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Iranian Officials on Syria, Possible Solutions
Iranian officials have long expressed their unwavering support for Syria and President Bashar al Assad. But while some officials have said it is Iran’s duty to support the Syrian government militarily, others have stressed the importance of a political solution to the conflict. In interviews and…
Netanyahu at UNGA: On Iran, Syria
On October 1, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the nuclear deal with Iran during his address to the U.N. General Assembly. “By fueling Iran’s aggressions with billions of dollars in sanctions relief, it makes war more likely,” he said. He also spoke at length about Iran’s…
Iran & Saudi Arabia: New Tensions on Hajj
Tensions began escalating between Iran and Saudi Arabia after a stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, killed and injured pilgrims completing a hajj ritual. Saudi officials reported that 769 people had been killed, but Iranian officials estimate the death toll could be as high as 4,700 – including some…
Obama & Zarif: Controversial Handshake
On September 28, President Barack Obama shook hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. The exchange, confirmed by U.S. and Iranian officials, lasted less than minute. But it caused a firestorm among hardliners in Iran.…
Rouhani at UNGA : On Syria
During two meetings in New York, President Hassan Rouhani covered a range of issues from working with the United States to the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, tensions with Saudi Arabia, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and more. On September 25 he met with journalists and on September…
Rouhani at UNGA : On US Relations
During two meetings in New York, President Hassan Rouhani covered a range of issues from working with the United States to the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, tensions with Saudi Arabia, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and more. On September 25 he met with journalists and on September…
Rouhani at UNGA : On Saudis & Yemen
During two meetings in New York, President Hassan Rouhani covered a range of issues from working with the United States to the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, tensions with Saudi Arabia, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and more. On September 25 he met with journalists and on September…
Rouhani at UN: On Nuclear Deal, Extremism
On September 28, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed the nuclear deal as a potential model for positive change in the Middle East. In his address to the U.N. General Assembly, Rouhani also warned that the gravest threat to the world is for terrorist organizations to become terrorist states.…
Obama at UNGA : On Iran, Syria Peace
On September 28, President Barack Obama said that the nuclear deal with Iran will make the world safer if fully implemented. But he also noted that Tehran’s support for “violent proxies” is detrimental to the Middle East’s security and that Iran's policies are preventing its citizens from unlocking…
Kerry, Zarif Discuss Nuclear Deal in NY
On September 26, Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the implementation of the nuclear deal with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif. The meeting in New York City on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly was their first since the agreement was announced in July. Before the meeting…
Rouhani CBS Interview on Nuclear Deal, US
Iran and the United States have “taken the first steps” toward decreasing enmity by negotiating the nuclear deal announced in July, President Hassan Rouhani told CBS in an interview. But he emphasized that establishing trust between Tehran and Washington would take a long time given decades-long…
US Treasury on Iran Sanctions Post-Deal
On September 17, a ranking Treasury official told lawmakers that the United States is “intensifying a battery of sanctions that will not change under the terms of that deal” even while preparing to suspend secondary nuclear sanctions in return for Iranian compliance. “These include sanctions…
State Department on Implementing Iran Deal
State Department officials announced that Adoption Day for the Iran nuclear deal will be October 18, 2015. They also clarified that the deal will not go into full effect, notably sanctions relief, until after Iran dismantles key components of its nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy…
US Appoints Coordinator for Nuclear Deal
On September 17, Secretary of State John Kerry announced the appointment of Ambassador Stephen D. Mull as Lead Coordinator for Iran Nuclear Implementation. The following is Kerry's statement in full. I have always said that, as important as it was to negotiate the nuclear deal with Iran,…
The Final Tally: How Congress Voted on Iran
By September 17, the deadline for Congressional action on the nuclear deal between Iran and the world's six major powers, Senate Democrats had blocked a Republican-led effort to reject the agreement. After debating a resolution of disapproval on the deal, the Senate moved to a procedural vote on…
Iranian Officials on US After the Deal
Despite the nuclear deal, top Iranian officials insisted that Tehran and Washington are not moving towards rapprochement – or cooperating on any other issues. “We allowed negotiations with the U.S. only on the nuclear issue for certain reasons, in other areas we did not and will not allow…
Poll: Iran's Minorities on the Deal
Around 76 percent of Iranians approved of the nuclear deal between Iran and the world's six major powers, according to a new poll released by iPOS (Information and Public Opinion Solutions). This figure was up from 63 percent in May.The poll asked respondents the following question:"As you may know…
US Public Opinion on Iran Deal
Polls have differed in their findings regarding public opinion on the Iran nuclear deal. Many surveys conducted soon after the July 14 announcement of an agreement found that a majority of Americans supported the deal. But since then they have varied widely. This is a compilation of major polls.…
Contrast in US-Iran Public Opinion on Deal
The nuclear deal between Iran and the world’s six major powers appears to be significantly more popular among Iranians than Americans when comparing two recent surveys. A new poll of Iranian public opinion found that 76 percent of respondents approved of the agreement. Some 21 percent disapproved…
Obama Administration on Congressional Vote
On September 10, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed the move by Senate Democrats to block a Republican-led effort to reject the Iran nuclear deal. Four Democrats sided with Republicans. But a procedural vote on the resolution ultimately fell two short of the 60…
Iran Public Opinion on Deal, Rouhani & US
An overwhelming majority of Iranians said that they approve of the nuclear deal between Iran and the world’s six major powers. Some 76 percent of respondents approved of it while 21 percent disapproved, according to a new poll conducted by the Center for International and Security Studies at…
15 GOP Governors Oppose Nuclear Deal
On September 8, 15 Republican governors sent a letter to President Obama voicing their opposition to the nuclear deal between Iran and the world’s six major powers. They also declared their intention to “ensure that the various state-level sanctions that are now in effect remain in effect.” House…
US Elder Statesmen on Iran Deal
Since the nuclear deal was announced on July 14, top foreign policy-makers in seven administrations have commented publicly on the terms. The following are excerpts. Brent Scowcroft, National Security Advisor to Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush "In my view, the JCPOA [Joint…
Where US Senators Stand on Iran Deal
In July and August, U.S. Senators began indicating how they plan to vote on the final nuclear deal. Lawmakers have until September 17 to review the agreement, and if the majority disapprove, they can pass a resolution to block the deal from being implemented. President Obama, however, has said he…
Iran’s Nuclear Chess: After the Deal
The following is the executive summary from a newly updated monograph by Robert Litwak, vice president for scholars at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and a former director for nonproliferation on the National Security Council staff in the first Clinton administration.…
Europe Reaches Out to Iran
After the final nuclear deal was announced on July 14, European officials began reaching out to Iran with several high-profile phone calls and visits. The following is a rundown of European outreach since the deal. Austria Austrian President Heinz Fischer visited Tehran from September 7 to 9…
Where the House Stands on Iran Deal
In July and August, members of the House of Representatives began indicating how they plan to vote on the final nuclear deal. Lawmakers have until September 17 to review the agreement, and if the majority disapprove, they can pass a resolution to block the deal from being implemented. President…
Khamenei: Parliament Must Review Deal
On September 3, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that lawmakers must weigh in on the nuclear deal. Khamenei announced his decision one day after President Barack Obama gained enough votes in the Senate to prevent opponents of the agreement from scuttling it. “I have no advice to…
Iran: A Done Deal
Robin Wright (for The New Yorker) President Obama today won the riskiest gamble of his presidency. He now has enough support in the Senate to ensure that the Hill cannot kill the White House deal with Iran. Some will still try. Cheney has joined the noisy opposition and will give a big speech next…
The Final Pitch: New Appeal to Congress
On September 2, Secretary of State John Kerry sent a letter to U.S. Senators and Members of Congress emphasizing the Obama administration's commitment to support its Gulf partners and Israel. "We will continue to provide Israel and our GCC partners the robust assistance and support they need to…