Why Europe just made Rouhani’s effort to exit FATF blacklist even harder

The E3’s seeming tying of the launch of its new trade mechanism to Iran’s passing of controversial bills has energized hard-line calls for refusal to accede to the FATF’s action plan.

Iran

Hard-liners force Iran's parliament speaker to abort speech

Iran's parliament speaker Ali Larijani had to cancel a speech scheduled to mark the upcoming 40th anniversary of the country's Islamic Revolution after hard-liners mobilized a harsh unwelcome.

Iran

Islamic Jihad, the new lord of Gaza?

The Islamic Jihad has been making it clear to Hamas, Egypt and Israel that the rules of the game have changed in Gaza over the past few months.

Palestine

Iran's education minister teaches lesson to country's powerful publishers

Iranian education minister’s campaign against the country’s unchallenged educational book publishers seems to be getting him top marks among the public.

Iran

Top Russian security officials tour Egypt, Gulf to discuss Syria, Libya

Over the space of a week, top officials in the Russian security apparatus toured Saudia Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt with some intriguing proposals on Syria and Libya.

Saudi Arabia

Why Europe's payment channel may be too little to keep Iran in JCPOA

Iran is inching closer than ever to withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as it finds European steps toward maintaining the deal too little, too late — a perception exacerbated by more European non-nuclear sanctions.

Iran

Detained Iranian environmentalist says she was tortured

After a year behind bars, eight Iranian environmentalists appeared in court with the presence of court-approved lawyers.

Iran

Trump: Israel’s friend in words, not in deeds

US President Donald Trump's isolationist policies in Syria and Afghanistan, coupled with placating gestures toward the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, rather than a push for peace with the Palestinians, are endangering Israel’s security.

Israel

GCC states boxed in by US sanctions on Syria

The United States creates dilemmas for GCC in Syria; Qatar steps up with $500 million Lebanon investment; Netanyahu seeks Arab photo-op in Poland.

Legacy: Gulf

Race for reconstruction heats up as Syrian war winds down

As the conflict in Syria winds down and reconstruction begins, Iran is racing alongside other friends and rivals for a role in the future Syrian economy.

Syria

Intel: How the Europeans’ new Iran sanctions work-around helps Trump

The European Union launched its much-anticipated Iran trade mechanism today to an audible meh from the Donald Trump administration.

United States

China’s emerging role in Iran’s petroleum sector

Despite the stumbling blocks, China’s strategic goal of securing energy resources for its future demands and Iran’s need for foreign investment will continue to pave the way for a greater Chinese role in the Iranian energy sector.

Iran