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Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot, Tehran, Iran, March 8, 2026.

Analysis

Running out of time: Israel escalates Iran strikes as Trump weighs ‘elegant exit’

The Israeli military is pushing for more strikes on Iran before the window of opportunity closes, when US President Trump decides to end the war.

By Ben Caspit

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

Iran threatens Trump as Israel hits IRGC weapons hub in Tehran: What to know

US officials have vowed to escalate the campaign against Iran while Gulf states reported a barrage of attacks targeting their territory.

Iran

The sun sets behind burning gas flares at the Dora Oil Refinery Complex in Baghdad on Nov. 24, 2025.

Exclusive

Baghdad, US turn to Iraqi Kurds for oil exports as Iran war hits supplies

Baghdad wants Kurdish pipelines to move up to 200,000 barrels per day to global markets, but Erbil is demanding relief from a dollar embargo and greater autonomy over trade.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Russia denied sharing intelligence with Iran in Trump call, Witkoff says

Russia denied US reports that it may have provided Tehran with targeting information on American assets in the region.

Iran

Displaced Sudanese who fled El-Fasher after the city fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), walk in the Um Yanqur camp, located on the southwestern edge of Tawila, in war-torn Sudan's western Darfur region on November 3, 2025. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

US cites 20,000 Iran-backed fighters in labeling Sudan Brotherhood terror group

The Specially Designated Global Terrorist label entails economic sanctions against the group, including an assets freeze, while the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation criminalizes providing material support for it.

Sudan

Latest News

Airlines gradually restore Middle East flights, Gulf still heavily grounded

An Emirates Airbus A380 passenger aircraft prepares for landing at Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 8, 2026.

United Arab Emirates

Oil swings steady as Aramco warns of 'catastrophic' Hormuz disruption

Iran

US strikes on Iran peak as Trump warns Tehran over Hormuz oil routes

Iran

Defiant Iran vows to block Gulf oil until US-Israel bombing stops

Agence France-Presse

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FILE PHOTO: U.S. Army Lieutenant General Joshua Rudd, Deputy Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 29, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

US Senate confirms National Security Agency director, ending long vacancy

Reuters

Smoke rises following an explosion, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 7, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Exclusive-As many as 150 US troops wounded so far in Iran war, sources say

Reuters

US energy secretary deletes post about Navy escorting vessel through Strait of Hormuz

Reuters

The HMS Dragon is guided by tugboats as it departs Portsmouth, on the south coast of England

British warship leaves for Mediterranean to protect Cyprus

Agence France-Presse

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The Al-Monitor Brief

How long can the Gulf protect itself from Iranian strikes?

Francesco Schiavi joins Adam Lucente

17:23

Adam Lucente, Ezgi Akin and Rina Bassist

The Al-Monitor Brief

Middle East at war: Regional observations on Iran, Israel, Turkey and beyond

Rina Bassist, Ezgi Akin and Beatrice Farhat joins Adam Lucente

18:19

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Most Iranians would reject US deal, fearing it enables regime survival, says Hamidreza Azizi

Hamidreza Azizi joins Amberin Zaman

29:08

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Interview

AI, cybersecurity high on Mideast priorities amid global tech rivalry: Tech Mahindra

A man and woman walk along a promenade overlooking the Burj al-Arab and Dubai skyline on January 4, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

Treated as 'enemies’: Ahmad Tibi accuses Netanyahu government of indifference to Arab Israeli lives

Ahmad Tibi

Knesset member and Ta'al Party leader

Interview

YPG spokesman: Syrian forces' strategy is to isolate Kurdish towns and cities

Siyamend Ali

YPG spokesman

Interview

Huckabee confirms US-Israel alignment on Iran, says Hamas will disarm 'sooner or later'

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, US President Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel, testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, March 25, 2025.

Analysis

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Analysis

Oil crisis stokes inflation risks for Mideast as Iran war exposes importers

Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7, 2026.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Israel doubts Iran regime change odds despite Netanyahu rhetoric

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Palmachim Air Base on March 3, 2026, accompanied by Minister of Defense Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Qatar gas shock roils Middle East energy risk profile amid Iran war

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Running out of time: Israel escalates Iran strikes as Trump weighs ‘elegant exit’

By Ben Caspit

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

Joyce Karam, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Holly Dagres, and Ali Hashem

Are the US and Iran closer to war or a deal?

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Saudi Arabia's former and new investment ministers side by side

Saudi Arabia names new investment minister as Vision 2030 funding lags

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Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

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Elizabeth Hagdeorn asking Rubio a question about negotiations with the Iranian government after its killing of protesters

Rubio tells Al-Monitor talks with Iran must address ballistic missiles, proxies

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Past

AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts food security forum with Dr. Conrad Rein

On October 16, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Dr. Conrad Rein, Secretary of the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, alongside representatives from multilateral development banks and the private sector for a discussion on food security in the Middle East and Africa.

Washington, DC

October 16, 2025 11:00 EDT

Past

AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts Digital Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya

On Sept. 21, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, for a discussion on digital inclusion and economic empowerment in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

New York, NY

September 21, 2025 17:00 EDT

Past

Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani at AL-Monitor Global Institute

AL-Monitor Global Institute hosts Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright

On May 22, 2025, the AL-Monitor Global Institute hosted Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in Washington DC to discuss the future of power and energy in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Washington, DC

May 22, 2025 10:30 EDT

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