Interview UAE official says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable' Abdulla Balalaa, UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability, spoke to Al-Monitor about the situation in the Gulf along with the UAE's focus on promoting privatization in the water sector and the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Analysis What is Iran really willing to concede on its nuclear program? Iran’s current posture accepts short-term, reversible constraints while rejecting long-term limits on enrichment. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
'The reach is global': Pentagon vows pursuit of ships tied to Iran trade A top admiral said the US Navy will pursue any vessels "providing material support to Iran" anywhere in the world. United States
Sharaa distances Syria from Iran war, says Israel talks ongoing: What to know Negotiations with Israel "have not reached a dead end, but they are progressing with great difficulty” Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Syria
Analysis How long can Iran's economy weather US naval blockade? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
France's seizure of Iranian weapons to Yemen is a win for Pentagon French forces seized some 3,000 assault rifles, 23 anti-tank rockets and more than half a million rounds of ammunition bound for Yemen's Houthi rebels. Iran
Iran rejects latest IAEA report, claims it is 'not up to date' Despite Tehran's outright rejection, the UN watchdog's report on alleged secrecy at a leading Iranian facility has once again highlighted concerns that the Islamic Republic could be inching closer to developing a nuclear bomb. Iran
US CENTCOM pulls closer to Israeli military as Mossad tests Iran Training exercise represents the tightest collaboration ever, but CENTCOM's deputy commander told Al-Monitor the US had no involvement in recent strikes attributed to Israel in Isfahan, Iran and eastern Syria. Israel
Iran summons Ukraine's top diplomat after Isfahan drone strike Iran's summoning relates to a Ukrainian presidential adviser's tweet that implicitly welcomes the suspected Israeli attack over the weekend. Iran
The Takeaway: Can sanctions curb Iran's protest crackdown? Plus, a top Republican lawmaker questions the Biden administration's Syria policy and the US announces support for Lebanon's security forces. Iran
Iran bolsters ties with China and Venezuela despite US sanctions Iranian oil exports to China are on the rise, and the Islamic Republic’s relations with Venezuela are moving beyond energy matters, as the South American country recently received 1,000 vehicles from the Iranian automobile firm Saipa. Iran
US, Israel kick off largest ever military exercise as Iran nuclear talks falter As Iran turns to Russia for advanced fighter jets, the race is on to ensure the United States can actually stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon — and to dissuade the new Israeli government from acting unilaterally. Israel
'Bring us home': American held in Iran ends weeklong hunger strike “Don't let President Biden leave us in this abyss of misery,” Siamak Namazi said in a letter penned from prison. Iran
EU rolls out new Iran sanctions but does not designate IRGC as terrorists European foreign ministers have added 37 names to the list of Iranian individuals and entities subject to sanctions, but did not call for designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorist group. Iran
Iran leans on Russia, hopes for Sukhoi sale as EU pressure mounts Tehran is increasingly boosting its military ties with Moscow, hoping for Sukhoi sale, amid dim prospects for the revival of the nuclear deal and a wave of fresh sanctions over its crackdown on dissent at home. Iran
In restive Iran-Iraq border area, support for firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr holds strong Al-Monitor traveled to Iraq’s impoverished southeast, known for drug smuggling and militia violence, to explore the continued support there for the Sadr movement. Iraq
Iran top official threatens EU militaries as IRGC terror designation looms Europe’s ties with the Islamic Republic have been worsening since the anti-government protests began in Iran last year. Iran
