Iran Primer's Blog
Hagel’s Past Comments on Iran
On January 7, President Obama nominated former Senator Chuck Hagel to be the Secretary of Defense during his second term. The following are comments by Senator Hagel on Iran since 2005. …
New Penalties on Iran in Defense Bill
On January 3, President Barack Obama signed a $633 billion defense bill for fiscal year 2013. The comprehensive appropriations bill will help “ensure the United States will continue to have the strongest military in the world,”…
Iran’s Economy Faces Grim 2013
Kevan Harris What is the state of Iran’s economy in 2013 compared to a year ago? Iran's economy enters 2013 significantly worse than a year ago, particularly with higher inflation and unemployment than at the beginning of 2012…
Kerry’s Past Comments on Iran
On December 21, President Barack Obama nominated Senator John Kerry to be the Secretary of State during his second term. The following are comments by Senator Kerry on Iran since 2004. …
More U.S. Sanctions for Proliferation
On December 21, the U.S. Treasury froze the assets of four Iranian companies and one executive for links to Tehran’s missile and nuclear programs. SAD Import Export Company was also sanctioned for supplying weapons to Syria’s…
Panetta: New U.S. Strategy to Counter Iran
On December 18, Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta outlined a new U.S. defense strategy that will counter “the continuing threat from Iran.” If Tehran attempts to close the Straits of Hormuz, “we must be capable of being able…
Iran Boosts North Korean Missile Program
Iran may have helped North Korea launch a multistage rocket and put a satellite into orbit on December 12, according to a new report by John S. Park. “What started as a transactional relationship, where Iran provided much-…
The U.S.-Iran Covert War
Ari Ratner What is the U.S.-Iran covert war? What is the United States doing? What is Iran doing? And why? During both the Bush and Obama administrations, Iran and the United States have engaged in a shadow war that relies…
Iran’s Subsidy Reform: RIP
In November 2012, Iran’s parliament suspended subsidy reform and is now unlikely to allow “drastic increases” in the price of consumer staples over the next year, according to a new report by Jahangir Amuzegar. President Mahmoud…
U.S. Sanctions Iranian Nuclear Proliferation Networks
On December 13, the U.S. Treasury and State Department imposed sanctions on seven Iranian companies and five individuals for “proliferating weapons of mass destruction” pursuant to Executive Order 13382. The entities “provide the Iranian…