Iran Deal

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to the press during a visit to the shrine of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburbs on Jan. 8, 2026.

Analysis

As Iran's power struggle deepens, US talks stall, who’s calling the shots in Tehran?

Ultraconservative figures and security officials have intensified their criticism of the negotiating team, accusing it of jeopardizing Iran’s gains.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

President Donald Trump walks toward reporters before answering questions before boarding Air Force One on April 10, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

Trump extends ceasefire with Iran ‘until discussions concluded’

Trump also said he directed the US Navy to continue its blockade of Iranian ports.

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war

As US President Trump makes contradictory statements regarding his intentions toward Iran and the ongoing negotiations, Israel is preparing for the possibility of resuming military operations.

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

US Vice President JD Vance (C) walks with Pakistan's Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir (L), and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar after arriving for talks with Iranian officials on April 11, 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Trump says Iran deal could happen 'quickly' as Pakistan readies talks: What to know

A source familiar with the plans told Al-Monitor that the US delegation will travel to Islamabad soon.

Latest News

Could UAE tap US currency swap line as Iran war strains Gulf economies?

Haruna Furuhashi /Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Oil rises, Gulf stocks slide after Iran ship seizure throws truce into doubt

A man walks past a screen displaying stock indices at the Dubai Financial Market stock exchange in Dubai, March 4, 2026.

Analysis

What is Iran really willing to concede on its nuclear program?

Iranians drive next to a billboard displaying pictures of nuclear scientists, centrifuges and a sentence reading in Farsi "Science is the power," at Enqelab Square in Tehran, on Aug. 29, 2025.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iran says Strait of Hormuz 'completely open' to ships

MUSCAT, OMAN - MARCH 25: Locals take photos of two bulk carriers anchored at Muscat Anchorage on March 25, 2026 in Muscat, Oman. Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which conveys about 20% of the world's oil and gas, has mostly come to a halt after the joint U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that began on February 28. Iran, in a defiant reply to a ceasefire proposal from the United States, has claimed that sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz "is its natural and legal right." Under international law, t

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, arrives for an IAEA Board of Governors meeting at the IAEA headquarters on June 23, 2025, in Vienna, Austria.

IAEA chief says inspectors back in Iran as E3 weighs reimposing sanctions

Rafael Grossi's comments come just hours after talks between the E3 and Iran concluded in Geneva, where the two sides discussed the reimposition of UN Security Council sanctions on Iran.

A picture taken on Nov. 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, during an official ceremony to kick-start works on a second reactor at the facility.

Iran turns to Russia ahead of E3 nuclear talks: What to know

The meeting on Tuesday follows a call on Monday between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Putin expressed support for Iran's nuclear program and its upcoming talks.

AO/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Iran to launch missile drill as Araghchi signals conditional IAEA cooperation

Ahead of a missile exercise planned for Thursday, Iran’s foreign minister said that the return of IAEA inspectors will be possible should it be approved by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Russia, Iran in talks on construction of small nuclear plants: What to know

The comments by the head of Rosatom follow increasing cooperation between Iran and Russia on gas.

Grossi speaks to UNSC

IAEA official visits Tehran for first time since Iran-Israel war: What to know

Following its June war with Israel, Iran halted cooperation with the UN's nuclear watchdog and its inspectors departed the country.

A ship loaded with oil docks at a pier with the help of a tugboat at the port of Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong province on June 12, 2025.

China's oil imports fall 5.4% as Iranian flows recede from June highs

US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Iran’s economy, clamping down on its oil sector, a critical component of the state budget.

Pedestrians walk past a mural at Palestine Square in central Tehran on July 8, 2025, as an anti-Israeli billboard is displayed on the facade of a building depicting the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with text in Persian and Hebrew reading "Netanyahu lost another war; you fell victim to Bibi's political games; Where will the next failure to stay in power occur?" (Photo by -- / AFP) (Photo by --/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

With Iran weakened but not defeated, Israel pushes Trump to prioritize deterrence over deal

Israel and the United States agree on preventing a restart of Iran's nuclear program, but otherwise differ in their preferred policies toward Tehran.

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

A plume of heavy smoke and fire rise from an oil refinery in southern Tehran after it was hit in an overnight Israeli strike, on June 15, 2025.

Mysterious fires, alleged cyberattack hint at escalating Israel-Iran shadow war

Amid a shadow war with Israel that appears to be escalating, Iran's foreign minister has said that nuclear negotiations are still possible, but will require overcoming rising "anti-negotiation" sentiment in Iran.

An Iranian flag flutters on board the Adrian Darya oil tanker, formerly known as Grace 1, off the coast of Gibraltar on Aug. 18, 2019.

Trump admin unveils largest-to-date Iran sanctions on oil 'shipping empire'

The sanctions target more than 115 individuals, entities and vessels that the Treasury Department has linked to a network transporting oil from Iran and Russia.

A train moves during the inauguration of a 140-kilometer line running from eastern Iran into western Afghanistan, at a railroad station in Khaf, on Dec. 10, 2020.

China steps in to help electrify Iran’s railways: What to know

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref met with members of the Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce on Monday as ties grow.

People walk past a mural drawn by the "Grafitiyul" graffiti art group depicting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a street in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on July 22, 2025. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION - TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran snubs talks with US, to remain in NPT under conditions: What to know

The news comes just one day after President Donald Trump told reporters that the US is "not going to allow" Iran to continue its nuclear enrichment.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer attend a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon in Washington, on July 9, 2025.

Israel's Dermer in Washington for Gaza ceasefire, Iran talks: What to know

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who serves as Israel's chief negotiator in talks with Hamas and on the Iranian file, arrived in Washington to discuss both issues with the Trump administration.