Category: Iran

US Calls Iran’s Prisoner Swap Claim a ‘Cruel Lie’

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Iran’s top diplomat claimed Sunday that a prisoner swap was near with the United Stats, though he offered no evidence to support his assertion. The United States immediately dismissed his comments as a “cruel lie.” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has made similar comments in the past about possible deals with the…


WH Denies US Stepping Back From Middle East After Iran, Saudi Arabia Restore Ties With China’s Help

The White House is pushing back against the idea that the United States is stepping away from the Middle East following the announcement that Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to re-establish relations, in a deal brokered by the Chinese regime. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communication John Kirby told reporters on March 10…


US Imposes Sanctions on 39 Entities Aiding Iranian Trade

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkin announced that his department is imposing sanctions against 39 entities believed to be assisting Iranian clients in illegally engaging in trade. The U.S. State Department’s March 9 announcement outlined sanctions against dozens of “shadow banking” entities spread across several countries that would be subjected to the sanctions due to…


Iranian Warships Arriving in the Americas is Bigger than Boats, Analysts Say

Iran appears to be making good on its claim to put warships in the Panama Canal before the end of 2023, but analysts say that’s just the beginning. Last week, Brazil permitted two Iranian warships to moor off Rio de Janeiro’s famous beaches. The event occurred between Feb. 26 and March 4, causing a stir…


Iranian Warships Docking in Latin America Reflects New Axis of Power, Analysts Say

Iran appears to be making good on its claim to put warships in the Panama Canal before the end of 2023, but analysts say that’s just the beginning. Last week, Brazil permitted two Iranian warships to moor off Rio de Janeiro’s famous beaches. The event occurred between Feb. 26 and March 4, causing a stir…


Crisis Over Suspected Iran Schoolgirl Poisonings Escalates

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—A crisis over suspected poisonings targeting Iranian schoolgirls escalated Sunday as authorities acknowledged over 50 schools were struck in a wave of possible cases. The poisonings have spread further fear among parents as Iran has faced months of unrest. It remains unclear who or what is responsible since the alleged poisonings began…


‘Dangerous and Regretful’: US, Israel Concerned Over Iranian Warships in Brazil

The two Iranian warships recently authorized by Brazil’s government to dock in Rio de Janeiro have sparked concern among Israel and the United States. Brazil’s government, which is now under the leadership of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, authorized the two Iranian naval ships—the Iris Dena and Iris Makran—to dock in January. Both of the ships are part of the Iranian Navy, which works…


Only ‘A Matter of Weeks’ Before Iran Could Be Able to Manufacture Nuclear Weapons: CIA Chief

It could “only be a matter of weeks” before Iran is capable of enriching uranium to 90 percent purity, at which point the country could manufacture nuclear weapons, according to CIA Director William Burns. “To the best of our knowledge, we don’t believe that the supreme leader in Iran has yet made a decision to resume…


Russia Working with Iran, North Korea on New Arms Deals: White House

Russia is working with Iran and North Korea to increase its military capabilities and improve performance in its attempted conquest of Ukraine. Iran’s theocratic regime has been supplying Russia with suicide drones and munitions for tanks and artillery since last year, according to White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby. “In…


Iran Denies Reports That It’s Enriching Uranium to Near Weapons-Grade Levels

Iran has denied reports that it enriched uranium to close to weapons-grade purity after the United Nations nuclear watchdog—the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)—said it was in discussions with Tehran about the results of recent inspections at Iran’s nuclear facilities. Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, told the state-linked Fars news website late…