Recent nationwide protests in Iran, met with a severe crackdown, reflect the consequences of five decades of Islamic Republic rule. More than half of Iran’s population now lives near or below the poverty line, subsisting on less than $3 per day. The national currency is in free fall and the country faces the specter of … Read more
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated Thursday as both nations engaged in displays of military power amid ongoing nuclear talks. Iran conducted drills with Russia, while the U.S. Moved the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier closer to the Middle East. Military Posturing The Iranian drill, involving … Read more
GENEVA (AP) — Iran announced the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday for live fire drills as its negotiators held another round of indirect talks with the United States over the Islamic Republic’s disputed nuclear program. It was the first time Iran has announced the closure of the key international waterway, through … Read more
Geneva – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Monday with Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, ahead of a second round of negotiations with the United States over Iran’s nuclear program. Araghchi is also scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi of Oman, which is hosting the U.S.-Iran talks on Tuesday. … Read more
The Silencing of a Violin: How Iran’s Crackdown Targets Artists and Suppresses Dissent The death of violinist Pooya Faragerdi, shot by security forces during protests in Tehran on January 8th, is a stark illustration of the escalating repression within Iran. His story, pieced together from interviews with his brother and fellow musicians, reveals a pattern … Read more
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is sending the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Middle East to join another already stationed there, according to a person familiar with the plans. This move is intended to bolster President Donald Trump’s efforts to negotiate a deal with Iran regarding its nuclear program. The deployment of the … Read more
Iran on the Brink: Nuclear Talks, Domestic Unrest, and a Region on Edge Tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and its internal political landscape are reaching a critical point. With the United States increasing military presence in the region and a rising death toll from recent protests, the possibility of further escalation looms large. Negotiations over … Read more
Iran’s Mahdi Birthday Celebrations Amidst Grief and Protest: A Nation Divided Recent celebrations marking the birthday of Imam Mahdi, the 12th and final Shiite Imam, have revealed deep fissures within Iranian society. While government authorities orchestrated widespread festivities – including street decorations, fireworks, and public distribution of food and sweets – these displays of joy … Read more
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, asserted Sunday that the nation’s strength lies in its ability to “say no to the great powers,” following negotiations with the United States regarding its nuclear program. These remarks came amid ongoing nationwide protests. Diplomatic Stance and Nuclear Enrichment Araghchi, speaking at … Read more
Iran Declares EU Militaries “Terrorist Groups”: A Dangerous Escalation Dubai, United Arab Emirates – In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Iran’s parliament speaker announced Sunday that the Islamic Republic now considers all European Union militaries to be terrorist groups. This retaliatory move follows the EU’s decision to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) as a terrorist … Read more