Iran - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Iran cover image

Iran

July 2, 2026

Tehran 4:14 pm

32°C

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian listens during a joint press conference alongside Armenia's Prime Minister in Yerevan on August 19, 2025.

Analysis

Why Iran's Pezeshkian is facing an uphill battle in postwar diplomacy

As President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration advances dialogue with Washington, its fiercer contest is in the corridors of power within the Islamic Republic itself.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Latest News

Analysis

For Israel, Lebanon deal 'historic' despite fears Hezbollah will rebuild

Shia Muslim devotees gather for a mourning ritual near the shrine of Hassan Nasrallah, the slain leader of the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah who was killed in a 2024 Israeli-airstrike, in Beirut's southern suburbs on June 26, 2026 at the peak of Ashura, a 10-day period commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP via Getty Images)

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

3 IRGC members killed in twin attacks as Iran intensifies Kurdish crackdown

Members of the crowd wave Iranian flags during a funeral procession held for IRGC Navy Chief Alireza Tangsiri.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

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

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Benjamin Houghton

In Durham, reporting on China in the Middle East

Rahim Rahimov

In Baku, reporting on Middle East-Caucasus ties

Mehrnaz Samimi

In Washington, DC, reporting on Iranian culture

AFP via Getty Images

With voter apathy at 77%, what will Iran's elections bring next week?

Next week's elections will be the first since the massive national protests were met with a violent crackdown.

An Iranian Navy warship in the Strait of Hormuz, on April 30, 2019.

Iran says arms exports up 40% as missiles transfers to Russia take spotlight

Iran boasted significant growth in its weapons exports as its controversial military ties with Russia have come under the spotlight again with reports of new ballistic missile shipments.

Computer teacher Behnam Soleimani makes his way along an uneven sidewalk in Tehran, July 17, 2017.

Disabled Iranians on tough terrain as hurdles persist

Iran was late to the table in passing a law on the rights of the disabled, and oversight is not required.

A man in Tehran holds a local newspaper reporting on its front page the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.

A year on from Iran-Saudi thaw, little to show beyond photo ops

Despite the detente, the two sides appear to have adopted few tangible measures to narrow their long-standing differences over regional influence, while their covert divergence on the Gaza war has only added to the complications of their fragile rapprochement.

Blue and gold check marks were removed from Press TV's X account.

Twitter/X removes verified status of Iranian state media accounts

The move followed a report suggesting X may be violating US sanctions by offering paid services to sanctioned Iranian organizations.

Iranian drone "Mohajer 10" is displayed Iran's defence industry achievements exhibition, on Aug. 23, 2023 in Tehran.

Iran's IRGC claims developing stealth drones that 'can hit any vessel'

Iranian missiles and drones are believed to have been fired by its regional proxies against Israeli and international ships, as the scope of the Israel-Hamas war expands across the region.

AFP via Getty Images

What we know about Iran's gas pipelines explosions

Iran has experienced several explosions, fires and other disruptions in recent years, and some of them have been blamed on the United States and Israel.

Citizens visit their loved ones at Yerablur Military Cemetery who were killed recently during September in Nagorno-Karabakh. Family and friends lay flowers and burn incense at the graves throughout the days. On September 19th Azerbaijan launched a large-scale military offensive against the Armenian Republic of Artsakh. The violation was seen as a breach in the 2020 ceasefire, which led to over 190 servicemen killed, and over 360 wounded. After the fighting officially ended on September 21, Azerbaijan opened

Iran, Russia urge calm following new Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes

Iran has significant interests at stake in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, having a somewhat tense relationship with the latter.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Cyberattack on Iran's parliament claimed by dissident group

A group affiliated with a notorious Iranian dissident organization claimed credit for the attack as hacking incidents increase during the Gaza war.

his combination of pictures created on April 18, 2023 shows Sudan's army chief, Lieutenant-General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (L), in Juba on October, 14, 2019 and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (R) known as Hemedti, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), addressing the media upon his return from Russia at Khartoum airport on March 2, 2022. - AKUOT CHOL,ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP via Getty Images

How Sudan could become an Iran-UAE proxy war

Iran’s efforts to establish a foothold in Sudan threatens its fragile ties with the UAE, which has its own interests in the war-torn country.

United Arab Emirates

Ebrahim Raisi waves after casting his ballot for presidential election, in Tehran, on June 18, 2021.

Iran officials scramble to reverse voter apathy ahead of key elections

Anxious about anticipated record lows in voter turnout, the Islamic Republic is widely campaigning to get the nation to ballot boxes amid pent-up grievances and growing discontent.

A pedestrian walks past a branch of a Lloyds Bank in London on Feb. 24, 2021.

Analysis

Iran's use of 2 UK banks to evade sanctions tests West's financial systems

The Financial Times reported earlier this week that Lloyds Bank and Santander UK provided accounts to companies with links to Iran’s intelligence services.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech