohammad Eslami during a visit to a facility in Tehran. (Photo by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran / AFP)

Trump says US will sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia, first Arab country to acquire jets

This photograph shows a pilot disembarking a Belgium's newly purchased Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet for the first time, after arriving at the Florennes military airbase, southern Belgium on October 13, 2025. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia ramps up regional diplomacy to avert Iran-Israel war

Saudi Arabia has reiterated calls for calm in the region amid rising tensions in the wake of the Iranian attack on Israel this week.

Missiles and UAV's are showed for the people on the side of the road in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 11, 2024.

'All options' on table as US readies fresh Iran sanctions after Israel attack

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said measures would be announced "in the coming days" and could including targeting illicit Iranian oil revenue.

ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images

UK’s easyJet suspends Israel flights through October after Iran attack

Britain’s biggest low-cost airline has suspended all service to Israel following Iran’s unprecedented attack on the Jewish state over the weekend.

Members of the Israeli military show an Iranian ballistic missile which fell in Israel on the weekend, during a media tour at the Julis military base near the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Malachi on April 16, 2024. Iran carried out an unprecedented direct attack on Israel overnight April 13-14, using more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, in retaliation for a deadly April 1 air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Nearly all were intercepted, according to the Israeli army.

Analysis

What’s holding up Israeli retaliation against Iran and what are its options?

Israel is in a state of rage after the missile and drone attack by Iran, yet for the moment it seems that no decision has been made on possible military retaliation.

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

A US-built F-5 Tiger light fighter aircraft that was used by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force is displayed at the Holy Defense Museum, Tehran, Iran, Feb. 7, 2024.

Iran vows it will respond 'within seconds' if Israel retaliates

The latest Iranian attack on Israel in response to a suspected Israeli strike against Iran’s consulate in Syria has set off fears of a full-blown war in the region.

Sudani

Interview

Iraq PM seeks to stay out of regional conflict, calls for US pressure on Israel to end Gaza war

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani says he has taken “practical measures” to prevent Iran-aligned groups from attacking US forces in Iraq.

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani

Iraq Prime Minister

An Israeli self-propelled artillery howitzer shells southern Lebanon from a position in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel on Jan. 4, 2024.

Israeli military says it will respond to Iran, weighing 'variety of options'

Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on Saturday in retaliation for the suspected Israeli strike that killed senior members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria.

An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft of the Israeli Air Force Aerobatic team flies during a rehearsal for the upcoming Independence Day air show in Tel Aviv on April 24, 2023.

Iran’s attack on Israel stress tests Washington's Middle East coalition

President Joe Biden urged Netanyahu to "think carefully and strategically" about next steps as the White House ruled out supporting any Israeli retaliation against Iran.

Israel's Iron Dome defence missile system is on alert, stationed close to the southern Israeli town of Sderot on Oct. 12, 2023.

Analysis

Israel's Netanyahu 'unlikely to disobey Biden' as Iran attack readjusts alliances

Israel would have no choice but to retaliate forcefully, but that changed after 99% of the projectiles from Iran were intercepted, causing minimal damage in Israel, and President Joe Biden spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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

In this handout photo provided by the White House, US President Joe Biden meets with members of the National Security team regarding the unfolding missile attacks on Israel from Iran, on April 13, 2024 in the White House Situation Room in Washington, DC.

Biden urges Israel to 'think carefully' as it mulls response to Iran attack

The United States has told Israel it won’t participate in any counteroffensive against Iran, senior administration officials said.

Israel's Iron Dome air defense system intercepts rockets launched from Gaza City, in Sderot on May 10, 2023.

Breaking | Last Updated: April 14, 2024, 12:09 pm

Iran launches attack against Israel with missiles, drones in response to Syria strike

Middle East tensions are at an all-time high as the US military moved more forces to the region and multiple countries closed their airspaces in response to Iran's unprecedented attack. A 7-year-old Bedouin girl was reportedly injured by debris in the Negev region.

From left: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and European Union Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell, hold a joint press conference in Brussels on April 5, 2024. (Photo by Johanna Geron / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JOHANNA GERON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As EU courts Armenia, Iran and US are bound to clash in South Caucasus

Yerevan’s pivot to the West is a challenge for Tehran, yet Iranian authorities and media kept mum on a high-level trilateral EU-US-Armenia meeting last week.