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

Iran cover image

Iran

November 12, 2026

Tehran 7:21 am

5°C

Iraqi President Nizar Amede (R) greets Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (L) on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, on Nov. 11,2026. Iraqi Presidency

Iranian, Iraqi presidents meet after border closure, militia row: What to know

It was the first meeting between the countries’ leaders since Iraq shut the Sheeb border crossing with Iran in late October, a move a senior Iraqi official later tied to pressure from Washington.

Shoppers enter a SuperValu store in Haggardstown, Dundalk, Ireland on November 2, 2026. Grocery stores in at least six European countries saw temperatures in their cold cases soar on Monday, with several confirming they had been hit by a cyberattack similar to one three weeks ago in France. Supermarkets in Ireland, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Luxembourg and Sweden were among those affected in the latest hacker attack. (Photo by Arthur CARRON / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran's alleged cyberattacks in France raise fears of wider confrontation

Iran's wartime threats are increasingly reaching beyond the Middle East, exposing vulnerabilities in Europe's civilian infrastructure and raising questions about Tehran's use of deniable operations to pressure its adversaries.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles

Iran unveils new underground 'missile city': What to know

Iran has moved much of its missile stockpile underground as the threat of a new war looms.

Latest News

Hormuz LNG shipments hit wartime high, but Qatar lags

PATRICK MEINHARDT / AFP via Getty Images

GCC to build military command center in Kuwait as region simmers: What to know

ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images

France blames Iran for supermarket fridge hack, seeks EU sanctions

This photograph shows empty fresh-food refrigerators at an Intermarche supermarket in Nevez, France, on Oct. 12, 2026, following a cyberattack that caused its refrigerators to defrost.

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

Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki bin Abdullah al Saud, deputy governor of the Riyadh, meets Saudi Royal Force pilots during the inauguration of the Bahrain International Airshow held at the Sakhir Air Base, south of Manama, January 16, 2014. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed (BAHRAIN - Tags: ROYALS POLITICS TRANSPORT MILITARY) - RTX17GM3

Saudi king’s sons well-placed for transition

King Abdullah’s sons hold key positions of influence in the government as the kingdom transitions to the next generation of Saudi royals.

Government losing control over veiling, says Khamenei adviser

Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, also a member of the Iranian Parliament, believes that the government needs a united front to address the issue of veiling and recommended subsidies for factories that produce veils.

Iran official: Revealing extent of corruption could cause 'social shock'

Gholamali Jafarzadeh has said that details of the Iranian Parliament's investigation into Ahmadinejad-era corruption would cause a "social shock" and harm the government if it is made public.

Iran prosecutor denies summoning Facebook founder

The news, now denied, that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was summoned by an Iranian court in response to privacy complaints originated from a Basij official and an Iranian court.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (2nd L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) attend a meeting at the Xijiao State Guesthouse in Shanghai, May 22, 2014. REUTERS/Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Pool (CHINA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3QALE

Rouhani under fire for saying heaven can’t be forced

Influential Iranian conservative Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami has criticized President Hassan Rouhani for saying that people cannot be taken "to heaven through force and a whip."

Kadima party leader Shaul Mofaz (C) leaves after convening a news conference in Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv July 17, 2012. Israel's Kadima party quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition on Tuesday in a dispute over drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military, but the government was not expected to collapse because it still had a majority in parliament. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY RELIGION) - RTR350PV

Mofaz: 'Strategic situation worse' on Iran

In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz argues that US over-involvement in Israeli-Palestinian talks only alienated both sides, and the only feasible solution is a two-stage agreement with the Palestinians, even while talking with Hamas.

Iran businessman hanged for embezzlement

Iran has executed businessman Mehafarid Amri-Khosravi for crimes connected to a $2.7 billion embezzlement scheme, Iran's largest-ever embezzlement case.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wait for the start of talks in Vienna May 14, 2014. Six world powers and Iran launch the decisive phase of diplomacy over Tehran's nuclear work during three-day talks starting in Vienna on Wednesday, with the aim of resolving their decade-old dispute by July 20 despite skepticism a deal is possible. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger (AUSTRIA - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTR3P1ZA

US, Iran cannot afford another missed opportunity

In his new book, Seyed Hossein Mousavian recounts new details of how the chances for US-Iran engagement after 9/11 and the 2003-2005 nuclear negotiations were wasted, at great cost.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wait for the start of talks in Vienna May 14, 2014. Six world powers and Iran launch the decisive phase of diplomacy over Tehran's nuclear work during three-day talks starting in Vienna on Wednesday, with the aim of resolving their decade-old dispute by July 20 despite skepticism a deal is possible. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger (AUSTRIA - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTR3P1Z8

Iran nuclear talks hit snag over sanctions

Lifting US sanctions, as called for in the Joint Plan of Action, would eventually require dealing with Hezbollah.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.
The front of the new Iranian 100,000 Rials (about $10) bank note, bearing a picture of Iran's late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, is seen in this handout picture released to Reuters June 22, 2010. REUTERS/ISNA/Handout (IRAN - Tags: BUSINESS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - RTR2FJQN

Iranian currency on downward trend

The Iranian rial has lost 10% of its value since mid-March.

An Egyptian soldier stands near the Egyptian national flag and the Israeli flag at the Taba crossing between Egypt and Israel, about 430 km (256 miles) northeast of Cairo, October 26, 2011. Israel and Egypt said on Monday they have struck a deal to swap 25 Egyptians in Israeli custody for a U.S.-Israeli dual national accused by Cairo of espionage, in a step seen as easing strains between the strategic neighbors. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El-Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - RTR2T7XN

Israel-Egypt anti-terrorism cooperation at zenith

Israel adapts to a new alliance structure based on common security interests, and in anticipation of a nuclear Middle East.

Iran official says nuclear file back with National Security Council

According to a member of Iran's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Iran’s nuclear file has been returned to the council by the Foreigh Ministry.