Iran - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Iran cover image

Iran

May 7, 2026

Tehran 10:03 pm

26°C

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China in Beijing on May 6, 2026. Credit: Telegram

Analysis

China shores up Iran support as Trump seeks exit

China understands how badly Trump wants an exit from the conflict. But timing is critical: if no agreement is reached before Trump arrives in China on Thursday, Beijing would be better positioned to set the agenda.

Joyce Karam

An Iranian woman holds up an image of Iran's new supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iran president says he held official meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know

The president’s announcement marks the first public confirmation of a meeting between a senior official and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the start of the war.

Latest News

Iran, China discuss Hormuz reopening amid potential US-Iran talks

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second right, talks to his Iranian Counterpart Abbas Araghchi, left, during the bilateral meeting in Beijing, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Rubio warns Iran of 'total defeat' if it refuses deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on May 5, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Analysis

Iran's Gulf gambit: Attacking the UAE to shift US calculations

A billboard with the image of the late Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wraps the front of a building in Tehran on May 5, 2026.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

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

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Benjamin Houghton

In Durham, reporting on China in the Middle East

Rahim Rahimov

In Baku, reporting on Middle East-Caucasus ties

Mehrnaz Samimi

In Washington, DC, reporting on Iranian culture

Iranians gather during a protest to voice their anger after their province's lifeblood river dried up due to drought and diversion, in the central city of Isfahan, on Nov. 19, 2021.

Water protests spread in Iran

Farmers in a second province in Iran protest the water crisis in their region.

Le Drian

France warns Iran against making nuclear talks a 'sham'

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also said France had yet to determine whether Iran was ready to pick up where the talks left off in June.

FATMEH NASR/ISNA/AFP via Getty Images

Thousands of Iranians protest water scarcity in Isfahan

The demonstrations in Isfahan follow widespread protests over water shortages in the oil-rich southwestern Khuzestan province in July.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Iran denounces US sanctions over election interference

Iran said the new sanctions imposed on a group of Iranians for alleged election meddling were a continuation of the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign.

Iran Canada

Iran lashes out at Canada over UN rights resolution

A UN resolution condemning serious rights abuses by the Islamic Republic drew rage from Tehran, with a particularly harsh diatribe directed at Canada as the architect of the motion.

Empty voting booths are seen in Flint, Michigan at the Berston Fieldhouse polling place on Nov. 3, 2020.

US charges two Iranians over campaign to influence 2020 election

The US Treasury Department also announced sanctions on the Iranians and an Iran-based company for their role in the alleged influence campaign.

Iran mosque

Members of Iran’s parliament seek prosecution of Rouhani

Conservative members of Iran’s parliament are seeking a legal case against former President Hassan Rouhani over his response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Cyber Director Chris Inglis listens during a hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

US says Iran-sponsored hackers targeting health, transportation sectors

US authorities and their British and Australian counterparts warned the hackers had exploited flaws in Microsoft Exchange and Fortinet “to target a broad range of victims" across critical US sectors.

FARS NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images

Oil pipeline reportedly explodes in Iran's Khuzestan region

Tasnim news agency reported the blast "caused small tremors" but no casualties.

JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images

Iran increases enriched uranium, prevents inspector access, says IAEA

Confidential International Atomic Energy Agency reports have revealed Iran is still restricting inspectors' access to Karaj, where The Wall Street Journal reports the production of advanced centrifuges has resumed.

Iran parliament

Iran parliament rejects Raisi's pick for education minister

Despite its close alliance with the hard-line president, the parliament seemed to have bowed to public arguments that the nominee was unfit for the key post.

Director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi.

Iran says IAEA director to visit soon

Iran has presented its case ahead of the nuclear talks.