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

White House, Washington DC, United States of America

United States

May 7, 2026

Washington D.C. 8:20 pm

14°C

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China in Beijing on May 6, 2026. Credit: Telegram

Analysis

China shores up Iran support as Trump seeks exit

China understands how badly Trump wants an exit from the conflict. But timing is critical: if no agreement is reached before Trump arrives in China on Thursday, Beijing would be better positioned to set the agenda.

Joyce Karam

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Lebanon, Israel eye third round of talks, but no Netanyahu-Aoun meeting in sight

The US appears to be pushing for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the Lebanese government says it won't happen while Israel continues to launch attacks on Lebanon.

Latest News

EU says energy costs tied to Hormuz crisis have surged past $35B

Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel fears Trump seeking Hormuz win while sidestepping Iran nuclear issue

Amirhossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

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

Pentagon says Iran ceasefire continues despite UAE attack

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on April 24, 2026.

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Rosaleen Carroll

News Reporter and Supporting Editor

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Paul J. Saunders

In Washington, DC, reporting on Russia in the Middle East

US Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson (C), is seen inside a car escorted by Turkish plain clothes police officers as he arrives at his house on July 25, 2018 in Izmir. - A Turkish court on July 25, 2018 ruled to place under house arrest US pastor who has been imprisoned for almost two years on terror-related charges in a case that has raised tensions with the United States, state media said. The state-run Anadolu news agency said he was being put under house arrest, although it was not clear if he had already lef

Turkey remains defiant in row with US over pastor as deal falls through

A possible deal to end the US-Turkish row over an American pastor detained in Izmir appears to have failed after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heaped additional demands on an agreement.

Zarif says US primary goal is to ‘create chaos’ in Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif believes Iran can weather the storm of US sanctions.

How Trump's strong support for Israel harms pro-settler party

The settler-friendly US administration is stealing away the agenda of the Israeli national-religious party and depriving it of an important enemy.

U.S. President Donald Trump signs a proclamation declaring his intention to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 8, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC157E042900

US reimposes sanctions as Iran deal crumbles

With the Donald Trump administration set to reimpose Iran sanctions after exiting the nuclear deal, it’s looking less and less likely the rest of the world can salvage the accord.

U.S. President Donald Trump signs the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 at the White House in Washington D.C., U.S. December 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC1DBA301210

US defense bill could impact arms exports to Middle East

This year’s US defense authorization bill calls for reforming America’s high-tech exports even as weapons sales to the region boom.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, blows a watchmen whistle during a ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey, August 25, 2017. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC16D1688D50

What will it take to defuse US-Turkey crisis?

The US Treasury's sanctions against two high-level Turkish officials — a move unprecedented between NATO allies — has pushed the ailing Turkish lira to record lows against the dollar and the two sides could become trapped in an escalating spiral.

IMF option looms larger for Turkey amid row with US

Turkey’s economic woes keep growing, exacerbated by central bank inaction and simmering tensions with the United States, in what many see as an inevitable march to the IMF.

Turkey fumes over US sanctions, vows to retaliate

The US sanctions may make the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is at the heart of the current US-Turkey crisis, much harder for Ankara.

The coming battle for Idlib

Syrian regime forces are deploying near and around Idlib province, in northwestern Syria, suggesting that the battle for Idlib is shaping up despite diplomatic gesturing and a statement by Russia denying an imminent operation.

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to Turkeyís President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium July 11, 2018. Tatyana Zenkovich/Pool via REUTERS - RC1B9A3C2D00

Trump makes good on threat to sanction Turkey

The US president is sanctioning two top officials in hopes of pressuring Ankara to release a US pastor, with uncertain results.

Caution and doubt in Iran as Trump offers direct dialogue

In Iran, political heavyweights respond to US President Donald Trump's sudden offer of "unconditional" talks.

Turkey becomes more dependent on Russia due to Idlib

Ankara has not reacted to large Russian arms shipments to Armenia as Turkey’s current priority is preserving security cooperation with Russia in Syria, particularly in Idlib.