Dec 13 Analysis: How does Assad’s ouster in Syria affect Iran’s influence over the region? By Ray Takeyh, Council on Foreign Relations The Bashar al-Assad regime’s rapid collapse deals a heavy blow to Iran’s “axis of resistance” and its ability to project power in the region, and it raises fears Iran will focus more on developing its nuclear program. Continue reading
Dec 06 Iran is poised to ‘quite dramatically’ increase stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium, IAEA chief says By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press The successful rocket launch comes as Iran's nuclear program now enriches uranium at 60 percent, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent. Continue reading
Dec 03 The key players in Syria’s long-running civil war By Bassem Mroue, Associated Press Syria’s long civil war has reclaimed global attention after insurgents seized most of its largest city and dozens of nearby towns and villages. Continue reading
Dec 01 Syria launches counterattacks against insurgents as Iran’s top diplomat meets with Assad By Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press The Syrian military rushed reinforcements to the northwest and launched airstrikes Sunday in an attempt to push back insurgents who seized the country’s largest city of Aleppo, as Iran pledged to help the government counter the surprise offensive. Continue reading
Nov 29 Iran will begin enriching uranium at two of its main nuclear facilities, UN watchdog says By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press It remains unclear how President-elect Donald Trump will approach Iran once he enters office, particularly as it continues to threaten to attack Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Continue reading
Nov 19 Iran increases its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium, UN says By Stephanie Liechtenstein, Associated Press The U.N. nuclear watchdog says Iran has defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Continue reading
Nov 16 Iranian official reportedly met with Elon Musk in an apparent effort ease tensions with Trump By Matthew Lee, Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press Iran's U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani met with Musk — a Trump ally named this week to advise his administration on ways to cut the federal government — on Monday in New York, according to a U.S. official briefed on the meeting… Continue reading
Nov 13 Court papers show U.S. government worker charged with leaking classified documents on Israel’s plans to strike Iran By Eric Tucker, Associated Press The man, identified as Asif William Rahman, was arrested by the FBI this week in Cambodia and was to due to make his first court appearance in Guam. It's not immediately clear which federal agency employed him. Continue reading
Nov 12 Watch 6:45 How Iranians are reacting Trump’s election and what it could mean for their lives By Reza Sayah President Biden met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in the Oval Office and reaffirmed his administration’s 'ironclad’ commitment to Israel. The Israeli government says Hamas is still holding 101 hostages in Gaza and Herzog said the war would continue until the… Continue watching
Nov 08 DOJ brings criminal charges in Iranian murder-for-hire plan that targeted Trump By Eric Tucker, Larry Neumeister, Associated Press Investigators learned of the plot to kill Trump while interviewing Farhad Shakeri, an Afghan national identified by officials as an Iranian government asset who was deported from the U.S. after being imprisoned on robbery charges. Continue reading