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Iran

July 15, 2026

Tehran 11:36 am

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A ship sails off the coast of Ajman on July 10, 2026.

Interview

Why the Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF

The fund's Middle East director, Jihad Azour, told Al-Monitor that the big Gulf energy producers now have more capacity to absorb the shock.

Jihad Azour

Jihad Azour

Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund

A general view of the Iranian Embassy on July 13, 2026, in London, England.

Analysis

How UK's IRGC designation raises stakes for Iran and Europe

Following Britain's designation, Iran has presented a unified front in which all institutions are projecting the IRGC as an integral component of national sovereignty.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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.

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.

Latest News

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

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

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

AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

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

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

Analysis

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

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

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

Tehran convenes allies against threats that include US

Iran outlined many concerns it shares with other participants at its recent security conference, especially about Afghanistan and the US presence there.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani meets Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (not pictured) in Tokyo, Japan, December 20, 2019. Charly Triballeau/Pool via REUTERS - RC2YYD9DLX7A

Rouhani claims US sanctions will pass

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told Japanese and Indian officials he believes that the United States will soon have no choice but to end its pressure campaign against Iran.

Budget plan reveals Iran’s shifting priorities in foreign policy

Iran’s proposed budget for next year, in the face of a shrinking economy, reflects its Foreign Ministry’s diminished role in critical political and economic aspects of foreign policy.

Secular Shiism on rise in Shiite Crescent

The Shiite Crescent, a fertile area for rising political Shiism in recent decades, is now witnessing the rise of new, secular Shiism.

Iranian professor Massoud Soleimani is seen next to Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during his arrival at Mehrabad airport, in Tehran, Iran December 7, 2019. Picture taken December 7, 2019. West Asia News Agency (WANA) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC2VQD9YNUU9

Inside the US-Iran prisoner swap, and what comes next

Can Washington and Tehran build on the success of the Swiss facilitated exchange?

TEHRAN, Nov. 25, 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi speaks during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Nov. 25, 2019. Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday blamed the United States for its support to the recent protests in Iran over the price rise of gasoline. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua via Getty)

Iran condemns UN human rights resolution

Iran has rejected a UN General Assembly resolution calling on it to stop abusing human rights, arguing that it is based on double standards.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem November 3, 2019. Oded Balilty/Pool via REUTERS - RC1FB1320DD0

Is Netanyahu planning a preemptive attack against Hezbollah?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a preemptive attack against Iranian proxy Hezbollah, perhaps before the March elections.

This picture taken on April 11, 2019 shows trees partially submerged by water from floods in Ahvaz, the capital of Iran's southwestern province of Khuzestan - Authorities ordered tens of thousands of residents of the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz to evacuate immediately on April 10 as floodwaters entered the capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province, state television reported. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iranian city hit by flood mismanagement, mystery deaths

A renewed debate on crisis mismanagement is gripping Iran after four patients died at a hospital's Intensive Care Unit due to a power blackout caused by lightning and heavy downpours.

FORDOW FACILITY, IRAN-JANUARY 30,2013: This is a satellite image of the Fordow facility in Iran. (Photo DigitalGlobe via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Russia exits nuclear conversion project, but stands by Iran

Russia has halted its conversion operations at Iran's Fordow nuclear facility, but this doesn't signal a crack in Moscow-Tehran relations.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan is welcomed by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, September 19, 2019. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC12CFCDD940

Mideast rivalries plague fledgling Muslim summit in Malaysia

Tensions between Riyadh and Tehran are dogging a summit set to debut this week in Kuala Lumpur.

TEHRAN, June 13, 2019 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe L and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani attend a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, June 12, 2019. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that the Islamic republic welcomes Japan's efforts for the development of mutual ties as well as regional and international cooperation. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz via Getty Images)

Rouhani heads to Japan as Abe seeks US-Iran deal

Iran's president has embarked on a trip that will take him to Japan, a host that has been scrambling to mediate some Tehran-Washington rapprochement at a critical time for the Iranian economy.

Targeting of US bases in Iraq a harsh Iranian message to Washington

The rise of attacks against US military bases in Iraq in conjunction with the ongoing protests may be a warning message from Iran to Washington.