About: Iran
International donors pledge $7.7 billion in aid to Syria
International donors pledged $7.7 billion in aid to face the ongoing humanitarian crisis at a Syrian aid summit co-hosted by the EU and the United Nations on Tuesday (30 June).
Iran condemns Germany’s ban on Hezbollah activity
Iran has condemned Berlin's ban of Hezbollah activity in Germany and its designation of the Iranian-backed Lebanese group as a terrorist organisation, saying the move serves US and Israeli interests, Iranian state media reported on Friday (1 May).
Bulgaria ‘black sheep of the EU’: World Press Freedom Index
Bulgaria has the lowest standards of press freedom in Europe and is ranked 111th globally in terms of press freedom for a third consecutive year in the Reporters Without Borders annual edition of the World Press Freedom index, which called the country "the black sheep of the EU".
Iran says European INSTEX barter system ‘good omen’ but insufficient
Iran on Monday (6 April) welcomed the launch of a European barter system to bypass US sanctions as a "good omen" but said it was insufficient in light of the Europeans' commitments.
EU’s INSTEX mechanism facilitates first transaction with pandemic-hit Iran
The EU says that its Iran-trading mechanism INSTEX, designed to allow Europeans to bypass US sanctions and continue trade with Tehran, has successfully concluded its first transaction. However, the humanitarian deal actually doesn't appear to contravene EU sanctions.
Russia joins UN’s appeal for global ceasefire, lists conflicts by name
Russia’s foreign ministry published a statement on Wednesday (25 March) urging all parties to regional armed conflicts to immediately stop hostilities, secure a ceasefire, and introduce a humanitarian pause, in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
EU supports Iran, Venezuela bids for IMF support in fight against coronavirus
The EU backs Iran and Venezuela in their requests for emergency funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help them fight the coronavirus outbreak, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said on Monday (23 March).
Nuclear arms control treaty set for review as divisions over non-proliferation mount
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in March, the United Nations is preparing to review the accord amid growing signs that divisions and distrust are rife among countries that possess nuclear arsenals.
Iran’s leader says enemies tried to use coronavirus to impact vote
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday (23 February) Iran's enemies tried to put people off voting in Friday's parliamentary election by exaggerating the threat of the new coronavirus but that participation had been good.
Global spread of coronavirus raises pandemic fears
Fears mounted on Monday (24 February) that the coronavirus outbreak in China will grow into a pandemic with disruptive and deadly consequences for countries around the world, after sharp rises in infections in South Korea, Italy and Iran.
Commission: Yemen is the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis
Obstruction by the rebel Huthi authorities in northern Yemen has put the world's biggest humanitarian lifeline at risk, threatening millions with starvation.
In post-Brexit push, Macron calls for European nuclear arms control agenda
Europeans should propose together "an international agenda of arms control" at a time when the existing treaties are questioned by other world powers and the nuclear arms race could resume, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday as he laid out France's much-awaited post-Brexit nuclear weapons strategy.
Borrell buys time for dispute mechanism talks on Iran
The remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal will meet next month to debate the way forward with the accord, EU's diplomatic chief Josep Borrell announced on Friday (24 January), after Britain, France and Germany launched a dispute process against Tehran.
Merkel defends financial crisis management legacy before economic elite in Davos
German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended her tough stand and the austere fiscal policy she pursued in response to the financial crisis that shook up the eurozone in 2008 as she addressed the World Economic Forum on Thursday (23 January).
Czech FM: Visegrad countries will continue to promote EU enlargement
The Visegrad countries will need some time to close the ditches they have dug in recent years, Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček told EURACTIV.cz in an interview. He also voiced doubts about the need for a reform of EU membership negotiations, demanded by France, saying the process is already reversible at any stage.
Eight member states back European-led naval mission in Strait of Hormuz
A European-led maritime surveillance mission in the Strait of Hormuz, a global shipping route impacted by military tensions in the Middle East, has won the political support from eight EU members states, the French foreign ministry announced on Monday (20 January).
Iran says it may pull out of nuclear treaty over Europe dispute
Iran said Monday (20 January) it will consider withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) if a dispute over its atomic programme goes before the UN Security Council.
Iran’s Khamenei slams ‘cowardly’ European governments
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday (17 January) accused the governments of Britain, France and Germany of being "American lackeys" in the face of US pressure over the nuclear accord.
INSTEX fails to support EU-Iran trade as nuclear accord falters
Three European powers, France, Britain and Germany, informed the EU on Tuesday (14 January) that they are triggering a dispute mechanism in the Iran nuclear deal following renewed violations of the deal by Tehran. “We have been left with no...
Merkel and Putin’s forced ‘rapprochement’
Russia's international influence has led to stronger cooperation between German Chancellor Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin. But what can both leaders achieve? EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel does a Q&A.
Iranian protesters demand that leaders quit over airline disaster ‘lies’
Protests erupted across Iran for a second day on Sunday (12 January), increasing pressure on the Islamic Republic’s leadership after it admitted its military shot down a Ukrainian airliner by accident, despite days of denials that Iranian forces were to blame.
EU willing to maintain Iran nuclear deal, risking rift with the US
With the prospects of a potential US-Iran war fading, EU foreign minister during an emergency session on Friday (10 January), said they are willing to maintain the Iran nuclear deal as long as Tehran fulfils its commitments in order to achieve it.
Von der Leyen fails to convince that her Commission is ‘geopolitical’
New European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was put on the spot during her visit to Zagreb on Friday (10 January). Asked how she would prove that her Commission is ‘geopolitical’, given the EU's weak response to growing challenges in the region, von der Leyen failed to provide convincing answers.