Iran

A collection of 133 posts

Iran Passes Hijab Bill

Iran's parliament passed a bill Wednesday that imposes heavier penalties on women for violating the Islamic dress code, including jail terms of up to 10 years....

Politics

EU Criticizes Iran for Barring Nuclear Inspectors

On Sunday, the EU criticized Iran for withdrawing accreditation from several UN nuclear inspectors assigned to inspect Tehran's nuclear arsenal....

Politics

5 Americans Freed in Iran Deal Land in US

On Tuesday, five Americans released from an Iranian prison a day earlier landed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, following a deal that saw the US release five Iranian prisoners and transfer $6B in Iranian cash from accounts in South Korea to accounts in Doha, Qatar....

World

Israel Says Iran Constructing Airport in South Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant alleged Monday that Iran is constructing an airport in southern Lebanon next to the border village of Birket Jabbour to use as a platform to launch attacks against Israel....

World

Report: Iran, US on the Verge of Prisoner Swap

The US and Iran have reportedly agreed upon the details of a prisoner swap that will lead to the release of five detained Americans in Iran and a similar number of Iranians imprisoned in the US this week....

Politics

US Confirms Seizing Iranian Oil Cargo in April

The US Dept. of Justice acknowledged for the first time on Friday the seizure of a tanker carrying nearly 1M barrels of Iranian crude oil in April, claiming the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — designated a terrorist organization by Washington — was behind the shipment....

Politics

Iran Unveils Drone Reportedly Capable of Striking Israel

Iran's Defense Ministry on Tuesday unveiled a new unmanned attack drone that it claimed is capable of striking targets in Israel during a ceremony marking Defense Industry Day attended by Iranian Pres. Ebrahim Raisi and senior military officials.

Iran

Iran Arrests 12 Activists Ahead of 2022 Protests Anniversary

On Wednesday, Iranian authorities reportedly arrested at least 12 female activists associated with the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising in the northern Gilan province as the country braces for demonstrations on the first anniversary of the mass protests that shook the nation.

Politics

Iran's FM Arrives in Saudi Arabia Amid Diplomatic Thaw

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Riyadh for a one-day visit on his first official trip to Saudi Arabia since the two countries resumed diplomatic ties in March.

Politics

Reports: Iran to Free Five American Prisoners as Part of US Deal

The White House confirmed on Thursday that five US nationals imprisoned in Iran are now under house arrest, in what has been reported as the first step in a deal between the US and Iran that will include cash and a potential prisoner swap.

Politics

Iran Claims Supersonic Cruise Missile Undergoing Tests

Iran has achieved the technological capability to build supersonic cruise missiles, its semi-official Tasnim news agency claimed on Wednesday amid rising tensions with the US over military deployments in the Persian Gulf.

Iran

US Military Reinforcements Arrive in the Persian Gulf

On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced that 3K US Navy personnel — stationed aboard warships the USS Bataan and the USS Carter Hall — had arrived in the Middle East via the Suez Canal.

Military

Iran: Two-day Holiday Declared for 'Unprecedented Heat'

On Tuesday, the government of Iran declared a two-day holiday covering Wednesday and Thursday in response to what it stated was an "unprecedented heatwave" that poses a threat to public health.

Weather

Spain Grants Nationality to Self-Exiled Iranian Chess Player

The Iranian chess player Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, also known as Sara Khadem, has been granted Spanish nationality after facing pressure to defect over her decision to compete in the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Kazakhstan without wearing a hijab.

Politics

US Bans 14 Iraqi Banks in Crackdown on Iran Dollar Trade

According to US officials, the Treasury Dept. and the Federal Reserve (Fed) Bank of New York have barred 14 Iraqi banks from conducting US dollar transactions as part of a crackdown on transferring US currency to Iran and other sanctioned countries.

World

Iran Resumes Dress Code Patrols

Iran's state-run Fars news agency reported on Sunday that vehicle and foot patrols are once again operating across the country to ensure women comply with a strict Islamic dress code.

World

Iranian Pres. Raisi Begins Africa Tour With Kenya, Uganda Visits

Iranian Pres. Ebrahim Raisi kicked off a three-day visit to Africa on Wednesday, making his first stops in Kenya and Uganda to discuss trade with Pres. William Ruto. Raisi is set to visit Zimbabwe in the first Iranian state visit to Africa in a decade.

Politics

US Navy Claims Iran Tried to Seize 2 Oil Tankers

The US Navy said it thwarted an attempt by Iran to seize two oil tankers near the strategic Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday. The US Navy reportedly opened fire and Iranian vessels abandoned their mission after the US deployed a guided missile destroyer, leaving the commercial tankers unharmed.

Military

Iran Slams France for Hosting Exiled Opposition Group Rally

Iran's foreign ministry on Sunday condemned French officials for allowing a meeting and protest by a dissident group in Paris, claiming it amounts to support for "terrorism" while warning of the political and legal consequences of the move.

World

Iran Takes Canada to UN Court Over Civil Damages Claims

Iran filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Wednesday against Canada, accusing it of violating the Islamic nation's state immunity by allowing its citizens to sue Tehran for alleged terrorist acts.

Social issues

Reports: US, Iran Holding Indirect Meetings

According to several published reports, the US has restarted informal talks with Iran about releasing American prisoners and slowing the Islamic Republic's growing nuclear program.

World

Syrian State Media: Israel Missiles Target Damascus

Syria's state-affiliated media outlet SANA reported early on Wednesday that Israel launched an air attack against the country’s capital Damascus, leaving one Syrian soldier with “serious injuries" and resulting in "some material damage.”

World

White House: Iran Helping Russia Build Drone Plant

On Friday, the US White House alleged that Iran is helping Russia build a drone manufacturing plant by providing Moscow with materials in an intelligence report that claims “deepening” military ties between the two countries.

Ukraine-Russia

US, UK Navies Respond to Ship in Strait of Hormuz

The US Navy and the UK's Royal Navy said their sailors came to the aid of a ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday afternoon, after reports that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) “harassed” the vessel.

Military

Iran Reportedly Presents its First Hypersonic Ballistic Missile

On Tuesday, Iran's state media unveiled pictures of the "Fattah" — the state's first domestically-made hypersonic ballistic missile. It was unveiled at a ceremony attended by President Ebrahim Raisi and commanders of the Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Military