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

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Politics & Security

A giant billboard depicts late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (2nd L), and his son Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, with Arabic writing that reads: "Thank you Iran," in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, on June 15, 2026.

Khamenei says Hezbollah's agenda 'strategic mandate' for Iran

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s comments come as Lebanon and Israel move forward with a US-backed plan to disarm Hezbollah in the south, though the Iran-backed group is resisting calls to turn over its weapons.

Trump Netanyahu

On eighth visit, Israel’s Netanyahu seeks to repair ties with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to focus on Iran in his Tuesday meeting with President Donald Trump, while the US leader is more likely to want to discuss Lebanon and Syria.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (not pictured) at the Pentagon on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia.

Zaidi to meet Erdogan as Turkey-Iraq ties take off, Kurds feel sidelined

The Iraqi prime minister's visits to Ankara and Riyadh underscore Baghdad's push to deepen regional ties as Turkey seeks closer cooperation on energy and security.

US President Donald Trump takes questions from the media during a bilateral meeting with President of Lebanon Joseph Aoun in the Oval Office of the White House on July 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Trump says Iran seeks talks after strikes halted

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the two sides have communicated only through intermediaries.

Latest News

Iran summons French ambassador after detaining 2 diplomats: What to know

Iranian security forces stand guard in front of the French Embassy in Tehran in this undated image.

Analysis

Zaidi’s test in Tehran

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is welcomed to the Saadabad Palace in Tehran by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, July 23, 2026.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Analysis

Iran war puts Turkey’s inflation fight, lira under fresh pressure

Vendors sell dry food as people shop by a banner reading " No to Inflation" near the New Mosque area in Istanbul's Eminonu district on Nov. 6, 2018.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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

RONEN ZVULUN/AFP via Getty Images

Lapid sticks to high ground en route to Israeli elections

The calm and unprovocative demeanor of Prime Minister Yair Lapid is earning him growing support within the Israeli electorate.

Israeli Charge d'Affaires Irit Lillian is seen with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglo (C), Israel, May 2022.

Israel nominates first ambassador to Turkey since 2018

The nomination of senior diplomat Irit Lillian as Israel's new ambassador to Ankara clearly signals Jerusalem's commitment to rehabilitating bilateral ties.

The flags of (L to R) Turkey, Israel, and the Israeli army armoured corps fly at the Yad La-Shiryon Tank Museum in Latrun, about 30 kilometres west of Jerusalem, on August 18, 2022. - Israel and Turkey on August 16 announced the resumption of full diplomatic ties following years of strained relations between the Mediterranean nations. Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid hailed the step as an "important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens" of the Jewish state. Lapid h

Israeli, Turkish leaders to meet at UN amid East Mediterranean tensions

Protesters hold placards and flags during an anti-LGBT rally organized by pro-Islamic organizations in Istanbul on Sept. 18, 2022.

Thousands gather in Istanbul for anti-LGBTQ rally

Organizers say they are rallying for family values, while rights groups protest the rally as a hate crime.

United Nations

Spokesman says nuclear talks not on agenda for Iran at UN summit

The inclusion of Iran's top nuclear negotiator in the delegation, however, could provide opportunities for Iran and other countries to exchange ideas

Jewish pilgrims are stuck between Belarusian and Ukrainian border crossings after Kyiv refused their entry citing coronavirus concerns, Sept. 16, 2020.

Russia, Ukraine exchange barbs over Israeli pilgrimage to Uman

Moscow and Kyiv are exchanging accusations of endangering Israeli Jews wishing traveling to the Ukrainian town of Uman for the annual Jewish New Year pilgrimage.

EDUARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images

Ahead of UN address, Iran’s Raisi says ‘no trust’ in US on nuclear talks

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has said he would not meet with US President Joe Biden in New York this week.

Palestinians participate in a rally at the Gaza City seaport to demand their right to receive gas from maritime fields in the eastern Mediterranean and the lifting of the Israeli blockade, Gaza Strip, Sept. 13, 2022.

Hamas claims Palestinian right to offshore Mediterranean gas

Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip may be coordinating with Hezbollah, which could complicate Israel-Lebanon gas talks.

Khuzestan

Iranian oil province suffers from pollution, water scarcity

Oil wealth flows out of Khuzestan, but many observers say the government has held back water and sewer service to the province whose population is nearly 40% Arab.

protests in Iran

Iran cracks down on protesters after death of woman arrested over hijab

Mahsa Amini's death ignited a wave of protests against the government.

khamenei

Iran's supreme leader in public appearance following reports of ill health

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared in public today, refuting rumors that he was on his death bed following recent surgery.

Syrians shop in a market in the northern city of Manbij, located near the border with Turkey, Syria, July 21, 2022.

Are Iranian products banned into Syrian opposition-held areas?

The Syrian Islamic Council close to the Syrian opposition issued a fatwa prohibiting the entry of Iranian goods into opposition areas, claiming Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is allowing the spread of the goods in its areas in northwest Syria.