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

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrive to hold a press conference after a meeting in Tehran on October 19, 2026. The Russian foreign minister arrived in Iran on October 19, in his first visit since the outbreak of the Middle East war as Moscow seeks to play a mediating role. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran

As Tehran looks for an off-ramp from renewed conflict, Moscow is positioning itself as a diplomatic partner while pushing Iran to deliver on long-delayed economic deals.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

What's at stake as Libya's eastern parliament approves Turkey maritime deal

Libya's eastern-based parliament's approval of a long-disputed maritime deal with Turkey marks a strategic win for Ankara as Saddam Hifter seeks Turkish backing for his presidential ambitions, according to analysts.

By Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 25: U.S. ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Oval Office at the White House on September 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump has signaled that the U.S. might lift a ban on F-35 sales to Turkey during Erdogan's first visit to the White House since 2019. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

US moving away from Middle East security guarantor role, Barrack says

The US envoy said that direct US military intervention on the ground against the Houthis would be "fruitless."

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

JERUSALEM - OCTOBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands and speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on the day of Trump's address on October 13, 2025 in Jerusalem. President Trump is visiting the country hours after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023, part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. (Photo by Evelyn Hockstein - Pool/Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran and Gaza: Why Trump's backing of Netanyahu may come with strings attached

Netanyahu could offer Trump several concessions: hold off on striking Iran until after the Nov. 3 US midterms, ease restrictions on Gaza’s reconstruction or crack down on settler violence in the West Bank.

By Ben Caspit

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

Macron secures Gulf diesel supplies as France grapples with fuel costs, unrest

France now has commitments for 295,000 metric tons of diesel per month from the Gulf, accounting for just over 10% of the European country’s consumption.

Bahrain

Latest News

IRGC claims it downed US drone, set two tankers ablaze near Hormuz

Ships are anchored off the coast of Khasab in Oman's Musandam Governorate, near the Strait of Hormuz, on Oct. 2, 2026.

Iran

Yemen displacement tops 250K as Houthis tighten siege on Taiz: What to know

Yemen

Iran says deal reached with Iraq to expel Kurdish separatists: What to know

Iran

Turkey sends Mecca defense pact with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan to parliament for ratification

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses Turkish members of parliament during the opening of the parliamentary session at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Ankara, Turkey, Oct. 1, 2026.

Turkey

Get unlimited access for as little as $2/week.

The most authoritative roundup for Middle East news everyday on site, app and your inbox.

See Offers

Subscriber-Only Benefits

Our Independent Journalism | No agendas. No influences. Just factual stories.
The Daily Briefing | Intelligent, concise insights—delivered daily.
Unlimited Access | Reporting & analysis—without paywalls.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meets with chief of Defence Forces of Pakistan, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Tehran

Iran tells Pakistan army chief no talks with Washington until demands are met

Reuters

Aftermath of Israeli strike on an apartment, in Gaza City

Israeli fire kills four people in Gaza, medics say

Reuters

Security forces stand guard outside the Parliament building in Tobruk, Libya

Eastern Libya parliament approves maritime deal with Turkey, drawing Greek rejection

Reuters

A committee of the Mecca defense pact met in Riyadh

Turkey submits Saudi-Pakistan defence pact to parliament for ratification, sources say

Reuters

Featured Newsletters

Editor's choice

Three stories hand-picked by our editorial team.

Expert insight on the Middle East—delivered regularly

Read By

See all newsletters

Middle East Minute

Will Trump backing tip balance for Netanyahu?

Adam Lucente

20 October, 8:42 AM ET

3:47

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

Kurdish integration with Syria’s central government remains far from complete

Alexander McKeever joins Amberin Zaman

15 October, 3:26 PM ET

26:25

Middle East Minute

Saudi Arabia nixes key events as Houthi war escalates

Adam Lucente

15 October, 9:25 AM ET

4:01

Interviews

Exclusive conversations with AL-MONITOR.

See All

Interview

Trump's Africa adviser denies Libya plan would entrench rival families

US Department of State's senior advisor to the President for Arab and African Affairs Massad Fares Boulos attends a conference for the support of peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region, in Paris, on October 30, 2025. The international community gathered in Paris on October 30, 2025 to raise awareness about the dire humanitarian situation in the Great Lakes region, aiming to raise hundreds of millions of euros despite a drastic decrease in international aid, particularly from the United States. (Phot

Interview

Waltz: ‘Door open’ to Iran talks, more countries eye Abraham Accords

Interview

Yemen separatists urge US not to let Saudi Arabia ‘call the shots’

Yemenis gather during a rally to show their support for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the coastal port city of Aden, on December 14, 2025. (Saleh Al-OBEIDI / AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

Ex-PM says Sudan risks partition amid US ceasefire push

Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok chairs an emergency cabinet session in the capital, Khartoum, on Oct. 18, 2021.

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

What's at stake as Libya's eastern parliament approves Turkey maritime deal

By Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Analysis

Iran and Gaza: Why Trump's backing of Netanyahu may come with strings attached

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

As Iran’s oil lifeline runs dry, can it outlast Trump's economic siege?

shoppers walking through the Tajrish Bazaar, a traditional market in Tehran

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Dispatch from the New Syria: Opportunities and Challenges

October 1, 2026

1:00:54

The Iran War Widens: Yemen, Hormuz and What Comes Next

September 17, 2026