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

White House, Washington DC, United States of America

United States

June 10, 2026

Washington D.C. 2:02 am

23°C

Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: June 9, 2026, 5:51 pm

US military strikes Iran after Apache helicopter downed off Oman

The alleged shoot-down came hours after a US fighter jet fired on a Palau-flagged commercial tanker accused of attempting to outrun the US blockade of Iran.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 29, 2025. US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida on December 29 for crucial talks on moving to the next stage of the fragile Gaza truce plan.The two leaders also discussed Iran, with Trump saying that if Tehran rebuilt its nuclear facilities the United States wo

Analysis

'We are already hearing the bus': Israeli insiders fear Netanyahu is losing Trump’s backing on Iran

“He couldn’t afford a confrontation with Trump, who was the last asset he had left,” a Netanyahu associate told Al-Monitor, describing the prime minister’s struggle to balance pressure for retaliation against Iran with the need to preserve his alliance with the US president.

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

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Vance says US and Israel's 'interests diverge' on Iran nuclear issue: What to know

The rare admission by top Trump administration official comes as polling show US alignment with Israel in war against Iran is political baggage among a growing number of Republican voters.

Latest News

US military helped Israel intercept Iran's missiles: What to know

Rocket trails are seen in the sky above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya on June 7, 2026.

Peace talks tested but continue after Iran-Israel escalation

Women walk past buildings destroyed in a joint attack by Israel and the United States on April 6, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

Analysis

Israel’s Lebanon endgame remains elusive despite ceasefire deal

Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon close to the Beaufort Castle as seen from a position across the border in the Upper Galilee, in northern Israel on June 4, 2026.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

Jordan's Prince Faisal bin Al-Hussein (2nd R) and Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R), review Bedouin honour guards upon their arrival to meet Jordan's King Abdullah at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan, August 4, 2015. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - GF20000013418

US caught in crossfire amid flaring Jordan-Saudi tensions

US Vice President Mike Pence will face flaring tensions between Saudi Arabia and Jordan over Amman’s alleged ouster of royals close to Riyadh during his upcoming trip to the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends the news conference after his meeting with Poland's President Andrzej Duda at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, October 17, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel - UP1EDAH0WNL3N

Erdogan: No extradition to US until Turkey gets Gulen

Turkey has announced it will suspend extraditions to the United States until Washington produces Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen as US-Turkish relations continue to circle the drain.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attends a meeting with European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Brussels, Belgium January 11, 2018. REUTERS/John Thys/Pool - RC1B2DED04A0

Europe takes center stage as Iran weighs response to Trump

Though suspicion and mistrust lingers, Iran maintains hope that Europe will resist US pressure to torpedo the nuclear deal.

Palestinian leadership faces monumental decisions

The Palestinian Central Council faces some tough choices when it meets in Ramallah, but it is unclear what consensus can be reached on.

US sanctions hinder Iranian protesters’ ability to organize online

As the Iranian protests die down, hawkish lawmakers and dovish advocates are united in their concern that US sanctions are inhibiting protesters’ ability to organize.

Iranian exiles shout slogans in front of a mock gallows to protest against executions in Iran during a demonstration outside the Iranian embassy in Brussels December 29, 2010. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir (BELGIUM - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - GM1E6CT1T7M01

Iran’s judiciary moves to radically cut executions

Iran’s judiciary chief has ordered a halt to executions of people convicted of most drug-related crimes.

Iran’s supreme leader points finger at Saudi Arabia, US, Israel over unrest

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei distinguished between peaceful protesters and those who damaged public property during the recent unrest.

Trump’s peace deal: A Gaza-centered Palestine

The Trump administration is elaborating on a Mideast peace plan of trilateral or even quadruple land swaps, involving Israel, the Palestinians, Egypt and, possibly, Jordan.

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis looks on during a bilateral meeting with South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-Moo at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., August 30, 2017. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein - RC1F94FFD4B0

Mattis denies existence of Iranian 'land bridge' across Middle East

In an impromptu visit with reporters on Friday, US Defense Secretary James Mattis denied that Iran had succeeded in constructing a "land bridge" through the Middle East.

Israeli centrist leader at war with UNRWA

Contrary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid wholeheartedly embraced the threats by the Trump administration to cut UNRWA financing, which has the potential to create a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.

Will Fatah launch 'intifada of independence'?

Palestinians warn that absent a diplomatic route toward Palestinian statehood, Fatah might launch in 2018 an intifada of independence.

Iranian students run for cover from tear gas at the University of Tehran during a demonstration driven by anger over economic problems, in the capital Tehran on December 30, 2017.
Students protested in a third day of demonstrations, videos on social media showed, but were outnumbered by counter-demonstrators. / AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Iran protests reveal Republican fracture over nuclear deal

Iran hawks are pushing the Trump administration to terminate the agreement, but Republican leaders worry US pressure could backfire.