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

Iran cover image

Iran

July 10, 2026

Tehran 11:34 am

36°C

Mourners surge towards the turban-clad casket of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 9, 2026, in Mashhad, Iran.

Even as ceasefire frays, Trump and Iran shy away from full war

The United States and Iran are escalating their tit-for-tat strikes, posing the biggest threat yet to their framework deal.

Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Why US strikes on Iran rail bridge signal shift in Hormuz conflict

A US missile strike on the railway bridge linking Iran to Central and East Asia suggests the White House is once again flirting with politically coercive tactics after the June agreement failed to halt Iran's attacks on Hormuz shipping.

(Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images) /

US strikes strategic railway bridge linking Iran to China: What to know

The railway bridge also links Tehran and other southern cities to Mashhad, where large crowds are gathering for the burial ceremony on Thursday of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Latest News

Analysis

As Trump declares deal 'over,' IRGC takes lead in shaping Iran's response

Iranian NOPO special police officers stand guard in front of a large portrait of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at Valiasr square on July 3, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Feature

Armenia's Pashinyan keeps Iran close while wooing Trump, Turkey and Azerbaijan

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (R) shakes hands with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian during his visit in Yerevan on July 19, 2025. (Photo by KAREN MINASYAN / AFP) (Photo by KAREN MINASYAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Oil soars more than 6% as Trump rules out Iran deal, threatens more strikes

A cargo ship is pictured off coast of the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in Sharjah Emirate, along the Gulf of Oman on June 28, 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

A F18 Hornet fighter jet pilot takes off from the deck of the US navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the eastern Mediterranean Sea on May 8, 2018.

Analysis

'A chance to stand down': Can US pressure lead to Gaza deal, curb Iran attack on Israel?

The Biden administration and Gaza war mediators hope a cease-fire can entice leaders in Israel and Iran to halt the march to all-out war.

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

Iranians lift up a flag and the mock up of a missile during a celebration following Iran's missiles and drones attack on Israel, on April 15 2024, at Palestine square in central Tehran.

Iran’s threat to Israel adds uncertainty over Gaza cease-fire

The looming attack from Iran and its allies, coupled with Hamas’ elevation of Yahya Sinwar, casts fresh doubt on a cease-fire deal.

People take part in a march called by Palestinian and Lebanese youth organizations in the southern Lebanese city of Saida on August 5, 2024, to protest against the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh (portrait) and a Hezbollah military commander.

Iran defiant as world powers work to avert retaliation against Israel

Unlike in April when Tehran telegraphed its attack in advance, Iran has this time kept details of its expected attack against Israel close to its chest.

Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani addresses the United Nations Security Council during an emergency meeting on April 14, 2024 at U.N. Headquarters in New York City. The U.N. Security Council convened for the meeting at the request of Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan after Iran's attack on Israel. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

Iran says cease-fire in Gaza 'priority' as US sees deal 'closer than ever'

Iran's statement on a cease-fire comes as Washington intensifies its efforts to reach a deal that could avert Iranian retaliation against Israel and a potential regional war.

Ballistic missile Zelzal is launched during the second day of military exercises, codenamed Great Prophet-6, for Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards at an undisclosed location on June 28, 2011.

As Egypt tells airlines to avoid Iran, region braces for attack on Israel

Iran is expected to strike Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, prompting flight suspensions and safety notices for Iranian airspace.

Israeli tanks move toward Rafah during the wider military operation in the Gaza Strip, May 29, 2024.

US says cease-fire talks in 'final stage' as Hamas taps Sinwar to be new leader

The nomination of Gaza Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as head of the organization's political bureau does not mean that the door of cease-fire and hostage release negotiations is closed.

Passengers look at the flight board at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on Aug. 6, 2024.

Travelers scramble as airlines cut flights amid fear of Iran-Israel war

Germany's Lufthansa extended a suspension of services to Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Amman and Erbil to Aug. 13.

Motorists drive their vehicles past a billboard depicting Iranian missiles in Tehran on April 20, 2024, a day after Iran's state media reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan.

US mounts diplomatic blitz to contain Iranian attack

The Biden administration is urging Iran to temper its retaliation against Israel for the assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.

Iranians drive next to a billboard of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) and late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at the Valise square in Tehran on Aug. 1, 2024.

Analysis

How Iran is calibrating its promised revenge on Israel for Haniyeh killing

Iran's leadership appears torn between exacting harsh revenge to save face and exercising restraint to avoid an unpredictable and devastating cycle of escalation.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 25: U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office at the White House on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. Netanyahu's visit occurs as the Israel-Hamas war reaches nearly ten months. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Analysis

As US, Israel coordinate, Biden works to curb Netanyahu's response to Iran

Under pressure from the Biden administration, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly not currently planning a pre-emptive attack against Iran.

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

Iranian President Masoud Pezeskhian (R) meets with secretary of Russia’s Security Council Sergei Shoigu in Tehran on Aug. 5, 2024.

Russia’s Shoigu in Iran to signal support, urge restraint against Israel

A top Russian security official visited Tehran as Iran says it "welcomes trilateral cooperation between Iran, Russia and China."

Customers wait outside currency exchange stores on Aug. 5, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.

Global stocks tank over fears of Middle East war, US recession

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 lost 3.1% while the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite Index lost 3.7% of its value after markets opened in New York Monday morning.