AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent since 2012

US strike on Iran suspension bridge hints at looming shift in war strategy

President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to widen the US military’s aperture to bomb civilian infrastructure if leaders in Tehran continue to refuse his demands for capitulation by April 6.

Iran

Iran says strikes hit historic Pasteur Institute in Tehran: What to know

Iranian officials say US-Israeli strikes have hit Tehran’s Pasteur Institute, a century-old pillar of Iran’s public health system.

Iran

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar meets with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, at the Diaoytai State Guest House in Beijing, China, on March 31, 2026. — Pakistani Foreign Ministry

Analysis

China plays peacemaker while letting US bleed in Iran

Beijing’s push for a ceasefire in the Iran war highlights its diplomatic ambitions — but entrenched actors and limited leverage leave its plan short on real prospects.

By Joyce Karam

This photograph shows a sign displaying the daily price panel for SP98, SP95 and diesel at a gas station in Paris on April 2, 2026.

Europe diesel at four-year high above $200 as Iran war disrupts supply

Futures traded as high as $1,498 a ton, or more than $200 a barrel, soaring as much as 9.7% in London on Thursday.

Iran

A photo lying among the rubble of a house destroyed by an Israeli strike, amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran continues, in Houmine El Tahta, Lebanon, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Yara Nardi TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A month into war, Lebanon's prime minister says no end in sight

Reuters

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Senior Houthi official says Bab el Mandab closure an option if any Gulf states join war

Members of Houthi security forces stand guard while supporters of Yemen's Houthi movement attend an event commemorating the ninth anniversary of the Saudi-led intervention in their country, in the capital, Sanaa, on March 26, 2026.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

'Apartheid': Arab countries including UAE, Jordan decry new Israeli law

MOJAHID NAW/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Palestine

UK to host talks with 35 countries on reopening Strait of Hormuz

FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and a 3D printed oil pipeline are seen in this illustration taken March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Trump threatens to hit Iran 'extremely hard' over next two to three weeks

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to deliver an address to the nation about the Iran war at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. April 1, 2026. Alex Brandon/Pool via REUTERS

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Israeli director Nadav Lapid says he wants his new film 'Yes' to give people a jolt

Israeli director Nadav Lapid wants new satire to 'shake souls'

Agence France-Presse

A view of the Strait of Hormuz from the United Arab Emirates

UN Security Council to vote on authorizing force to protect Hormuz

Agence France-Presse

A man looks at a residential building damaged by a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 27, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

US experts say American strikes on Iran may amount to war crimes

Reuters

Experts say US President Donald would not likely face near term consequences if he carried out attacks against civilian infrastructure in Iran that would be considered potential war crimes

Trump gloats on possible war crimes in Iran, but punishment distant

Agence France-Presse

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Growing number of Iranians believe war seeks to destroy their nation, not just regime, says Vali Nasr

Vali Nasr joins Amberin Zaman

2 April, 3:44 PM ET

23:41

The Al-Monitor Brief

Syria’s Sharaa visits Germany and the UK as refugee returns, Iran war loom

Rosaleen Carroll joins Adam Lucente

1 April, 4:57 PM ET

12:40

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

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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

Iran executes alleged MEK members in bid to signal wartime control

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.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

Analysis

China plays peacemaker while letting US bleed in Iran

By Joyce Karam

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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