Al-Arabia – Iran is intervening in Iraq to quell destabilizing internal unrest stirred up by Iranian-backed militias. The actions come as Tehran seeks to preserve its deep influence in the country while also navigating tense negotiations over its nuclear ambitions with the US. A particularly high-level intervention came last month, hours after an attack on the Iraqi prime minister’s residence …

RFL/RE – Frustration and skepticism are growing among Iranians as indirect talks between Tehran and the United States aimed at reviving a landmark nuclear deal remain mired in delays and disputes. When Iran and world powers signed the accord in 2015, it triggered euphoric scenes across the Islamic republic. Many Iranians hoped it would spell the end of years of …

RFL/RE – The U.S. Navy says two of its patrol ships seized a cargo of illicit weapons from a stateless fishing vessel encountered in the North Arabian Sea that the navy said originated in Iran. The vessel “transited international waters along a route historically used to traffic weapons unlawfully to the Huthis in Yemen,” the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet said in …

RFL/RE – U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan has warned that current diplomatic efforts aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran may be exhausted within “weeks.” Speaking to reporters during a visit to Israel on December 22, Sullivan said Washington and its partners were discussing time frames for nuclear diplomacy with Iran. “We’re not circling a date on the …

VOA – The U.S. and Israel said Iran’s nuclear program “poses a grave threat to the region” and vowed to keep Iran from getting a nuclear weapon following a meeting in Israel between U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan and his Israeli counterpart, Eyal Hulata. “The delegations discussed the need to confront all aspects of the threat posed by Iran, …

Iran-HRM – Peaceful protests by Iranian teachers overdifficult living conditions that have been going on for years, took up a new height in in recent months. Going unpaid for months, injustice in the adjustment of their wages with the living costs, and having no medical insurance are amongst the issues that make life difficult for and consume the energies of …

UN Press Release – UN human rights experts* condemned in the strongest terms the arbitrary execution of Iranian Kurdish prisoner Mr. Heidar Ghorbani as a serious violation of Iran’s obligations under international human rights law. Mr. Heidar Ghorbani, a Kurdish prisoner, was executed in secret in Sanandaj Central Prison at dawn on 19 December. His execution took place without prior …

Al-Monitor – Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman has condemned the latest statement from the meeting between the UK and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.  Saeed Khatibzadeh said, “Iran has always played a responsible role in reinforcing peace and stability in the region and based on this has called on the countries in the region for talks and cooperation.” He added, …

Al-Monitor – Hot take: Fallout from New York Times article reveals division, unity on Iran The New York Times reported this week that “Israel lacks the ability to pull off an assault that could destroy, or even significantly delay, Iran’s nuclear program” and that it could take “at least two years” to develop the capability to do so. The fallout from the …

Al-Arabia – US Special Envoy for Iran Rob Malley said Tuesday that there are only “some weeks left” before there will no longer be a nuclear deal to revive. Malley’s comments during an interview on CNN came on the heels of the end of the seventh round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran in Vienna. For the latest headlines, follow our …