Always assuming the worst with Iran
Today we awoke to an AFP report that Iran had been caught red-handed trying to smuggle “nuclear material” out of Russia. According the report, in response to this illegal act “a criminal enquiry has been launched.” The report seemed to confirm many people’s beliefs about Iran’s willingness to use any means at its disposal, illicit […]
Iran News Roundup 12/12
Iraqi PM to discuss Iranian influence after U.S. pullout Obama is scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and according to a CBS report, Iran will be one of the major topics of their discussions (CBS 12/12). The Wall Street Journal reports that Maliki has vowed to prevent Iranian interference in his country. […]
Iran News Roundup 12/7
Details continue to emerge about fallen U.S. drone The Washington Post reports that the U.S. drone that was recently downed in Iran was flying deep inside Iranian airspace when it crashed (Washington Post 12/7). Additionally, the Huffington Post writes that drone was part of a “fleet of stealth aircraft that have spied on Iran for […]
Iran News Roundup 12/2
Senate passes sanctions on Iran’s central bank The Senate voted 100-0 yesterday to include the Kirk-Menendez amendment to the Defense Authorization Act that would force the President to sanction Iran’s central bank, with some limited exceptions (NIAC 12/1). The broader bill was passed by the Senate, but the President has threatened to veto it due […]
Iran News Roundup 12/1
European ambassadors called back from Iran In the wake of Tuesday’s attack on the UK embassy in Iran, several EU countries have voiced their disapproval. The UK has not only pulled all of its diplomats from the country, but has closed the Iranian embassy in London, though this is not yet permanent. The NY Times […]
Iran News Roundup 11/30
Fallout from embassy attacks The Guardian reports that the UK government has given 48 hours for all Iranian officials to leave the country in response to what the British government believes was a government supported attack on their embassy. The article states that while this step will not mean a complete severance of ties, it […]
Iran News Roundup 11/29
UK Embassy stormed during Basiji student protest Regime supports, protesting the UK’s most recent sanctions against Iran, broke into the UK embassy in Tehran. According to a Washington Post article, the attackers threw petrol bombs at the building and committed various acts of vandalism inside the embassy (Washington Post 11/29). According to a Guardian report, […]
Iran News Roundup 11/28
Sanctions push in Europe, US Financial Times writes that France is leading a push to implement a European Union oil embargo against Iran. They report that while the UK is behind such a move, it is expected to meet resistance from Spain and Italy who are the two biggest importers of Iranian oil in Europe […]
Iran News Roundup 11/23
Iran highlighted at Republican debate At last night’s Republican primary debate the candidates discussed Iran at some length. Here are some of the notable positions they talked about: Herman Cain suggested he would support an Israeli attack, and if their plan was strong enough he would “join with Israel” for the strike. Ron Paul rejected […]
Iran News Roundup 11/22
New Iran Sanctions U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner announced new sanctions against Iran’s petrochemical industry and classified Iran and its Central Bank as a “primary money laundering concern” (To read the full transcripts click here). The U.K. announced their own sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), cutting […]
Iran News Roundup 11/21
U.K. sanctions Iran’s central bank, U.S. stops just short The Obama Administration is prepped to announce new sanctions on Iran’s petrochemical industry and against the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) at 4:30pm today (Reuters 11/18) (Reuters 11/21). These steps would place greater pressure for countries and companies to divest from Iran but stop short of […]
Iran News Roundup 11/18
Central Bank sanctions being pushed by Congress Minority Senate leader Mitch McConnell introduced legislation on behalf of Sen. Mark Kirk that would sanction the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) in an attempt to “collapse” the Iranian economy (The Hill 11/17). In the House, a letter with bipartisan support, signed by House leadership and Foreign Affairs […]
