Iran

Saudi Arabia confirms talks with Iran, plays down breakthrough

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry says it is premature "to reach any definitive conclusions" about the talks.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | May 7, 2021

Supporters of Yemen's Houthi rebels attend a rally marking the sixth anniversary of the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen, in the capital, Sanaa on March 26, 2021. A Saudi-led military coalition entered Yemen in March 2015 with the goal of restoring its "legitimate" government to power after the Houthis and their allies took over Sanaa.

IRGC chief: Israel could be blown up in single operation

The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps indirectly claimed responsibility for a series of attacks against Israeli interests, adding that it takes just one operation to "blow up" Israel.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | May 6, 2021

Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps commander Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami at Tehran's Islamic Revolution and Holy Defense Museum during the unveiling of an exhibition of what Iran says are US and other drones captured in its territory, in the capital, Tehran, on Sept. 21, 2019.

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. For Iran, struggling from sanctions imposed under Washington's policy of "maximum pressure", the US presidential race raised hope of change — but also fears that life could get even worse.

UN rights experts call on Iran to release jailed filmmaker

The experts said Iran's denial of adequate medical care to Mohammad Nourizad may amount to torture.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | May 4, 2021

IRGC officer killed by Kurdish fighters in skirmish

The Iran-Iraq border has recently witnessed a fresh uptick in cross-border attacks by Kurdish armed groups fighting for autonomy.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | May 4, 2021

Members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps listen to a speech in parliament in Tehran on Oct. 7, 2018, about a bill to counter terrorist financing.

Swiss diplomat falls to her death in Iranian capital

The unidentified diplomat was a top official at the Swiss Embassy in Tehran.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | May 4, 2021

A general view shows the residence of a Swiss diplomat whose body was found at the entrance in the northern district of Tehran on May 4, 2021. A spokesman for the Iranian national rescue service said the body was found in the morning after the diplomat "fell from a (residential) tower in Kamranieh." In a message to AFP's Geneva office, Switzerland's Foreign Ministry confirmed that "a Swiss employee of the Swiss Embassy in Tehran died in a fatal incident."

Iran downplays state media report on US prisoner swap

The US government has also denied that it reached a deal to swap prisoners with Iran.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | May 3, 2021

In this handout image provided by EU Delegation Vienna, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) speaks with other participants at the JCPOA Iran nuclear talks on April 27, 2021, in Vienna, Austria.

Iran's Khamenei responds to Zarif leak

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei defended former Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani after the uproar over a leaked audio recording by the foreign minister.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | May 3, 2021

Iran leaked tape scandal claims its first victim

One of the most powerful members of President Hassan Rouhani's inner circle has stepped down as the repercussions of a leaked audio file containing controversial statements by Iran's foreign minister continue to shake the country's political scene.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Apr 29, 2021

Iran’s Zarif backs cease-fire in meeting with Yemen’s Houthis

Saudi Arabia and Iran held talks in Baghdad earlier this month to de-escalate tensions.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Apr 29, 2021

A grab from an AFPTV video taken on April 25, 2021, shows fighters loyal to the Saudi-backed Yemeni government along the Mashgah frontline against Houthi rebel forces near the contested northeastern city of Marib.

As Iran looks to boost production, major political barriers remain

Iran’s leaders have put a renewed focus on increasing domestic production, yet to achieve this goal there must be political stability and sincere efforts to push back on corruption.

Bijan Khajehpour | Iran | Apr 29, 2021

Iran enters third trial phase of domestic coronavirus vaccine

Iran-made vaccines may be available this summer as cases continue to rise despite lockdown measures.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Apr 28, 2021

An Iranian health worker injects university professor Mahnaz Rasouli-Nejad with a dose of a locally made Iranian COVID-19 vaccine during the second phase of trials in the capital, Tehran, on March 15, 2021.

US Navy fires warning shots in encounter with Iranian patrol boats

A US Navy patrol ship fired warning shots to ward off Iranian boats in the Persian Gulf on Monday, marking the second run-in between the two countries’ naval forces this month.

Jared Szuba | Iran | Apr 28, 2021

Iranian Army office/AFP via Getty Images

Rouhani defends Zarif, Soleimani as Iran roils over leaked audio

Iran’s president and speaker of parliament both defended assassinated Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani after critical comments by the foreign minister became public.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Apr 28, 2021

Zarif faces fury from Iranian hard-liners after leaked tape

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called for an investigation into the leak of a tape meant for posterity.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Apr 27, 2021

Iran

Saudi Arabia confirms talks with Iran, plays down breakthrough

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry says it is premature "to reach any definitive conclusions" about the talks.

IRGC chief: Israel could be blown up in single operation

Iran's president claims sanctions will soon be lifted

UN rights experts call on Iran to release jailed filmmaker

IRGC officer killed by Kurdish fighters in skirmish

Swiss diplomat falls to her death in Iranian capital

Iran downplays state media report on US prisoner swap

Iran's Khamenei responds to Zarif leak

Iran leaked tape scandal claims its first victim

Iran’s Zarif backs cease-fire in meeting with Yemen’s Houthis

As Iran looks to boost production, major political barriers remain

Iran enters third trial phase of domestic coronavirus vaccine

US Navy fires warning shots in encounter with Iranian patrol boats

Rouhani defends Zarif, Soleimani as Iran roils over leaked audio

Zarif faces fury from Iranian hard-liners after leaked tape

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