Nuclear Power

TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Russia, Iran deepen nuclear cooperation with focus on small reactors

Russia has moved to help Iran with its nuclear program as European states trigger snapback sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) welcomes Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov (L) and Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazeem Gharibabadi.

Analysis

How far will China, Russia go in shielding Iran from UN sanctions?

Iran is lobbying states to resist enforcement of UN sanctions — looking particularly to China and Russia to blunt the impact, even as questions remain about the limits of their willingness to act.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iranians drive next to a billboard displaying pictures of nuclear scientists, centrifuges and a sentence reading in Farsi, "Science is the power," at the Enqelab Square in Tehran, on Aug. 29, 2025.

Iran rial hits record low 1.13M to dollar as UN snapback sanctions resume: What to know

The sanctions, which were trigged by the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, will not hinder Iranian oil exports to China, an official said.

Thomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images

Russia, Iran sign deal to build small nuclear power plants: What to know

As Iran grapples with energy shortages and renewed sanctions pressure, Tehran and Moscow signed a memorandum Wednesday to expand nuclear cooperation through the construction of small nuclear power plants.

Latest News

Araghchi pushes last-ditch diplomacy at UN as Iran braces for sanctions snapback

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a joint press conference following the signing of an Egypt-backed agreement on practical modalities to resume nuclear inspections on the Iranian nuclear program on Sept. 9, 2025 in Cairo, Egypt.

Iran's nuclear chief in Moscow, eyes nuclear power plant deal with Russia

Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, speaks during the 69th annual International Atomic Energy Agency general conference on Sept. 15, 2025, in Vienna, Austria.

Analysis

UN snapback sanctions deepen Iran’s 'sense of siege,' fuel fears of reprisal

Iranians walk past shops in the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on Aug. 13, 2025.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

IEA report: Mideast electricity generation to rise 50% by 2035 as renewables expand

The tallest solar power tower in the world at 260 meters is pictured at the concentrated solar thermal power Noor Energy 1 solar complex at Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, about 50 kilometers south of Dubai, on July 19, 2025.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

A man walks past a stranded car on a flooded street in Dubai following heavy rains on April 18, 2024.

Dubai's record rainfall spotlights Gulf’s troubled relation with water

The Gulf’s longterm love–hate relationship with water lies behind a year and a half's worth of rain that fell on Dubai in 24 hours. It includes climate change-induced shifting rainfall patterns, groundwater extractions and unsustainable consumption.

United Arab Emirates

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.

A picture taken on Nov. 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Iran begins building 4 more nuclear power plants amid IAEA warnings

Western officials have long suspected Tehran of looking to produce nuclear weapons, though Iran denies this.

GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/AFP via Getty Images

What does Sisi-Putin latest nuclear plant deal mean for Egypt, Russia?

Egypt is hoping nuclear energy will help meet its substantial power needs as Russia eyes a greater nuclear foothold in the region.

Rafael Grossi

Davos 2024: IAEA chief says monitoring of Iran nuclear sites 'not at a good place'

Asked by Al-Monitor if Iran was close to enriching weapons-grade uranium, Grossi responded, “They are already there.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 22, 2023. Netanyahu called for arch-enemy Iran to face a "credible" threat of nuclear attack to stop the clerical state from obtaining an atom bomb. "Above all -- above all -- Iran must face a credible nuclear threat. As long as I'm prime minister of Israel, I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons," Netanyahu told the assembly (Ph

Analysis

As Netanyahu bends on Saudi nuclear bid, Israeli experts sound alarm

Israeli nuclear experts and security seniors object to the path Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be taking toward allowing Saudi Arabia to establish a nuclear program on its soil.

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

Prince Abdulaziz

Saudi Arabia inches closer to nuclear power with wider IAEA access

The kingdom's energy minister said that the country plans tougher checks by the International Atomic Energy Agency on its nuclear activities.

MBS

Saudi Arabia's MBS warns if Iran gets nuclear weapons, 'we have to get one'

Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman said that a normalization deal with Israel is getting "closer" as the negotiations continue on a Saudi civilian nuclear program.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) inspect Chinese honour guards during a welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 2, 2019. (Photo by WANG ZHAO / AFP) (Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey, China near agreement on nuclear power plant

If built, the facility will likely be Turkey's third nuclear plant, with Russia currently constructing its first.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi watches combat drones alongside high-ranking officials and commanders during a military parade marking the country's annual army day, Tehran, Iran, April 18, 2023.

Why is Iran boasting upper hand in intelligence war against Israel?

Iran has recently been projecting with growing confidence the image of being on the winning side in the continuing intelligence war that it has been waging against Israel for years.

A man walks past a power station on the outskirts of Beijing, April 7, 2005.

Analysis

US-Saudi nuclear cooperation makes sense because of China, not just Israel

The Biden administration plays the long game with China in the Middle East; prospects for a GCC gas grid; Hydrogen race is on in the Gulf.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia mulls Chinese bid to build nuclear plant

The news will irk Washington, which wants Riyadh to not be able to develop nuclear weapons.