Latest in Tag: iran Highlight
Latest in Tag: iran

Iran, Saudi Arabia and the new Middle East
German Foreign Minister Steinmeier is set to visit the Middle East to speak with Iran and Saudi Arabia. Both regional powers are adversaries on several issues. It’ll be a difficult trip. It’s clear where Germany’s foreign minister is going – at least geographically. First up is Tehran, then Riyadh. Far less clear is where the …

âUnprecendentedâ freedoms in Egypt: Al-Sisi
Amnesty International tells UN not to be âfooledâ by Egyptian Presidentâs empty promises

Pope addresses the UN, prays at 9/11 memorial
In his speech to the UN General Assembly, Pope Francis has called for the United Nations (UN) to promote “greater equity” among nations and limit the abuse of power

UN nuclear chief heads to Iran for talks
The head of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency is flying to Tehran for meetings following the landmark nuclear deal in July. Officials want to remove “ambiguities” over Iran’s past nuclear activities. The trip is part of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) planned investigation about a “possible military dimension” to Iran’s nuclear program. The …

‘The nuclear deal will also benefit Jews in Iran’
US congressional opponents of the Iran nuclear deal have been unable to stop it from moving forward. What’s happening in Iran? DW spoke with Iranian parliamentarian Siamak Morsadegh. DW: Iran has not yet ratified the nuclear agreement negotiated with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1). Only a few Iranian …

Speakers from US, Cuba, China, Russia, Iran line up for 70th UN General Assembly
The UN General Assembly has started. Cuba’s President Raul Castro is on the UN assembly list of speakers for the General Debate later this month, along with Pope Francis. The UN General Assembly opened its annual session on Tuesday, marking the organization’s 70th anniversary. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the UN faced a daunting task of …

Saudi King in Washington amid concerns over Iran
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman is making his first visit to the White House since ascending the throne. He has said that his country is willing to cooperate with the US to achieve stability in the Middle East. The Obama administration greeted King Salman of Saudi Arabia on Friday with assurances that the Iran nuclear deal …

Iran showdown in Congress damages US credibility
The White House has secured enough support in the Senate to successfully veto a resolution that would “disapprove” of the Iran nuclear deal. But it is a hollow victory, as a presidential veto could damage US credibility. The votes have been tallied. At least 34 US Senators will support the Iran nuclear deal, and back …

The industrialisation of reconciliation: Iran, Saudi Arabia and IS
I came across a curious news item the other day on Reuters about an industrial development project in Saudi Arabia, and it rang a few bells. The plan is to build a ânew industrial city in the south of the al-Ahsa district in Saudi Arabiaâs Eastern Provinceâ, a project helmed by the state-owned oil company …
Israel’s former defence minister says army blocked 3 planned attacks on Iran
Israel’s former defence minister Ehud Barak has said that three separate planned attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities were blocked in recent years. The attacks were allegedly blocked by senior ministers. In an interview broadcast on the privately run Channel 2 television station, Barak said that plans drawn up between 2009 and 2010 which had been …
US Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid to back nuclear deal with Iran
A key US politician has become the 27th Senate Democrat to back the nuclear agreement with Iran made with world powers in July. Harry Reid’s support will make it difficult for Congress to block the deal. Harry Reid is the highest ranking Democrat in the Senate and he expressed his backing for the Iran nuclear …

Saudi Arabia and Iran: Volatile political geography of oil and minorities
The fact that dissatisfied minorities populate the oil-rich regions of Iran and Saudi Arabia creates an ironic parallel, in which in the rivalry between two of the Middle East’s larger powers often amounts to the pot calling the kettle black. Rather than recognising that protests and mounting incidents of violence are the result of government failure to address legitimate grievances, both Iran and Saudi Arabia have blamed each other for the unrest in their strategic backyards

British and Iranian embassies to reopen in Tehran and London
Iranian and British embassies are due to be reopened in London and Tehran. The move comes almost four years since protesters ransacked the British ambassadorial residence in Tehran and burned the Union flag.

Egyptian opportunism, Iranian gains
Few will disagree with my opinion on the improved performance of Egyptian foreign policy over the past two years. I do not think that the positive development in Egyptian foreign relations is a coincidence, but rather the result of accumulated relations between representatives of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of states concerned about …

Iï»żran rejects charges of cleaning up alleged nuclear research site ahead of inspections
Satellite imagery released by a U.S. think tank accuse Tehran of sanitizing a research site ahead of inspections. Iran has until Oct. 15 to verify it is not developing atomic weapons.

Al-Azhar condemns partial demolition of Sunni mosque in Tehran
Sunni institution called such acts âincitementâ
‘People will not accept crappy terms’ for Iranian oil
Amid sliding oil prices, OPEC’s secretary-general is in Moscow to discuss the Iran nuclear deal. DW talked to US energy expert Richard Nephew about Iran’s chances of finding success on the international oil market. DW: What are Iran’s short-to-medium oil export prospects? Richard Nephew: We have to make the clear statement that the sanctions are …

Ebadi: Now is the time for a ‘human rights deal’ in Iran
Following the nuclear agreement, Iranians are hoping for an improvement not only of their finances but also of the rights situation in the country. In a DW interview, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi tells why. DW: Opinions differ as to how the recent nuclear deal will impact the human rights situation in the county. …
Explosion shuts down Turkey-Iran natural gas pipeline amid increasing violence
The gas flow between Iran and Turkey has been shut down after an explosion on a natural gas pipeline in the Turkish province of Agri. The country's energy minister has suggested that Kurdish rebels were to blame. The fire, which began Monday in Turkey's eastern Agri province was quickly brought under control, Turkey's energy minister Taner Yildiz said on Tuesday….
Saudi FM lashes out at Iran amid rising tensions after nuclear deal
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has criticized Iran for making "aggressive statements." The foreign minister's statement comes amid growing tension between both regional powers following a nuclear deal. Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Monday denounced "aggressive statements" by Iran on Monday following talks with EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini. "This does not represent the intentions of…
Nuclear deal will not stop Iranian support for Hezbollah, says Nasrallah
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has said that the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 will not deter Iranian support for the Shiite group. Nasrallah said the group will continue to view the US as the "Great Satan." Iran will continue to support the Shiite militant group Hezbollah even in the wake of a nuclear deal between the Islamic republic…

Iran should respect UN Charter: Egyptian Foreign Ministry
Egypt criticises Iran’s Supreme Leader for recent remarks following nuclear deal

European countries urged to continue supporting Egypt against terrorism
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry urged his British, French and German counterparts to assure their respective countries’ continuous  support of Egypt against terrorism. Shoukry discussed Saturday, via phone, the bilateral relations between Egypt and each country with his counterparts, in addition to an array of topics, most importantly terrorism and the nuclear deal between Iran and the 5+1 group, according to a statement from …

Iran deal seen as a threat to Middle Eastern countries: Researchers
JCPOAâs âhistoricâ deal was signed in Vienna to curb nuclear enrichment in Iran, lift economic ban

Druze mount next flashpoint in Syrian conflict: Implications for Israel
By James M. Dorsey Syrian Druze have become the next potential flashpoint in a proxy war between Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel that is exacerbating the Middle East’s multiple conflicts. With rebel forces advancing towards the mountainous Druze stronghold in north-western Syria, this month’s killing by Jabhat Al-Nusra jihadists of 23 members of a Druze …

Iran’s writing on the wall: Ethnic minorities and others assert themselves
By James M. Dorsey Recent months have witnessed a series of unrelated, nationwide protests in Iran by teachers demanding salary hikes as well as ethnic groups decrying government abuse and calling for greater rights. With the exception of the teachers, most of the protests erupted spontaneously sparked by incidents as well as pent-up anger and …

Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in the Middle East needed: Shoukry at UN
FM reiterated demands for the submission of all states under the three pillars of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Operation âDecisive Stormâ completed, âRestoring Hopeâ begins
Saudi-led coalition concludes operation, conflict in Yemen continues
Iranâs deputy FM expects Yemen ceasefire âin coming hoursâ
Iranian representative expressed optimism concerning ceasefire and ensuing negotiations

Key figuresâ speeches reveal irreconcilable differences in Yemen conflict
In speeches by former president Saleh and Al-Houthi on Sunday, peace seems low priority