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

Iran cover image

Iran

May 8, 2026

Tehran 12:35 pm

28°C

In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on May 4, 2026, the Iran-flagged tugboat Basim sails near a ship anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.

What to know about Iran's 'Persian Gulf Strait Authority' to control Hormuz traffic

The establishment of an entity seeking to control maritime transportation in the Strait of Hormuz is the latest sign that Iran wants to formalize authority in the strategic waterway.

Popular Mobilization Forces

US sets expectations for Iraq’s next PM to confront Iranian militias

The Trump administration is cautiously sizing up Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, as a potential partner in pushing back on Iranian influence.

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.

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

Ghalibaf

Iran protests gain momentum despite deadly crackdown

The protests that rocked the oil-rich province of Khuzestan have spread to other areas despite the government's iron-fist response and severe internet disruptions.

Iranians use internet at a cybercafe in the center of the Iranian capital Tehran on May 14, 2013.

Iran's parliament suspends controversial internet bill

Iran's parliament has decided to temporarily suspend a controversial bill that would block Iranians from major social media websites.

Muweis canal of Nile River in northern Egypt

How water has become a flashpoint in the Middle East

Al-Monitor reporting shows the increased risks and relevance of water security for Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia; Iran and Iraq; and Israel and Jordan.

2019 ahvaz street scene

Khamenei calls largely Arab province of Iran 'loyal' amid protests

Protesters in oil-rich Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran want clean drinking water, among other things.

An Iranian woman surfs the internet at a cybercafe in central Tehran on Jan. 24, 2011.

Watchdog: Internet disrupted in Iran amid water protests

The internet is heavily restricted in Iran, and the government initiated an internet blackout in 2019 during widespread protests in the country.

Iran's former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses reporters at the Interior Ministry headquarters.

Ahmadinejad accuses 'ring' in Iran intelligence of espionage

The serious allegation marked a new episode in the ex-president's confrontations with the Revolutionary Guards and its powerful intelligence branch.

An Iranian man rides a motorbike at Enghelab Square in the center of the capital, Tehran, on July 20, 2021, as authorities tighten restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tehran begins another round of coronavirus lockdowns

Iran has announced a new wave of restrictions in red zones as well as the capital.

Ali Rabiei

Iran spokesman says powerful body rejects nuclear deal with US

The statement by the spokesman for the moderate government confirmed a push by hard-liners in Tehran to make it impossible for a deal between the outgoing Rouhani government and the US administration to get final approval.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif looks on during a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Baghdad, Iraq, April 26, 2021.

Will Raisi follow Zarif’s path for reviving Iran nuclear deal?

Outgoing Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s final report on the Iran nuclear talks is self-serving in parts, but nonetheless charts a path to closing the JCPOA talks.

Three protesters killed during demonstrations against the water crisis are seen, from left to right: Ali Mazraeh, killed in Ahvaz, Mostafa Naeemawi, killed in Shadegan and Qasem Khozeiri killed in Kut Abdollah.

Iranians protesting water crisis killed in southwest Khuzestan province

After protests, officials have promised to address the water issue in Iran’s southwest region.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu reportedly urged Trump to attack Iran

The New Yorker has revealed former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's role in former US President Donald Trump's push to strike Iran during his final days in office.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Whither the Iran nuclear deal? Ask Raisi

Rouhani has transfered JCPOA file to Iran’s new hard-line president, who just might close the deal.