Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the situation in Iran and the possibility of extending the ceasefire. United States
Iranian rial hits new record low as blockade, war take toll: What to know The rial had another collapse in late 2025, triggering massive protests and riots in the country that were ended by a forceful government crackdown. Iran
Pentagon: Iran war has cost US estimated $25B so far A supplemental request won’t be delivered to Congress until the Pentagon fully assesses the war’s cost, a top budget official told House lawmakers. Iran
Analysis How long can Iran's economy withstand Trump's naval blockade? Iranian authorities are denouncing US seizures of the country's oil tankers as piracy, but mounting disruptions to maritime trade are exposing economic fragility beneath Tehran's claims of control and resilience. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
'No pretext to delay' Iraqi Kurdistan parliament elections, says Masoud Barzani Iraqi Kurdish leader, in exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, cites "positive atmosphere" of budget talks, discusses prospects for oil law, relations with the United States, Iran, China and issues affecting the Kurdish people in Iraq and the region. Iraq
Russia fighter jet collides with US drone over Black Sea amid concerns of Iran arms transfers Loss of the USAF MQ-9 comes as Russia has provided weapons technology to Iran, including US arms captured in Ukraine. Russia
Iran protesters torch Soleimani monument as crackdown intensifies Amid renewed protests six months into the unrest, the Iranian establishment's heavy-handed response appeared to have failed to bridge its widening gap with the disillusioned public. Iran
'No deal' on US-Iran prisoner exchange: White House White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed "there's no deal" to free the Americans held by Iran. Iran
Iran lashes out at France as efforts to release French prisoners stall Tehran is blaming Paris' unhelpful attitude and 'interventionism' as efforts to release six French people detained in the country drag on. Iran
Belarus' President Lukashenko in Iran, meets Raisi The first visit in 17 years comes as Iran and Belarus are increasingly brought together over their alliance with Russia amid the war in Ukraine. Iran
China triumphs with Saudi-Iran deal, but devil in implementation The deal marks a turning point in Middle Eastern politics, but China may find its role undermined by failures in implementation. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis China leaps into Saudi-Iran diplomacy as nuclear talks move Iranian official says next move on prisoner exchange depends on US. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
Iran-India ties strained by geopolitics, buoyed by economics This decision by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian to boycott a conference in India is a reminder of political, economic and military tensions between the two South Asian countries. Iran
US will 'protect' its technology against China theft in Middle East: Leaf Barbara Leaf, top Middle East official at the State Department told Al-Monitor that the Syrian government is participating in the drug trade, and blamed Iran for the failure of the nuclear deal. Iran
In Israel, US defense chief Austin warns of heightened Iran-Russia cooperation US defense chief Lloyd Austin said Biden administration officials are "especially disturbed" by Israeli settler violence against Palestinians, but vowed nothing would get in the way of Washington's support for Israel's security as it faces threats from Iran. Israel
