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Iran

September 16, 2026

Tehran 7:00 am

23°C

Houthi fighters marching

Analysis

How far will Iran push Houthis against Saudi Arabia amid raging conflict?

As Iran-backed Houthis broaden attacks on Saudi Arabia, Tehran's delicate calculation is exploiting the current conflict without being dragged into an escalation of its own making.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities shout slogans during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 10, 2026.

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia's balancing act with US, Iran, Houthis risks collapse

Houthi rebels escalated their attacks on Tuesday, triggering alerts around the holy city of Mecca, Taif and the Red Sea port city of Jeddah.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Houthi

Exclusive

Houthi top diplomat says no intention to shut down Red Sea shipping, group open to talks

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Acting Foreign Minister of the Houthi-led administration Abdulwahid Abu Ras said concerns over a potential closure of the Red Sea are being fueled by Saudi Arabia.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Latest News

US hits major Russian bank VTB with Iran-linked sanctions

VTB Bank in Moscow

Third Sunni cleric killed in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province: What to know

Milak border crossing near the town of Zabol, Iran

Analysis

Saudi pipeline shutdown exposes shrinking global oil-supply buffers

AFP via Getty Images

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

Oil tops $109 after Houthi strikes, Saudi pipeline shutdown

A sailor from the navy of Yemen's Aden-based internationally recognized government stands at a machine-gun position aboard a vessel patrolling a shipping lane off Hanish Island in the Red Sea on July 27, 2026.

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

An Iranian man works on an oil production platform at the Soroush oil fields in the Persian Gulf, south of the capital Tehran, July 25, 2005. REUTERS/File Photo - S1AETIFZPAAA

US to exempt eight nations from Iran sanctions snapback

US sanctions on Iran's oil exports go into effect Nov. 5, though the United States has issued sanctions waivers for eight unidentified countries.

Placards can be seen outside the embassy as people protest against the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey outside the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London, Britain, October 26 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson - RC1CC0BA7F80

Khashoggi crisis boosts Iran but could complicate ties with Turkey

While the outcry over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has weakened Saudi Arabia, Iran’s chief Arab rival, the prospect of Turkey emerging as a victor may complicate the regional landscape.

Iranians hail Houthi 'resistance' for bringing potential end to Yemen war

A US call for a cease-fire in Yemen has been widely interpreted in Iran as a victory for the Houthi movement.

Rouhani sticks to same old insiders in disappointing cabinet reshuffle

President Hassan Rouhani’s choices to lead four key ministries emerged from a faulty process that must be replaced with a merit-based system that brings in fresher and younger faces.

Police closes the Oresund bridge near Copenhagen, Denmark, September 28, 2018. Ritzau Scanpix/Nils Meilvang via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. DENMARK OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN DENMARK. - RC1C8D678150

Iran denies assassination plot, warns Denmark against 'hasty reactions'

An alleged assassination attempt has opened a diplomatic rift between Denmark and Iran, with the European country recalling its ambassador and turning to the EU for support.

Iranians shop at a drugstore at the Nikan hospital in Tehran on September 11, 2018. - Judges at the International Court of Justice in The Hague unanimously ruled Washington should remove barriers to "the free exportation to Iran of medicines and medical devices, food and agricultural commodities" as well as airplane parts. Iran produces 96 percent of the drugs it uses, according to the Syndicate of Iranian Pharmaceutical Industries, but imports more than half the raw materials to make them. (Photo by STRING

US fails to shield humanitarian trade with Iran as sanctions loom

European governments are urging the Trump administration to identify a legal means for their companies to continue to provide food and medicine to Iranians after the Nov. 5 re-imposition of secondary sanctions begins.

A close up shot shows Iran's various Rial banknotes, bearing a portrait of Iran's late founder of Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, next to United States one-Dollar bills bearing a portrait of first US President, George Washington in Tehran on April 10, 2018. - Iran took the drastic step of fixing the rate of its currency against the dollar in a bid to arrest a slide that has seen it fall by a third in six months. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Gett

Smuggling surges as US sanctions hit Iranian rial

The Rouhani administration may not be responsible for the US sanctions hitting the Iranian economy, but it is responsible for the damage caused by smuggling and other harmful activities resulting from misguided foreign exchange policies.

Why this film has Iranian hard-liners breaking out in cold sweat

More than 100 cinema halls across Iran, which belong to hard-line Hozeh Honari, have boycotted "Cold Sweat,” an award-winning film that tells the story of an Iranian futsal player who is banned from taking part in an international competition by her husband.

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Woman's daring face-off with police van reignites Iran hijab debate

Footage of a police van almost running over a woman has gone viral as Iranians speak out in in support of hijab protesters and against the controversial morality police.

Rouhani finally engages with Reformists, but some see too little, too late

While Rouhani’s long overdue meeting with Reformists is a step toward cooperation, they're right to be wary of his friendly gesture.

Head of Iran's Assembly of Experts, Mohammad Yazdi, attends a session of Iran's Assembly of Experts, on September 1, 2015 in Tehran. Iran's Assembly of Experts, its top clerical body in charge of appointing, supervising and dismissing the supreme leader, kicks off a two-day meeting. AFP PHOTO / ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Iranian grand ayatollah faces threats for meeting with Reformists

Iran’s seminary and social media have been stunned by a letter threatening a grand ayatollah over his personal meetings.

Tourists visit the Azadi Tower in the capital Tehran on April 19, 2018. - On April 15, the central bank banned foreign exchange bureaus "until further notice" from buying or selling foreign currency, leaving banks alone to carry out such transactions. But in practice, they refuse to do so, according to numerous testimonies. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Iran turns to tourism to earn hard currency, create jobs

From developing infrastructure to expanding marine tourism and easing visa issuances, Iran is increasingly focusing on its underdeveloped tourism sector as US sanctions are reimposed.