AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent since 2012

UAE accuses Iran of 'extortion' in Strait of Hormuz: What to know

The accusation comes as Iran continues to launch drone and missile attacks in the Gulf.

United Arab Emirates

Turkey in talks with Iran to clear 11 ships stuck in Hormuz: What to know

Turkey's transport minister says that 11 vessels await passage from Hormuz pending talks with Iran.

Turkey

Residents and first responders at the scene following an Iranian strike in Bnei Brak in central Israel on Wednesday

Trump says Iran asks for ceasefire as Tehran hit by fresh strikes

Agence France-Presse

A view of the platform of the Leviathan natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is pictured from the Israeli northern coastal beach of Nasholim, on Aug. 29, 2022.

Israel energy minister says gas flowing to Egypt, Jordan despite shutdown reports

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen told Al-Monitor that despite security concerns and partial shut down of marine gas platforms, Israel continues to supply gas to Egypt, Jordan and Israeli consumers.

Israel

A member of the Iranian security forces stands guard next to a banner honoring Iran's slain supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on March 31, 2026.

Analysis

Iran executes alleged MEK members in bid to signal wartime control

Iran's execution of four alleged opposition members underscores a wartime strategy of tightening domestic control — leveraging a familiar "enemy" narrative to manage internal dissent and uncertainty.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Airline Emirates says Iranian nationals barred from entering or transiting UAE

An Emirates airplane at Dubai International Airport, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

American journalist Shelly Kittleson abducted in Iraq

Iraq

Analysis

Why Germany may struggle to meet Merz’s 80% Syria repatriation goal

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa depart after speaking to the media following talks at the Chancellery on March 30, 2026, in Berlin, Germany.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

Analysis

How the Iran war is giving Turkey's Erdogan a big boost

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to MPs at his party's group meeting in the Turkish parliament on Jan. 21, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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Christians in Lebanon's south fear expanding war will reach their towns

Reuters

U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers a speech on the day he administers the oath of office to Colin McDonald, the U.S. Assistant Attorney General in charge of fraud enforcement, in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) on the White House campus in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno

US VP Vance spoke to intermediaries about Iran conflict as recently as Tuesday, source says

Reuters

US President Donald Trump, pictured addressing the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in 2025, has seen is approval rating slip below 40 percent

Trump to address nation as Iran war batters approval

Agence France-Presse

Smoke rises following a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 1, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Iran says Trump's statements on Tehran requesting ceasefire are false and baseless

Reuters

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The Al-Monitor Brief

What are Trump’s ground operations options in Iran as warships amass?

Jared Szuba joins Adam Lucente

30 March, 4:44 PM ET

13:43

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Iranian children make up 15% of civilians killed since US, Israel launched war, rights monitor says

Skylar Thompson joins Amberin Zaman

26 March, 2:49 PM ET

18:27

The Al-Monitor Brief

What’s next for the war as Iran responds to the US proposal?

Joyce Karam joins Adam Lucente

26 March, 2:18 PM ET

9:33

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Interview

Yadlin: Israel's war goal to weaken Iran, not immediate regime change

Retired Israeli general and executive director of Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies Amos Yadlin attends a session at the Manama Dialogue security conference in the Bahraini capital, on Dec. 5, 2020.

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.

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

Ex-Israeli security official: Netanyahu pushed US, Israel into Iran war without imminent threat

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Why Germany may struggle to meet Merz’s 80% Syria repatriation goal

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

Analysis

How the Iran war is giving Turkey's Erdogan a big boost

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

Israel urges US escalation against Iran, possible ground invasion

People inspect destruction at a business building that housed the offices of the Doha-headquartered news network Al Araby TV following a missile strike earlier in the day, Tehran, Iran, March 29, 2026.

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Iran executes alleged MEK members in bid to signal wartime control

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Joyce Karam, Randa Slim, Hamidreza Azizi, Hasan Alhasan

Iran War at One Month: Outlook and Implications

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sits across from Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Ukraine's Zelenskyy capitalizes on Iran war to ink security deal with Saudi Arabia

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Joe Snell appears on a street wearing a black jacket; in the frame next to it, a woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a black blazer appears on a laptop screen from a Zoom meeting.

French ISIS Member Convicted of Genocide Against Yazidis

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Ezgi Akin at Turkey's Kapikoy border crossing

AL-MONITOR's Ezgi Akin at Turkey-Iran Border Crossing

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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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