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Iran

September 17, 2026

Tehran 8:43 am

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China presses Iran, US to reopen Hormuz as disruptions threaten oil supply

Conflicts in the region are disrupting two key routes for oil bound for China, with Iranian crude affected by the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi shipments facing growing risks in the Red Sea.

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities, brandish their weapons during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa on September 10, 2026. The country relapsed into war in July after years of calm, drawn into the regional conflict triggered by the US-Israeli offensive against Iran that began at the end of February. (Photo by Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP via Getty Images)

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Lacking deterrence, Israel’s security establishment opposes attacks on Houthis

Senior Israeli intelligence sources told Al-Monitor that Israel seeks to avoid involvement in the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, despite concerns that Yemen could further unravel and that Iran is backing the group.

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

Houthi fighters marching

Analysis

How far will Iran push Houthis against Saudi Arabia amid raging conflict?

As Iran-backed Houthis broaden attacks on Saudi Arabia, Tehran's delicate calculation is exploiting the current conflict without being dragged into an escalation of its own making.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia's balancing act with US, Iran, Houthis risks collapse

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities shout slogans during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 10, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Exclusive

Houthi top diplomat says no intention to shut down Red Sea shipping, group open to talks

Houthi

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

US hits major Russian bank VTB with Iran-linked sanctions

VTB Bank in Moscow

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

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani at the welcoming ceremony during a summit of Caspian Sea regional leaders in the southern city of Astrakhan, September 29, 2014. REUTERS/Alexei Nikolsky/RIA Novosti/Kremlin (RUSSIA - Tags: POLITICS) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - RTR485US

Looking behind the Russia-Iran relationship

Despite the common perception of Russia as Iran's main backer outside the region, the two big regional players’ relations are shaped by long-term interests that can clash with immediate concerns and may complicate the battle against the Islamic State.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

Iranian lawmaker Ali Motahari speaks in the Iranian parliament in Tehran November 15, 2009. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN POLITICS) - RTXQRB3

Iranian MP demands Rouhani end house arrests

Iranian parliament member Ali Motahhari has warned President Hassan Rouhani that if he doesn't end the house arrests of the 2009 presidential candidates, he wil be called for a parliament hearing.

Iran op-ed asks Soleimani to defend Kobani

A conservative Iranian news site has published an op-ed asking Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani to defend the Kurds of Kobani as Iranians in various cities protest to show support.

Former US diplomat fosters US-Iran ties behind the scenes

William Luers has spent years pursuing a quiet “track 2” dialogue bringing American and Iranian officials and scholars together, some of whom have close ties to officials in the Rouhani administration.

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington October 1, 2014. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR48IYO

Israel's war with the US

As Israel-US ties continue to deteriorate, Israel is dealing with two other fronts: the Lebanese border where an explosive device just wounded two soldiers, and the mysterious explosion at the Parchin nuclear plant in Iran.

Iranian reformist Ebrahim Asgharzadeh prepares his paperwork to register as a presidential candidate at the Interior Ministry in Tehran. Iranian reformist Ebrahim Asgharzadeh prepares his paperwork to register as a presidential candidate at the Interior Ministry in Tehran May 14,2005. Candidates began registering on May 10 for Iran's June 17 presidential election. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi - RTRB4PM

Reformist analyst: Rouhani has no strategy

Prominent former Iranian politician Ebrahim Asgharzadeh has said that one of the main issues of President Hassan Rouhani's administration is the lack of a strategy to implement his stated political goals.

A Whatsapp App page is seen on Facebook on a Samsung Galaxy S4 phone in the central Bosnian town of Zenica, February 20, 2014. Facebook Inc will buy fast-growing mobile-messaging startup WhatsApp for $19 billion in cash and stock in a landmark deal that places the world's largest social network closer to the heart of mobile communications and may bring younger users into the fold. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic (BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - Tags: BUSINESS) - RTX196E9

Iran minister: WhatsApp, Viber shutdown won't solve problem

Iran's Communication Minister Mahmoud Vaezi, in response to the judiciary's request to shut down WhatsApp, Viber and Tango, said it would not solve the issue at hand.

Rich kids of Tehran

A new Instagram account documenting the lives of Iran's young elite reveals the extreme wealth of the newly rich.

A woman walks past a Banco Santander branch in downtown
Rio de Janeiro August 19, 2014. Picture taken August 19, 2014. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares (BRAZIL - Tags: BUSINESS) - RTR435W5

Banks remain fearful of US-approved transfers to Iran

An Iranian-American doctor tells Al-Monitor that his charity’s efforts to send money to Iran for an orphanage led to his US bank account being closed.

An Iranian Sunni Kurd woman stands behind a satellite dish on her home's rooftop at Palangan village in Kurdistan province, about 660 km (412 miles) southwest of Tehran May 11, 2011. Iranian Shi'ite and Sunni Kurds live in harmony with each other in Palangan, although Sunni is the religion of the majority of the people. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION BUSINESS) - RTR2MADK

Iran official says satellite jamming can cause cancer

An Iranian official has said that the practice of jamming satellites can cause cancer and recommended that Iran's jamming efforts be eliminated.

Shi'ite volunteers, who have joined the Iraqi army to fight against militants of the Islamic State, formerly known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), carry a picture of Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani during a graduation ceremony after completing their field training in Najaf, August 16, 2014. School is out, but northern Baghdad's classrooms are packed - not with students, but with people who have travelled further than most to escape the Sunni militant onslaught splitting Iraq. REUTERS/Alaa Al

Salafist danger spawns pan-Shiite solidarity

Rising incitement against Shiites by Salafist forces has prompted solidarity among the various sects of Shiite Islam.

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Iran dervishes protest prisoner treatment, media blackout

Iranian Gonabadi dervishes have taken to the streets to protest the treatment of prisoners, claiming a the media blackout on their plight.