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

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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) /

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

Palestinians look for survivors under the rubble of a house destroyed by an Israeli air strike in Rafah.

Gaza under siege braces for worst as Israel-Hamas fighting escalates

The Israeli airstrikes and decision to cut off water and power supply to the already besieged Gaza Strip have the residents on edge.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s Erdogan says ‘first phase’ of Syria operation has concluded

The Turkish president also said the first phase of Turkey’s ongoing operations against outlawed Kurdish militants and dominant Syrian Kurdish groups was concluded.

President Joe Biden speaks on the terrorist attacks in Israel.

At least 11 Americans dead in Hamas attack on Israel, Biden says

Other Americans are still missing and could be among the scores of hostages taken into Gaza, the White House said.

Amir Levy/Getty Images

Day 3 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Oct. 9

On the third day of our live coverage, Israel called up reservists and was preparing for a ground offensive into the Gaza Strip.

Peter Nicholls/Getty Images

Foreigners from at least 25 countries killed or missing in Israel-Hamas war

At least 25 countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas have confirmed their citizens were killed or are captive or missing following Hamas' unprecedented incursion into Israel.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a protest rally against the recent killings of Palestinian protesters on the Gaza-Israel border and the US Embassy move to Jerusalem, in Istanbul, May 18, 2018.

Turkey's Erdogan strikes moderate stance as Israel-Hamas war rages

Turkey's Erdogan is striking a neutral stance in the Gaza conflict, avoiding incendiary rhetoric that would derail his charm offensive with the West and offering to mediate between Israel and Hamas.

Lebanese soldiers and bystanders stand on a road overlooking the border area with the northern Israeli town of Metulla (background), Oct. 9, 2023.

Lebanon in state of alert amid Israel-Hezbollah border tension

The Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and Israel traded fire in southern Lebanon, as the Hamas-Israel war is escalating.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Samuel Corum/Getty Images

US works to confirm reports 'several Americans' killed, missing in Israel

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said US citizens could be among the more than 100 people the Israeli government said were held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and her Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan shake hands at the end of a joint press conference following their talks in Yerevan on October 3, 2023. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Armenia's ties strain with Turkey, France pushes EU to stand with Yerevan

France has positioned itself strictly on Armenia’s side on the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, but can it avoid generating another crisis with Turkey?

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Day 2 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Oct. 8

: Israeli security forces stand near a burned car at a scene where a rocket fired from Gaza strip hit a building on October 7, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Israel's Defense Forces (IDF) say that Hamas "had begun a massive shooting of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory" which the Palestinian militant group has taken responsibility for. The IDF also say that militants had entered Israeli territory in "different locations". A counter attack has been launch against Gaza. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty I

Analysis

Echoes of 1973 as Israel’s intelligence failed to detect Hamas attack plans

Israel, considered a regional military superpower, failed to anticipate and stop the deadly Hamas attack.

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

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Day 1 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Oct. 7

In our first day of live coverage, Hamas militants invaded southern Israel.