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

Iran cover image

Iran

June 18, 2026

Tehran 7:25 am

24°C

A shop owner counts Iranian banknotes at a store in the capital Tehran on Jan. 7, 2026.

How Iran stands to win major financial relief in Trump-backed deal

Iran will receive some upfront sanctions relief despite the Trump administration's pledge of “no dust, no dollars.”

A general view shows the Awad oil field in the eastern Qamishli countryside in northeastern Syria, on Feb. 9, 2026.

Explainer

Oil’s slide wavers as Trump warns US-Iran deal ‘not final’

Brent crude prices briefly jumped back above $80 per barrel on Wednesday as traders digested conflicting signals about efforts to end the war and reopen Hormuz.

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks with Tehran's Chamber of Commerce, June 17, 2026.

After US-Iran deal, Ghalibaf says Tehran seeks deeper ties with China

“China must believe and will believe that we are not just a customer or a trading partner, but a partner in every sense,” Ghalibaf said.

Trump

Read the full 14-point US-Iran deal

The US will issue waivers for Iranian oil sales upon the deal's signing, and Iran will have access to its frozen funds upon implementation.

Latest News

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

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.

Analysis

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

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

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Scrutiny builds over Iran deal kept from lawmakers

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

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

Iranians in uproar over executive pay at state-owned company

Leaks of executive pay at Iran’s main state-owned insurance company spark a public backlash, with a hint of what President Hassan Rouhani may face as the country enters election season yet again.

Has Iran-Saudi cyberwar already started?

After an Iranian website was hacked, some Iranian websites are speculating as to whether or not an Iranian-Saudi cyberwar has begun.

US seizure of Iranian assets may open old wounds

One month after the US Supreme Court’s ruling that frozen Iranian assets can be used to compensate families of victims of a 1983 bombing, the Rouhani administration is under mounting pressure to take action.

Stephen Mull, the US State Department's Lead Coordinator For Iran Nuclear Implementation, speaks during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on December 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO/NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / NICHOLAS KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Does Obama administration oppose key Iran bill?

Congress blows up over the administration's refusal to endorse renewal of the expiring Iran Sanctions Act.

Tehran accuses Israel of holding four Iranians who disappeared 34 years ago

Iran's defense minister said that Israel is holding prisoner the four Iranians who were kidnapped in Lebanon in 1982.

Hard-line cleric clinches Assembly of Experts leadership

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati has been elected to head Iran's Assembly of Experts, the body that will choose the next supreme leader of Iran.

A gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Gulf July 25, 2005. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/File Photo - RTX2AOPF

What's fueling opposition to Iran's new oil contracts?

The future of a new framework for Iranian oil contracts remains blurry as political infighting seems to be preventing its finalization.

Riot police stand guard while Syrian protesters hold anti-Assad placards in front of the Arab League headquarters in Cairo where a meeting of Arab foreign ministers is taking place September 5, 2012. The placards say, "We are on hunger strike for the sake of the Syrian children". REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR37IEC

Why hasn't Egypt taken a clear stance on Syria?

Since Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came to power two years ago, Egypt has repeatedly stated that it wants to preserve the Syrian state and army, but it has been vague when it comes to voicing an opinion on the regime itself.

Rouhani praises 'historic' day for Iran, India, Afghanistan

The leaders of Iran, India and Afghanistan gathered in Tehran to sign an agreement to develop a transit system connecting their countries via the southeastern Iranian port of Chabahar.

Is it time to tame Iran's lawless publishing sector?

Iranians are debating whether to join the international Berne Convention on copyright, with advocates arguing that signing on will bring legitimacy to Iranian publishing and detractors fearing copyright enforcement will only benefit the corrupt and powerful.

How Leonardo DiCaprio became unlikely champion in Iran

Iranians are elated that actor Leonardo DiCaprio is helping to raise awareness of the drying of Lake Urmia.

Iraqis divided over Soleimani's role in their country

Iran's Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani is stirring controversy in the Iraqi street, where citizens are waving both Iranian and Iraqi flags during demonstrations for or against his presence.