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

politics and security cover image

Politics & Security

Handout Photo by the US Navy via Getty Images

Explainer

What’s the status of Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran talks?

Oil tankers continued to transit the strait in both directions, but many turned off their transponders over the weekend after Iran's military declared Hormuz closed once again.

Cars drive past billboards showing Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (L) and his late father Ali Khamenei (R), with the slogan "Thank you, loyal Iran," erected along the highway leading to Rafik Hariri International Airport, Beirut, Lebanon, June 22, 2026.

US, Iran to form 'deconflicting cell' on Lebanon, sidelining Lebanese state

The agreement came during talks between Iran and the United States following a preliminary deal reached last week to end the war across the Middle East, including in Lebanon.

A picture taken on March 12, 2017, shows an Iranian tanker docking at the platform of the oil facility in the Kharg Island, on the shore of the Gulf.

US grants Iran oil sanctions waiver as part of deal

The waiver authorizes the production, delivery and sale of Iranian oil for two months.

Latest News

Vance says Iran to restore nuclear inspector access

US Vice President JD Vance spoke to reporters following the talks with Iranian negotiators at the Burgenstock complex

Syria’s Sharaa says he had ‘multiple discussions’ with Trump on Lebanon, favors dialogue

US President Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Oval Office, Washington, DC, Nov. 10, 2025.

Analysis

Why Gulf defense firms are betting on Europe in wake of Iran war

Illustration picture taken during the Eurosatory Defense and Security fair in Paris, France ,on June 15, 2026.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Analysis

After US-Iran deal, can Pakistan sustain regional mediator role?

Aamir QURESHI / AFP via Getty Images

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

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

Itamar Ben-Gvir, f

Ultra-nationalist lawmaker ramps up ahead of Israeli elections

Head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit faction Itamar Ben Gvir says he no longer needs the Religious Zionism party as an ally to get into the Knesset.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Saudi authorities find amphetamine pills in cleaning supplies

Smugglers continue to use creative methods to bring drugs into the kingdom, which struggles with amphetamine addiction.

Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

Golf commentator who criticized Saudi-backed LIV Golf sued for defamation

The Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee has been one of the most virulent critics of LIV Golf and is now being sued by Patrick Reed, who plays for the breakaway tour.

The Nile River flows from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in Guba, Ethiopia, Feb. 19, 2022.

Third filling of Nile dam heightens Ethiopia-Egypt crisis

Ethiopia announced it has completed the third filling of the reservoir for its controversial dam on the Blue Nile, amid harsh reactions from its neighbors.

Palestinians gather around a burnt-out car after explosions destroyed five cars belonging to members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, witnesses and a security source said, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, July 19, 2015.

Islamic Jihad says Israel reneges on ceasefire terms, threatens escalation

The Gaza-based group expects the release of prisoners, and calls on Egypt to clarify agreement.

Iraq's Minister of Finance Ali Abdul-Amir Allawi listens during an interview at his residence in Baghdad, on June 22, 2020.

Iraqi finance minister resigns over continuing political crisis

Finance Minister Ali Abdul-Amir Allawi has resigned from his post in the Iraqi government.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (R) listens on as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a joint press conference at al-Shaab palace in Damascus on Oct. 11, 2010.

'Normalization' with Assad is the new normal in Turkey

Comments by Turkey's foreign minister hinting at normalization with Damascus drove hundreds of Syrians across Turkish-occupied areas of northern Syria to stage demonstrations.

Centcom

US base in Syria targeted with rocket fire, coalition says

Rockets landed near the Green Village base, marking the second projectile attack on US forces in Syria on Monday.

Israeli settlers gather as they try to establish a wildcat settlement outpost.

In rare move, Israeli ultra-Orthodox establish West Bank outpost

For the first time, ultra-Orthodox families established yesterday an illegal West Bank outpost.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu undeterred by ex-army chief joining rival camp

Ex-IDF Chief Gadi Eizenkot joined this week the party of Defense Minister Benny Gantz, but opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu believes this move is not going to block his own way back to power.

ALEX HALADA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s response to EU conveys 'initiatives' on restoring nuclear deal

After submitting its response to the European Union’s proposal on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran says it's waiting answers on its own “practical ideas and initiatives.”

Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Wehbe (R) and Israeli Justice Minister Gideon Saar (L) shake hands after signing an agreement, Rabat, Morocco, July 26 , 2022.

Israeli ministers fast-track deepening of ties with Morocco

Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Regional Cooperation Minister Issawi Freij and Justice Minister Gideon Saar are only a few of the Israeli ministers and senior officials who have visited Morocco recently.