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

Iran cover image

Iran

November 3, 2026

Tehran 3:32 pm

19°C

Iranian motorists drive past a poster of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in central Tehran on Nov. 1, 2026. I

Iran gives 2-day window for Hormuz deal as US mulls strikes: What to know

An Iranian spokesperson said on Monday that a revised proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could take effect within two days if Washington meets its demands.

US Vice President JD Vance speaks to the media at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on Oct. 27, 2026.

Will Iran take up Vance lifeline to avoid another US attack?

Vance’s letter comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity ahead of the Nov. 3 deadline; Jordan and Syria move to deepen security ties following a terrorist attack.

Tehran

Analysis

Who will blink first in latest US-Iran diplomacy efforts?

The prospects for a US-Iran deal may depend less on the scope for compromise than on whether either side can afford to make the first concession.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Vessels transit the Hormuz Strait

Limpet mine attack in Hormuz suggests Iran may be shifting tactics

UKMTO report of the first successful limpet mine attack on a commercial vessel in the Middle East since 2019 appeared to undermine the Pentagon's claims to have fully cleared and opened the Strait of Hormuz.

Latest News

Oil tops $114 as traders brace for Iran escalation after US midterms

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the opening bell, New York City, Sept. 28, 2026.

Analysis

Mediators scramble to avert US-Iran fighting after Trump's midterm restraint fades

US President Donald Trump walks on stage

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

CENTCOM chief briefs Trump on Iran strike options

US CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper speaks during a press briefing

Iran arrests 16 in connection with alleged US-Israel-linked cells: What to know

John Moore/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

Why Iran doesn't want to stay in Yemen

Despite hopes of expanded Iranian assistance, Yemen's Houthis are unlikely to receive the kind of help Tehran extends to Lebanon's Hezbollah.

As popularity rises, Iran tries to control Telegram messaging app

Iranian authorities have asked Telegram messaging service to block "immoral" content.

Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu (L), U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (2nd L), Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (3rd L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pose during a photo opportunity before a meeting in Vienna, October 23, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri - RTS5SVT

No breakthrough in Syria possible without Iran

Russian foreign minister dismisses rumors of a deal on Assad ahead of Syria talks; Hezbollah takes casualties in Hama; Turkey’s headache over US support for Syrian Kurds; days of rage in Gaza.

Has Iran entered 'new era' of economic policies?

Iran's supreme leader backs the establishment of a new paradigm of economic management and shuts the door to a resumption of past economic policies.

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

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a sermon during Friday prayers at Tehran University June 19, 2009. Khamenei on Friday demanded an end to street protests that have shaken the country since a disputed presidential election a week ago and said any bloodshed would be their leaders' fault. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN POLITICS ELECTIONS RELIGI

Rouhani thanks Khamenei for nuke deal 'stamp of approval'

In a letter, President Hassan Rouhani says the supreme leader's letter provided a "stamp of approval" for the nuclear deal, though others believe Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's "conditions" provide the antidote to a bad deal.

Iranian drug addicts prepare heroin for injection near the Zeytoun (olive) drug rehabilitation center in south Tehran February 23, 2004.The Zeytoun center is run by a former addict called 'Forouhar' who weaned himself off drugs in the [United States]. Senior police officers have recently estimated that the Islamic Republic has some two million addicts and their forces struggle to contend with huge consignments of drugs smuggled over the porous border with [Afghanistan].
? OUT
? ONLINES - RTXMFZ9

Tehran tries to make its addicts go to rehab

Iran's policy of forcibly transferring street addicts to government-run rehabilitation camps appears to falter.

Mourners attend the funeral of victims killed in Saudi Arabia during a stampede at the haj pilgrimage, in Tehran October 4, 2015. More than 464 Iranian nationals were killed in last month's crush in Mina, Saudi Arabia, Iran's Haj Organization says. Iranian officials have alleged the overall total death toll is more than 1,000. Saudi Arabia has confirmed the deaths of 769 people. The banner reads, "Kill our nation, our nation becomes more awake. Down with the U.S."REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMAATTENTION EDITOR

How will hajj stampede impact Iran-Saudi relations?

The implications for Saudi-Iranian relations of the deadly hajj stampede, in which hundreds of Iranians were killed, appear far from over.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (L) talks to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 21, 2015. Moscow and Baghdad are expanding military cooperation, Putin said on Thursday during talks with al-Abadi in the Kremlin. REUTERS/Kirill Kudryavtsev/Pool - RTX1DYWB

Can Iraq meet US, Russia halfway?

As political forces have called for Russia to intervene in Iraq, as it has in Syria, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has been cautious about what steps to take regarding Russia and the United States.

What’s so special about Iran’s latest missile?

Just days before the nuclear agreement between Tehran and the P5+1 entered the implementation phase, Iran test-fired a new precision-guided ballistic missile.

German FM: Iran, Saudi tensions strengthen terrorists

Germany's foreign minister encourages Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to work to reduce Iran-Saudi tensions.

Iran's $40 million movie, is anyone watching it?

The most costly film in the history of Iran's cinema has been on the silver screen for just over a month, but what do Iranian viewers think of it?

Participants await the start of an event hosted by Swiss government-funded organization Swiss Global Enterprise, in Zurich, Switzerland August 27, 2015. Swiss Global Enterprise, who promotes small Swiss businesses abroad, is hosting an event on how to pursue opportunities in Iran following the nuclear agreement in June. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann - RTX1PUMW

Europe seen as wild card as Iran nuclear deal goes into effect

Critics of the nuclear agreement with Iran urge US President Barack Obama to set firm limits on international sanctions relief early on.