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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi meets with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House, Washington, DC, July 14, 2026.

Trump hosts Iraqi PM Zaidi as Iran war intensifies

President Donald Trump emphasized Iraq’s “tremendous oil reserves” and possible deals with US companies.

Analysis

'The word belongs to the battlefield': Why Iran, US are drifting back to conflict

Iran no longer seeks a return to the prewar status quo, insisting that any future negotiations begin with the new regional balance created by the conflict rather than seek to restore the old one.

By Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Trump retreats from Hormuz 20% fee plan in pivot to Gulf investment deals

The shift comes barely 24 hours after Trump declared the United States would become the "guardian" of the strategic waterway and seek compensation for protecting all cargo passing through it.

Iran

A photograph shows a damaged building in the aftermath of a drone strike in the Seef district of Manama on March 10, 2026.

Bahrain sentences 3 to life in prison over ties to Iran's IRGC: What to know

The sentencing comes as Bahrain continues to crack down on individuals allegedly spying for Iran, at a time when the IRGC has resumed its strikes against US assets in the Gulf.

Bahrain

This photograph taken from the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh shows smoke as it rises from the site of an Israeli-controlled explosion in the village of Kfar Tibnit, with the Beaufort citadel seen in the distance, July 13, 2026.

Lebanon-Israel framework deal faces first major test in Rome: What to know

Lebanon and Israel began a sixth round of talks in Rome to discuss the US-brokered framework agreement, amid delays and disputes over the implementation of the pilot zone arrangement in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon

Latest News

Analysis

As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat

By Ben Caspit

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

Oil prices climb to $85 as US-Iran attacks intensify, Hormuz traffic stalls

Iran

Explainer

Trump’s Hormuz playbook echoes Iran’s attempts to monetize waterway

The Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC Reef is seen docked along a pier at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in Sharjah Emirate, along the Gulf of Oman, on June 28, 2026.

Iran

Trump says US to strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site

US President Donald Trump gestures as he steps off Air Force One to board the new Qatari-gifted Boeing plane, en route to the United States following his participation in the NATO Summit at Royal Air Force Mildenhall on July 8, 2026, in Mildenhall, England.

Iran

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Trump drops Hormuz fee plan in favour of Gulf investment deals

Reuters

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun attends a press conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (not pictured), at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, February 16, 2026. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Lebanon, Israel hold US-brokered talks in Rome to implement framework deal

Reuters

Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) speaks during a rally in support of congressional candidate Connie Chan in San Francisco, California, U.S., May 29, 2026. REUTERS/Manuel Orbegozo

Lawmakers seek to counter China, Iran repression tactics on US soil

Reuters

UAE says Iranian missiles struck oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz, one sailor killed

Reuters

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Middle East Minute

Iraq’s Zaidi meets Trump at White House with energy, Iran-backed militias in focus

14 July, 8:37 AM ET

3:48

Middle East Minute

Yemen's Houthis say Saudi Arabia hit Sanaa airport

13 July, 8:48 AM ET

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s World Cup meltdown is a milestone in unraveling of Erdogan’s reign, says Selim Koru

Selim Koru joins Amberin Zaman

25 June, 3:19 PM ET

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Interviews

Exclusive conversations with AL-MONITOR.

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Interview

Saudi labor localization will take ‘generation or two': Armada CEO

A student attends a training seminar at the Tourism Ministry Training center in the city of Riyadh on August 30, 2022.

Olivier Badard

CEO of Armada Holding

Interview

US-Egypt fund makes case for economic statecraft in hard power era

A worker counts banknotes after filling up the tank of a vehicle at a petrol station in Giza on March 10, 2026.

Cornelius Queen

Senior Vice President of the Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund

Interview

Franco-Gulf investment holds firm despite Iran war, French official says

French Trade & Invest Commissioner for United Arab Emirates and Middle East and Business France's regional director for the Middle East Axel Baroux. — Business France

Axel Baroux

France’s trade and investment commissioner for the UAE and Middle East

Interview

Ayman Odeh says Arab parties could back Bennett or Eisenkot to block Netanyahu

Ayman Odeh

Head of the Knesset's Hadash-Ta'al faction

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

'The word belongs to the battlefield': Why Iran, US are drifting back to conflict

By Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Analysis

On first foreign trip, Iraqi PM Zaidi woos Trump but Iran casts long shadow

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at a Council of Ministers meeting in Baghdad on July 11, 2026.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

Saudi-UAE payment blocks could imperil billions in trade: What to know

A man crosses a street while returning home from work, in Dubai on June 23, 2026. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat

By Ben Caspit

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

Deciphering the US-Iran deal: What comes next?

June 23, 2026