Fair Weather Friend
Fighting between Hamas and Israel in Gaza is usually a political cash cow for Iran’s leaders. But by their own standards, Iranian leaders have remained curiously quiet on the ongoing, month-long fight. Why?
No, Sanctions Didn’t Force Iran to Make a Deal
Reaching out to Tehran, not smashing its economy, is what made the nuke deal possible — and it could have happened much earlier.
Iran and Women’s Rights
On Wednesday, Iran was elected to a second four-year term on the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a body charged with advancing gender equality and the rights of women around the world. The move was strongly criticized by the Obama administration, who denounced Iran’s long record of repressing women’s rights. Iran’s […]
On Iran, Give Obama Some Credit
President Obama has handled diplomacy well since Hassan Rouhani won Iran’s June 2013 presidential election. If anything, Obama has not received enough credit for being thoughtful, measured, and willing to become progressively bolder on the diplomatic front in line with events transpiring in Iran. With the third round of nuclear negotiations in Vienna now in […]
Lessons Learned From Successful Iran Diplomacy
Despite warnings that the first-step nuclear deal with Iran is a “historic mistake,” it is safe to say that the sky is not falling. In fact, at the halfway mark of the implementation of the Joint Plan of Action, it is clear that Iran is upholding its commitments — and is actually ahead of schedule in eliminating its stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium.
Sanctions Relief Could be Biggest Obstacle to Iran Deal
While by all accounts nuclear negotiations with Iran are making serious progress, several reports over the past week have indicated that Iran is encountering problems receiving sanctions relief under the JPOA.
Russia Standoff Unlikely to Undermine Iran Nuclear Talks
Representative Earl Blumenauer, former Ambassador Roberto Toscano, and analyst Bijan Khejehpour spoke at a NIAC briefing on Capitol Hill.
NIAC Applauds UN Renewal of Iran Human Rights Rapporteur Mandate
NIAC welcomes this morning’s UN Human Rights Council vote to renew the mandate for the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed.
Engagement Can Improve Human Rights in Iran Says Parliamentarian
Marietje Schaake, a member of the European Parliament and human rights expert, recently visited Iran and shared her insights about addressing the human rights situation there.
In Vienna, U.S. and Iran Building a Recipe for Success
As the latest round of nuclear talks between Iran and the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) came to a close here in Vienna, one thing stood out above all else: the two sides are equally invested in building a recipe for success.
Foreign Policy: It’s a Sabotage
In a deeply troubling turn, Iran’s judiciary – which is not under the control of the Rouhani administration – has dramatically increased the number of executions in the country. […] Ignoring the human rights abuses cannot be an option, nor can cancellation of diplomacy.
UN Secretary General Criticizes Lack of Progress on Human Rights in Iran
The UN Secretary-General released a report outlining the human rights situation in Iran during the initial months of the Rouhani Administration.