Sanctions

Iran's president claims sanctions will soon be lifted

President Hassan Rouhani has vowed to fulfill his promise to remove sanctions during the final months of his administration.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | May 5, 2021

Iranians check a display board at a currency exchange shop in the capital Tehran, on Sept. 29, 2020.

Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief meets with Syrian counterpart in Damascus

The meeting takes place during the first official visit to Damascus by Saudi Arabia since 2012.

Al-Monitor Staff | Saudi Arabia | May 5, 2021

A photo taken on May 3, 2021 shows a giant portrait of President Bashar al-Assad at the Umawiyin square in Syria's capital Damascus, ahead of this month's presidential elections.

Iran opposes interim deal in 'complicated' Vienna talks

The Iranian negotiators appeared dogged in their demand for a full removal of US sanctions, rejecting reports that an interim deal is in the making.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Apr 20, 2021

Abbas Araghchi (C), political deputy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, is leaving the Grand Hotel Wien after the closed-door nuclear talks in Vienna on April 16, 2021, where diplomats of the EU, China, Russia and Iran hold their talks.

Is Canadian embargo harbinger of more sanctions for Turkey?

The Canadian government’s decision to indefinitely cancel military export permits to Turkey has touched a nerve in the Turkish defense industry and bureaucracy.

Pinar Tremblay | Turkey | Apr 19, 2021

Smoke from a presumed drone or artillery strike on October 3, 2020, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh.

Iran says 60% uranium enrichment an answer to attack

President Hassan Rouhani says the recent decision to enrich uranium to 60% is in response to the alleged Israeli attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Apr 14, 2021

Men view the covers of local newspapers laid out at a stall in the Shemiran district of Iran's capital, Tehran, on April 14, 2021. Iran warned it would start enriching uranium up to 60% purity after an explosion it blamed on archenemy Israel hit its key nuclear facility in Natanz.

Iran nuclear talks to resume next week

Meetings on the Iran nuclear agreement will continue in Vienna as Iran continues its demand for "Trump sanctions" to be removed.

Al-Monitor Staff | Apr 10, 2021

White House faces tough task of tearing down Iran sanctions wall to save nuclear deal

In Trump's final days, the White House introduced a slew of new sanctions aimed at hindering a return to the nuclear deal. Yet since the designations were so blatantly politicized, the risk of undoing them is politically manageable.

Mark Fitzpatrick | Iran | Apr 9, 2021

Iran releases South Korean ship

The Hankuk Chemi tanker was released following an investigation into alleged water pollution, but the real reason for its detention may have been frozen Iranian funds in South Korea.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Apr 9, 2021

US aircraft carrier returns to Middle East as Suez Canal opens

The USS Eisenhower arrives in the Gulf region as the Biden administration kicks off indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear program.

Jared Szuba | Iran | Apr 6, 2021

In this handout provided by the U.S. Navy, an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Sidewinders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)on June 28, 2016 in the Mediterranean Sea.

Iran: no direct or indirect talks with US officials in Vienna

Heading into talks in Vienna on the JCPOA, Tehran maintains its position that Washington must remove sanctions first.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Apr 5, 2021

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency on July 7, 2019, shows (L to R) Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei and Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking to each other during a joint press conference at the presidential headquarters in the capital, Tehran, on July 7, 2019. Iran will begin enriching uranium beyond a 3.67% cap set by a landmark nuclear deal "in a few hours," the Islamic Republic's Atomic Energy Organization spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said on July 7, 2019.

Will Iran’s supreme leader allow Rouhani’s last wish to come true?

As Washington and Tehran make small progress on resolving their dispute over the 2015 nuclear deal, it remains unclear whether Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will support President Hassan Rouhani's efforts to negotiate.

Ali Hashem (Iran Pulse) | Iran | Apr 5, 2021

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani (C) arrives to address parliament in the capital, Tehran, on Sept. 3, 2019. In the address, he ruled out holding any bilateral talks with the United States, saying the Islamic Republic is opposed to such negotiations in principle. He also said Iran was ready to further reduce its commitments to a landmark 2015 nuclear deal "in the coming days" if current negotiations yield no results by Sept. 5.

Iran, China sign long-term economic deal

The deal between Iran and China is more of a “road map” than a specific deal.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Mar 29, 2021

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, pose for a picture after signing an agreement in the capital, Tehran, on March 27, 2021. Iran and China signed what state television called a "25-year strategic cooperation pact" today as the US rivals move closer together. The agreement, which has been kept almost entirely under wraps, was signed by the two countries' foreign ministers, Mohammad Javad Zarif and Wang Yi, an AFP correspondent reported.

Iran begins phase one of domestic vaccine production

Iran says it has begun the first phase of production for a domestic coronavirus vaccine.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Mar 15, 2021

EU: No Syria reconstruction aid until Assad leaves

Josep Borrell marked the 10th anniversary of Syria's civil war by doubling down on US-led policy to isolate Assad

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | Mar 11, 2021

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks during a media conference after a meeting, Supporting the future of Syria and the Region, in videoconference format at the European Council building in Brussels on June 30, 2020. (Photo by Virginia Mayo / POOL / AFP) (Photo by VIRGINIA MAYO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran says there have been no secret talks with US

Iran says the United States must correct its path to return to nuclear deal.

Al-Monitor Staff | Originals | Mar 8, 2021

Sanctions

Iran's president claims sanctions will soon be lifted

President Hassan Rouhani has vowed to fulfill his promise to remove sanctions during the final months of his administration.

Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief meets with Syrian counterpart in Damascus

Iran opposes interim deal in 'complicated' Vienna talks

Is Canadian embargo harbinger of more sanctions for Turkey?

Iran says 60% uranium enrichment an answer to attack

Iran nuclear talks to resume next week

White House faces tough task of tearing down Iran sanctions wall to save nuclear deal

Iran releases South Korean ship

US aircraft carrier returns to Middle East as Suez Canal opens

Iran: no direct or indirect talks with US officials in Vienna

Will Iran’s supreme leader allow Rouhani’s last wish to come true?

Iran, China sign long-term economic deal

Iran begins phase one of domestic vaccine production

EU: No Syria reconstruction aid until Assad leaves

Iran says there have been no secret talks with US

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