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September 15, 2026

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Houthi top diplomat cites 'common ground' with Iran amid sweeping Red Sea gains

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Acting Foreign Minister of the Houthi-led administration Abdulwahid Abu Ras said concerns over a potential closure of the Red Sea are being fueled by Saudi Arabia.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

VTB Bank in Moscow

US hits major Russian bank VTB with Iran-linked sanctions

State-controlled VTB becomes one of the most prominent global names yet caught up in Washington’s ongoing effort to squeeze Iran's economy.

Milak border crossing near the town of Zabol, Iran

Third Sunni cleric killed in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province: What to know

Iran says it is stepping up its crackdown on armed groups in the impoverished province as Sunni clerics have been reported killed there and in the predominantly Kurdish northwest.

AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Saudi pipeline shutdown exposes shrinking global oil-supply buffers

Oil prices have climbed to their highest since May as disruptions to flows through the Strait of Hormuz and the temporary shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline tighten global supply.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Latest News

Oil tops $109 after Houthi strikes, Saudi pipeline shutdown

A sailor from the navy of Yemen's Aden-based internationally recognized government stands at a machine-gun position aboard a vessel patrolling a shipping lane off Hanish Island in the Red Sea on July 27, 2026.

Analysis

As Houthis seize Bab el-Mandeb, Iran appraises value of new Red Sea card

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities gather in Sanaa on Sept. 10, 2026.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Claude AI used for missile, influence projects in UAE, Iran, Yemen: Anthropic

member of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces firing a heavy machine gun

Analysis

Could Iran’s nuclear ambitions harden as war escalates?

Pedestrians walk past a wall mural along a street in downtown of Tehran on Aug. 31, 2026.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

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

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (C), Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, National Security Council point person on the Middle East Robert Malley (front L) and Chief of Staff Jon Finer (R) meet on the terrace of a hotel where the Iran nuclear talks meetings are being held in Vienna, Austria July 2, 2015. Iran's stockpile of low-enriched uranium gas dropped below the maximum level required under a 2013 interim nuclear agreement with world powers, a U.N. report showed, but a U.S. t

Iran’s Additional Protocol concerns need not stop deal

Iran has little to worry about in agreeing to enforce the NPT Additional Protocol, with resources like "managed access" and precedents for dispute resolution from other countries.

Rafsanjani's Instagram diplomacy

Hashemi Rafsanjani is engaging in Instagram diplomacy with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran.

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini talks to journalists outside Palais Coburg, the venue for nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria, July 7, 2015. Iran and major powers will continue negotiations on an historic nuclear deal past a deadline for a long-term agreement, which is set to expire later on Tuesday, Mogherini said. "We are continuing to negotiate for the next couple of days. This does not mean we are extending our deadline," Mogherini told reporters. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger - RTX1JDO3

Iran talks kick into overdrive

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said the negotiators need a couple more days to try to conclude a final Iran nuclear accord.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, US Secretary of State John Kerry, British Foreign minister Philip Hammond (not seen), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, German Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, EU Deputy Secretary General for the External Action Service Helga Schmid, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Ja

Negotiators may ‘stop the clock’ to finish Iran deal

While the July 7 deadline for the Iran nuclear talks may not be met, officials still hope to have a deal by July 9 in order to avoid giving the US Congress a 60-day window to review the deal instead of a 30-day one.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani arrives to attend the closing statement for the Asian-African Conference in Jakarta April 23, 2015.
REUTERS/Darren Whiteside - RTX19YAE

Iranians look to post-deal economic, political challenges

As Iran moves toward a final nuclear deal, the national media is buzzing with the domestic political and economic issues to be addressed the day after.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry addresses a news conference in front of Palais Coburg, the venue for nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria, July 5, 2015. The top U.S. and Iranian diplomats met for a sixth consecutive day on Sunday to try to resolve obstacles to a nuclear accord, including when Iran would get sanctions relief and what advanced research and development it may pursue. Iran and the United States have made "genuine progress" on a nuclear deal but there are several difficult issues to resolve and W

House starts its review of Iran deal

A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of July 6.

Head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi (2nd R) walks near the hotel where the Iran nuclear talks meetings are being held in Vienna, Austria in Vienna, Austria July 4, 2015. Iran and world powers made progress on future sanctions relief for Iran in marathon nuclear talks on Saturday, but remained divided on issues such as lifting United Nations sanctions and the development of advanced centrifuges. REUTERS/Carlos Barria TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1J12P

Finish line in sight at Iran nuclear talks

Substantial progress has been made in resolving key issues for a final Iran nuclear deal, but diplomats said some big and small issues still remain to be overcome to conclude the deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stands on the balcony of Palais Coburg, the venue for nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria, July 2, 2015. Iran and six world powers gave themselves an extra week to reach a final nuclear accord after it became clear they would miss a deadline on Tuesday, with U.S. and Iranian officials sounding upbeat even though obstacles remain.
REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger - RTX1IPX5

Zarif: US must decide between deal, sanctions

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discusses the final steps necessary to seal the Iran deal.

A security personnel asks reporters to leave a room where U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) is meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (2nd R) at a hotel in Vienna, Austria July 1, 2015. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Yukiya Amano will be in Tehran on Thursday to discuss monitoring sensitive nuclear sites with senior officials as major powers and Iran seek a breakthrough in forging a lasting nuclear agreement. Iran and world powers gave themselves an extra week on Tu

Opportunities for US-Iran cooperation await nuclear deal

If signed, a nuclear accord might spur better relations between the United States and Iran.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano addresses a news conference after a board of governors meeting at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, June 8, 2015. Any possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear programme can be clarified if the details of a preliminary deal sealed in April between Tehran and six world powers are implemented, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog Amano said on Monday. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1FN0B

Iran's conservatives suspicious after IAEA head's visit

Iranian conservatives believe that the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, traveled to Tehran to resolve issues over possible military dimensions.

A supporter of Iranian former Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref, holds a portrait of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi who is under the house arrest since February 2011, during a campaign rally for Aref in Tehran on June 10, 2013. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Larijani comments renew calls for release of Mousavi, Karroubi

Remarks by Iran's judiciary that the 2009 protests were not trying to overthrow the government have led to a call by an Iranian MP to end the house arrest of Green Movement leaders.

Tehran art auction attracts buyers, controversy

Tehran's biggest art auction attracted accusations of money laundering as well as record bids.