By Kian Sharifi ( RFE/ RL) – After 12 days of unprecedented direct hostilities, Israel and Iran have agreed to a cease-fire that has brought a tense and uneasy calm to the region. The war, marked by devastating air strikes, missile barrages, and covert operations, has left both countries reeling. While the immediate fighting […]
Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Facility: A Target Too Deep For Israeli Weapons Alone
By Kian Sharifi ( RFE/ RL ) – Deep beneath the mountains near the city of Qom lies one of Iran’s most heavily guarded nuclear sites: the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. Designed to survive even the most powerful air strikes, Fordow has become a focal point in Israel’s escalating concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. But […]
Cheers And Jeers As Cannes-Winning Director Jafar Panahi Returns To Iran
By RFE/RL’s Radio Farda ( RFE/ RL ) – The awarding of the prestigious Palme d’Or to It Was Just An Accident, the latest film by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, has sparked widespread reactions in Iran and across the global Iranian diaspora. The accolade at the 78th Cannes Film Festival marks a significant milestone for […]
As US Pushes For Zero Enrichment, Iran Insists It Won’t Give Up Nuclear Program
By RFE/RL’s Radio Farda and Kian Sharifi ( RFE/RL ) – US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff declared that the Donald Trump administration’s “red line” in the nuclear talks with Iran is Tehran’s ability to enrich uranium at any level, prompting Iran to say it will continue enrichment “with or without a deal.” “We cannot allow […]
Iran, US Conclude ‘Difficult But Useful’ Round Of Nuclear Talks In Oman
By RFE/RL’s Radio Farda ( RFE/ RL ) – The fourth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States has ended in Muscat, with Tehran suggesting a new round will be scheduled by Omani mediators. Iranian Foreign Minister spokesman Esmail Baqaei wrote on X that the talks on May 11 were “difficult but […]
The Economic Fallout From Deadly Blast At Iran’s ‘Golden Gateway’ Of Trade
By Kian Sharifi I’m RFE/RL correspondent Kian Sharifi. In this edition, I’m looking at the potential economic impact of a massive explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaei port and whether it will impact Iranian trade and hopes for foreign investment. What You Need To Know ( RFE/ RL ) – • Trade Braces For ‘Shock’ After […]
Iran Accuses Israel’s Netanyahu Of Trying To Derail Nuclear Talks
By RFE/RL (RFE/ RL ) – Iran’s top diplomat has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to dictate US policy toward Iran after the premier renewed his call for the full dismantlement of Tehran’s nuclear program. Iranian and US negotiators concluded a third round of indirect talks over Iran’s nuclear program on April […]
Massive Blast At Iranian Port Leaves 14 Dead, 750 Injured Amid US-Iran Talks In Oman
By RFE/RL’s Radio Farda ( RFE/RL) – A massive explosion purportedly linked to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant killed at least 14 people and injured more than 750 others in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas. The April 26 blast at the Shahid Rajaei port happened as […]
With Proxies Weakened, Iran bets on Missiles for Defense
By Kian Sharifi ( RFE/ RL) – Iran says it has numerous underground missile bases across Iran, and sporadically unveils some with a lot of hype. The newly unveiled base — dubbed “a missile metropolis” by some outlets — is a massive facility filled with high-powered weaponry, but experts say no new hardware could be […]
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