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Iran

September 17, 2026

Tehran 12:37 pm

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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

Iran, US try volleyball diplomacy

Iran’s national volleyball team gets a warm reception in “Tehrangeles” in another first for US-Iran relations.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh talks to journalists as he arrives at his hotel ahead of an OPEC meeting in Vienna December 3, 2013. Iran will take six months after sanctions are lifted to return to full oil output capacity of 4 million barrels per day, Zanganeh said on Tuesday. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader (AUSTRIA - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTX1626B

Iran’s oil minister accuses former officials of $2.7 billion oil fraud

Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh has claimed that former ministers under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration cooperated with billionaire Babak Zanjani to steal $2.7 billion in government money.

Iran's representatives led by their top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili (back 4th L) take part in talks on Iran's nuclear programme in the Kazakh city of Almaty on February 27, 2013. World powers and Iran were due to respond today to offers presented by both sides in a final day of talks aimed at breaking a decade of deadlock over Tehran's nuclear drive.AFP PHOTO / POOL / ILYAS OMAROV (Photo credit should read ILYAS OMAROV/AFP/Getty Images)

P5+1 hopes new Iran nuclear team responds to Almaty offer

Political directors will meet in Brussels on July 16 in anticipation of resuming nuclear talks upon the election of new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. These leaders hope the new Iran nuclear team will respond substantively to a confidence building proposal presented to Iran in Almaty, Kazakhstan in February.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani meets with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (not seen) on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, 2013 in New York City. While their have been talks of diplomatic relations between Iran and the United states restarting, Rouhani turned down an opportunity to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama earlier in the week. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

US sees opportunity in Iran election for progress in nuclear talks

The US hopes that progress in addressing international concerns over Iran's nuclear program will take place under the newly elected more moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouahni who has taken a "positive tone."

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton holds a news conference after an European Union emergency foreign ministers meeting to discuss the crisis in Mali January 17, 2013. European Union states agreed on Thursday to send hundreds of military personnel to train Mali government forces in fighting Islamist rebels, whose campaign to impose Islamic law across north Africa is causing growing unease in Western capitals. REUTERS/Yves Herman (BELGIUM - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTR3CKC1

EU's Ashton hopes Iran nuclear talks resume soon

After meeting with political directors from the P5+1 countries, lead international negotiator, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, expressed an eagerness to resume nuclear talks with Iran after the election of the Islamic Republic's Hassan Rouhani to be President.

Iran's supreme leader rules out broader engagement with US

Iran's supreme leader supports the continuation of the nuclear talks but has criticized bilateral talks between Iranian and US officials.

A general view of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington February 28, 2013. Positions hardened on Wednesday between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican congressional leaders over the budget crisis even as they arranged to hold last-ditch talks to prevent harsh automatic spending cuts beginning this week. Looking resigned to the $85 billion in "sequestration" cuts starting on Friday, government agencies began reducing costs and spelling out to employees how furloughs will work. REUTERS/Jason Reed

131 House members sign letter supporting US diplomacy with Iran (Updated)

17 House Republicans and 114 House democrats signed a letter to President Obama urging him to commit to diplomacy following the election of new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani arrives at Pudong International Airport, ahead of the fourth Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) summit in Shanghai May 20, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (CHINA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3Q000

Rouhani says 'to hell' with nuclear critics

President Hassan Rouhani has lashed out at critics of the nuclear negotiations, calling them "timid and cowardly."

Turkey’s exports decrease amid regional tension

Turkey has suffered unexpected declines in its exports to Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Ukraine and Russia, though Turkish exports to Russia may have more potential following its recent foodstuff import boycott of the United States and European Union.

Hezbollah supporters wave Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian and Hezbollah flags as they listen to their leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addressing his supporters during a rally to mark "Quds (Jerusalem) Day" in Beirut's southern suburbs July 25, 2014. REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST RELIGION) - RTR4056R

Gaza war brings Hamas, Hezbollah closer

The war on Gaza offers an opportunity to renegotiate the strategic relationship between Hamas and Hezbollah, whose relationship has been severed over the past three years, providing major obstacles can be overcome.

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton addresses the media in Moscow, June 19, 2012. Iran and world powers failed to resolve differences over Tehran's nuclear programme on Tuesday and agreed to a technical follow-up meeting in Istanbul on July 3, Ashton said. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (RUSSIA - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTR33VN2

Ashton congratulates Iran's Rouhani, urges renewed nuclear talks

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton sent a letter to new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulating him and expressing an eagerness to pursue a deal on Iran's nuclear program.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton arrives at NATO headquarters after meeting Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci (not pictured) and Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic (not pictured) in Brussels April 19, 2013. Serbia and its former province of Kosovo struck an historic accord on Friday to settle relations, potentially setting Belgrade on the path to membership of the European Union in a major milestone in the region's recovery from the collapse of Yugoslavia. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir (BEL

Top Iran, EU diplomats agree to meet to plan new nuclear talks

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and new Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif have agreed to meet, fueling speculation that Iran's nuclear negotiating file might be put under the control of newly elected President Hassan Rouhani.