Analysis Israel concerned Iran trying to buy time but sees US strikes as still possible “We don’t yet know what happened there and hope that the Iranians didn’t string the American team along in order to buy time. The gaps between the sides are enormous and cannot be bridged," a senior Israeli official told Al-Monitor. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Russia, China, Iran to hold joint naval drills in Strait of Hormuz: What to know The drills come as the three countries strengthen their ties amid growing US economic and military pressure on Iran. Iran
Iran FM says agreement on 'guiding principles' reached in talks with US The latest round of negotiations came after President Donald Trump warned of potential consequences for Iran should no agreement be reached. Iran
Iran’s IRGC begins naval drills in Strait of Hormuz on eve of US-Iran talks The drills come as a second US carrier is heading to the region amid US President Trump’s threats to use military force if Tehran does not agree to restrictions on its nuclear program during indirect negotiations mediated by Oman. Iran
Analysis Inside Iran's negotiating team: Araghchi, Takht-Ravanchi pursue tactical engagement By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis How Iran harnesses digital repression, China tech ties to quash dissent By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Why Trump is betting on military leaders for Iran negotiations By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Despite Israeli concerns, sources say Trump giving Iran talks up to 2 months By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran praises Lebanon ceasefire, vows response to Israel 'in due time' Iran has repeatedly vowed to respond to the late October Israeli strikes on the country, and a senior official repeated the assertion following the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Iran
Iran, Europe gamble on fresh talks in Geneva to resolve nuclear deal deadlock The upcoming negotiations in Geneva follow a two-year hiatus in Iran's nuclear diplomacy, reviving cautious optimism regarding potential economic relief while also highlighting the pressure Tehran is facing in the wake of Donald Trump's new tenure. Iran
Iran promises response 'beyond imagination' to Israeli strikes even as deal looms A month after Israel's Oct. 26 strikes on Iran, Iranian officials are ramping up discussions of a response to the attack. Iran
Iran and Azerbaijan hold joint military drills in sign of easing tensions Iran and Azerbaijan are at odds over the planned Zangezur Corridor through Armenia, as well as Baku’s relations with Israel. Iran
Iran’s Khamenei says Netanyahu must face death penalty, ICC warrant 'not enough' In his first comment on the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief, Yoav Gallant, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said a death sentence must be issued for the Israeli leaders, not arrest warrants. Iran
Analysis Is Iran's Khamenei signaling readiness for new deal as Trump threat looms large? Iran's supreme leader appears to be exercising pragmatism and reintroducing his "heroic flexibility," as his top aide says the stalled nuclear deal was "not written in stone" and that Tehran remains open to a new accord with the incoming Trump administration. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Iran defense chief visits Venezuela, talks energy, trade: What we know Iran and Venezuela are working to repair oil ties after the reimposition of US sanctions on the South American country and the looming return of President Donald Trump to the White House. Iran
IAEA censures Iran over nuclear activity Out of its 35 member countries, 19 voted in favor of the resolution, 12 abstained, while China, Russia and Burkina Faso voted against it. Iran
Saudi Arabia, Iran, China slam Israel at Riyadh meeting: What we know The China-Saudi Arabia-Iran Trilateral Joint Committee met for the second time in the Saudi capital, more than a year after the Chinese-brokered deal that resumed relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia
Iran threatens 'proportionate' response as IAEA censure looms Iranian officials have repeatedly denied pursuit of nuclear weapons. In recent months, however, the rhetoric from state media and hard-liners has increasingly shifted. Iran
After UAE visit, Qatari PM holds talks in Iran as Hamas officials depart Doha A Gulf political official told Al-Monitor on Wednesday that the Qatari prime minister's visit to the UAE is designed to communicate Doha's new policy toward Hamas, where it seeks to be more in alignment with them regarding the group. Qatar
IAEA's Grossi denies Netanyahu claim Israel hit Iran nuclear facility International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi denied Israel's contention that a shuttered Iranian nuclear facility had restarted activity at the military complex it struck in Parchin, Iran. Iran