Iran

Global News Blog
Russian security firm spots cyber supervirus that tops Stuxnet

Russian Internet security firm Kaspersky Labs says the complexity and targets of the virus – which is infecting computers in Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East – imply its creator is a government.
Iran nuclear talks a 'complete failure,' says Iranian diplomat

Both sides spoke of 'some common ground' that will drive the next round of Iran nuclear talks set for mid-June in Moscow. Yet a chasm of mismatched expectations widened in Baghdad.
Hopes fade for progress at Iran nuclear talks in Baghdad

Iranian officials say practically no sanctions relief was placed on the table by Western powers in response to Iranian concessions over its nuclear program, dashing hopes for any breakthrough in Baghdad.
Unusually good forecast for Iran nuclear talks (+video)

UN nuclear chief Yukiya Amano today announced an agreement with Iran to clear up remaining questions about Iran nuclear weapons work ahead of tomorrow's talks in Baghdad.
Terrorism & Security
Netanyahu: Iran won't take nuclear talks seriously

Speaking in Prague, Israel's prime minister compared Iran's nuclear drive to that of North Korea, and said he has seen no evidence of Iran taking upcoming talks seriously.
Iran nuclear talks: negotiators cite progress ahead of Baghdad meeting

Two days of UN-IAEA talks in Vienna signal some flexibility on both sides ahead of key nuclear meeting in Baghdad next week.
Iran nuclear talks: Are sanctions on the table?

A senior Iranian figure stated that Iran's 'minimum expectation' for the upcoming negotiations was a lifting of some sanctions, but sanctions are notoriously hard to remove.
Keep Calm
Clinton in India: a gentle reminder about all that Iranian oil (+video)

The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wants India to stop buying oil from Iran, given concerns over Iran's nuclear program. But can Delhi stop?
Hillary Clinton to drill India on Iranian oil

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on a three-day visit to India. At the top of the agenda is the country's imports of Iranian oil despite US sanctions.
Backchannels
Where does the Israeli security establishment stand on attacking Iran?

A look at disclosed positions.
Ayatollah Khamenei gives Iran nuclear talks unprecedented legitimacy

Iran's supreme leader appears much more involved in current nuclear negotiations, meaning that any deal struck will not face resistance back in Iran. But he's also likely to press for a harder line.
Early Israeli elections? What it would mean for US, Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled on Sunday for the first time that he is liable to move up Israel’s elections from next year to this year.
Terrorism & Security
Israeli leadership denies divisions on Iran, after army chief made a stir

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak insisted that Iranian leaders are not rational, rebutting comments made earlier in the week by IDF chief Benny Gantz.
What's the Israel-Azerbaijan connection?

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's visit to Azerbaijan underscores growing ties, including a $1.6 billion Israeli deal to supply Iran's neighbor with a wide range of military equipment.
Backchannels
Israeli army chief says he doubts Iran will build a nuclear weapon

In an interview with Haaretz, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz acknowledged the threat of a nuclear Iran but said Tehran wasn't likely to go there, citing its 'rational' leadership.
Iran's cyber prowess: Could it really have cracked drone codes?

Iran claims it hacked into the data banks of a captured CIA stealth drone. US officials dismiss it as 'bluster,' but aviation and cyber experts say it's possible.
Iran's Parchin complex: Why are nuclear inspectors so focused on it?

The IAEA's determination to gain access to Parchin, an Iranian military complex that may hold clues to past weapons-related work, is unusual and could jeopardize its credibility.
Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi speaks out against Iran sanctions

Shirin Ebadi, the first Iranian to win a Nobel Peace Prize, also spoke with the Monitor about her fight for human rights in Iran and challenged the supreme leader's role.
Iran nuclear talks: Why all sides kept positive

The talks Saturday between Iran and six major powers featured the most positive atmosphere in nearly a decade.
Iran nuclear talks: 'constructive' day yields plan for Round 2 in May

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said negotiators will meet in Baghdad next month. Chief Iran negotiator Saeed Jalili said next round should focus on confidence-building measures.
Iran nuclear talks: atmosphere 'completely different'

At the last meeting over Iran's nuclear program, the two sides could not even agree on an agenda. Meetings in Istanbul this weekend have gotten off to a better start.
Iran nuclear talks: Why there's hope for progress this time

A big question is whether the West will pressure Tehran to stop enrichment all together, or just prove that the Iran nuclear program is purely peaceful.
Terrorism & Security
High stakes for Iran nuclear talks

This weekend is seen as Tehran's best opportunity to make concessions on the Iran nuclear program if it is has any intention of doing so.
Iran nuclear talks: Why the trust gap is so great

Part of the reason for Iran's distrust lies in the CIA's infiltration of a UN weapons inspection team in Iraq in the 1990s.
Israel's Iranian Jews grapple with possible strike on their homeland

While he fears an Iranian bomb, a spice seller from Tehran vows that Iranians love peace. One restaurant cook from Isfahan is baffled by 'how things went so wrong.'