Nuclear Deal Takes U.S.-Iran Ties Out of Deep Freeze

A final deal was reached on Iran’s controversial nuclear program in the early morning hours of July 14 in Vienna, over a decade after talks between Iran and world powers began. “This deal demonstrates that American diplomacy can bring about real and meaningful change — change that makes our country, and the world, safer and … Continue reading “Nuclear Deal Takes U.S.-Iran Ties Out of Deep Freeze”

Iranians Keep Hope Alive for Final Nuclear Deal

In the United States, the negotiations aimed at a final deal between world powers and Iran over its nuclear program – in a crucial phase this week – are far from the minds of average people. But for many Iranians, the talks hold the promise of a better future. “I really hope for a fair … Continue reading “Iranians Keep Hope Alive for Final Nuclear Deal”

ISIS Complicates Iran’s Nuclear Focus at UN

Iran’s foreign minister arrived in New York last week with his sights set on a final deal on Iran’s nuclear program. But a pressing regional conflict is hanging heavily over the already strained negotiations as Iran and world powers resume talks on the sidelines of this week’s U.N. General Assembly. A Sept. 21 report by … Continue reading “ISIS Complicates Iran’s Nuclear Focus at UN”

An Iran in Flux Marks 35th Anniversary of Revolution

Thirty-five years ago today, millions of Iranians embraced a religious leader promising freedom from a corrupt monarchy and national independence. Now many want a better standard of living and improved civil rights. “Living standards are 50 percent higher today than they were before the revolution, but so are expectations, which is why the average person … Continue reading “An Iran in Flux Marks 35th Anniversary of Revolution”

Iran’s Rouhani Needs a Nuclear Resolution

After 34 years of enmity, Tehran and Washington are heavily invested in the success of a deal over Iran’s nuclear program achieved through teamwork. Now the political future of Iran’s new moderate president, Hassan Rouhani, depends on this issue. “Resolving the nuclear impasse is President Rouhani’s signature policy initiative,” Mohsen Milani, a professor of politics … Continue reading “Iran’s Rouhani Needs a Nuclear Resolution”

US, Iran Try to Narrow Gaps on Nuclear Deal

Against a backdrop of cautious optimism, Iran and six world powers known as the P5+1 are reconvening here for talks Nov. 7-8 over Tehran’s nuclear program. “This government [of Hassan Rouhani] has a lot riding on the resolution of the nuclear issue because it made it a campaign promise and priority,” Farideh Farhi, an Iran … Continue reading “US, Iran Try to Narrow Gaps on Nuclear Deal”

White House Letter Fuels Debate on Syria Intervention

A White House letter Thursday to Congressional leaders suggesting chemical weapons use by the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad has reignited debate about direct U.S. military involvement in the war-torn country. “Our intelligence community does assess with varying degrees of confidence that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons on a small scale in Syria, … Continue reading “White House Letter Fuels Debate on Syria Intervention”

Report Calls to Engage Iran’s People While Preventing Nuke

The U.S. should not only focus on the short-term goal of “suspending or delaying” Iran’s alleged quest for a nuclear weapons capability, but also on “curtailing Iran’s other worrisome activities in the region while encouraging – or at least, not derailing – a better relationship with the citizens of the pivotal state,” according to a … Continue reading “Report Calls to Engage Iran’s People While Preventing Nuke”

Former Hostages Call for Broadened Dialogue with Iran

On the eve of resumed talks between Iran and the P5+1 (the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China plus Germany) in Almaty, Kazakhstan over its nuclear program, two former hostages of the U.S. embassy takeover in Tehran argued that the aura of mistrust that has dogged relations for decades must be addressed. “The ghosts of 1979 … Continue reading “Former Hostages Call for Broadened Dialogue with Iran”

Devil Is in the Details for Iran Nuclear Deal

After a year of fruitless negotiations that are expected to resume soon, Iranian and U.S. experts are urging both sides to show more flexibility and make more concessions on its nuclear programme. A letter written this month by seven former Iranian parliamentarians now living in exile urges Iran and the P5+1 – the U.S., Russia, … Continue reading “Devil Is in the Details for Iran Nuclear Deal”