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

Iran cover image

Iran

May 9, 2026

Tehran 2:27 pm

27°C

CN-STR / AFP via Getty Images

China’s overland trade routes offer Iran wartime economic lifeline: What to know

Cargo rail traffic between China and Iran has reportedly surged since the US blockade began in April as Tehran seeks overland trade alternatives to help buy time.

A woman walks past a banner featuring Iran's late supreme leaders, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (L) and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (C), next to newly elected Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in Tehran on April 19, 2026.

Analysis

Why Iran's wartime behavior risks lasting rupture with Gulf states

Iran's rhetoric and policies toward Gulf states have sharply escalated, raising questions about whether years of painstaking regional rapprochement can survive mounting distrust and maritime confrontations.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Traffic passes a billboard depicting Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web," Valiasr Square, Tehran, April 15, 2024. ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images.

Analysis

CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates

The findings cast doubt on Israel’s wartime gains and put pressure on Netanyahu’s campaign strategy ahead of elections.

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

Getty

US strikes Iran tankers as UAE reports fresh missile, drone attacks

Strikes on Iranian tankers and fresh exchanges in the Gulf escalate tensions as Washington awaits Tehran’s response to a deal proposal.

Latest News

What to know about Iran's 'Persian Gulf Strait Authority' to control Hormuz traffic

In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on May 4, 2026, the Iran-flagged tugboat Basim sails near a ship anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.

US sets expectations for Iraq’s next PM to confront Iranian militias

Popular Mobilization Forces

Analysis

China shores up Iran support as Trump seeks exit

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China in Beijing on May 6, 2026. Credit: Telegram

Joyce Karam

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

TEHRAN, IRAN - SEPTEMBER 22: Iranian armed forces march during a parade commemorating the 31st anniversary of Iran-Iraq war on September 22, 2011 in Tehran, Iran. Iran is holding military parades in Tehran and other parts of the country on the first day of the Sacred Defence Week. Tehran's parade began to the north of Imam Khomeini's mausoleum providing the army, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Law Enforcement Force and Basij with an opportunity to display their state of military preparedness, in which ar

IRGC soldiers killed in Kurdish area of Iran

Iranian media reported that unknown gunmen killed three IRGC soldiers in Iran's Kurdistan province.

Facebook symbol is seen on a motherboard in this picture illustration taken April 24, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic /Illustration - RC23BG9UMCTS

Facebook says it closed accounts, pages with links to Iranian government

Facebook said that it shut down hundreds of accounts and pages promoting Iranian propaganda in its monthly report.

A man wears a protective face mask as he sits in a bus, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), after shopping malls and bazaars reopened in Tehran, Iran, April 20, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Ali Khara via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC2F8G9K61IV

Coronavirus resurgence hits Iran

Iranian officials warn that a resurgence of the novel coronavirus is gripping nearly half of the country as the number of infections climb once again.

Iranian and Syrian flags flutter on a truck carrying humanitarian aid in Deir al-Zor, Syria September 20, 2017. Picture taken September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC1C8E382200

Iran seems to reconsider military entrenchment in Syria

According to Israeli assessments, Iran has begun giving up on its tremendous military investment in Syria.

U.S. soldiers inspect the site where an Iranian missile hit at Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province, Iraq January 13, 2020. REUTERS/John Davison - RC23FE9EJI5L

First Purple Hearts issued to US soldiers wounded in Iran missile strike on bases in Iraq

The US military issues six Purple Hearts for service members who suffered brain injuries in January and plans to give out 23 more.

U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduces Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) at a campaign event in Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S., December 13, 2019. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz - RC2PUD9RWMHC

Ilhan Omar signs onto AIPAC letter siding with Trump on Iran

After clashing repeatedly with AIPAC, Rep. Ilhan Omar has signed onto one of their key lobby agenda items for this year.

An Arabic language teacher writes on a board while teaching online school classes to students at their homes, as schools are still closed, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Tehran, Iran April 15, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Ali Khara via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC245G94BCPK

Iran to begin opening schools May 16

Iran has begun taking steps to open schools and mosques in low infection rate areas.

Iranian worshippers pray as they keep social distancing at a mosque following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Tehran, Iran, April 30, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Ali Khara via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC23FG9D1V51

Iran begins reopening mosques despite coronavirus concerns

Mosques across 132 "low-risk" cities reopened in Iran under strict guidelines meant to ensure social distancing.

U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland Edward McMullen greets Xiyue Wang in Zurich, Switzerland December 7, 2019. U.S. Embassy in Switzerland/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC2GQD9FJJ4H

A further Iran-US prisoner exchange is overdue

A mutual release of prisoners would be a low-cost way of reducing US-Iran tensions and providing the countries' leaders small breakthroughs.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., March 14, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC1BEFE58C00

Was Trump’s call about oil with Saudi leader the start of a reset in relations?

US-Saudi partnership faces both old and new challenges in post-COVID-19 Middle East.

An exterior view of the building of US Department of the Treasury is seen on March 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

US sanctions Iranian-Iraqi businessman, mining company linked to IRGC

The sanctions freeze any US-held assets belonging to Amir Dianat and Taif Mining Services.

People inspect the damage after a blast east of Homs city, Syria in this handout released by SANA on May 1, 2020. SANA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE - RC2PFG9URBKH

Two sets of explosions rock Syria, amid claims of Israeli involvement

There were explosions at a military warehouse in Homs and airstrikes in the Syrian Golan Heights today.