Iran

Here’s what you need to know about Ebrahim Raisi, the conservative cleric seen as the heavy favorite to replace outgoing President Hassan Rouhani. Ebrahim Raisi, the hard-line Iranian judiciary chief known for his role in the mass execution of thousands of prisoners in the late 1980s, is heavily favored to …

During Rouhani’s tenure, thousands of people were executed, including women and children. In its 2019 global review of the death penalty, Amnesty International stated: “Iran retained its place as the world’s second-most prolific executioner after China.” In total, according to official estimates of the Iranian regime, more than 4,000 people …

Attacks by Iraqi militia, backed by Iran, on protesters and activists are destabilizing Iraq in the run-up to October 2021 national elections. The government of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi is attempting to marginalize the Iran-backed militias, but only enjoying mixed success. The militias suppress any challenge to their autonomy, their …

The Iranian and Russian negotiators meeting in Vienna with global powers played down the hopes for a quick settlement in the talks to revive the 2015 landmark deal that curtailed Tehran’s nuclear programs. Abbas Araqchi, Tehran’s chief negotiator, said late on June 12 that he did not think they could …

Iran-backed militias have arrested militants from the Nujaba movement near Aleppo, reports Etihad Press. Iranian militias arrested a Damascus regime officer, as well as civilians and several members of the Iraqi “Nujaba” movement, in rural Aleppo. According to the local website Ain Al-Furat, drivers were arrested at a checkpoint held …

Iran’s hard-liners have long been disillusioned with a system in which all citizens are encouraged to vote. Another presidential election is unfolding in Iran. Many observers expect a low turnout as many ordinary Iranians are either discouraged or disillusioned. However, those in power seem not to mind. The political elite …

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made clear on Monday that Washington’s priority was to get the deal “back in the box” and then use it as a platform to address other questions. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, resigned to the revival of a nuclear pact with Iran …

The US secretary of state told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that there are ‘areas where we can get even stronger commitments from Iran.” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended the Biden administration’s Iran nuclear deal strategy before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday. US President Joe Biden’s …

The United States on Tuesday warned Iran not to mess with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s monitoring of its nuclear facilities, warning that such intervention would jeopardize negotiations currently being held in Vienna over a return to the 2015 nuclear deal. If Tehran were to “prevent the collection of or …

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told lawmakers it was unclear if Iran is “willing and prepared” to resume compliance with the nuclear agreement. Iran’s so-called breakout time could drop to “a matter of weeks” if the country continues to violate its terms of the landmark nuclear deal, US Secretary …