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June 19, 2026

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US President Donald Trump arrives for the G7 Leaders' Summit at the Hotel Royal, Evian Resort on June 15, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France.

Feature

Trump’s Iran deal sidesteps fate of detained Americans

The White House declined to say whether the release of the six Americans would be included in a final deal.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Achraf Hakimi #2 of Morocco shoots and misses a chance against Gabriel Magalhaes #3 of Brazil during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Culture

Morocco, Egypt impress with notable draws despite winless World Cup start for Mideast teams

Several teams from the Middle East and North Africa could advance to the knockout stage under the new format, and Morocco climbed in the rankings despite a tie in its opener.

Explainer

Sanctions relief and reconstruction: How China benefits from Trump-Iran deal

It is no exaggeration to say that every provision of the 14-point deal favors China.

Latest News

How Iran stands to win major financial relief in Trump-backed deal

A shop owner counts Iranian banknotes at a store in the capital Tehran on Jan. 7, 2026.

Explainer

Oil’s slide wavers as Trump warns US-Iran deal ‘not final’

A general view shows the Awad oil field in the eastern Qamishli countryside in northeastern Syria, on Feb. 9, 2026.

After US-Iran deal, Ghalibaf says Tehran seeks deeper ties with China

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks with Tehran's Chamber of Commerce, June 17, 2026.

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

U.S. Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins speaks during a news conference in New Delhi June 27, 2013. REUTERS/Mansi Thapliyal (INDIA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX112Q6

Veteran US diplomat: After Iran deal, focus on Syria

US diplomat James Dobbins shared his thoughts on what is next for the US and Iran, and what the recent agreement means for further collaboration in the region.

Obama's foreign policy doctrine rejected by Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's unequivocal rejection of the Iranian deal reflects his rejection of President Barack Obama's liberal doctrine, which embraces a strategy of diplomatic solutions to conflicts in cooperation with US partners.

Ali Akbar Velayati (C), Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's top adviser on international affairs, meets with Lebanon's Prime Minister Tammam Salam along with Iranian ambassador in Lebanon Mohammad Fathali (L) at the government palace in Beirut, May 18, 2015. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir - RTX1DGIZ

What Lebanon will get from the Iran deal

Economist Hassan Mokalled told Al-Monitor that the expected boost the nuclear deal will provide Iran's economy could benefit Lebanon in several areas.

Khamenei foreign policy adviser says Iran sticking to its guns

Ali Akbar Velayati says that the nuclear deal will not change Iran's regional policy or limit the country's missile program.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer (R) shakes hands with U.S. Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber in Washington, March 3, 2015. Dermer was a key figure in arranging Netanyahu's visit to Washington and his speech before Congress. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES) - RTR4RX8E

Can Netanyahu get Congress to reject nuke deal?

The United States and Israel are close allies, but the battle over the nuclear deal is getting fiercer by the moment.

Iran MPs: Hamas visit to Saudi Arabia a 'mistake'

While Iran has been a strong supporter of the Palestinian group Hamas, a trip by its leaders to Saudi Arabia has drawn warnings from Iranian politicians.

Israeli media drowns out pro-Iran-deal voices

Israeli politicians condemning the agreement with Iran have monopolized the conversation in Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speak at the Zakovkzalny War Memorial in Sochi, Russia May 12, 2015. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts - RTX1CKET

How US, Russia could solve Syria

The successful cooperation between the United State and Russia throughout the Iran nuclear negotiations could bode well for a new plan for Syria.

Deputy Defense Minister Ephriam Sneh in front of a large map of the West Bank during a press conference March 19 at which he announced the Israeli cabinet decision to go ahead with a further redeployment from 6.1% of West Bank land to be handed over to full Palestinian Authority. control. The dark brown areas show areas to be included in the redeployment in the northern part of the West Bank. The Palestinians will control 60% of their population but only a bit less than 20% of the West Bank land after the 6

I'm no fan of Bibi but I see a bad deal, says former Labor minister

In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh argues that the deal with Iran is dangerous to Israel, because it will strengthen Hezbollah and Hamas, while allowing Iran to enlarge its regional hegemony.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards commander General Mohammad Ali Jafari (R) chats with the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Fereydoun Abbasi Davani (L) during a ceremony in Tehran on September 6, 2011. Abbasi Davani said on Monday that Iran is ready to give the International Atomic Energy Agency "full supervision" of its nuclear programme for five years if UN sanctions are lifted. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Revolutionary Guard leader slams US, criticizes deal

The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in an interview that there were problems with the draft resolution passed today by the United Nations Security Council.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) and his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias attend a joint news conference in Athens May 28, 2015. Zarif said on Thursday he hoped Tehran and world powers would reach a final nuclear deal "within a reasonable period of time" but this would be hard if the other side stuck to what he called excessive demands. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis - RTX1EXFK

How Turkey really feels about the Iran deal

Although Turkey seems to be happy with the Iran nuclear deal, it is hard to say that politically Turkey would be delighted seeing Iran emerging as a regional power and an international actor.

Obama calls for 'practical conversation' between Iran, Arab states

US President Barack Obama tells Arab Gulf allies to “stop giving Iran opportunities for mischief”; Zarif says Iran “ready to engage” with Arab countries; Netanyahu weighs political costs of Iran deal.