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July 30, 2026

Tehran 6:39 pm

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This aerial photo shows a tanker unloading imported crude oil at a terminal port in Qingdao, in China's eastern Shandong province on June 25, 2026. (Photo by CN-STR / AFP via Getty Images) / China OUT

China cuts deal with Houthis, adjusts for long US war with Iran

China is cutting its own deals and gaining wartime leverage as the Trump administration scrambles to contain the war and reopen Hormuz.

In this handout photo provided by the US Navy, Two F/A-18 Super Hornets launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury on March 3, 2026 in the Mediterranean Sea.

US carries out strikes in southern Iran after IRGC attack on Jordan airbase

The US says the strikes were retaliation for an attempted IRGC ballistic missile attack on a US airbase in Jordan as Iranian state media report explosions in the country's south.

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on July 24, 2026, in New York.

Oil jumps 8% as US-Iran war pressures Saudi Arabia, explosions hit Egypt

The price of benchmark Brent crude climbed past $90 per barrel on Wednesday after a renewed round of US-Iran hostilities shattered a days-long lull in fighting and the Houthis targeted Saudi oil exports.

Latest News

Exclusive

Saudi Arabia to announce Red Sea coalition to counter Houthi threats

Houthi soldiers stand guard on a missile carrier during an official military parade marking the ninth anniversary of the Houthi takeover of the capital, Sanaa, on Sept. 21, 2023.

Amberin Zaman

Jared Szuba

By Amberin Zaman , Jared Szuba

Analysis

Katz riles Iran, US as Netanyahu-Trump meeting raises questions

Win McNamee/Getty Images

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

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

(from L) French President Emmanuel Macron (L), France's ambassador to the USA Philippe Etienne, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire arrive at the French Embassy to the Vatican in Rome on October 29, 2021 ahead of a meeting with US President. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Exclusive: Iran ‘must cooperate’ on nuclear probe, French envoy says

French Ambassador to the US Philippe Etienne tells Al-Monitor that France has spared no effort to reach an agreement in the nuclear talks.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images

Iran to join Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Iran took a step toward joining in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization at a summit in Uzbekistan this week.

Mahsa Amin

Arrest by hijab police leaves woman comatose

Iranians are enraged over the mandatory hijab rules as police deny torture allegations by the victim's brother.

Newspaper stall with a view of Etemad newspaper's front page bearing a title reading in Farsi "The night of the end of the JCPOA,"

Iranian diplomat calls IAEA statement ‘shameful’

The United States and its European allies want answers from Iran regarding uranium traces found at undeclared sites.

Iraqi protester waving the Iraqi flag in Al Tahrir Square on May 25, 2021 in Baghdad, Iraq.

Analysis

The Takeaway: US sees role for 'all parties' in inclusive Iraqi national dialogue

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jennifer Gavito says that "we’ll take our cues from Iraq" regarding government formation.

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn

A police officer stands guard outside the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tirana on Sept. 7, 2022.

US sanctions group of Iran-linked 'malicious' cyber actors

The Justice Department announced charges against three Iranian nationals for their alleged role in a global computer hacking scheme.

Iran uzbekistan

Iran strengthens ties to Central Asia with Uzbekistan deals

The two states pledged to cooperate on energy, transportation and more, including the strategic Chabahar port.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) meets with head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi (R).

Iran says IAEA statement won’t produce results

Iran has dismissed the IAEA statement about its nuclear program.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran says individuals held in connection with colonel's killing

The announcement was made as Israel and Iran traded more overt threats in their escalating war of words.

A man reads the Iranian newspaper Etemad, with the front page title reading in Farsi "The night of the end of the JCPOA ", and cover photos of Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his deputy and chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani, in the capital Tehran on Aug. 16, 2022.

US, EU say decision on Iran deal depends on Tehran

US and EU officials dismiss claims that an Israeli campaign has influenced negotiations, and say the next move is Iran’s.

Iranian drone in Ukraine

Ukraine says it shot down Iranian drone in Kharkiv

Photos posted online by Kyiv appear to confirm the Pentagon's claim that Iran has delivered armed drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Russia / Mideast

Cars drive on a highway with a backdrop of the Milad telecommunications tower in Iran's capital Tehran on March 12, 2022. - Iran said that US attempts to seize its tankers and oil cargo had failed to stop exports that are subject to sanctions imposed by its arch foe. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Post-sanctions risks & opportunities for international companies in Iran

Bijan Khajehpour

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics