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

Iran cover image

Iran

August 3, 2026

Tehran 1:15 pm

34°C

An Egyptian man looks at the Qatari Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier "Duhail" as its passes through the Suez Canal near the Egyptian port city of Ismailia on April 1, 2008. The vessel has a capacity of 210,100 cu.m making it one of the largest LNG carriers constructed to date. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How strike on Damietta port exposes Egypt's energy infrastructure risks

The unclaimed attack on the port of Damietta could draw Egypt further into the US-Iran conflict as experts point to growing threats to critical infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Palestinian Hamas militants arrive to secure the area as Egyptian workers accompanied by members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), search for the last two remaining bodies of hostages -an Israeli soldier and a Thai national- from under the rubble of the Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern of Gaza Strip on Dec. 1, 2025.

Analysis

How Hamas disarmament deal may test Iran's regional strategy

A possible Hamas decision to disarm would represent more than a Gaza development, testing Iran's decades-old strategy of projecting power through regional allies.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Mourners carry one of the bodies of members of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) who were killed earlier in Diyala in central Iraq by US-Saudi strikes, during the funeral in Baghdad on July 29, 2026. The US-Saudi strikes killed at least 20 militants, including Iranians, according to the Hashed al-Shaabi. The US and Saudi Arabia said the strikes were in response to attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities. (Photo by murtadha ridha / AFP via Getty Images) /

Analysis

Renewed Iraq attacks test Zaidi’s push to disarm Iran-backed militias

An attempt by Iraqi government forces to seize weapons belonging to an Iranian-backed faction encountered resistance, raising questions about Prime Minister Ali Zaidi’s pledge to disarm militias by Sept. 30.

Mustafa Salim

By Mustafa Salim

Latest News

Analysis

No Iran commitment, no Trump endorsement: Netanyahu leaves US empty-handed

US President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC, on July 31, 2026. President Trump is traveling to Camp David in Maryland to hold a cabinet meeting and later to Bedminster, New Jersey to spend the weekend at his golf club. (Photo by Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images)

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

Iran’s new calculus: Strike first, talk later

A woman stands next to Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles displayed at Azadi Square in Tehran on July 24, 2026.

China cuts deal with Houthis, adjusts for long US war with Iran

This aerial photo shows a tanker unloading imported crude oil at a terminal port in Qingdao, in China's eastern Shandong province on June 25, 2026. (Photo by CN-STR / AFP via Getty Images) / China OUT

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

People walk past shops in an upmarket suburb in northern Tehran, Iran May 3, 2016. REUTERS/Marius Bosch - RTX2CS8T

Why Iran’s private sector hasn't benefited from privatization

Despite ambitious plans to downsize government and help expand the private sector, Iran’s efforts to privatize state-owned enterprises continue to face serious challenges.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) listens as U.S. President Barack Obama meets with a group of veterans and Gold Star Mothers to discuss the Iran nuclear deal at the White House in Washington September 10, 2015. Gold Star Mothers are an organisation of mothers whose children have died while serving the U.S. in war or times of conflict. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTSIA0

Why Obama should move to shore up Iran nuclear deal

While efforts have been made to facilitate Iran’s reconnection with the international banking system, much remains to be done.

One of the five military vessels from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps that approached a U.S. warship hosting one of America's top generals on a day trip through the Strait of Hormuz is pictured in this July 11, 2016 handout photo. U.S. Navy/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY - RTSHLRW

Iranian navy 'enters Atlantic for first time' — or did it?

Iranian officials say the country's navy has entered the Atlantic Ocean for the first time.

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati (R), a candidate for the upcoming vote on the Assembly of Experts, and Iran's former chief negotiator Saeed Jalili attend a conservatives election campaign gathering in Tehran February 24, 2016. The campaign gathering was titled "No to UK Meddling". REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX28EQJ

Is Iran’s Guardian Council trying to tame lawmakers?

The Guardian Council’s apparent attempt to extend its powers to include supervision of members of parliament faces pushback from the government and lawmakers.

An aerial view shows the Shrine of Imam al-Abbas during the commemoration of Arbain in Kerbala, southwest of Baghdad December 13, 2014. Iraqi officials say millions of Shi'ite pilgrims from across Iraq and neighbouring countries are expected in Kerbala for Saturday's Arbain ritual, which marks the last of 40 days of mourning for the death of Imam Hussein that happened around 1,300 years ago. REUTERS/Abdul-Zahra (IRAQ - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY CITYSCAPE) - RTR4HW0P

Millions of Iranians enter Iraq for Shiite ritual

Millions of Iranian pilgrims flock to Iraq to join the marking of Arbaeen, the anniversary of the 40th day of mourning after the killing of the third Shiite Imam, Hussein bin Ali.

How Iran's religious singers help frame the war in Syria

In addition to assuming more clout in Iranian politics, religious singers are expanding their presence on the battlefield in Syria.

Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims reach out to touch the tomb of Imam al-Abbas located inside the Imam al-Abbas shrine to mark Arbaeen, in the holy city of Kerbala, southwest of Baghdad, December 3, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed al-Husseini TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX1X0XY

Are Shiites substituting Arbaeen for hajj?

Even though Arbaeen is attracting an increasing number of Shiite pilgrims, the annual pilgrimage is still overshadowed by the hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Members of the Shi'ite Badr Organisation fighters ride on military vehicles during a battle with Islamic State militants at the airport of Tal Afar west of Mosul, Iraq November 18, 2016. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RTX2UAJW

Iran, Turkey fight over Tal Afar

As the predominantly Shiite Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), with the support of Iran, expand their control over the recently liberated area of Tal Afar, which has a Turkmen majority, the tension between the PMU and Turkey has increased.

US firms join international air show in Iran

While the US House is attempting to halt Western aircraft manufacturers’ recent deals with Iran, American companies are participating in Iran’s International Air Show.

How modern art is helping bridge Arab-Iranian divide

A rare exhibition is bringing together Iranian and Arab modern art at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, presenting a unique opportunity for cultural diplomacy.

United Arab Emirates

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 01: Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol introducing the Iran Policy Oversight Act of 2015 October 1, 2015 in Washington, DC. The legislation, if passed, would build on the bipartisan commitment to oversight outlined in the Iran Nuclear Review Act of 2015. Also pictured (L-R) are Sen. Corey Booker (D-NJ) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA). (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Top Senate Democrat challenges Trump on Russia, Iran

Senate Foreign Relations Comittee ranking member Ben Cardin laid out a foreign policy platform for the Trump era.

A general view shows smog over northwestern Tehran November 23, 2010. Tehran is choking. Gridlock on urban highways makes the city feel more like Los Angeles than the Middle East, while adding a toxic yellow halo of smog to otherwise perennially blue skies. Picture taken November 23, 2010. To match feature IRAN-METRO/ REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT CITYSCAPE) - RTXVHZE

Tehran’s air pollution fuels political quarreling

The Iranian capital of Tehran's alarming levels of air pollution fan the flames of factional infighting.