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Iran

September 17, 2026

Tehran 1:53 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

In letter, Obama told Iran's Rouhani he sees way to resolve nuclear issue

In an interview with NBC's Ann Curry, Iranaian president Hassan Rouhani said he has "full authority to make a nuclear deal with the west" and that the letter he received form President Obama had a "constructive tone".

Iran's Rouhani urges West to 'seize' moment for diplomacy

In a Washington Post op-ed newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged world leaders to "seize" the opportunity to work with the more moderate Iranian President and focus on improving issues from Syria to concerns over Iran's nuclear program.

European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton talks with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines at the 47th International Conference on Security Policy in the hotel 'Bayerischer Hof' in Munich, February 5, 2011. REUTERS/Jens Meyer/Pool (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) - RTXXHKZ

Who would broker an Obama-Rouhani encounter in NY?

US Deputy National Security Adviser for strategic communications Ben Rhodes said there could be US-Iran "interaction at different levels" at the UN this week.

British Foreign Minister William Hague (L). gestures as he meets with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at the beginning of their bilateral meeting at the United Nations in New York September 23, 2013. REUTERS/Jason DeCrow/Pool (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX13X4E

Kerry and new Iran FM Zarif to meet in NY

After meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif will join a P5+1 ministerial meeting where he will meet face to face with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani addresses the 68th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, September 24, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX13YBB

Why no Obama Rouhani meeting: White House offered, Iran declined

A meeting between US President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is "too complicated for the Iranians to do at this point" according to senior administration officials.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani (C) is approached by staff members after a news conference in New York September 27, 2013. New Iranian President Rouhani said on Friday he wanted talks with major powers on Iran's nuclear program to yield results in a short period of time and that the improved mood in U.S.-Iranian relations could lead to better ties. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTX142AH

Rouhani Says Nuclear Issue Can Be Resolved

In a discussion with, among others, Al-Monitor's Andrew Parisiliti, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the nuclear concerns can be resolved, maintaining that Iran has nothing to hide as all of its sites are under IAEA inspection.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) are seated during a meeting of the Foreign Ministers representing the permanent five member countries of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York September 26, 2013. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX141CT

Iran's Zarif meets Kerry to 'jump start' nuclear talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry met privately for 30 minutes to discuss the nuclear negotiations in the highest level meeting between the two countries in decades.

U.S. President Barack Obama talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during a phone call in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington September 27, 2013. U.S. President Barack Obama and new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held the historic phone call on Friday, in the highest level conversation between the estranged nations in more than three decades. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Obama said both men had directed their teams to work expeditiously toward an agreement on Iran's nuclear

Obama calls Iran's Rouhani

US President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had a 15 minute long phone conversation during which the two leaders discussed the nuclear negotiations in the highest level contact between the two countries since 1979.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, September 30, 2013. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3FG0R

Netanyahu meets Obama amid US Iran diplomatic push

In a meeting between Israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Obama and Vice President Biden, the US stressed diplomacy must be exhausted with Iran.

Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, addresses the 68th United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York, October 1, 2013. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3FHCG

Netanyahu to UN: Keep pressure on Iran

Netanyahu urged the United Nations to keep economic pressure on Iran claiming that while the Islamic Republic will not cross Israel's red line, it is positioning itself to build a nuclear bomb as quickly as possible.

U. S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman arrives for a meeting on Syria at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva June 5, 2013. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX10C74

Top US Iran negotiator: Onus is on Iran to propose nuclear plan

During a senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Iran, under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman urged law makers to hold off on new sanctions until the next round of P5+1 talks are held so the administration could determine if the Iranians were serious about a nuclear deal.

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

An Iranian lawmaker welcomes Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf (2nd L) at the Iranian Parliament during a ceremony to mark Parliament day in Tehran December 1, 2009. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN ANNIVERSARY POLITICS) - RTXRBH8

Labor Ministry opposes Tehran's proposal for gender segregation

Iran's Labor Ministry has warned that the separation of the sexes in Tehran's municipal administration could provoke an international backlash.