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

Iran cover image

Iran

May 13, 2026

Tehran 6:25 am

20°C

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Analysis

Ahead of Trump-Xi summit, Iran looks to China as guarantor — but with reservations

Tehran is closely watching the Trump-Xi meeting to determine whether China will continue acting primarily as a protector or if it will gradually emerge as the power capable of pressuring Iran into a narrower strategic corner.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

TTA KENARE/AFP/GettyImages

Kuwait unveils Iran IRGC infiltration plot, arrests 4: What to know

According to Kuwaiti authorities, four suspects arrested earlier this month after attempting to enter the country illegally via the sea confessed to belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and planning attacks against Kuwait.

A picture taken on March 12, 2017, shows an Panamanian tanker docking at the platform of the oil facility in the Khark Island, on the shore of the Gulf.

US hits China-linked Iran oil trade with sanctions ahead of Trump trip

The sanctions come after the United States rejected Iran's latest proposal to end the war.

Latest News

Trump calls Iran response 'piece of garbage,' set to meet military advisers

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 2: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to journalists before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on May 2, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump is spending the weekend at his Mar-A-Lago resort. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

Netanyahu fears being left out as Trump pursues Iran diplomacy

Ronen Zvulun / AFP via Getty Images

China’s overland trade routes offer Iran wartime economic lifeline: What to know

CN-STR / AFP via Getty Images

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

Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Semi-Final - Iran v Japan - Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates - January 28, 2019 Iran's Vahid Amiri in action with Japan's Hiroki Sakai REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RC18FD209230

Iran’s defeat in Asian Cup sparks heated debate on political culture

Iran's national soccer team had to pack its bags and head home from the AFC Asian Cup following their 3-0 defeat against Japan in a match replete with controversial scenes.

How Iran can use rupees to build strategic trade with India

Iran and India’s signing of an agreement for how Iranian oil export proceeds can be used could turn into a blessing in disguise for the Islamic Republic.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a bilateral meeting during the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 26, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC1720F3A620

Netanyahu plays Iran threat at his convenience

Guided by election campaign considerations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a Russian-American deal for pulling Iranian forces out of Syria.

Supporters of Iranian president Hassan Rouhani celebrate his victory in the presidential election in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2017. TIMA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1B70C1D340

Are Iran's Reformists still able to rally public around the flag?

Iran's Reformists are facing a popularity crisis, desperately trying to disavow President Hassan Rouhani's performance as the public largely blames them for much of the ongoing hardship.

Ansari and Nabavi, members of Iran's top legislative arbitration body the Expediency Council, speak to media in Tehran. Majid Ansari (L) and Morteza Nabavi, members of Iran's top legislative arbitration body the Expediency Council, speak to the media in Tehran October 18, 2004. The Expediency Council, which recently overturned a key plank of the constitution to allow large-scale privatisations, said it would apply a ceiling to banking privatisation keeping at least one-third of shares in the hands of the g

Iran's FATF gridlock spawns 'death threats'

An Iranian official claims to have received death threats over the FATF-related bills currently being debated by the Expediency Council.

A man counts stacks of Iranian rials at a currency exchange shop in Kerbala , 110 km (70 miles) south of Baghdad January 23, 2013. Traders and owners of hotels in the holy city of Kerbala complain of sluggish business and a drop in Iranian pilgrims as a result of a sharp fall in the Iranian rial caused by a package of international sanctions imposed on the neighbouring country. REUTERS/Mushtaq Muhammed (IRAQ - Tags: SOCIETY BUSINESS) - GM1E91N1RPN01

Why Rouhani should think beyond price controls to contain inflation

In Iran, the Rouhani administration’s tendency to turn to price controls to stave off inflation carries major long-term costs in exchange for only short-term benefits.

Cars are seen the day after the presidential election in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2017. TIMA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RC14A7F58610

Can mayor's push for 'car-free Tuesdays' tackle Tehran's air pollution?

Tehran's new mayor has joined an eco-friendly campaign aimed at cutting the megacity's air pollution and traffic congestion by encouraging residents to use public transportation. Some have criticized the move as a mere public relations gesture.

Iran’s former envoy to Germany slams ‘rogue operations’ abroad

The former Iranian ambassador to Germany suggested the possibility that rogue actors could be behind attempts to carry out alleged assassination operations in Europe.

Brian Hook, U.S. Special Representative for Iran, speaks about potential threats posed by the Iranian regime to the international community, during a news conference at a military base in Washington, U.S., November 29, 2018. REUTERS/Al Drago - RC11738D3C90

US allies try to dilute anti-Iran agenda for Warsaw summit

Wary European allies are trying to dilute and broaden the agenda and lower their diplomatic representation for a US-backed ministerial meeting on Middle East peace and security to be held Feb. 13-14 in Warsaw, Poland.

How Iran has moved to defrock ‘Instagram cleric’

An Iranian cleric’s defrocking has brought attention to a particular court that is unique to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi gestures as he speaks to Reuters during an interview in Brussels, Belgium November 27, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman - RC127183BF40

Iran says moving towards readiness to ramp up nuclear program

Iran's atomic chief says he is establishing a readiness to revive the country’s nuclear program, in line with an order by the supreme leader.

Missile fire is seen over Damascus, Syria January 21, 2019. SANA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE - RC16C31A91C0

Israel wins this round against Iran in Syria

According to security sources, the Iranians, headed by Revolutionary Guard commander Qasem Soleimani, prepared its recent attack from Syria against Israel for weeks.