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

Iran cover image

Iran

October 28, 2026

Tehran 12:24 pm

20°C

A woman walks past a mural bearing the Iranian national flag

Analysis

How wartime urgency pushed Iran to court Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan

Tehran's push for a regional security order independent of Washington could be gaining diplomatic momentum, but the Islamic Republic has competing, if not conflicting, strategic priorities with the countries it hopes to engage.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia’s KBS, top Turkish and Pakistani officials hold rare meeting in Iran: What to know

In first such gathering, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman will join Pakistani army chief Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin for talks with Iranian officials amid fears of renewed US and Israeli attacks against Iran.

Putin

Analysis

Putin puts Trump ahead of Iran in bid to mediate war

Anton Mardosov, reporting from Moscow, and our correspondent in Tehran assess the limits of Russian influence in Iran; Ben Caspit reports that Netanyahu could force a unity government with an attack on Iran after the elections.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Motorists drive past an anti-US billboard in Tehran on Aug. 24, 2026.

Analysis

From Hormuz to data centers: How Iran’s threats are raising stakes of renewed war

As the prospect of renewed conflict looms, Tehran is escalating warnings that another war would impose prohibitive costs on Washington, its allies and global markets.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Analysis

How Netanyahu could attack Iran to force Israel into unity government after elections

Amir Levy/Getty Images

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

Explainer

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

MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images

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

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani speaks during an extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey May 18, 2018. Arif Hudaverdi Yaman/Pool via Reuters - RC129DDA4DA0

Rouhani urges Iran’s factions to unite against US pressure

Facing mounting economic pressure, President Hassan Rouhani urged Iran’s various factions to put differences aside and work together.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu climbs out after a visit inside the Rahav, the fifth submarine in the Israeli Navy's fleet, after it arrived in Haifa port January 12, 2016. The Dolphin-class submarines, widely believed to be capable of firing nuclear missiles, were manufactured in Germany and sold to Israel at deep discounts as part of Berlin's commitment to shoring up the security of the country set in part as a haven for Jews who survived the Holocaust. REUTERS/Baz Ratner - GF20000092316

Israel’s nuclear ambiguity policy blocks diplomatic process

There is little hope for peace in the Middle East as long as Israel insists on its ambiguous nuclear policy and refuses to sign disarmament agreements.

Tehran skyline as seen from Iran's interior ministry in Tehran, October 24, 2016. Picture taken on October 24, 2016. REUTERS/Gabriela Baczynska - S1AEUJFKZHAB

Child abuse case brings outrage, but no change in Iran

Just a month after a high-profile child molestation case shook Iran, the outrage has died down and very little is being done to prevent future abuse.

A worker installs a bumper on a car at the Iran Khodro automobile manufacturing plant, west of Tehran January 28, 2009. Iran Khodro is the Middle East's largest carmaker. Picture taken January 28, 2009. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN) - GM1E51T1GH901

Iran's car market engulfed in growing economic crisis

Crisis conditions bite into Iran’s car market, with customers forced to shell out higher prices for both foreign and domestically made vehicles.

Iran’s youngest minister becoming symbol of transparency drive

Iran’s youngest minister has received widespread praise for his “courageous” transparency campaign after revealing a list of allegedly fraudulent cellphone importers.

Turkey's Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci speaks during an interview with Reuters in Ankara, Turkey, June 7, 2016. To match Interview TURKEY-ECONOMY/MINISTER REUTERS/Umit Bektas - D1AETIRNZCAB

Ankara vows to ignore Iran sanctions

Turkey and the United States are entering a new stage of strained relations as newly re-elected President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, flush with power, disregards renewed sanctions on Iran.

An Israeli soldier stands next to signs pointing out distances to different cities, on Mount Bental, an observation post in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that overlooks the Syrian side of the Quneitra crossing, Israel May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1D6EF6AF90

Why is Israel propping up Hamas in Gaza?

Israel is implementing a concerted policy of keeping Hamas in power on its southern border so it can focus its energies on threats from the north, especially the Iranian presence in Syria.

A money changer poses for the camera with a U.S hundred dollar bill (R) and the amount being given when converting it into Iranian rials (L), at a currency exchange shop in Tehran's business district, Iran, January 20, 2016. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - GF20000100969

How Iran dropped dual exchange rates but ended up with four

While the Rouhani administration is taking steps toward stabilizing the rial, its rate unification policy has in effect resulted in a multi-tiered exchange rate regime.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Iran vs Portugal - Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia - June 25, 2018 Iran's Karim Ansarifard celebrates scoring their first goal with Vahid Amiri and Majid Hosseini REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC15E3C90680

Amid economic woes, soccer team performance rallies Iranians around flag

Iran’s national soccer team made history in the World Cup by tying Portugal and defeating Morocco, injecting hope and reviving pride in the midst of economic turmoil.

Iranian shop closed at the ancient Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 25, 2018. - Grand Bazaar shop owners closed their shops on monday in a rare strike movement to protest against the depreciation of the Iranian currency. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Will Iran's economy collapse?

The best remedy for Iran to solve its economic crisis is greater transparency and a focus on technocratic remedies.

Iranian protesters gather at Mobile market in Tehran on June 25, 2018. - Protesters in Tehran shouted slogans and threw rocks in the streets on June 25, before being dispersed by anti-riot policemen. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Rouhani under fire amid second day of protests in Iran

Protests against rising prices and a decline in the value of currency have erupted in Iran for a second day in a row, closing the Tehran bazaar.

Blame game: Who bombed Iraqi fighters in Syria?

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units fighting in Syria were targeted recently by some country's aircraft, but no one's fessing up.