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August 28, 2026

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Demonstrations in Tehran, Iran

Analysis

How Iran is readying for economic protests as Trump escalates pressure

Iranian authorities are bracing for unrest as US pressure collides with a battered economy, fuel price indecision and fresh memories of bloodshed.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

US President Donald Trump arrives at Myrtle Beach International Airport on Aug. 21, 2026, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Trump says Hormuz mine-free as Iran, Oman agree to clear them

The US president again says Hormuz is clear of mines as Iran and Oman announce their plan to clear the strait.

BAY ISMOYO / AFP via Getty Images

China warns US not to interfere with Iran trade: What to know

China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing was firmly opposed to what it called “illegal unilateral sanctions” and would take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its rights.

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Israel recalibrates Syria policy, explores path to security deal

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (C) watches as US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack prepares to sign an agreement in Damascus on September 16, 2025. Shaibani announced on September 16 a plan backed by Jordan and the United States to restore calm to Druze-majority Sweida province, which witnessed deadly violence in July. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)

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

In 'warning shot,' US threatens sanctions on Iran’s trading partners

Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent addresses the audience during opening remarks at the Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism at the State Department on July 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. Bessent spoke alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as they discussed the rise of far-left political terrorism as a transnational threat. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

Oil falls 1.8% as traders await 'toughest' sanctions on Iran

Leon Neal/Getty Images

Analysis

Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them

ANKARA, TURKEY - JULY 7: U.S. President Donald Trump (L)shakes hands with with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) during a formal arrival at the Bestepe Presidential Palace during the NATO summit on July 7, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey. Leaders from NATO's 32 countries, plus NATO allies like Ukraine, gathered in the Turkish capital to discuss a range of issues involving spending targets, defense industrial production, and support for Ukraine, among other topics. (Photo by Emrah Gurel - Pool/Getty Images)

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

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

President Donald Trump is greeted by Air Force Col. Paul R. Pawluk as he arrives to board Air Force One on May 12, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

From Nixon to Trump: A look at US presidential visits to the Gulf

As Trump prepares for his visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Al-Monitor looks back at the history of US presidential trips to the Gulf.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Trump may visit Turkey Thursday for Erdogan’s Russia-Ukraine talks

The US president floated the idea of traveling to Turkey on Thursday for a potential meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.

Edan Alexander

Edan Alexander, last American hostage, released from Gaza after Trump-Hamas deal

American envoys are waiting to meet with released hostage Edan Alexander, released from Hamas captivity in a deal negotiated between Washington and Hamas without Israel involved.

A sign showing the face of Israeli-US hostage Edan Alexander (C), who has been held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 2023, is pictured among portraits of other Israelis held captive in Gaza at Hostages Square, Tel Aviv, May 12, 2025.

Trump-Hamas deal secures release of Edan Alexander: What to know

Preparations have started for the release of Israeli-US hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity in Gaza, though the group did not specify yet the exact hour.

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks as Vice President JD Vance (R) and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (C) embrace, during the swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House on May 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. Witkoff provided an update on the Houthi conflict in the Middle East. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

US 'encouraged' by latest Iran nuclear talks ahead of Trump's Gulf visit

After three hours of talks in Oman on Sunday, the two sides agreed to meet again to work through the technicalities of a potential deal.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to AFP during an interview at the Iranian consulate in Jeddah on March 7, 2025.

Analysis

Iran's counterbalancing act: Araghchi in Saudi Arabia ahead of Trump tour

The Iranian foreign minister's visit is seen as Tehran's effort to rally Saudi support behind its position in the US-Iran nuclear talks amid escalating threats from American officials, which have fueled uncertainty about the fate of the fragile diplomatic initiative.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 06: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a swearing-in ceremony for Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in the Oval Office at the White House on May 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump provided an update on the Houthi conflict in the Middle East. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Analysis

Why Trump agreed to ceasefire with Houthis that ignores Israel, root causes

Despite heavy bombardment, the Houthis retained significant missile and drone capabilities, adapted tactically, inflicted a $1 billion cost on US and emerged more strategically valuable to Iran.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 9, 2025. (Photo by YURI KOCHETKOV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by YURI KOCHETKOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt’s Sisi in Russia, meets Putin after military parade: What to know

Egypt and the Palestinian Authority both sent representatives to Russia for the annual World War II parade as they court ties with Moscow.

Palestine Vice President Hussein Sheikh meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on May 8, 2025.

Saudi crown prince hosts Palestinian VP Sheikh days before Trump visit

The trip comes ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom, as the Palestinian Authority eyes a role in postwar Gaza and Arab states push for a technocratic government in the enclave.

Khaldoun al-Mubarak, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Mubadala Investment Company, speaks at a panel session during the World Government Summit in Dubai on February 12, 2024. (Photo by RYAN LIM / AFP) (Photo by RYAN LIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Mubadala investments soar by 33% as UAE deepens AI ties with US

Mubadala made 119 billion Emirati dirhams ($32.4 billion) worth of investments in 2024, up 33.7% from the previous year, according to a Thursday statement from the UAE fund.

United Arab Emirates

MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images

Houthis pledge more attacks on Israel despite Trump truce: What to know

President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement of a ceasefire in Yemen drew mixed reactions from region as the Houthis vowed to continue strikes on Israel and some countries welcomed the truce as a step toward stability.

US President Donald Trump waits for the arrival of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2025. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump says US will stop bombing campaign against Houthis in Yemen

“They don’t want to fight anymore,” the US president said, announcing a pause in strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels.