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

Iran cover image

Iran

September 4, 2026

Tehran 5:05 pm

31°C

A commercial vessel passes through an international shipping lane off Yemen's Hanish Island in the Red Sea on July 27, 2026.

Saudi oil exports hit nine-year low as tanker attacks threaten recovery

The country’s oil exports were around 3 million barrels per day in August.

A women stands overlooking the water as ships are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 10, 2026, off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran.

US expands Iran campaign with strikes on oil tankers

Airstrikes on Iranian oil tankers mark a subtle tactical pivot after months of periodic bombardment targeting IRGC military infrastructure failed to shut down the IRGC’s attacks in Hormuz.

In this picture obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim on September 2, 2026 a destroyed vehicle is pictured at the site of an overnight strike in Kuhestak, Sirik County, in Iran's southern Hormozgan province on September 2, 2026. Iranian forces said on September 2 that they launched attacks on US military targets in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and other countries in the region, vowing "severe" consequences for renewed American attacks on the Islamic republic. (Photo by Masoud Moha

Iran vows continued military action amid renewed hostilities with US

Iran responded to US attacks with a wave of drone and missile strikes against countries across the region, raising fears of a return to war.

Latest News

Analysis

Can Iran’s economic buffers withstand new US sanctions?

A shopkeeper in Tehran

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

US airstrikes target Iran's Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island

ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel favors status quo as tensions in Iran's leadership fuel escalation risk

missile

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

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

Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Enrique Mora arrives at the Coburg Palace, venue of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) meeting that aims at reviving the Iran nuclear deal, in Vienna on Feb. 8, 2022.

Iranian negotiator back in Vienna for 'final days' of talks

Iran’s lead negotiator made a brief trip to Tehran to consult before returning to Vienna.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani arrives at the Coburg Palais, venue of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) meeting aimed at reviving the Iran nuclear deal, in Vienna on Dec. 27, 2021.

Iran negotiator returns home amid uncertainties in Vienna talks

Hope seems to be fading in Iran for an agreement on restoring the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers after Russia sought separate sanctions relief guarantees in its own favor.

US President Joe Biden announces a ban on US imports of Russian oil and gas, March 8, 2022, from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC.

Biden bans Russian oil imports as Iran talks hit snag

The embargo on Russian energy supplies comes as negotiators in Vienna appear close to striking a deal that would ease sanctions on Iran’s oil sector.

JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images

Iran says Ukraine war will not impede nuclear talks

Iran is seeking details on comments made by Russia about sanctions and the nuclear talks.

Iran prisoners

Analysis

Will there be an Iran nuclear deal? What you need to know

The Biden administration, consumed by Russia-Ukraine crisis, may be close to the end on one of its top foreign policy priorities.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Ahmadinejad

Former Iranian president Ahmadinejad praises Ukraine’s ‘resistance,’ rebukes Islamic Republic’s support for Russia

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has criticized the Iranian government on several occasions since leaving office.

afael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

IAEA chief to visit Tehran as nuclear talks near finish line

Despite what was reported as complicated, last-minute conditions set by the Iranian side, informal statements by Russian and European negotiators indicated that the talks in Vienna were reaching a conclusion.

US Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) .

Iran accuses Lindsey Graham of calling for assassination of Iranian scientists

The Republican lawmaker told reporters in Jerusalem last month that he would “expect more accidents” to befall Iranian scientists in an apparent reference to alleged Israeli assassinations of the country’s nuclear scientists.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi delivers a speech during a parliament session on the occasion of Parliament Day in Tehran on Dec. 1 2021.

Iran’s NSC meets with lawmakers over nuclear deal

Iranian media is accusing Western media of playing the blame game in the final days of the nuclear talks.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani (R).

Analysis

The Takeaway: Ukraine war looms over Iran nuclear talks, energy markets

More on the Ukraine War from Israel, Russia, Lebanon and Gaza; Nile Dam crisis escalates … all in less than 1,100 words.

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Joe Snell

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell

Khamenei

Iran's supreme leader blames US for Russia war on Ukraine

Iran's supreme leader said the United States was the "root cause" of the Ukraine war as he refrained from condemning Russia for the invasion.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh speaks to media during a press conference in Tehran on Nov. 15, 2021.

Iran says US should not 'stretch out' nuclear talks

Iranian officials said most of the nuclear agreement is ready and the United States needs to make a political decision.