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

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says Americans should trust President Donald Trump's "incredible instincts"

Trump to make Iran war decision in 'next two weeks'

Agence France-Presse

ISRAEL-IRAN-CONFLICT Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the Soroka Hospital in the southern city of Beersheba, after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran on June 19, 2025. Israel's defence minister warned that Iran's supreme leader "can no longer be allowed to exist" after a hospital was hit in an Iranian missile strike on June 19, spiking tensions in the week-old war. (Photo by Marc Israel SELLEM / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

What Iran’s hospital strike reveals about Israel’s missile defense limits

The direct strike highlights the limits of Israel's vaunted aerial defense systems as the Iran-Israel war intensifies.

Rina Bassist

Автор: Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A picture of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is held aloft at a rally on Enghelab (Revolution) Square, Tehran, June 14, 2025.

Hezbollah vows loyalty to Khamenei as Iran-Israel war approaches week 2

The group publicly defended the Iranian leader as some worry Hezbollah might retaliate against Israel for its attack on Iran, its main ally and supporter.

JOHN WESSELS/AFP via Getty Images

Israel calls Iran's hospital missile strike war crime, vows escalation

Israeli officials have condemned the Iranian strike at a hospital as a war crime and vowed to intensify its attacks against Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister after their meeting in Ankara, on Dec. 2, 2024.

Iran’s Araghchi to visit Turkey as Ankara seeks war mediation role

Iran’s top diplomat is expected in Turkey for the OIC talks as the Iran-Israel war dominates the agenda.

Latest News

Crypto looted, TV hijacked: Iran grapples with wave of cyberstrikes

ROMAIN COSTASECA/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel tests Trump’s promise to keep US out of new wars

The President will attend the annual meeting of the Group of 7 nations, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States are taking place in the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Alberta, and will run until late Tuesday. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Автор: Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Analysis

Can Russia broker Iran-Israel deal as Putin looks to divert West from Ukraine?

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrive for a documents signing ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Kasia A. Houghton

Автор: Kasia A. Houghton

From Lebanon to Qatar, Israel-Iran war disrupts flights, airport traffic: What to know

Ground staff prepare a Middle East Airlines flight for departure on the tarmac at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on May 2, 2025.

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing for only $1.67 per month.

The most authoritative roundup for Middle East news everyday in your inbox.

What you get

Daily email with comprehensive regional news coverage
Start with a two-week free trial
Summary of all key insights from our in-country journalists.

Satellite images of the Al Udeid US military base in Qatar on June 5 (L) and June 19 (R), 2025

US military aircraft no longer visible at base in Qatar: satellite images

Agence France-Presse

The Soroka Hospital in southern Israel was hit by Iranian missiles

'So sad': Israelis shocked by Iran strike on hospital

Agence France-Presse

Georges Ibrahim Abdallah is one of the longest serving prisoners in France

French court to rule on freeing Lebanese militant

Agence France-Presse

It remains unclear what would replace the system led by Khamenei

If Iran's Khamenei falls, what would replace him?

Agence France-Presse

Featured Newsletters

Editor's choice

Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

Stay informed with our daily and weekly newsletters

Read By

See all newsletters

Adam Lucente and Ben Caspit

The Al-Monitor Brief

Can Israel deter Iran’s nuclear program without help from Trump?

Adam Lucente interviews Ben Caspit

17:01

Amberin Zaman Hamidreza Aizizi

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Israel wants regime change or a failed state in Iran

Amberin Zaman interviews Hamidreza Azizi

Adam Lucente, Ezgi Akin and Joyce Karam

The Al-Monitor Brief

Israel-Iran strikes: what’s next for the Middle East, US?

Adam Lucente interviews Joyce Karam, Ezgi Akin, Rina Bassist, Jared Szuba, Beatrice Farhat, Rosaleen Carroll, Sam Wendel, Jack Dutton

17:09

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Пока Эрдоган дружит с Путиным, Турция и Украина подписывают крупное соглашение о свободной торговле

Barin Kayaoglu

Автор: Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Al-Monitor chief correspondent Amberin Zaman interviews H.E. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The Future of Energy and Power in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Play Video

1:38:51

Al-Monitor's State Department Correspondent Elizabeth Hagedorn stands on a balcony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia reporting on President Trump's trip to the Gulf.

President Trump's Visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE

Play Video

1:04

thumbnail of youtube video "Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon"

Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon

Play Video

5:00

US investor Steve Witkoff attends the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18, 2024.

Who is Trump’s new Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff?

Play Video

1:22