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

White House, Washington DC, United States of America

United States

July 14, 2026

Washington D.C. 2:21 pm

33°C

Analysis

As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat

Israel is worried that the United States is centering the Strait of Hormuz, deprioritizing the threat of a nuclear Iran.

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

US President Donald Trump gestures as he steps off Air Force One to board the new Qatari-gifted Boeing plane, en route to the United States following his participation in the NATO Summit at Royal Air Force Mildenhall on July 8, 2026, in Mildenhall, England.

Trump says US to strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site

Satellite imagery has detected recent construction at the underground facility.

A man holds a Syrian flag across the street from the White House after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with President Donald Trump at White House in Washington, on Nov. 10, 2025.

Syria, US hold first business forum since sanctions relief: What to know

The one-day forum in Damascus was organized by Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry and the US-Syria Business Council, which was established in Washington last June to advance trade and investment between the two nations.

Latest News

Analysis

On first foreign trip, Iraqi PM Zaidi woos Trump but Iran casts long shadow

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at a Council of Ministers meeting in Baghdad on July 11, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Oil climbs after US strikes Iran, Trump vows to control Strait of Hormuz

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Trump says US to resume naval blockade of Iran's ports

U.S. President Donald Trump returns to Joint Base Andrews on July 09, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump, switched from the old Air Force One to the new Air Force One while stopping in the U.K. at RAF Mildenhall Air Force Base was returning from his visit to Ankara, Turkey where he attended the NATO summit. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh gestures as he delivers a speech in Gaza City January 23, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC13FF6CB150

Will Hamas resume war against Israel?

Hamas leaders would never admit that they failed in managing the Gaza Strip, which is why they might opt for another round of violence against Israel.

Iranian media react to populist cleric's victory in Iraq elections

There is some speculation in Iranian media that populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s election victory is tantamount to a greater Saudi role in Iraq.

US pullout from Iran deal rattles Turkey’s Syria agenda

Ankara faces a navigational nightmare in Syria as each new regional development seems to push its divergent objectives further apart.

Will PA follow through with pledges to change agreements with Israel?

The Palestinian National Council recently took a series of decisions that Palestinian analysts say will affect relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli soldiers patrol near a burning field on the Israeli side of the border between Israel and Gaza, May 14, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1FB2222060

Israel’s blurred red line of self-defense

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu uses the excuse of self-defense to target other regimes and to make a mockery of decisions by the international community.

A wounded Palestinian demonstrator is evacuated during a protest against U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem and ahead of the 70th anniversary of Nakba, at the Israel-Gaza border in the southern Gaza Strip May 14, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa - RC1119F74020

What's next in Israel-Palestinian conflict?

With Israel riding high after a series of political and military victories, and the Palestinians having suffered 60 deaths on the Gaza border at the hands of the IDF, observers wonder what's next for the leaderships on both sides.

Palestinian demonstrators run from tear gas fired by Israeli troops during a protest against U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem and ahead of the 70th anniversary of Nakba, at the Israel-Gaza border east of Gaza City May 14, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1385445700

US opens Jerusalem embassy amid Gaza bloodshed

The Donald Trump administration and US lawmakers celebrated the grand opening of the new US Embassy today as Israeli soldiers killed dozens of protesting Palestinians.

Israeli group looks to bring peace back into agenda

Amid Israeli hopelessness and indifference toward the conflict with the Palestinians, the Geneva Initiative convened a conference on restoring a dialogue on the two-state solution.

Putin’s stock rises as 'go-to' mediator between Israel, Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have given Russian president advance notice of attack on Syria; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labels United States as loser in decision to withdraw from Iran nuclear deal.

Saudi defense spending soars, but not to America's benefit

Saudi Arabia's military spending is not currently benefiting the United States, as no large arms deals are on the table.

Will escalation in Iran-US tensions impact Syria conflict?

With tension between the United States and Iran rapidly increasing, northern and eastern Syria could witness an upsurge in proxy clashes between parties backed by each side.

Europe fears Trump, Netanyahu encouraging Iran's hard-liners

The European Union fears that the positions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump could generate an all-out war with Iran.