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

Iran cover image

Iran

November 6, 2025

Tehran 12:00 am

11°C

Soldiers from Iran's land, navy, air force and special forces parade on the occasion of National Army Day in Tehran on April 18, 2025, in Tehran, Iran.

Iran denies arms deliveries from China, Russia amid procurement reports

Iran’s top military denied arms deals with China and Russia, signaling caution over how its defense partnerships are reported amid postwar rebuilding.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran’s Khamenei rules out US cooperation barring major policy shift

Iran’s supreme leader said Iran will only consider future cooperation with the US if Washington cuts ties with Israel, withdraws military bases from the region and refrains from interfering in Middle Eastern affairs.

A view of the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Analysis

Iran scrambles to revive diplomacy as its last firewall against new war

After months of regional tensions, military strikes and diplomatic paralysis, Iran appears to be seeking a revival of nuclear talks, signaling that even amid deep mistrust, it views diplomacy as the only way to avert another war.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

A train moves during the inauguration of a 140-kilometres line running from eastern Iran into western Afghanistan, at a railroad station in Khaf, on Dec. 10, 2020.

Analysis

Iran revives cross-border rail projects in bid to anchor Eurasian trade routes

Iran aims to turn its rail network into a strategic lever across Eurasia, despite risks from sanctions and regional instability.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Latest News

Trump’s Venezuela standoff to leave Mideast without US aircraft carrier

MEDITERRANIAN SEA - OCTOBER 2: In this handout provided by the U.S. Navy, The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), and Italian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel ITS Paolo Thaon di Revel (P430), flagship of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2, operate in the Mediterranean Sea, Oct. 2, 2025. Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class aircraft carrier and deployed flagship of Carrier Strike Group 12, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality and re

Culture

Rape case against movie star Pejman Jamshidi rocks Iran: What to know

Iranian women without wearing hijab shout slogans while gathering around a burning dumpster during a protest near Punak square, on Oct. 1, 2022

Iran's quiet IRGC reshuffle fuels speculation of postwar shake-up

Members of the Iranian Basij paramilitary force march during the force parade on Jan. 10, 2025, in Tehran, Iran.

Iran to host Pakistani interior minister as border security, trade talks advance

AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images

Elizabeth Hagedorn

State Department Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Andrew Parasiliti

President and Chief Content Officer

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

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

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

Ben Gurion International Airport is seen mostly empty after flights were canceled following Israel's early morning attack on Iran on June 13, 2025, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Iran's barrages hit at least 10 Israeli cities, towns: What to know

Iran’s latest wave of strikes on Israel reflects an escalation in strategy since its 2024 strikes, targeting urban centers and involving a broader range of missiles and drones.

Smoke rises from locations targeted in Tehran amid the third day of Israel's waves of strikes against Iran, on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

State TV to IRGC elite: Here are Israel’s main targets in Iran war

At least seven senior Iranian officials have been killed in the Israeli strikes, which have expanded to include government institutions and energy facilities in recent days.

Stefan Rousseau/Getty Images

Trump's deal-making tested as Israel, Iran trade blows

The Trump administration is hoping that Israel's bombardment will ultimately force nuclear concessions out of Iran.

Fire and smoke rise into the sky after an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot, Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025.

Analysis

Will Trump cave to Netanyahu and join Iran strikes or will US stay out?

While the Israeli military campaign has dealt substantial blows to Iran’s nuclear program and military infrastructure, it is far from winning the war against the Islamic Republic.

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

South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images

US dispatches second aircraft carrier toward Middle East as Israel-Iran strikes escalate

The Nimitz is leaving the Asia-Pacific region and is expected to pass into the Middle East as Israel awaits a decision from Trump on whether or not to strike Iran's Fordow nuclear facility

Iran

Fearing risks of radiation, IAEA holds emergency meeting on Israel-Iran war

The head of the IAEA said that off-site radiation levels in Iran remain unchanged following the ongoing intense Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities.

Smoke billows from a site that was hit by an Iranian missile strike in the city of Haifa early on June 16, 2025.

Gas prices surge, oil stabilizes as Israel-Iran conflict hits energy infrastructure

Israel hit several energy facilities in Iran over the weekend while Iranian missiles struck an oil refinery in Haifa.

ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images

France blocks Israeli weapons display at Paris airshow: What to know

After their exclusion from the Eurosatory and Euronaval fairs, Israeli armament companies have now been prevented from participating in the Bourget defense show in Paris.

Smoke billows in the skyline of Israeli city of Haifa

Live Updates

Netanyahu says 'changing face of Middle East' as Israel, Iran trade blows

Netanyahu

Analysis

Decapitate Iranian regime or boost his image: What's Netanyahu's endgame?

In launching the attack on Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be aiming to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat, but could also be motivated by a desire to preserve his political prospects.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israeli air defence systems work to intercept Iranian missiles over Tel Aviv on Sunday

Live Updates

Israel pounds Iran, Tehran hits back with missiles

Debris of missiles fired from Iran toward Israel leave trails in the night sky over the Gaza Strip after being intercepted on June 13, 2025. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran-Israel conflict risks constraining US diplomacy, prompting nuclear concealment

Trump now faces a difficult balancing act between supporting Israeli strikes and salvaging fragile nuclear negotiations with Iran, which he emphasized on Friday remain a priority.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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