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

Iran cover image

Iran

November 6, 2026

Tehran 1:23 am

15°C

Russian Mil Mi-8 military helicopters fly over a joint Russian and Turkish convoy, northeastern Hasakeh province, Syria, Feb. 4, 2021.

Russia to provide Iran with 90 missile launchers as military ties grow: Reports

Multiple recent reports reveal increased Russian support for Iran, including weapons and intelligence sharing.

A sign marking the border of Turkey in Van, Turkey, on March 14, 2026.

Turkey says soldier killed by gunfire from Iran at border: What to know

Turkey said a soldier was killed by suspected gunfire from Iran, as Ankara seeks closer cooperation with Tehran on border security.

An aerial view shows a campaign billboard depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party and President Donald Trump in Tel Aviv, on Oct. 26, 2026, on the eve of Israel's legislative elections.

Explainer

Democrats’ midterm sweep tests US-Israel ties as Eisenkot vows reset

Political sources describe the Democrats' midterm victory as a political blow to both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iranians walk along a building installed with a giant poster depicting Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during a rally in front of the former US embassy to mark the anniversary of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, in Tehran on Nov. 4, 2026.

Analysis

Iran cheers Democrats’ midterm victory but fears Trump's next move

The Democratic win was a victory Tehran had been waiting to claim and project as evidence that Trump's confrontation with Iran has backfired.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

From Tehran to Tel Aviv, Democrats’ midterm triumph sparks Middle East reactions

The sun sets on the US Capitol on Election Day evening on Nov. 3, 2026 in Washington.

Explainer

War, oil, AI: What US midterms could mean for Middle East economies

RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images

Iran executes two men in case tied to January protests: What to know

A police officer monitors traffic as he stands under portraits of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, on Oct. 21, 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

This image obtained from the Iranian news agency IRNA on October 16, 2022.

British-American detainee Tahbaz returned to Iran's Evin Prison

Morad Tahbaz, who also holds Iranian citizenship, was released on a temporary furlough in July.

Iran protest

Analysis

The Takeaway: US weighs options amid Iran’s protest crackdown

The Biden administration has rolled out new sanctions on Iranian officials linked to the widening crackdown on protesters, but is facing pressure to do more from activists who want the regime toppled.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Andrew Parasiliti

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti

Iran drones

Iran denies its drones are being used in Ukraine war

Iran's foreign minister warned Europe against taking an "unconstructive" path with further sanctions.

Worshippers pray at the Shah-e Cheragh shrine on May 29, 2014, in Shiraz, Iran.

At least 15 shot dead at Iranian shrine

The Islamic State reportedly claimed the attack.

Iran protest

US targets Iranian officials with new wave of sanctions

The sanctions targeting 14 individuals and three entities came as Iranian mourners marked 40 days since Mahsa Amini’s death in custody.

Iranian security forces intensify raids on girls' schools

Parents outraged by latest actions to suppress protests, as students heckle government official.

Afghan women hold placards as they take part in a protest in front of the Iranian Embassy in Kabul on Sept. 29, 2022.

As Iran protests enter sixth week, women take to Afghanistan's streets

Some of the largest protests led by women started after a Sept. 30 suicide attack on an educational center in Kabul in which 53 Hazara girls were killed.

IRGC members seen patrolling Zahedan in an image uploaded to Twitter on Oct. 24, 2022.

Iran maintains silence on 'massacre' in Sunni-majority city

Iranian authorities were accused of covering up the killing of over 90 Balouch minority civilians in what activists are mourning as "the bloody Friday."

A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran, reportedly shows a motorcycle on fire in Tehran, on Oct. 8, 2022.

Iran protests continue in universities

Protests in Iran have continued to spread to universities, presenting a new challenge to the Islamic Republic.

Leon Neal/Getty Images

Next British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's views on Middle East

The Conservative statesman has expressed fairly mainstream views on Israel, Iran and other regional issues.

Ukraine drone

Iran 'directly engaged' in Russia’s war in Ukraine, White House says

The Pentagon is actively consulting with allies to provide air defense systems to Ukraine to defend against Russia’s bombardments using Iranian drones.

Russia / Mideast

There are reports from different cities of Iran that the government of the Islamic Republic uses children under the age of 18 as repression forces. This child in Shahrood is wearing a military uniform and holding a baton

Lawmaker suggests Iran recruited children for protest crackdown

Pictures have emerged of juveniles in riot gear helping to crush Iran's anti-government protests.