Dec 30 Iran-backed Iraqi militia vows revenge for U.S. strikes By Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press The U.S. attack — the largest targeting an Iraqi state-sanctioned militia in recent years — and the calls for retaliation, represent a new escalation in the proxy war between the U.S. and Iran playing out in the Middle East. Continue reading
Dec 27 Watch 6:26 How Iranian military exercises, mass protests are connected to U.S. sanctions While the United States keeps up its maximum pressure campaign on Iran, tensions are building within Iran as mass protests there continue to grow. Meanwhile, for the first time, Iran is engaged in joint naval exercises with both Russia and… Continue watching
Dec 26 Iraq’s president offers to quit after rejecting PM nominee By Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press President Barham Saleh said in a statement issued by his office that he would not name the governor of the southern Basra province, Asaad al-Eidani, as the country's next prime minister “to avoid more bloodshed and in order to safeguard… Continue reading
Dec 16 304 killed in Iran protests, Amnesty International reports By Aya Batrawy, Associated Press The protests, which lasted about four days in several cities and towns in Iran in November, were sparked by a sharp rise in gasoline prices. Continue reading
Dec 11 WATCH: Pompeo announces Iran sanctions targeting transportation companies By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The sanctions target Iran's state shipping line and a China-based company that has been involved in delivering missile parts to Iran. Continue reading
Dec 07 Iran frees Chinese-American scholar for US-held scientist By Nasser Karimi, Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Iran and the U.S. conducted a prisoner exchange Saturday that saw a detained Princeton scholar released for an Iranian scientist held by America, marking a rare diplomatic breakthrough between Tehran and Washington after months of tensions. Continue reading
Dec 06 U.S. hits Iran-backed Iraqi militia leaders with sanctions By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The Trump administration on Friday slapped sanctions on three Iran-backed Iraqi militia leaders for violent suppression of protests that have wracked the country. The Treasury and the State Department also hit a wealthy Iraqi businessman with sanctions for bribery and… Continue reading
Dec 05 Watch 4:56 News Wrap: U.S. official says Iran may have killed 1,000 in protest crackdown In our news wrap Thursday, a U.S. official said Iran may have killed more than a thousand people in a crackdown on mass protests. Brian Hook, U.S. special representative for Iran, cited reports from intelligence analysis and inside the country;… Continue watching
Dec 05 Trump admin claims Iran killed more than 1,000 in recent protests By Matthew Lee, Associated Press That figure is significantly higher than previously estimated death tolls from human rights groups and others, and the administration did not present documentary evidence to back up the claim. Continue reading
Dec 05 Anti-headscarf law activist sues Iran in U.S. over harassment By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Masih Alinejad has sued Iran in U.S. federal court, alleging a government-led harassment campaign targets her and her family. Continue reading