Politics & Security - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Vessels transit the Hormuz Strait off the coast of Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas on September 7, 2026. Iran's top negotiator threatened on September 6 of a more forceful response to any further US attacks after Tehran targeted American warships in their latest round of clashes. The exchanges of fire, which began with US raids last week, come amid a deadlock in the six-month war between the two foes. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images) /

Breaking | Last Updated: September 8, 2026, 7:43 pm

US strikes Iranian tankers after attempted attack on Navy ship

Iran fired ballistic missiles into Jordan in response, targeting a key US air base in escalation after US aircraft destroyed five more oil tankers in Tehran’s fleet.

Forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government

Analysis

What Houthi setbacks in Yemen mean for Iran's regional influence

The renewed fighting in Yemen is testing one of Iran's most valuable regional partnerships just as Tehran scrambles to preserve its remaining leverage.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Khaled ZIAD / AFP via Getty Images

73 wounded in Houthi strike on Saudi Arabia as Riyadh vows response: What to know

The World Health Organization said Monday that at least 728 people have been killed or wounded in Yemen since Aug. 24.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (c) held talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides (l) and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (r) in Cairo, Egypt, Sept. 8, 2026.

Egypt's Sisi hosts Greece, Cyprus leaders for energy talks: What to know

The three-way summit in Cairo follows electricity and gas deals between the three countries as Egypt addresses its gas production struggles.

Latest News

Israeli escalation in south Lebanon leaves 27 dead in 3 days as talks stall

Kawnat HAJU / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel braces for Iran attack as Trump’s economic squeeze on Tehran intensifies

TOPSHOT - Explosions from projectile interceptions by Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system are pictured over Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that the Iranian supreme leader had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

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

Russia to give Turkey preferential fertilizer access amid Hormuz supply crunch

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek on September 1, 2026. (Photo by Kristina Solovyova / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

US hits 27 Iranian airlines with latest sanctions

A picture take on September 14, 2017 shows an Airbus A340 of Mahan Air at the tarmac at Dubai's International Airport. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

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

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

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

Ezgi Akin

Associate Editor (Turkey)

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

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

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Biden brought a message of support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

VIDEO: Webinar with Ben Caspit & Nadia Bilbassy-Charters on Israel-Hamas war

If you missed it, watch the full live Q&A webinar now.

US President Joe Biden addresses the nation on the conflict between Israel and Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 19, 2023. President Joe Biden will deliver a rare Oval Office speech October 19, 2023 urging Americans to back military aid for Israel and Ukraine at what he calls a perilous moment for democracy around the globe. (Photo by JONATHAN ERNST / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN ERNST/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden links Hamas, Putin as he pledges ‘unprecedented’ Israel support

In a rare Oval Office address, President Joe Biden said he would request from Congress emergency funding for war-torn Israel and Ukraine.

Israeli army soldiers patrol an undisclosed area in northern Israel bordering Lebanon on Oct. 15, 2023.

Israel retaliates after 30 rockets fired from Lebanon

Both Hezbollah and the Lebanon Hamas branch took responsibility for missiles and rockets fired against Israeli localities in the north of the country.

In this handout image released by the South Korean Defense Ministry, South Korean Navy's destroyer Yulgok Yi I (C), U.S. Navy's USS Benfold (R) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's JS Atago (L) sail in formation during a joint naval exercise in international waters on April 17, 2023 at an undisclosed location. South Korea, the United States and Japan held a trilateral missile defense exercise in the international waters on Monday, Seoul's Navy said, amid stepped-up efforts to sharpen deterrence against N

US destroyer shoots down cruise missiles by Iran-backed Houthis

Iran-backed factions appeared to break several months of detente with US forces in the Middle East this week by launching drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea, Iraq and Syria amid Israel's war in Gaza, throwing the Pentagon's deterrence efforts into question.

Lebanese security forces use water cannons as they clash with protesters outside the US Embassy in Awkar east of Beirut, during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip, on October 18, 2023. Thousands rallied across the Arab and Muslim world on October 18 to protest the deaths of hundreds of people in a strike on a Gaza hospital that they blame on Israel, despite its denials. (Photo by Ibrahim AMRO / AFP) (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

US issues 'worldwide' alert for citizens amid Israel-Hamas war

The US Embassy in Beirut also urged Americans wishing to depart Lebanon to make plans "as soon as possible."

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference, Jerusalem, Oct. 19, 2023.

Sunak supports Israel, hails accord on Gaza humanitarian aid delivery

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed support of Israel’s right to self-defense and welcomed its agreeing to allow humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing.

KHAN YUNIS, GAZA - OCTOBER 19: A woman cries as she bids farewell to the bodies of Palestinians killed during Israeli airstrikes on October 19, 2023 in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Gazans are evacuating to the south as advised by the Israeli government, ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive. Israel has sealed off Gaza, leaving the entire population without fuel, water or aid, and launched sustained retaliatory air strikes, which have killed more than 2,000 people and some 400,000 displaced, after a large-scale

Gaza in 'unprecedented catastrophe': over 3,700 deaths, 1,524 are children

Aid trucks are expected to start entering Gaza through the Rafah crossing after an agreement by the US and Egyptian presidents.

Military drone

US troops shoot down third drone over Iraq as Biden visits Israel

Coalition personnel suffered minor injuries after a thwarted drone attack on the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq's Anbar province, as Iran-backed factions continue threats to attack US forces over Washington's support for Israel's war in Gaza.

ran's President Ebrahim Raisi watches combat drones alongside high-ranking officials and commanders during a military parade marking the country's annual army day in Tehran on April 18, 2023.

US targets Iran's drone, missile programs as UN restrictions expire

US officials said the latest sanctions are intended to constrain Iran's military relationship with Russia and counter the Islamic Republic's destabilizing regional behavior.

Gaza aid

Netanyahu agrees to Biden’s request for humanitarian aid via Egypt

After his meeting with US President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war cabinet agreed to the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza, but only through the Rafah crossing in Egypt.

Iraqis hold portait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) and shout slogans during a demonstration near the suspension bridge leading to Baghdad's Green Zone and the US Embassy in Baghdad on October 18, 2023, protesting a strike on a Gaza hospital which killed hundreds a day earlier. Thousands rallied across the Arab and Muslim world on October 18 to protest the deaths of hundreds of people in a strike on a Gaza hospital that they blame on Israel, despite its denials. (Photo by Ahmad AL-RUBAYE

Anti-US slogans, photos of Iran's Khamenei on display in Iraq's pro-Gaza protests

US forces in Iraq said they have come under fire as anger spreads in the Arab world over the deadly Gaza hospital explosion. Arab governments condemned Israel for the incident, but the United States maintains that a Palestinian group was likely responsible.

A vigil for the victims of the al-Ahli Arab hospital explosion.

US intelligence suggests Israel did not bomb Gaza hospital: sources

Pentagon officials say independent US intelligence casts doubt on allegations the IDF bombed the al-Ahli hospital in northern Gaza, but cautioned that not all information is in yet.