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

Iran cover image

Iran

September 17, 2026

Tehran 9:40 pm

28°C

AFP via Getty Images

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)

Exclusive

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

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal attends the opening of an Arab foreign ministers emergency meeting to discuss the Syrian crisis and President Bashar al-Assad's regime, at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, March 9, 2014. The Arab League on Sunday endorsed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's rejection of Israel's demand for recognition as a Jewish state, as U.S.-backed peace talks approach a deadline next month. The United States want Abbas to make the concession as part of effort

Saudi invitation a first step with Iran

Resolving the problems that mar Saudi-Iran relations remain out of reach for now, but Saudi Arabia’s invitation to the Iranian foreign minister to visit the kingdom is an opportunity to calm tensions.

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

A woman looks at newspapers at a news stand in Tehran December 4, 2011. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: SOCIETY) - RTR2UTND

Tehran poll: 60% believe media has little or no freedom

Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has released the results of a domestic poll of how Tehran residents view television and print media.

A general view of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, some 1,200 km (746 miles) south of Tehran October 26, 2010. Iran has begun loading fuel into the core of its first nuclear power plant on Tuesday, one of the last steps to realising its stated goal of becoming a peaceful nuclear power, state-run Press TV reported on Tuesday. REUTERS/IRNA/Mohammad Babaie (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTXTUIA

Israelis see Iran nuclear breakout possible in 2-3 months

According to Israeli security officials, retired Gen. Uzi Eilam's contention that Iran is years away from becoming a nuclear state is inaccurate, an assessment shared by US and European intelligence agencies.

'Rogue' forces have started up again, says Khatami-era official

Former Deputy Interior Minister Morteza Mobalegh has said that the activities of disruptive "rogue" forces have intensified once again after quieting throughout Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency.

A member of Islamist Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra mans a checkpoint on the border crossing between Syria and Jordan, which they claim to have taken control of, in Daraa December 26, 2013. Flag reads, "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet. Al-Nusra front, al-Qaeda in the Levant". Picture taken December 26, 2013. REUTERS/Ammar Khassawneh (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT) - RTX16VW7

International efforts against Al-Qaeda key to Syria political solution

A UN counterterrorism committee can do even more to coordinate a more effective response to al-Qaeda in Syria and eventually a political resolution of the conflict.

Video cameras are set up for the start of a news conference at the United Nations headquarters building (Vienna International Center) in Vienna May 14, 2014. Six world powers and Iran launch the decisive phase of diplomacy over Tehran's nuclear work during three-day talks starting in the VIC in Vienna on Wednesday, with the aim of resolving their decade-old dispute by July 20 despite skepticism a deal is possible. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger (AUSTRIA - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTR3P2VB

An Israeli scare campaign about Iran's nuclear program?

Some Israeli security experts doubt that Iran truly aspires to produce a nuclear bomb, blaming Israeli leadership of using scare tactics.

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

Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hassan Firouzabadi (R) and former Revolutionary Guards commander Yahya Rahim-Safavi salute during a military parade to commemorate the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, in Tehran September 22, 2010. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: ANNIVERSARY MILITARY POLITICS) - RTXSIL4

Former IRGC leader claims Iran's border to Lebanon's shores

The Lebanese presidential elections are of a piece with Iran's regional strategy.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attends the annual Munich Security Conference February 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lukas Barth (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX184O0

Iran Foreign Ministry welcomes Saudi overture

Iranian officials have lauded the invitation of Iran's foreign minister to visit Saudi Arabia, but improving relations will take much more than diplomacy.

Former U.N. chief weapons inspector Hans Blix arrives to give evidence to the Iraq Inquiry at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, in London July 27, 2010. Blix is likely to heap further criticism on the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq at a British inquiry on Tuesday, adding weight to the negative appraisals given by other senior figures. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTR2GRQQ

Blix: Listen to Iran on 'practical needs' for nuclear program

In an exclusive interview, Hans Blix, the former director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, says that he understands Iran’s resistance to any restriction on research and development and that Iran should not be forced to use old centrifuge technology.

Khamenei adviser backs Iranian negotiators

The supreme leader's foreign policy adviser, Ali Akbar Velayati, has declared his support for the current Iranian negotiators while criticizing the methods of the previous teams.

From R-L: Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov from Russia, Erlan Idrissov from Kazakhstan and Mohammad Javad Zarif from Iran gather for a family photo session during the Caspian Sea littoral states conference in Moscow, April 22, 2014. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov (RUSSIA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3M69D

Russia stakes out Iranian market

Both Russia and Iran see a shared interest in deepening economic ties, parallel to the P5+1 talks.

Rouhani says 'We will not accept scientific or nuclear apartheid'

Before the nuclear negotiations resume this week, Iran's supreme leader, speaker of parliament and president all gave speeches about Iran's priorities in the negotiations.