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

Iran cover image

Iran

June 17, 2026

Tehran 4:45 pm

32°C

US President Donald Trump arrives to attend a musical interlude before a gala dinner as part of the G7 summit, in Evian, eastern France, on June 16, 2026.

Trump says deal 'not final,' warns Iran to 'behave' or face renewed strikes

President Donald Trump threatened to "go back to shooting" if he doesn't like the deal.

An Iranian woman waves a national flag at Valiasr Square in Tehran on June 15, 2026.

Analysis

Why Iran's hard-liners are turning on each other over US deal

Iran's memorandum of understanding with the United States has triggered unusual regime infighting, as the official line hails victory, while hard-liners worry about strategic concessions and hidden traps.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Snipers set up their positions above of the US Capitol on Feb. 24, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Scrutiny builds over Iran deal kept from lawmakers

Both Republicans and Democrats are calling for the White House to show them the deal.

Latest News

Analysis

How Iran's internal divide over Lebanon could shape US negotiations

MAHMOUD ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty Images

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Trump punts nuclear question with placeholder Iran deal

President Donald Trump speaks before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 11, 2026.

Gulf cautiously welcomes US-Iran deal as Hezbollah congratulates Tehran

Veiled women in black Chadors wave Iran and Hezbollah flags during commemoration at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 22, 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

No end to the militias in Iraq

Every once in a while a new militia emerges in Iraq, increasing the chance of instability in the country.

Iran's gold medal winning volleyball team pose during the medal ceremony after their men's gold medal volleyball match against Japan at Songnim Gymnasium during the 17th Asian Games in Incheon October 3, 2014. REUTERS/Olivia Harris (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SPORT VOLLEYBALL) - RTR48THJ

Iran’s volleyball team looks to shock the world in Rio

With their first-ever Olympic qualification, the Iranian men’s volleyball team is looking to shock the world in the Rio Olympics.

U.S. based cleric Fethullah Gulen at his home in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 29, 2016. REUTERS/Charles Mostoller - RTSKAI8

Why are Gulenists hostile toward Iran?

There seems to be a blind spot in the excited discussion surrounding the failed coup in Turkey: the long and complex enmity between Iran and the followers of exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani arrives at Iran's Assembly of Experts' biannual meeting in Tehran March 8, 2011. Former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani lost his position on Tuesday as head of an important state clerical body after hardliners criticised him for being too close to the reformist opposition. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Ta

Is Iran judiciary open to negotiating on human rights?

Iran’s judiciary said that Iran has begun talks with the European Union in regard to human rights.

Actor Shahab Hosseini, Best Actor award winner for his role in the film "Forushande" (The Salesman), poses during a photocall after the closing ceremony of the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 22, 2016. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier - RTSFFGB

Iranian 'cuckold' actors lash out in defense of their wives

Iranian hard-line weekly Ya Lesarat al-Hussein is once again in hot water — this time for insulting Iranian actors over the way their wives dress.

Sep 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Hassan Sabzali Rahimi of Iran (blue) competes against Vladimer Khinchegashvili of Georgia (red) in the mens 57kg freestyle on the final day of the World Wrestling Championships at The Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports - RTSTUJ

Iranian wrestlers go for the gold in Rio

Iranian official says Iranian wrestlers’ “biggest challenge” at the Olympics will come from Russians and Americans.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 22, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid - RTX2B9VC

How to kick-start Iran-US regional cooperation

Opponents of the nuclear deal in the West should understand that efforts to undermine the JCPOA only serve to reinforce in the minds of Iranians the notion that the United States cannot be trusted or engaged with on regional or other issues.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a news conference in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 26, 2016. To match Insight IRAN-POLITICS/BACKLASH REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood/File Photo - RTSIHTK

Rouhani echoes Khamenei's mistrust of US as nuke deal grumbles persist

President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have publicly agreed that had the nuclear deal been satisfactorily implemented, Iran would now be open to negotiation with the United States on other issues.

World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevedo attends a news conference on the launch of the World Trade Report 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland, October 26, 2015. The benefits of a treaty that will cut red tape at borders and standardise customs procedures are much larger than previously thought and could add $3.6 trillion to annual global exports, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said in a report on Monday. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse - RTX1T975

Long road ahead for Iran’s bid to join World Trade Organization

If it wants to join the World Trade Organization, Iran will face many hurdles and has to take some painful measures.

Were Saudis behind Abbas-MEK meeting?

A meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Mujahedeen-e-Khalq leader Maryam Rajavi in Paris has sparked both Iranian and Palestinian suspicion about Saudi Arabia's ties to the Palestinian Authority.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

Construction cranes work on a high rise buildings in the foothills of the Alborz mountains in north Tehran April 15, 2010. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has asked 5 million Tehranis to evacuate the capital since they know their sprawling metropolis is due for a massive earthquake. When the last major earthquake hit, in 1831, Tehran was tiny compared to the metropo

Why Iran’s property market is unlikely to boom anytime soon

The Iranian real estate market signals that a recovery is on the way, after an almost three-year-long recession — but there is still debate about the likelihood of a property boom.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei departs after casting his ballot in the parliamentary election in Tehran March 2, 2012. Polls opened on Friday for a parliamentary election in Iran that will test the popularity of the clerical establishment at a time of a standoff with the West over the country's nuclear programme. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN - Tag

Khamenei calls negotiation with US 'lethal poison'

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has again criticized the nuclear deal, saying due to US-made obstacles, there have been no tangible effects for the people of Iran.