Topic: Qom

Obama says Iran must take 'concrete steps' on nuclear issues

The talks in Geneva were historic, but some experts say Iran gained prestige without having to concede much.

Is Iran hiding other secret nuclear sites?

Iran may have built a shadow infrastructure to provide the raw material for building nuclear weapons, experts say.

Iran nuclear talks in Geneva: What is Tehran's strategy?

At a midday break, diplomats said the tone has been "civil" but a US official says Iran's delegation lacks the 'cohesion and confidence' to make a deal.

Why China is unlikely to back Iran sanctions

Beijing is against sanctions as a matter of principle – and because of recent multi-billion dollar energy deals with Iran.

Why is Israel now quiet over Iran sanctions?

After last week's call for 'crippling sanctions' against Iran, Israel has adopted an 'eloquent silence' on the issue while it waits to see how Thursday's historic nuclear talks go.

Is Iran coming clean about its secret nuclear site? Not likely.

Iran said Tuesday that it would open the site near Qom to international inspectors. But it didn't promise much cooperation.

Why Iran's missile tests may not play well in Tehran

The show of force ahead of nuclear talks is a well-tested strategy. But only 1 in 10 Iranians support nuclear weapons, and many question the government's legitimacy after June elections.

Iran's secret site is the missing piece in its nuclear puzzle

If Iran plans to make nuclear weapons away from the prying eyes of the international community, it would need a secret facility like the one Obama revealed Friday.

Iran tests longest-range missiles, adding to pre-talk tensions

The tests come shortly after Iran test-fired medium-range missiles and disclosed work on a secret nuclear facility, and as the US is pushing tougher sanctions.

Iran missile tests: What they tell the West

Iran tested two mid-range missiles that can reach Israel and southeastern Europe Monday. The test will help the country perfect its ballistic technology.

Iran's secret uranium site raises stakes for meeting with West

Revelations about the Qom facility could give the US and its partners a stronger hand in dealing with Ahmadinejad. But experts say it's no alternative for sanctions.

Iran's second uranium enrichment facility 'changes every equation'

President Obama will demand at the G-20 summit today that Iran open the nuclear fuel plant to inspectors immediately. If Tehran refuses, it could bolster the case for sanctions.

Opposition skips out on Ahmadinejad's swearing-in

Leading reformist politicians signaled their intent to continue protest over what they say was a fraudulent election.

Opinion: Should Obama talk to Ahmadinejad?

Western dialogue with Tehran won't reward a repressive regime. It will offer Iranians hope.

Iran's seat of theocratic power

The role of the supreme leader has changed, but Iran's top cleric, Ayatollah Khamenei, still holds sway. How the political system in Tehran works, and who will determine what comes next.

Bio Brief: Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei

Iran's supreme leader has held the post for 20 years

The Monitor's View: What Iraq can teach Iran

Ayatollah Sistani in Iraq shows religion can play an influential, but background, role in a secular democracy.

What's behind Iran's power struggle

Thirty years after the Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei is looking to remove rival old-guard leaders – including Mir Hossein Mousavi.

The Ayatollah Begs to Differ

What drives Ahmadinejad's combative rhetoric

The hard-line views expressed by the Iranian president at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday are informed by a Messianic religious belief.

Opinion: Why Iranians like America again

It reflects a sense of alienation from their own rulers.

Is the Sunni-Shiite rift mostly politics and media hype?

A panel discussion Tuesday in Doha, Qatar, was dominated by the perception that the Western media hypes up tensions by focusing too much on the minority of radicals.

Iran election: hard-liners hold on, despite high inflation

Conservatives win 70 percent of parliament. But reformers gain, too.

Reporters on the Job

Iran debate: Who owns the revolution?

Hard-liners play tough to prevent reformist gains in March 14 vote.