Iran - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Iran cover image

Iran

September 30, 2026

Tehran 4:14 pm

28°C

A woman crosses a street near a giant billboard erected on the facade of a building depicting a member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps placing his foot on a US sea drone, reportedly seized by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, in Vanak Square in Tehran, on Sept. 24, 2026.

Analysis

As Iran’s grip on Hormuz weakens, what leverage does Tehran have left?

Six months into the war, Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz is weakening. The world is slowly learning to live with it, oil flows are recovering, alternative routes are expanding and Tehran's own economy is bearing the cost of keeping the waterway under pressure.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles are seen on display beside a large portrait of Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei at Baharestan Square in Tehran on Sept. 28, 2026.

After indirect talks, new US sanctions target Iran's weapons supply

The latest sanctions come after the two sides held another round of indirect talks over a possible deal to end the war.

Saudi stocks hit wartime low as Aramco slides, Gulf oil exports rebound

Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All-Share Index fell 1.17% on Tuesday, dragged down by oil giant Aramco, as investors digested signs that Gulf oil exports are recovering.

A man counts Iranian rial notes

Iran’s rial hits record low as pressure on oil exports mounts

The rial was trading at more than 2.5 million to the dollar in Tehran's open market on Tuesday.

Latest News

Iran’s IRGC slams Trump as Ghalibaf threatens oil infrastructure

Ghalibaf

Iraq announces Iran flights to resume: What to know

An Airbus A321 airliner arrives at the Mehrabad international airport during the delivery of the first batch of planes to the Iranian state airline Iran Air in the capital Tehran on Jan. 12, 2017.

New US aircraft carrier heads to Middle East as Iran war stretches on

In this handout released by the US Navy on July 15, 2010, the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) transits the Pacific Ocean.

Iran rallies thousands of volunteer fighters as talks with US stall: What to know

Members of Iran's Basij paramilitary force march with riffles during a military rally named Jan-Fada in Tehran, Sept. 18, 2026.

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

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian looks on during his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart at the Foreign Ministry headquarters, Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2022.

Iranian FM travels to India to upgrade ties

During a visit to New Delhi, Iran's foreign minister discussed with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi upgrading bilateral relations, including on energy trade, the Chabahar port and regional connectivity.

Iran foreign ministry

Iran says Biden still following Trump’s policies

Iran’s foreign ministry says that the Trump administration's policies toward Iran have only continued under Biden.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (2nd-L).

Analysis

US, Iran still trying to close gap on nuclear deal

The Biden administration may be considering options for a Plan B if nuclear talks fail, but backchannel diplomacy is continuing.

Ali Hashem

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Ali Hashem , Elizabeth Hagedorn

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is seen on a monitor during a video conference with European Council President Charles Michel at the European Council building, Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 10, 2022.

Iran, Kazakhstan boost trade relations with new railway network

Kazakhstan is a strong ally of Iran, and has helped the Islamic Republic circumvent sanctions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov (C) and Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif (R)in Baku on Aug. 8, 2016.

Iran, Russia to establish trade centers

The two countries will focus on energy-related trading and establishing a north-south corridor to rival the Suez Canal.

AFP via Getty Images

Iran rounds up teachers as protests gain momentum

Iranian teachers are joining in the protest movement against President Raisi's administration, but security forces are responding quickly to stop them.

AFP via Getty Images

US imposes sanctions on Iranian petrochemical network

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration “will continue to use our sanctions authorities” if there's no nuclear deal with Iran.

Iran’s Minister of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare Hojatollah Abdolmaleki.

Iran's labor minister resigns as economic protests grow

The first high-profile resignation in President Ebrahim Raisi's government comes as he scrambles to soothe public fury over unprecedented rising living costs.

Tourists stroll at a holy site in the Iraqi city of Najaf on Aug. 14, 2018.

Iran and Iraq sign tourism deal

The agreement follows protests of Iranian “interference” after a drone attack targeted an alleged Israeli spy base in northern Iraq.

Hossein Salami, head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), takes part in Revolutionary Guards Col. Sayyad Khodai's funeral procession.

Iranian IRGC officers 'martyred' amid simmering tensions with Israel

The deaths followed the assassination three weeks ago of an IRGC colonel, which Tehran has blamed on Israel.

MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP via Getty Images

Rights groups say Iranian prisoners face finger amputations

The eight men are expected to have their fingers amputated using a guillotine machine soon, Amnesty International reports.

YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images

After Turkey, Venezuela’s Maduro heads to Iran

The South American leader said one goal of the visit is to boost tourism between Venezuela and Iran.