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Iran

July 16, 2026

Tehran 1:33 am

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BEIRUT, LEBANON - OCTOBER 13: Lebanese people wave flags and hold portraits of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (not pictured) as he arrives in southern suberb of Beirut on October 13, 2010 in Lebanon. The controversial visit is seen as a boost for key ally Hezbollah. According to reports Mr Ahmadinejad may visit the border with Israel - the site of recent deadly clashes between Israeli and Lebanese forces. (Photo by Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)

Ahmadinejad denies alleged Mossad plot to install him as Iran leader: What to know

The former president, who was a virulent critic of Israel while in office, was reportedly part of a Mossad plan to replace the current Iranian leadership.

A ship sails off the coast of Ajman on July 10, 2026.

Interview

Why Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF

The fund's Middle East director, Jihad Azour, told Al-Monitor that the big Gulf energy producers now have more capacity to absorb the shock.

Jihad Azour

Jihad Azour

Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund

Latest News

Analysis

How UK's IRGC designation raises stakes for Iran and Europe

A general view of the Iranian Embassy on July 13, 2026, in London, England.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Bahrain sentences 3 to life in prison over ties to Iran's IRGC: What to know

A photograph shows a damaged building in the aftermath of a drone strike in the Seef district of Manama on March 10, 2026.

Trump hosts Iraqi PM Zaidi as Iran war intensifies

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi meets with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House, Washington, DC, July 14, 2026.

Trump retreats from Hormuz 20% fee plan in pivot to Gulf investment deals

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

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 huge banner bearing portraits of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) and his predecessor, the founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (R), is seen on a building being constructed at phase 15 and 16 of South Pars gas field development in the southern Iranian port town of Asaluyeh on July 19, 2010 as a top official announced that global energy majors are welcome to help develop oil and gas projects in Iran despite new sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic. AFP PHOTO/ATT

Latest PRO Memo: Russian energy deal with Iran could prompt further cooperation

Bijan Khajehpour explores in-depth the recent $40 billion MOU between Russia’s Gazprom and Iran's national oil company and its potential impact.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran ready to conclude nuclear talks

Iran’s top negotiator has said Tehran wants a "swift conclusion" to the nuclear talks.

Josep Borell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (R), and Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Enrique Mora (2nd-R) chat during a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister at the foreign ministry headquarters in Iran's capital Tehran on June 25, 2022.

Analysis

Iran nuclear deal's fate uncertain as EU makes final push

Neither Washington nor Tehran are calling it quits, but experts are skeptical an EU proposal to revive the nuclear deal can break the deadlock.

Ali Hashem

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Ali Hashem , Elizabeth Hagedorn

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran claims to arrest 'Mossad-linked terrorists'

According to Tehran, five people have been arrested for planning attacks in Iran in cooperation with Israel's national intelligence service.

A huge banner bearing portraits of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L) and his predecessor, the founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (R), is seen on a building being constructed at phase 15 and 16 of South Pars gas field development in the southern Iranian port town of Asaluyeh on July 19, 2010 as a top official announced that global energy majors are welcome to help develop oil and gas projects in Iran despite new sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic. AFP PHOTO/ATT

Russian Gazprom's deal with Iran could prompt further cooperation

Bijan Khajehpour

Bijan Khajehpour

In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics

Conservative and reformist newspapers in Tehran on Sept. 18, 2021.

Iranian trade with China on the rise

China is focused on improving its economic ties with Iran as opposed to security cooperation.

An Iranian woman holds a poster of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally in support of wearing headscarves.

Khamenei supports stricter hijab enforcement in Iran

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei finally weighed in on the recent controversy over the country’s enforcement of strict Islamic dress for women.

Roxanne Tahbaz holds a photograph of her father, Morad Tahbaz.

Iran temporarily releases US-UK environmentalist Morad Tahbaz

His daughter Tara Tahbaz described the news of his temporary release as "surreal."

Putin Raisi

Why Iran-Russia relations likely won’t go beyond cooperation in Syria

Putin’s recent trip to Tehran was a PR win for the Russian president, but is unlikely to result in any further concessions for Iran.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Iran says US dollar officially ditched in trade with ally Russia

The Islamic Republic took the step following the Russian president's meeting with Iran's leader in Tehran, where the two explored options on how to push back on international sanctions.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) attends a press conference with Josep Borell.

Iran says nuclear deal's revival up to US

According to Iranian media, hopes are fading that the nuclear deal can be revived.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iranian women under pressure as Raisi stiffens hijab mandate

The Iranian government is cracking down on hijab violations in what many say is a bid to divert attention from the nation’s economic hardships.