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

Iran cover image

Iran

March 10, 2026

Tehran 12:17 pm

8°C

US President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida, on March 9, 2026.

Trump says Iran war to end 'very soon' as oil prices soar

He also said the military campaign in Iran would "go further" despite "achieving major strides."

A boy walks past an unexploded missile that landed in an open field on the outskirts of Qamishli, eastern Syria, on March 5, 2026.

Syria’s Sharaa blasts Iran’s ‘destabilizing’ role, moves closer to US, Gulf

The economic effects in the Gulf could impact the region’s investments in Syria as Damascus seeks to rebuild after years of its own war and to avoid getting dragged into the conflict.

Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7, 2026.

Analysis

Oil crisis stokes inflation risks for Mideast as Iran war exposes importers

With crude oil briefly nearing $120 per barrel on Monday before giving up gains, the conflict is poised to reignite inflationary pressures around the world, including for vulnerable economies such as Egypt and Turkey.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Palmachim Air Base on March 3, 2026, accompanied by Minister of Defense Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Analysis

Israel doubts Iran regime change odds despite Netanyahu rhetoric

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday, “We have a systematic plan to eradicate the Iranian regime,” but Israeli experts say he is aware of the difficulties in triggering regime change.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Israel’s strikes on Iran oil depots test Pentagon’s war aims

Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7, 2026.

Putin becomes first to congratulate Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know

ALEXEI DRUZHININ/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Trump praises Australia for aiding Iran women’s soccer team amid asylum calls

This photo taken on March 8, 2026 shows Iranian players running towards their positions at the start of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 football match between Iran and the Philippines on the Gold Coast.

G7 readies strategic reserves after oil nears $120 amid Iran war

In this photo illustration, a smartphone displays the crude oil price in USD after markets in the UK opened on March 9, 2026, in London, England.

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

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers a speech at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan June 15, 2019. REUTERS/Mukhtar Kholdorbekov - RC18D8234850

Iran's Rouhani eases conditions for talks with Trump

Iran's president says sanctions removal alone could initiate a Tehran-Washington dialogue, marking a departure from his earlier position where he strictly demanded the US rejoin the nuclear deal before any negotiation.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrives at the EU council in Brussels, Belgium May 15, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman - RC1873ED5BB0

Tehran issues deadline for bypass to US sanctions

Iran is stepping up its pressure on Europe to devise a successful workaround that will provide economic relief from US sanctions.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrives to attend a news conference in Tehran, Iran August 5, 2019. Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC16176AD180

Zarif says he was sanctioned for refusing to meet Trump

Iran’s foreign minister claims he was warned in New York that if he refused to meet Trump at the White House he would be sanctioned.

Division threatens Islamic Dawa after Maliki’s reelection

The Islamic Dawa Party could on the verge of division after the reelection of Nouri al Maliki as its secretary-general; however, many party leaders see the party as continuing to be a strong and unified one.

Israeli Air Force F-35 flies during an aerial demonstration at a graduation ceremony for Israeli air force pilots at the Hatzerim air base in southern Israel December 26, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1B826A4350

Tinderbox: Israeli military attacks in Iraq could complicate US strategy in Middle East

Washington may need to draw some red lines to protect its larger regional interests.

Iranian former vice president and candidate for parliamentary election Mohammad Reza Aref waves after casting his ballot with his wife (C) during elections for the parliament and Assembly of Experts, which has the power to appoint and dismiss the supreme leader, in Tehran February 26, 2016. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - GF10000324086

Why Iran's Reformists are disillusioned with one of their own

The political maneuvering of Reformist leader Mohammad Reza Aref has already cost him a bid for the presidency two years before the race begins.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is seen before meeting with Oman's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah (not pictured) in Tehran, Iran July 27, 2019. Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC170D699600

Iranians unite to condemn sanctions on Zarif

Iranian officials from opposing political sides have united in defense of the country’s foreign minister, the latest target of US sanctions.

Members of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) walk as they enter their headquarters in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq July 2, 2019. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RC1350C4F160

Shiite military factions have long way to integrate into state forces

Despite Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's decree about the Popular Mobilization Units, they have a long way to go to integrate into state forces.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif talks to the media during the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Coordinating Bureau in Caracas, Venezuela July 20, 2019. REUTERS/Manaure Quintero - RC197678EF30

US blacklists Iranian foreign minister

After the United States placed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, White House officials told the media that he was merely a propaganda chief not worth negotiating with; experts, however, said Zarif was an effective messenger for the Islamic Republic.

Iran's crackdown on corruption reaches elites

The Iranian judiciary seems to have gotten serious about fighting corruption with speedy trials and harsh verdicts for powerful businessmen once thought untouchable.

Why attempts to reform budget structure might hit a dead end in Iran

While Iran's Planning and Budget Organization has ambitious plans for resolving the country's budgetary problems, upcoming elections, a lack of relevant data and other issues are blocking the path to these goals.

A boat of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard sails close to Stena Impero, a British-flagged vessel owned by Stena Bulk, near Bandar Abbas port, Iran July 21, 2019. Picture taken July 21, 2019. Fars News Agency/ WANA Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC1D73A09A90

Iran, UK both rule out oil tanker swap deal

Tehran says it will not release a British-flagged oil tanker it captured earlier this month in a possible barter with the UK, which is holding an Iranian vessel off the coast of Gibraltar.