Iran Primer's Blog
Kerry Calls on Iran to Release Jason Rezaian
On December 7, Secretary of State John Kerry called for the release of Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen who has been detained in Iran since late July. Earlier in the day, Rezaian was formally charged in a 10-hour court session but was not told what…
Khamenei: ISIS Product of Western Schemes
In a recent address to Muslim scholars, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed that The Islamic State, commonly known as ISIS or ISIL, is the product of the U.S., U.K. and Israeli intelligence services. ISIS is the latest takfiri (referring to Muslims who accuse other Muslims of…
Report: Little Progress on Internet Freedom
On December 4, Freedom House released its fifth annual "Freedom on the Net" report, a comprehensive study of internet freedom in 65 countries. The following are key developments surrounding Iran's internet freedom between May 2013 and May 2014.Study finds #Iran has least amount of #…
US, UN Condemn Attack on Iranian Ambassador in Yemen
On December 3, a car bomb exploded near the home of Iran’s ambassador to Yemen in the capital Sanaa. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the attack, which reportedly killed a Yemeni civilian and two soldiers and wounded 17 others. Iran’s ambassador, Hassan…
Iran Bombing ISIS Targets in Iraq
In late November, Iran reportedly bombed Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, targets in Diyala, Iraq. Tehran used American-made F4 Phantom jets, likely sold to Iran before the 1979 revolution, according to analysis of video by Jane's Defense Weekly. Since ISIS began seizing…
Congress: Divided on New Sanctions
Several U.S. lawmakers have called for imposing new sanctions on Iran following the news of the seven-month extension of nuclear talks. Iran and the so-called P5+1 countries —Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States— extended the talks for a second time after…
US Treasury Guidance on Extension
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has released a series of documents on the extension of nuclear talks between Iran and the world’s six major powers. On November 24, the two sides agreed to continue to implement the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA). As part of…
Experts: What Next for Diplomacy?
The Middle East Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars asked more than thirty experts from the Middle East, Europe, and the United States for their take on what comes next for nuclear talks between Iran and the world’s six major powers. Contributors to this…
Vienna Nuke Talks: Iran Hardliners React
Hardliners in Iran's parliament and media criticized ongoing nuclear talks with the world's six major powers, following the announcement that negotiations will be extended for seven months. Iran and the so-called P5+1 countries —Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United…
Vienna Nuke Talks: Diplomacy in Pictures
After a week of intensive discussions, the world’s six major powers and Iran agreed to extend talks for seven months. The new goal is to reach a political agreement within four months and a final deal by June 30 that would curb Tehran's controversial nuclear program in exchange for…