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Ayatollah Khamenei delivers New Year's message
Iran's Supreme Leader identified politics and economics as his country's chief challenges as he marked the Iranian New Year, which began on March 20. Ayatollah Khamenei acknowledged the "severity" of international sanctions imposed on Iran but added that, rather than crippling Iran, the sanctions had given rise to "numerous achievements." - 3/21/13
Iran Marks New Year Holiday
Analyst Alex Vatanka of the Middle East Institute says many of Iran's political leaders, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, are trying to promote traditional Persian holidays like Nowruz to focus on nationalism rather than the more religious aspects of the country's Islamic Republic. -Edward Yeranian, VOA - 3/21/13
Obama, Netanyahu Issue Warnings to Iran and Assad
U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say they are united in their determination to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran and Syria were major topics of conversation on Obama's first day in Israel, as he began a four-day Middle East trip. -Dan Robinson, VOA - 3/21/13
Iranian prisoners given furloughs for Norooz
Iranian authorities gave furloughs to a number of political prisoners on the occasion of the Iranian New Year and the arrival of Norooz. Reports also indicate that jailed journalist Jila Bani-Yaghoub was not allowed a leave, although her husband, Bahman Ahmadi Amouyi, another jailed journalist, was given leave. - 3/21/13
Oops: The U.S. Secret Service almost accidentally shot Iran's president
According to Marc Ambinder and D.B. Grady, an unplanned shotgun blast in 2006 nearly caused a global calamity. The briefing reportedly said that the "apparent accident" happened outside the InterContintental Hotel, as Ahmadinejad was loading his motorcade. -The Week - 3/21/13
Obama Makes First Visit to Israel as President
JERUSALEM - U.S. President Barack Obama arrived to a full ceremonial welcome at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport Wednesday and declared that America's alliance with Israel is "eternal and forever." - 3/20/13
Iran: Rafsanjani's Daughter Released From Evin Prison
Political prisoner Faezeh Hashemi, the daughter of the head of Iran's Expediency Council, has been released after six months in Evin Prison. ILNA reports that Faezeh Hashemi was released on Tuesday March 19 at the end of her jail term, as her lawyer had previously announced. - 3/20/13
Khamenei Mobilizes Loyalists to Swing Iran's Election
Iran's supreme leader may have helped Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to win two presidential elections, but he is now bent on stopping his turbulent protege from levering his own man into the job. -Reuters - 3/20/13
Video: President Obama Sends Nowruz Message to the Iranian People
President Obama sends best wishes to the Iranian people as they celebrate their new year Nowruz. In his video message, the President speaks directly to the people and leaders of Iran about the opportunity to begin a new relationship between our two countries. - 3/19/13
The Ayatollahs Who Supported Ahmadinejad Gone Vocal: Ahmadinejad May End Up In Evin Prison
The verbal attacks of Iran's principlists - ruling hardliners - against president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad take on new colors and excuses by the day: Former supports of the president are complaining for various reasons; his behavior in Venezuela; his 8-year record; his remarks on the economy of the country; etc. - 3/19/13
Ahmadinejad removes heads of Tehran University, Teachers Training University
"Unfortunately, and according to precisely acquired information, in two important universities, the University of Tehran, which is the mother of the countryˈs universities and the proudest among them...the general atmosphere is managed differently, which is somewhat contrary to the general direction of the nation and beneath the dignity of the universities and the university faculties." - 3/19/13
Iranian reformist group joins chorus to enlist Khatami to run for President
The Coordination Council of the Reformist Front has issued a statement calling on former president Mohammad Khatami to run in the 2013 presidential election. The statement, published in ISNA and ILNA, states that the reformists have reached a consensus in choosing Mohammad Khatami as their candidate for the presidential race. - 3/19/13
Six Powers Detail Nuclear Proposals To Iran
The European Union says six world powers have given Iran more details of their proposals to end a standoff over Tehran's nuclear program. The proposals were outlined in talks in Istanbul on March 18. - 3/19/13
U.S. Calls On MKO Group To Accept Albania Resettlement Offer
The United States has called on the leaders of exiled Iranian opposition group Mujahedin-e Khalq (MKO or MEK) to "immediately" accept an offer from Albania to resettle 210 of its members. Tirana's March 16 offer was rejected by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, which oversees the MEK. - 3/19/13
Leaders of top Iranian universities to be fired
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has instructed his Minister of Science and Technology to dismiss the heads of the Tehran and Tarbiat Modarres universities, referring to them as "possible security" concerns. - 3/18/13
Expert nuclear negotiators begin Iran talks in Istanbul
Iranian media report that nuclear negotiations with the G5+1 at the expert level began on Monday March 18 in Istanbul, with both sides discussing the proposed packages. - 3/18/13
Yesterday: Iraq. Tomorrow: Iran?
It was 10 years ago this week that George Bush launched his ill-fated war of choice in Iraq. The anniversary comes as politicians in Washington and Israel continue to discuss the option of military action against Iran. The parallels with a decade ago are striking. -David Cortright, TIME - 3/18/13
Iran in talks with Britain to resume consular activities
The Iranian government is holding talks with Britain about the resumption of consular activities between the two countries, the Iranian deputy foreign minister for consular and expatriates' affairs, Hassan Qashqavi, said on Sunday. - 3/18/13
Ancient Persian Ruler Influenced Thomas Jefferson, U.S. Democracy
The discovery of the Cyrus Cylinder was a hundred years in the future when Thomas Jefferson and other founders of the United States adopted the progressive ideas of the ancient Persian ruler Cyrus the Great. They knew of Cyrus through classical Greek writers and Biblical accounts. -Lea Terhune, IIP - 3/17/13
Iran Launches Indigenous Destroyer In Caspian Sea
The Jamaran-2 destroyer was launched in the Caspian Sea waters Sunday in the northern port city of Bandar Anzali in Gilan province in the presence of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi - 3/17/13
Iranian government regulates dating sites
The Iranian government has announced regulation guidelines for online dating, announcing that people can now legally set up dating websites on the internet after getting the necessary licence. - 3/17/13
Iranian reformist figures arrested, no reason given
Opposition websites report that a group of top reformist figures has been arrested by Iranian authorities. The Kaleme website reports that former lawmaker Hossein Loghmanian and four other reformist activists were arrested en route from Hamedan to meet former president Mohammad Khatami in Tehran. - 3/17/13
Reformists call on former Iranian president to run again
91 prominent Iranian reformist figures have issued a letter addressed to former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami, urging him to nominate himself as a candidate in the presidential election. - 3/17/13
Iran Navy warns off Australian plane near Sri Lanka
A top Iranian naval official says Iran's 24th fleet has warned off an Australian reconnaissance plane as it approached the Sri Lankan coast. Commander Siavosh Jarreh said on Sunday that the Australian aircraft was approaching the Iranian fleet, which comprised of a helicopter carrier and a destroyer, for imaging. - 3/17/13
US Has Little Influence in Iraq Decade After Invasion
President Barack Obama's withdrawal of most troops from Iraq and the scaling-down of U.S. diplomats in Baghdad closes the defining foreign policy campaign of his predecessor, President George W. Bush. A decade after the invasion, which began March 19, 2003, analysts debate what the United States got out of the war in Iraq. -Scott Stearns, VOA - 3/17/13
EU's Ashton Urges Push On Iran, Sees 'Possible' Serbia-Kosovo Breakthrough
European Union foreign-policy chief Catherine Ashton has called on Western negotiators to be "determined and creative" in their discussions with Tehran on Iran's nuclear program. Speaking on March 16 at the German Marshall Fund's Brussels Forum, Ashton said negotiators had to do more to build a level of "communication" and "trust" with the Iranian side. - 3/16/13
In A Historic Declaration, UN Condemns Violence Against Women
Muslim and Western countries have approved a new United Nations declaration aimed at combatting violence against women and girls. The nonbinding declaration, adopted by consensus by the UN Commission on the Status of Women, says that violence against females cannot be justified or ignored by any "custom, tradition, or religious consideration." - 3/16/13
The Steadfast Front: Prime Suspect In Attacks Against Iran's Parliament Speaker
Over a month has passed since the day when Majlis chief's speech in Qom was disrupted by protesters. Now a website belonging to the principlists has posted a video clip that accuses the Steadfast Front to be the principal attackers on Larijani's speech. -Arash Bahmani, Rooz - 3/16/13
US Cyber Command to Take Offensive
The U.S. Department of Defense has made a rare acknowledgement that it is developing offensive cyber capabilities. In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee this past week, Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency, said 13 cyber warfare "teams" would be ready by 2015. -Matthew Hilburn, VOA - 3/16/13
The Senate's 10-Year Iraq War Anniversary Gift: War With Iran
When we mark the grim 10-year anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq next Tuesday, most Americans will be reflecting on the enormous human, economic, and geopolitical costs that the disastrous war and occupation inflicted. What they won't be doing is hoping for an anniversary gift from the people who got us into that war. -Jamal Abdi - 3/16/13
Iran: Mousavi's daughters get visit with detained parents
Iranian opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard were finally allowed a visit from their daughters on Wednesday March 13, under severe security measures. Mousavi's daughters have also been facing state pressure in the form of arrest and threats and they have been warned against informing the public about their parents' situation. - 3/16/13
Obama in Mideast - Substance and Symbolism
As President Barack Obama arrives in Israel on the first leg of his Middle East trip next week, many Israelis are hoping his visit will reaffirm his commitment to Israel. And when he visits the Palestinian city of Ramallah, many Palestinians are expecting a clear U.S. commitment to creation of an independent Palestinian state. -Mohamed Elshinnawi, VOA - 3/16/13
Heavy security on call for Iranian election
The Tehran Governor said on Wednesday March 13 that 99 Basij battalions and 15,000 police officers are prepared to keep the peace during the presidential election in June. The last presidential election in 2009 led to mass street protests, when millions of protesters demonstrated peacefully in the streets to challenge the legitimacy of the vote count. - 3/15/13
Photos: Iran's Army successfully test-fires short-range missiles
The Ground Forces of the Iranian Army have successfully test-fired two short-range missiles during a day-long military exercise in the central city of Kashan. The Thursday maneuver was aimed at maintaining the preparedness and enhancing the defensive capabilities of the forces' rocket-launching and missile units. - 3/15/13
Pentagon: Iranian Warplane Moves Against US Drone in the Persian Gulf
The Pentagon says an Iranian warplane approached an unarmed U.S. military surveillance drone earlier this week over international waters in the Persian Gulf. - 3/15/13
Obama, US Officials Reiterate All Options Open on Iran
In an interview with Israel's Channel 2 television, Obama said it would take Iran "over a year or so" to develop a nuclear weapon, adding as he put it, "obviously we don't want to cut it too close." It was not clear whether he meant that U.S. and Israeli timelines agree about any so-called "breakout" decision by Iran to proceed to development of a weapon. -VOA - 3/15/13
3 Facts to Note in 2013 Worldwide Threat Assessment Report
Almost ten years to the day of the foolish invasion of Iraq, the discrepancy that existed between the media description of the Iraqi threat and the non-manipulated assessment of the U.S. intelligence community is being seen again -- but this time on Iran. -Trita Parsi, Huffington Post - 3/15/13
Iran Oil Exports Seen Rising by IEA Even as Sanctions Widen
Imports from Iran rose to 1.28 million barrels a day in February from 1.13 million barrels in January, the Paris-based adviser to 28 oil-consuming nations said in a report today. U.S. rules took effect last month that require importers to pay in local currencies kept in escrow accounts, the agency said. -Bloomberg - 3/15/13
"The Backdoor to War with Iran" - Wilkerson Attacks Senate Resolution
Col. Lawrence Wilkerson: Resolution S.RES.65 sends the message to Iran that the US objective is regime change, not a negotiated settlement to nuclear question - 3/14/13
The Promise of Almaty
Could the Almaty talks have been the turning point the international community has so long been yearning for? "Useful" and "realistic" are two words not generally used when characterizing Iranian nuclear negotiations, yet that's exactly how American and Iranian officials labeled the Almaty talks that concluded on February 27th. -Omid Irani - 3/14/13
UN's Iran Rights Rapporteur Says Sanctions Could Worsen Situation
The United Nations special rapporteur for human rights in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, says his work has had a positive impact on the rights situation in the Islamic republic. Shaheed, who earlier this week presented his latest report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, told RFE/RL in an interview that the lives of several Iranians who were sentenced to death were spared because of his efforts. - 3/14/13
Iran: Reformist Group calls on former presidents to run
Mohammad Khatami announced earlier that reformists have a plan to save the country, adding that he is not so concerned about his own presence in the race as there are many able reformist figures that could be chosen to run. Khatami maintained that he will respect the choice of the reformist collective. - 3/14/13
US Presses China, Other Countries, on Cyber Attacks
McCaul, writing last week in the Wall Street Journal, cited a January report by the U.S. cyber security firm Mandiant which identified China as the source of nearly 90 percent of cyber attacks targeting the United States. He said such attacks have also come from Iran and Russia. - 3/14/13
Fifth Iranian Announces Intention To Run For President
Iranian parliamentary deputy speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar has publicly announced his intention to run for president. Bahonar's March 14 announcement comes after four other politicians said they would compete in the June 14 presidential election. - 3/14/13
Drug shortage to force closure of Iranian operating rooms
The head of the Anesthesia and Special Care Association of Iran has warned that a number of operating rooms in various Iranian hospitals are facing closure due to a shortage of anesthesia. Mohammad Mehdi Ghiamat said: "With the approach of the New Year holidays, only emergency cases can be taken to operating rooms, and the situation for other patients will remain unclear." - 3/13/13
Iran: UN expert raises alarm over increased degree of seriousness of human rights violations
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, today expressed alarm with numerous allegations and reports he continue to receive about the current human rights situation in Iran, "which require to be addressed urgently." - 3/13/13
Iran Targets Means Of Bypassing Online Censorship
Iran has stepped up its already tough Internet censorship policy by blocking the most popular antifiltering tool used by Iranians to access blocked websites. Beginning last week, Iranian authorities began blocking virtual private networks (VPNs), which an estimated 30 percent of the country's Internet users employ to get around state censorship. -Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE - 3/13/13
Iran's coming wage hike leaves experts unimpressed
Iran says the country's minimum wage will increase by 25 percent for the upcoming Iranian new year, but labour activists and economic experts have dismissed the hike as insufficient. Official sources have put the rate of inflation at 31 percent, which has made labour activists critical of the mere 25-percent increase to the minimum wage. - 3/13/13
I stand by the Iranian people against Hollywood: French lawyer
Renowned French lawyer Isabelle Coutant-Peyre, who plans to file a lawsuit against Hollywood companies over the production of films which promote Iranophobia, has said that she will stand by the Iranian people in this case. - 3/13/13
Iran's Maghreb daily shut down by press board
Iran's Press Supervisory Board has suspended the publishing licence of Maghreb daily alleging that the newspaper has violated legal limitations imposed on the press. Maghreb was introduced into the news kiosks last September and has held a critical stance toward state policies. It was shut down once in December for similar charges. - 3/12/13
Iran's National Internet launched, restrictions put on VPN use
In an interview with Radio Zamaneh, telecommunications and internet expert Moahmoud Tajalimehr speaks about the Iranian government's efforts to block VPN use as a part of its more general plan to create a closed internet space referred to as the "national Internet." - 3/12/13
Photos: Ground broken for Pakistan section of IP gas pipeline
Construction of the Pakistan section of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline officially started on Monday. The project was launched during a ceremony on the Iran-Pakistan border attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. - 3/12/13
ENEMIES OF THE INTERNET 2013: And the winners are...
For this year's "Enemies of the Internet" report, Reporters Without Borders has identified Five State Enemies of the Internet, five "spy" states that conduct systematic online surveillance that results in serious human rights violations. They are Syria, China, Iran, Bahrain and Vietnam. - 3/12/13
Iran, Armenia Find Solidarity in Isolation
While the West seeks to isolate Iran over its disputed nuclear program, landlocked Armenia seeks to build relations with its neighbor -- without violating international sanctions. In all of Christian Armenia, there is only one mosque: "The Iranian Mosque," restored 15 years ago by Iran. -James Brooke, VOA - 3/12/13
EU Expands List Of Targets For Iran Rights Sanctions
The European Union has imposed further sanctions against Iran for alleged human rights violations. EU foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels on March 11, added nine people to the list of Iranian nationals facing a travel ban and an assets freeze. - 3/12/13
The Cyrus Cylinder: Its Significance for Today
The Cyrus Cylinder has traveled to the United States for the first time, and it will tour five major metropolitan centers, starting March 9th at the Smithsonian Institution's Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington, D.C., traveling afterwards to Houston, New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Despite its antiquity, the cylinder may still have a significant role to play on the international stage today. -Farhang Jahanpour - 3/11/13
Photos: Iran hosts National Nowruz Welcoming Festival
Iran has held Nowruz Welcoming Celebration during a ceremony in the capital city of Tehran on Sunday to mark upcoming spring and Iranian New Year. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi along with a number of officials attended the national celebration held at Tehran's Summit Conference Hall. - 3/11/13
Iranian, Pakistani Presidents Inaugurate Gas Pipeline
Iran and Pakistan have inaugurated the building of a natural-gas pipeline linking the two countries that has been firmly opposed by the United States. Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart, Asif Ali Zardari, led a groundbreaking ceremony in the Iranian port city of Chah Bahar on March 11 to mark the start of construction on the 780-kilometer-long Pakistani segment of the pipeline. - 3/11/13
Nostalgia and Naivete - Watching Argo as an Iranian-American
My reaction to last year's blockbuster hit, and now multiple Oscar-winner, Argo was probably different than most people. Among many things, it made me nostalgic. Watching those Americans trapped in Tehran, bizarrely enough, evoked memories of my adolescence. While the film did not portray the Iran I knew, it reminded me of the overwhelming, irrational, and hypersensitive feelings I had while living in the country as an teenager. -Holly Dagres - 3/11/13
Trial continues for Iranian judicial officials accused in deaths
Saeed Mortazavi, the former Tehran Prosecutor, Hassan Zareh Dehnavi, also known as Judge Haddad, and Ali Akbar Heydarifar, the former deputy prosecutor, are three judiciary officials now facing charges in connection with the torture and death of detainees at Kahrizak Prison in 2009. - 3/11/13
Iranian Foreign Minister sees bright outlook on sanctions
The Iranian Foreign Minister says international sanctions on Iran will gradually be lifted in the New Year. The Mehr News Agency reported that Ali Akbar Salehi told a news conference on Sunday March 10: "I have some information that cannot be revealed just yet, but the coming year will be a promising year for the gradual lifting of the sanctions." - 3/11/13
Analysis of Mr. Secretary's 1st Foreign Tour: A Trip Which Betrayed Washington's Strategy
John Kerry, the second secretary of state appointed by the US President Barack Obama, who is 69 years old and the 68th US secretary of state, embarked on an 11-day tour of Europe and the Middle East on March 6, 2013 -Seyed Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour - 3/11/13
Iranian President Under Fire For Hugging Chavez's Mother
Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad offers his condolences to Elena Frias, mother of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez, during the funeral service at the Military Academy in Caracas on March 8. The photo was released to the media by the press office of the Venezuelan presidency. - 3/10/13
Iranian Workers Protest For Their Backed Up Pay
Hundreds of workers and retirees of Iranian metal industries gathered in front of Tehran governor's offices to protest against the delays in payment of their wages and benefits. The workers have gathered on several occasions in front of various ministries and each time ended their protests based on official promises by ministry and government officials to resolve the matter. - 3/10/13
Factory layoffs in Iran add to fear of trend
One hundred workers at the Iran Pouya Refigeration Factory were laid off this week, ILNA reports. The head of the Workers House in the west end of Tehran announced on Saturday March 9 that the Iran Pouya Refrigeration Factory was shut down after laying off its 100 workers. - 3/10/13
Press Crackdown Continues in Iran: 3 Publications Banned, 3 Journalists Arrested
Continuing the latest crackdown on journalists that began on January 26, Iranian officials banned three publications in Tehran today (March 6) and arrested three more journalists this week. No official charges have been issued against the journalists or the publications. - 3/9/13
Iran Parliament Calls For End To Medical Drug Delays
Iranian Parliament has called on Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to immediately free up the drugs that have been stalled in customs and allow them entry into the market. Iran has been facing serious drug shortages in recent months due to a lack of foreign currency, as international sanctions on Iranian banks have restricted financial transactions and the import of medical drugs. - 3/9/13
Photos: Ahmadinejad attends funeral ceremony of late President Chavez
President Mahmood Ahmadinejad attended funeral ceremony of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and expressed condolence to his family. He expressed condolence to the Acting President Nicolas Maduro and Venezuelan nation and government. - 3/9/13
Iran Looks To Car Exports To Power It Through Sanctions
Western sanctions may be sapping Iran's economic strength, but Tehran believes it still has an ace to play: its automotive industry, the country's second-biggest export earner after oil and gas. As Iran starts its new fiscal year this month, it views automotive and other industrial exports as its best hope for making up some of the billions of dollars Tehran loses from sanctions that target its international oil sales. -Charles Recknagel, RFE - 3/9/13
Iran: Death row prisoners in Ahwaz begin hunger strike
The Human Rights Reporters Committee said on Friday March 8 that the five prisoners sentenced to death - Hashem Shabaninejad, Hadi Rashedi, Mohammadali Amourinejad, and Jaber and Mokhtar Alboshokeh - along with another inmate who is sentenced to 20 years in jail, Rahman Asakereh, began a hunger strike on March 2 in protest against the conditions at Karoon Prison in Ahwaz. - 3/9/13
Crying wolf over Iran's nuclear program
After producing his comic diagram during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly last September, drawing a red line in order to stop Iran's alleged imminent nuclear bomb, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for immediate action against Iran before it was too late. -Farhang Jahanpour - 3/8/13
Concern grows for missing jailed Iranian activist
An opposition website reports concerns over the whereabouts of jailed student activist Zia Nabavi, who after being summoned to court last Tuesday was not returned to his cell. The Kaleme website reports that Zia Nabavi was taken to court from Ahvaz Prison, where he is serving a 10-year prison sentence, and he has not been returned to prison since. - 3/8/13
Iran: Warnings against new form of sedition
Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, Prosecutor General of Iran warned the public against the new form of sedition brewing all across the country. Mohseni Ejei, who is also the spokesman for the judiciary, said: "All evidence is pointing at the arrival of seditious activities in the beginning months of the year." Iranian New Year begins on March 21. - 3/8/13
Ahmadinejad Under Fire For Making Chavez A Messiah
Mahmud Ahmadinejad's eulogy to Hugo Chavez might have come from the heart, but it has drawn the Iranian president criticism at home. Some Iranian religious figures and media did not take kindly to condolences that Ahmadinejad posted on his personal website following the death of his Venezuelan counterpart. -Frud Bezhan, RFE - 3/8/13
World Leaders Gather for Chavez Funeral
Dozens of world leaders have gathered in Venezuela's capital for the state funeral of the late president Hugo Chavez. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Cuban President Raul Castro are among the leaders in Caracas for Friday's funeral. The U.S. is sending a diplomatic delegation. - 3/8/13
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