About: Iran
France sees progress in Iran nuclear talks, Russia trying to bypass EU
Progress has been made regarding the Iran nuclear talks, although time is running out, France's foreign minister said on Friday (7 January). Indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States on salvaging the 2015 Iran nuclear deal resumed on Monday.
Iraqi PM escapes ‘assassination attempt’ drone blast
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi escaped unhurt from an “assassination attempt” in which an explosives-packed drone hit his Baghdad residence early Sunday (7 November), a new escalation in the country’s post-election turmoil. US President Joe Biden condemned the “terrorist attack”...
Iranian claims that US tried to detain tanker false, Pentagon says
The Pentagon on Wednesday (3 November) rejected claims by Iran's Revolutionary Guards that they thwarted an attempt by the United States to detain a tanker carrying the Islamic Republic's oil in the Sea of Oman.
US, EU, Israel take tough stance on Iran, mull options
US, Israeli and EU officials took a tough line toward Iran on Wednesday, with US officials saying they would consider all options if Tehran failed to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and Israel saying it reserved the right to act.
Iran’s nuclear program has crossed ‘all red lines’: Israel PM
Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Monday (27 September) Iran had breached all the "red lines" aimed at curbing its nuclear weapons program, but that Israel "will not allow" Tehran to get the bomb.
Chizhov: Russia is well-placed to play a constructive role in Afghanistan
In a wide-ranging interview, the Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov discussed Afghanistan, the ‘Crimea Platform’, carbon border tax, COVID and vaccines, and the new political season.
Factbox: Will the Afghan crisis trigger a new refugee crisis for Europe?
The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has stoked fears of an exodus of Afghans and a repeat of Europe's 2016/16 migration crisis, when more than a million people from the Middle East fled to the continent and resettled there.
Russia says Kabul seems safer under Taliban than it was under Ghani
Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan praised the Taliban's conduct and said the group, still officially designated a terrorist organisation in Russia, had made Kabul safer in the first 24 hours than it had been under the previous authorities.
Iran’s Raisi names US-sanctioned Mokhber as first VP
Iran's new ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday (8 August) named the chairman of a powerful state-owned foundation sanctioned by the United States as his first vice-president, the president's official website said.
Hardline cleric Raisi sworn in as Iran president amid tensions with West
Hardline Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi took the oath of office before parliament on Thursday (5 August), with the Islamic Republic's clerical rulers facing growing crises at home and abroad.
New Iranian president to take oath before parliament
New President Ebrahim Raisi takes the oath before parliament Thursday, with Iran facing an economy battered by US sanctions, a grinding health crisis and thorny negotiations on the 2015 nuclear deal.
Half of EU vaccinated as Covid returns to China’s Wuhan
Half of the European Union's population has now been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, an AFP tally showed Tuesday, as China's Wuhan said it would test all 11 million residents after the virus returned to where it first emerged.
NATO warns Iran to respect shipping after tanker attack
The NATO alliance Tuesday condemned a deadly attack on an Israeli-operated tanker last week, and urged Iran to respect international shipping rules.
Israel says EU diplomat should not attend Iran inauguration
Israel's foreign ministry on Monday (2 August) said a European Union decision to send diplomat Enrique Mora to this week's inauguration of Iran's new president Ebrahim Raisi showed "poor judgment".
Borrell: Janša doesn’t represent the EU on Iran
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday (12 July) sought to distance the bloc from comments made by Slovenia’s Prime minister at a meeting of an Iranian opposition group that enraged Tehran. Iran’s foreign ministry has slammed Slovenian premier...
Biden to host Merkel at White House in push to improve ties
US President Joe Biden will host a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel next Thursday (15 July) to affirm "deep and enduring" ties between the NATO allies while also tackling some areas of disagreement, the White House said on Friday.
Undeclared conflict? America’s battles with Iran-backed militia escalate
US President Joe Biden’s latest strikes against Iran-backed militia in Syria and Iraq were not the first nor likely the last of his young presidency.
Republicans urge Biden to end Iran talks over Hamas rockets
US Republicans on Thursday (13 May) stepped up calls on President Joe Biden to end talks to return to a nuclear agreement with Iran as the clerical state’s ally Hamas fires rockets into Israel. The United States has been holding...
Blinken in UK as G7 foreign ministers discuss in-person Russia, China
Britain this week hosts the first face-to-face meeting of G7 foreign ministers in two years, joined by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as world powers tackle pandemic recovery plus growing tensions with Russia and China.
Israel retaliates after Syrian missile lands near nuclear reactor
A Syrian surface-to-air missile exploded in southern Israel on Thursday (22 April), the Israeli military said, in an incident that triggered warning sirens in an area near the secretive Dimona nuclear reactor.
Beijing huddles with autocratic friends, seeks to fracture US-led ‘clique’
China is shoring up ties with autocratic partners like Russia and Iran, as well as economically dependent regional countries, while using sanctions and threats to try to fracture the alliances the United States is building against it.
Iran suspends cooperation with EU in various fields over sanctions
Iran's foreign ministry said Monday (12 April) it is suspending cooperation with the European Union in various fields following the bloc's decision to blacklist several Iranian security officials over a 2019 protest crackdown.
Twitter removes hundreds of accounts linked to Iran, Russia, Armenia
Twitter said on Tuesday (23 February) it had taken down 373 accounts which it said had ties to Russia, Armenia and Iran and had breached its platform manipulation policies.