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A man walks past Iran's national flag and a banner bearing the images of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (R), the late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei and his son, the current supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei (L), erected along a street at the Vanak Square in Tehran on June 10, 2026.

Iran deal ‘very close’ but not at finish line, senior US official says

The announcement comes after a week of tit-for-tat strikes between the two sides.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

US President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset, Jerusalem, Oct. 13, 2025.

Analysis

'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed Israel’s red lines to Trump, but given the current rift between the two leaders, the demands may be little more than a wish list.

By Ben Caspit

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

TOPSHOT - People cross the street past a large billboard showing portraits of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (L) and slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) in central Tehran on June 8, 2026. Iran said on June 8 that the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East war will have consequences for ongoing talks with the United States to reach peace in the region. "It is perfectly natural that the diplomatic process initiated to put an end to this imposed war would be affected,

Iran-US draft deal would release $24B in funds, ensure Lebanon ceasefire: Iranian media

The draft circulating in Iranian state media, which Trump denied on Friday, would grant Tehran sanctions relief and access to billions in frozen funds while limiting final talks to nuclear issues and excluding its missile program and proxies.

Iran

Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon close to the Beaufort Castle as seen from a position across the border in the Upper Galilee, in northern Israel on June 4, 2026.

'Pilot zones' offer litmus test for Lebanon to clear Israel border of Hezbollah

As the Trump administration focuses reaching a peace deal with Iran, US officials have been hosting backroom talks between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats aimed at finally resolving the question of Hezbollah’s entrenchment along Israel’s northern border.

Lebanon

Exclusive

Barrack heads to Iraq as US presses Baghdad on Iran-backed militias

US envoy Tom Barrack is due to meet with Iraq’s new prime minister and other top officials in Baghdad, where he will likely press US demands for Iran-backed Shiite militias be dismantled and disarmed.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

US strikes on Indian-crewed tankers spark tensions with New Delhi

Iran

Explainer

How Iran war is giving China an opening in Gulf drone market

An unmanned aerial vehicle is seen during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP) (Photo by GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)

China

Trump calls off Iran strikes, says deal is close

US President Donald Trump watches the start of Game 3 of the NBA Finals between New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026 in New York City.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

Culture

World Cup opens amid visa disputes for Iran, Iraq and Somalia

Iran

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Mahmoud Adam Jama Galaal, Somaliland's representative to Taiwan, looks on as he speaks to journalists before the opening of the new Somaliland representative office in Taipei, Taiwan June 12, 2026. REUTERS/Tsai Hsin-Han

Somaliland says it has a right to choose its relationships as it opens new Taiwan office

Reuters

Iran peace deal looms while new military action flares near Strait of Hormuz

Reuters

Soccer-Iran team chief slams FIFA’s 'lack of coordination' on visa issues

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 3, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

Factbox-Main provisions of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal abandoned by Trump

Reuters

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On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Armenia's pro-Western prime minister won elections, but peace with Turkey & Azerbaijan remains a challenge

Tigran Grigoryan joins Amberin Zaman

10 June, 2:47 PM ET

32:18

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Turkey's outsize influence in Somalia fuels corruption and autocracy, says MEI's Gonul Tol

Gonul Tol joins Amberin Zaman

14 May, 5:43 PM ET

19:31

The AL-MONITOR Brief

Is there a US-Israel rift on Iran?

Rina Bassist joins Adam Lucente

8 May, 4:16 PM ET

11:57

Interviews

Exclusive conversations with AL-MONITOR.

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Interview

Saudi Arabia eyes state-backed stablecoin amid digital finance push

The symbols of bitcoin and the stablecoin Tether (USDT) are displayed at a cryptocurrency store in Hong Kong on July 29, 2025.

Interview

Top Syrian Kurdish official slams parliamentary vote in northeast as 'undemocratic'

Foza Yusuf

Top Syrian Kurdish official

Interview

As Sudan war drags on, US-Iran conflict compounds humanitarian crisis in Darfur

Janti Soeripto

President and CEO of Save the Children US

Interview

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

Arman Tatoyan

Founder, Wings of Unity Party

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

As Trump admin drops Halkbank case, S-400 last big hurdle in US-Turkey ties

Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile launching system is displayed at the exposition field in Kubinka Patriot Park outside Moscow on Aug. 22, 2017 during the first day of the International Military-Technical Forum Army-2017.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

Macron meets Tom Barrack as France seeks larger role in Lebanon

France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech after receiving the Pic du Midi nomination file for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List from officials of the Occitanie region at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Thomas Padilla / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

From Beirut to Bab el Mandeb, Iran tests new deterrence strategy

People ride motorcycles past a large billboard showing portraits of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (L), and slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) in central Tehran on June 8, 2026.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal

By Ben Caspit

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

Speakers from Iran war energy event: Samuel Wendel, Dr. Carole Nakhle, and Noam Raydan

How the Iran war is reshaping energy markets

May 20, 2026

1:00:30

Joyce Karam, Randa Slim, Hamidreza Azizi, Hasan Alhasan

Iran War at One Month: Outlook and Implications

April 1, 2026

1:04

Joyce Karam, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Holly Dagres, and Ali Hashem

Are the US and Iran closer to war or a deal?

February 24, 2026

0:59

Iraqi Christian man in dark blue sweater sitting in an office

After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning home

February 10, 2026

3:39

Amberin Zaman, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Danny Makki, Joyce Karam in a virtual discussion on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington

Syria's Sharaa in Washington

November 6, 2025

1:00

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

May 23, 2025

1:38

Plestia Alaqad on Gaza and South Lebanon

April 1, 2025

5:00

Vision Golfe 2024 - Mastering Mega events in the GCC from a Sports Perspective

June 4, 2024

34:36

The Syria Strategy Project: Panel one

March 18, 2024

3:42:49

US confrontation with Iran’s proxies: Live Q&A with Jared Szuba and Elizabeth Hagedorn

February 2, 2024

38:25

The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Amb. David Satterfield (Part 2)

January 25, 2024

33:53

The Israel-Hamas War: Live Q&A with Amb. David Satterfield (Part 1)

November 21, 2023

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Past

AL-MONITOR Global Institute hosts food security forum with Dr. Conrad Rein

On October 16, 2025, the AL-MONITOR Global Institute hosted Dr. Conrad Rein, Secretary of the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, alongside representatives from multilateral development banks and the private sector for a discussion on food security in the Middle East and Africa.

Washington, DC

October 16, 2025 11:00 EDT

Past

AL-MONITOR Global Institute hosts Digital Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya

On Sept. 21, 2025, the AL-MONITOR Global Institute hosted Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, for a discussion on digital inclusion and economic empowerment in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

New York, NY

September 21, 2025 17:00 EDT

Past

Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani at AL-Monitor Global Institute

AL-MONITOR Global Institute hosts Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright

On May 22, 2025, the AL-MONITOR Global Institute hosted Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in Washington DC to discuss the future of power and energy in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Washington, DC

May 22, 2025 10:30 EDT

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