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

Iran cover image

Iran

April 24, 2026

Tehran 6:50 am

16°C

Refueling trucks are seen at Southend Airport on April 17, 2026, in Southend, England.

Which airlines are cutting flights amid Hormuz fuel disruption?

European and Asian airlines have been most impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is throttling jet fuel supplies.

US forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska on April 20, 2026, after firing upon the Iranian-flagged vessel. (Handout Photo by the U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

Analysis

China gets around Iran blockade as Gulf courts Beijing

Beijing is responding to the Iran war on two fronts: economically, sustaining Iranian oil flows and its Strait of Hormuz routes despite the US blockade; and diplomatically, deepening ties with Gulf states.

Joyce Karam

Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi speaks at a candidates' registration office in Tehran on May 30, 2024, during the first day of registration ahead of the country's presidential election.

Who is Ahmad Vahidi, IRGC chief and hard-liner against nuclear compromise?

A longtime Revolutionary Guard insider with strong ties to Iran’s security apparatus and proxy network, Ahmad Vahidi has taken over the IRGC at a moment of crisis, with some reports suggesting he is playing an outsized role in the country’s decision-making.

BAY ISMOYO / AFP via Getty Images

How are Iran-linked tankers still moving through Hormuz blockade?

At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have passed through the US blockade on the strait to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa.

Latest News

Iran seizes two cargo ships in Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire

Fishing and cargo ships and ferries are pictured in the Gulf off the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, which is the main base of the Islamic Republic's navy and has a strategic position on the Strait of Hormuz, on April 29, 2019.

Iran executes 14th person since war over alleged Mossad ties: What to know

Mahdi Farid, who was convicted of espionage for Israel’s Mossad, was executed after his death sentence was upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court, Tehran, Iran, April 22, 2026.

Analysis

As Iran's power struggle deepens, US talks stall, who’s calling the shots in Tehran?

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to the press during a visit to the shrine of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburbs on Jan. 8, 2026.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

AFP via Getty Images

Businesses shut down as Iran protests enter third month

Iranian shops are closing up in waves amid the continuing nationwide protests.

Iranians walk past Iran's Shahed 129 drone displayed during celebrations in Tehran to mark the 37th anniversary of the Islamic revolution on Feb. 11, 2016.

Breaking | Last Updated: November 15, 2022, 4:21 pm

US sanctions target production, transfer of Iranian drones to Russia

The US Treasury Department targeted the Iranian manufacturer of the Shahed-series drones used in recent Russian attacks in Kyiv, Odesa and the Kharkiv region of Ukraine.

A man holds up an Iranian flag during a vigil in support of protestors in Iran.

Iran sentences protester to death

Iran’s judiciary sentenced a protester to death for setting fire to a government building.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks to the press at the White House on Nov. 10, 2022, in Washington, DC.

US alarmed by death sentence, sham trials of protesters in Iran

National security adviser Jake Sullivan warned of consequences if Iran's repression of peaceful protesters continues.

Cars are seen driving past a sales office of Iranian auto manufacturer Saipa group, Tehran, Iran, Sept. 12, 2015.

Iranian carmaker Saipa prepares first export to Venezuela

Cooperation between Iran and Venezuela now goes beyond oil.

Iran nuclear

With US elections over, new run at Iran nuclear deal is possible

By backing the Israel-Lebanon border agreement, Iran shows it is ready to move with the right guarantees.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian looks on during a press conference in Tehran on July 20, 2022.

Iran warns Germany over crackdown criticism

The Islamic Republic was unsettled by international criticism over its suppression of nearly two months of protests, with its security forces now attacking people dancing in defiance of theocratic rules.

A woman holds up a sign reading in Persian and English "Death to England, Death to Manoto.

Iran intel chief says UK must 'compensate' for protests

The chief of Iran's Intelligence Ministry said the UK must compensate Iran for creating unrest in the country.

A man in Tehran on Oct. 30, 2022, holds a copy of the Hammihan newspaper, featuring on its cover a headline mentioning the statement by the Tehran journalists' association.

Iran charges journalists amid mounting protest toll

While the death toll from nearly two months of consistent protests continued to rise, the government was pushing to contain the unrest with severe judicial measures.

A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran on Sept. 21, 2022, shows Iranian demonstrators taking to the streets of Tehran.

Iran’s parliament asks for harsh penalty for protestors

Lawmakers in Iran call for severe punishments for "rioters" amid the country's unrest.

Toomaj Salehi

Iran arrests dissident rapper amid anti-government protests

Toomaj Salehi was active on social media regarding the protests in Iran that began in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s death in the custody of the morality police on Sept. 16.

Iranian refugees and Iranians living in Greece hold up placards during a demonstration to commemorate 40 days from the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini while in police custody in Iran, in central Athens on Oct. 29, 2022.

Iran rocked by more violence as protesters mourn victims

The clashes saw angry protesters taking on government forces, who had opened fire and blocked ways to the victims’ graves.