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September 18, 2026

Tehran 2:29 am

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A pedestrian passes by the Treasury Building in Washington, DC on Jan. 18, 2023.

US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments

The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime.

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

Latest News

Analysis

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

Houthi fighters marching

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

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

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 student draws a pattern for a Persian handmade carpet as she sits in a classroom in Isfahan Art University, 450 km (280 miles) south of Tehran November 14, 2011. Persian carpet weaving is a historical part of Iranian culture, dating back to as far as approximately 2,000 years ago. Persian carpets can be mostly divided into three size groups: large (3x4 metre

The paradox of higher education in Iran

The increase in the number of private universities in Iran has not increased the level and quality of scholarly work in Iran.

Chalabi, head of the Iraqi National Congress, waits for a meeting of the Iraqi National Council to recommence in Baghdad. Ahmed Chalabi, head of the Iraqi National Congress, waits for a meeting of the Iraqi National Council to recommence in Baghdad September 4, 2004. An Iraqi Islamist group has said it tried to assassinate Iraqi politician Ahmed Chalabi this week and that four men died in the attack, Al Jazeera television said on Saturday. REUTERS/Samir Mizban/Pool - RTR9YVG

Chalabi: Anbar crisis sign of 'political failure' in Iraq

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Ahmed Chalabi shares his views on the upcoming elections, the economy and the de-Baathification law.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry addresses a news conference after the Geneva-2 peace talks in Montreux January 22, 2014. Kerry on Wednesday left the door open for Iran to participate in Syrian peace talks, saying Tehran could make a difference in ending the conflict. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann (SWITZERLAND - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX17Q69

US, Iran need to contain war of words

With talks beginning in Vienna on Feb. 18 , on a comprehensive nuclear agreement, rhetoric on both sides can make the already difficult compromises that much harder.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson delivers a speech in Washington February 7, 2014. REUTERS/Gary Cameron (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY CRIME LAW) - RTX18D33

New US Syria policy should engage Iran

As the talks on a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran commence this week in Vienna, there is also an opening to engage Iran on Syria and terrorism.

Iraqi women walk past a poster depicting images of Shi'ite Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at al-Firdous Square in Baghdad February 12, 2014. An Iraqi daily newspaper stopped publishing after two bombs were planted in the entrance to its headquarters in Baghdad on Monday and after threats from an Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia. Editors and reporters at Assabah AlJadeed said they had received death threats from the influential Asaib al-Haq militia in response to what it had described as an "insu

Some Iranians skeptical US has given up hopes for regime change

Recent comments by Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the United States would pursue regime change if it could, indicate that the top Iranian leadership will continue to seek guarantees the United States is not after regime change if the two countries are to improve ties.

Fighters of al-Qaeda linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant parade at the Syrian town of Tel Abyad, near the border with Turkey January 2, 2014. Picture taken January 2, 2014. REUTERS/Yaser Al-Khodor (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT) - RTX170UO

Iran calls for end to foreign support for extremist groups in Syria

An Iranian diplomat also notes his country’s active support for chemical disarmament and humanitarian relief corridors in Syria.

A resident buys a newspaper from a kiosk in Baghdad February 23, 2009. A boom in local media since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 has given Iraqis a choice between some 200 print outlets, 60 radio stations and 30 TV channels in Arabic, Turkmen, Syriac and two Kurdish dialects. Yet most media outlets remain dominated by sectarian and party patrons who use them for their own ends, and have yet to become commercially sustainable enterprises let alone watchdogs keeping government under scrutiny, the favoured Wes

Iraqi media also characterized by political, sectarian bias

Media outlets in Iraq have become widely recognized as platforms for propaganda to garner political support.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri (R) shakes hands with Lebanese Christian leader and head of the Free Patriotic Movement Michel Aoun during the eighth session of the national dialogue between political leaders at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, near Beirut March 9, 2010. REUTERS/Dalati Nohra/Handout (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - RTR2BEYN

Lebanon government talks stall again

Developments at the Geneva II conference and in the Western-Iranian nuclear talks may have stalled Lebanon’s government formation

Exiled Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ramadan Shallah delivers a speech during a conference in support of Palestinians in Tehran on February 28, 2010. Israel has lost its "raison d'etre" and its presence in the region causes instability, Iranian media quoted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as saying at the conference attended by top Palestinian militant leaders. AFP PHOTO/ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Hamas isolated as Iran boosts ties with Islamic Jihad, Fatah

A high-level Islamic Jihad delegation visited Iran one week after a senior Fatah official made a similar trip, leaving Hamas isolated.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif (L) and Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari attend a joint news conference in Baghdad January 14, 2014. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX17DOX

Controversy surrounds alleged Iraq-Iran arms deal

An Iraqi diplomat has been reported as claiming that Baghdad will sign an arms deal with Iran, but other officials from both sides refute his alleged assertions.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki attends a meeting with Arab foreign ministers at Arab League headquarters in Cairo September 12, 2011. Arab League ministers agree to submit a Palestinian bid for statehood to the United Nations, while the EU earlier said it has still not decided on a united position regarding a Palestinian bid. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El-Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2R7MQ

Palestinian foreign minister open to Iran visit

In an exclusive interview, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said he would accept an official invitation to visit Tehran if such an offer were made.

The beginnings of an Israel-Iran reset?

Israel may be reassessing the Iranian threat, as Iran shows its reach in Palestinian politics.