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

Iran cover image

Iran

October 23, 2026

Tehran 4:14 am

17°C

MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

What Iran’s threats to Hormuz internet cables mean for Gulf

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to cut crucial internet and communications routes in the region if US aggression escalates.

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.

Latest News

Analysis

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

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)

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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.

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

Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Raisi to enter maze of regional factors in guiding diplomacy with Riyadh

Iran’s incoming president, Ebrahim Raisi, says he will focus on regional ties, particularly Gulf Arab neighbors.

US Department of the Treasury

US Treasury Department removes Iranians from designated individuals list

A Treasury official told Reuters the move was unrelated to the talks on Iran's nuclear program. The Biden administration also removed some Iranian citizens from the list in June.

Mohseni Ejei

Meet Iran's US-sanctioned new judiciary chief

Fears are growing among rights activists that the appointment of Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei may usher in a new reign of terror for Iran's already stifled civil society.

Iran's President-elect Ebrahim Raisi delivers speech at the Imam Reza shrine in the city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran, on June 22, 2021.

The Takeaway: Iran deal on front burner before Raisi takes office

Also: Bibi plots his comeback, a woman boxing coach trains men in Egypt, and the latest from Gaza, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey.

An Iranian health worker prepares an injection of the Iranian-made COVID-19 vaccine during the start of the second phase of trials in the capital, Tehran, on March 15, 2021.

Iran approves second Iranian-made COVID-19 vaccine

Iran's vaccine rollout has been marked by delays as the virus continues to spread rapidly across the country.

Iranian President-elect Ebrahim Raisi holds a press conference at Shahid Beheshti conference hall, Tehran, Iran, June 21, 2021.

Raisi's economic agenda may depend on Iran nuclear deal

As the JCPOA parties prepare for a return to the seventh round of nuclear talks, incoming hardline Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi might actually welcome a done deal before taking office.

Iran's Atomic Energy Organization spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi, government spokesman Ali Rabiei and Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi give a joint press conference at the presidential headquarters in the capital, Tehran, on July 7, 2019.

Iran says awaiting US decision on revived nuclear deal

The government spokesman suggested the nuclear talks could stretch well into the term of the next Iranian administration led by ultraconservative President-elect Ebrahim Raisi.

Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images

UN's Iran investigator calls for inquiry on Raisi's role in 1988 executions

The UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Iran told Reuters that his office had collected evidence of the mass executions to share with the UN Human Rights Council.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei meets with the head of the judiciary, president-elect Ebrahim Raisi, and other Judiciary officials in Tehran, June 28, 2021.

Khamenei defends Iran’s 'epic' elections

Iran's supreme leader in a speech Monday defended the latest presidential elections, which saw the lowest voter turnout in the Islamic Republic's history.

Iran's President-elect Ebrahim Raisi attends his first press conference after winning the election in Tehran, Iran, on June 21, 2021.

Raisi's election brings rise of Iran's Hezbollahis

The election of Ebrahim Raisi as president of Iran reflects a more revolutionary turn under the direction of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian President-elect Ebrahim Raisi holds a press conference at Shahid Beheshti conference hall, Tehran, Iran, June 21, 2021.

Iran's hard-liners may face power struggle despite Raisi win

Incoming Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi is widely discussed as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s successor, but there may be rumblings of a power struggle in the conservative camp.

The Pentagon building, located in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

US airstrikes hit Iran-backed militia after drone attacks in Iraq

CENTCOM is trying to deter militia attacks without starting a war.