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Iran TV Interviews Ben Affleck about Argo
Garrett Nada Iran’s official media dismissed the film “Argo” as “an advertisement for the CIA” and its Oscar win as politically motivated. “The film is against Iran” and “lacks artistic value,” Iranian…
Khamenei Comments: U.S.-Iran Talks Won’t Solve Any Problems
In two major speeches in February, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei focused on the nuclear program, Iran-U.S. relations and domestic infighting. In a speech…
Khazaee Welcomes U.S. Calls for Direct Talks
On February 20, Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee welcomed recent U.S. calls for direct talks in remarks to the Asia Society. He claimed that the Obama administration has taken measures against Iran that could be considered “tantamount to…
Report: Arabs Divided on Iran
Arabs hold complex and sometimes conflicting views of Iran, according to a new report by the United States Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. Attitudes toward Iran in countries with large…
Iran Expects New Offer at Upcoming Talks
Iranian officials expect the world’s six powers to make a new offer at the fourth round of nuclear talks scheduled for February 26. Iran will negotiate with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States—the so-called P5+1— in Almaty,…
U.N. Report: Iran Upgrading Nuclear Capabilities
Iran has begun installing new centrifuges for enriching uranium at the Natanz nuclear facility, according to a new report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog. Tehran had informed the United Nations in January 2013 that it would install the…
Nukes, Negotiations and “Argo”
John Limbert What is the lesson of “Argo” when it comes to dealing with Iran? The historical thriller has swept the awards season. “Argo” probably has a better chance of winning an Oscar on February 24 than the negoti…
Report: Iran Nuke May Not Trigger Arms Race
Saudi Arabia would probably not rush to acquire a nuclear weapon if Iran builds one, according to a new report by the Center for a New American Security. It is widely assumed that Riyadh would rush to develop its own bomb or acquire…
U.S. Poll: 83 Percent See Iran as Top Threat
About 83 percent of Americans ranked Iranian and North Korean nuclear ambitions as the greatest threats to U.S. interests, according to a new poll by Gallup. The development of nuclear weapons by the two nations tied for the top…
Khamenei: Iran Not Seeking Nuclear Weapons
On February 16, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed Iran has no intention to build nuclear weapons. But he warned that if Tehran decided to build them, the United States could not stop it. …
Democrats Propose Posting U.S. Diplomat in Iran
On February 15, Democrats in the House of Representatives introduced legislation that would reestablish a new diplomatic envoy to Iran. The high level envoy would be responsible for pursuing direct, sustained, bilateral and…
U.S. Condemns Imprisonment of Opposition
On February 14, the United States condemned Iran's continued imprisonment of former presidential candidates and opposition leaders Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi, and his wife, women’s rights activist Zahra Rahnavard. They have…
Iran Responds to U.N. on Nuclear Program
Tehran is serious about upcoming talks with the six world powers, and expects them to be forthcoming, according to a statement from the Iranian Mission to the United Nations. Iran is scheduled to discuss its controversial nuclear…
Obama: Time for a Diplomatic Solution
On February 12, President Obama said Iran’s leaders “must recognize that now is the time for a diplomatic solution” to the nuclear issue, during his State of the Union address. He warned that the United States will do “what is…
Khamenei: U.S. Policies Have Failed in Mideast
On February 7, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that U.S. Middle East policies have failed. He condemned the U.S. response to the Arab uprisings in a speech to Iranian Air Force commanders and personnel. “You suppress the…
U.S. Sanctions Chinese Firms for Proliferation
On February 11, the U.S. State Department imposed new nonproliferation sanctions on entities and individuals from Belarus, China, Iran, Sudan, Syria and Venezuela. Credible information indicated that they had transferred to, or acquired from, Iran, North…
Iran Reacts to Obama’s New Team
Tehran has sent mixed messages on President Obama’s secretary of state nominee John Kerry and defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel. Two Foreign Ministry officials said they hoped Kerry and Hagel would revise U.S. foreign policy towards Iran. But Supreme…
Iran’s Successes and Failures - 34 Years Later
Daniel Brumberg
On February 11, Iran will mark the 34th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. What are Iran’s successes?
The Islamic Republic is now a regional power, thanks to three decades of social, economic,…
New Human Rights Watch Report on Iran
In 2012, Iran put opposition leaders under house arrest, harassed and arrested civil society activists, and prevented opposition candidates from running for parliament, according to the new World Report by Human Rights Watch. The…
Nuclear Issue: Why is Iran Negotiating?
The Islamic Republic is under increasing domestic and international pressure to be more flexible on its nuclear program, according to according to a new report by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Iran is…
Gallup: Most Iranians Support Nuclear Program Despite Sanctions
Nearly half of Iranians said international sanctions have hurt their personal livelihoods a great deal, according to a new Gallup survey. Another 35 percent said sanctions have somewhat affected their livelihoods. Despite the impact…
Supreme Leader Rejects U.S. Overture
On February 7, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected an offer by Vice President Joe Biden for direct talks. “Some naïve people like the idea of negotiating with America. However, negotiations will not solve the problem,” he…
Treasury Sanctions Oil Revenues and Targets Human Rights Abusers
On February 6, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and other financial institutions to restrict Tehran’s ability to spend oil revenues. The Treasury Department also designated one…
What is Iran’s Strategy at New Talks?
Alireza Nader What is Iran's strategy on diplomacy today — now that a fourth round of talks is scheduled in Kazakhstan on February 26? Iran is still willing to give diplomacy a chance after a seven-month hiatus, as…
What are Prospects for Progress at New Talks?
Bruce Riedel The world’s six major powers and Iran are due to hold the fourth round of talks in Kazakhstan on February 26. What has to happen to make these talks a success—even if it just means enough to hold a fifth round? …
Chuck Hagel on Iran at Senate Hearing
On January 31, defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel said the United States should pursue all diplomatic options with Iran, including direct engagement if the “dynamics are right.” But he also told the Senate Armed Services…
Biden: U.S. Open to Direct Talks with Iran
On February 2, Vice President Joe Biden said the United States is prepared to hold direct talks with Iran to resolve tensions over its controversial nuclear program. Biden said there is still time for diplomacy, either through the current format involving…
Clinton’s Parting Words on Iran
During her last week as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton made several comments on Iran and unfinished U.S. business. The following are excerpts from various farewell interviews and speeches. Remarks on American Leadership…
Khamenei Comments: West Wants to Block Election
In three major speeches in January, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei focused on the upcoming presidential election, the troubled economy and Muslim unity worldwide. …
Part IV - Pivotal Election: The Issues
Shaul Bakhash Three major issues will dominate Iran’s presidential election in June: · A deteriorating economy due to both chronic mismanagement and tough international sanctions, · The…