Analysis Israel likely to strike Iran in 2026, European diplomats say Israel might opt to strike Iran again next year if it assesses that the Tehran-based government is resuming high-level uranium enrichment. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Iran currency dips to new low of 1.2M per dollar as sanctions bite: What to know Since US President Donald Trump took office in January, the rial has plummeted. Iran
Analysis Trump’s Muslim Brotherhood move rekindles US debate over Islamist movement The executive order targeting Muslim Brotherhood chapters comes after President Trump weighed designating the entire movement in his first term. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Syria signs deals with ConocoPhillips, Novaterra Energy: What to know Syria signed a memorandum of understanding with US energy companies ConocoPhillips and Novaterra Energy to develop and explore gas fields as Damascus works to revive the country’s battered natural gas sector. Syria
Analysis Sharaa in Washington: Can US charm offensive boost Syria’s reconstruction? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
US sanctions hit Iranian students seeking bank accounts in Europe While Europe says it remains committed to the nuclear deal with Iran, the US withdrawal from the accord has created overcompliance with sanctions among banks that has made life difficult for Iranian students in Europe; however, Iranian students in the United States tell Al-Monitor they have not experienced such difficulties. United States
Iranians slam new EU sanctions as JCPOA hangs in balance Iran has condemned new EU sanctions targeting its Intelligence Ministry over alleged assassination plots, especially as they are imposed at a time when Tehran is still awaiting a long-stalled European payment mechanism to circumvent US sanctions. United States
Why Iranian teachers are protesting Iranian teachers are raising their voices to demand better conditions both for themselves and their students, and the struggle is moving forward with both protests and engagement with the authorities. United States
US sanctions and the dynamics of Iran’s petroleum sector While US sanctions are hitting Iran’s key energy sector hard, the industry remains set to advance, albeit at a slower pace and with a lower level of technology. Iran
House Democrats prepare to take on Trump over Iran sanctions Democrats and advocacy groups are preparing to confront the Donald Trump administration about obstacles to humanitarian exemptions in the Iran sanctions regime. United States
Iran faces budget deficit, but no shortage of means to cover it Having stabilized the Iranian rial in recent weeks, the Rouhani administration is poised to fill its projected budget deficit by reducing the flow of money going to the National Development Fund while pushing the official and open market rates closer to each other. Iran
On Iran, US allies fear ‘maximum pressure’ could provoke escalation While Iran continues to comply for now with the 2015 nuclear deal even after the reimposition of US sanctions, European allies fear that the US administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign could eventually lead to war. United States
Why the Rouhani administration must eliminate energy subsidies Despite pressure from lawmakers and the general public, the Rouhani administration must proceed with fuel-subsidy reform in order to relieve itself of avoidable financial burdens. Iran
Asia buoys Iran as US sanctions hit Iran is still selling considerable quantities of oil to China, Japan, India and South Korea thanks to US waivers and other mechanisms to circumvent sanctions. Iraq
Iran says missile tests do not violate UN resolution Iran has denied it violated a UN resolution and said that missile tests would continue. United States
