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

Iran cover image

Iran

October 22, 2026

Tehran 10:45 am

23°C

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

US sanctions law firm based in Panama, Greece over Iran shipping ties

The Treasury Department accused Karnakis and Karnakis of registering shipping companies linked to Iran's so-called shadow fleet.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrive to hold a press conference after a meeting in Tehran on October 19, 2026. The Russian foreign minister arrived in Iran on October 19, in his first visit since the outbreak of the Middle East war as Moscow seeks to play a mediating role. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran

As Tehran looks for an off-ramp from renewed conflict, Moscow is positioning itself as a diplomatic partner while pushing Iran to deliver on long-delayed economic deals.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

IRGC claims it downed US drone, set two tankers ablaze near Hormuz

Ships are anchored off the coast of Khasab in Oman's Musandam Governorate, near the Strait of Hormuz, on Oct. 2, 2026.

Iran says deal reached with Iraq to expel Kurdish separatists: What to know

Safin HAMID / AFP via Getty Images

Lavrov visits Tehran as Trump praises Russia's role on Iran: What to know

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival in Tehran on Oct. 19, 2026.

Analysis

As Iran’s oil lifeline runs dry, can it outlast Trump's economic siege?

shoppers walking through the Tajrish Bazaar, a traditional market in Tehran

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

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

ANDREW HARNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Blinken says 'a few weeks' left for Iran to resume nuclear compliance

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there were "other options" if world powers are unable to resurrect the deal.

A crowd gathers to mark the second anniversary of the killing of Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, on Jan. 8, 2022.

Khamenei website posts animation of Trump targeted in strike

The video was released in line with renewed threats from Iran’s hard-line establishment against a hit list of former US officials involved in the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

Trafalgar Square

UN experts urge Iran to halt execution of juvenile offender

Hossein Shahbazi was 17 when he was arrested for fatally stabbing a classmate and was sentenced to death in a trial that reportedly relied on torture-tainted confessions.

SU-35

Moscow struggles to sell fighter jets in the Mideast

With Egypt and Algeria reportedly backing out of plans to acquire Russian-made fighter jets, there is speculation Tehran could emerge as a potential buyer.

Aras Amiri.

Iran frees British Council employee Aras Amiri

Aras Amiri's lawyer in Tehran said the British Council worker flew out of the Iranian capital on Monday after her travel ban was lifted.

Nakasone cyber

Pentagon says Iran is behind MuddyWater hacking group

Iranian intelligence is behind a group of cyber-attackers that have targeted private and government organizations across the Middle East.

Iran vaccine

Pressure mounts on Iran's health minister amid personal vaccine saga

The impeachment motion was triggered by a leaked document showing that the health minister had received an imported vaccine, contradicting his earlier claims that he had been jabbed with a government-promoted, domestic one.

HOSHANG HASHIMI/AFP via Getty Images

Iran calls for US to unfreeze Afghan funds amid humanitarian crisis

Following a visit by Taliban envoy Amir Khan Muttaqi to Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said it wasn't ready to formally recognize Afghanistan's new rulers.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) meets with Oman's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah (R) in Tehran on Dec. 2, 2019.

Iranian foreign minister visits Oman

Oman's top diplomat voiced support for the Iran nuclear deal during the meeting.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh speaks to media during a press conference in Tehran on Nov. 15, 2021.

Iran denies reports of interim deal

Tehran has denied reports of an interim deal in Vienna, but there are signs that Iranian officials are preparing their public for a possible agreement.

Iran protest

Iran’s days of rage on Soleimani anniversary have their limits

Can Israel live with an Iranian nuclear deal? Maybe so.

ALEX HALADA/AFP via Getty Images

France reports 'bits of progress' in Iran nuclear talks

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said he remained convinced a deal is still possible, but warned "time is of the essence."