DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A rocket at an Iranian space center that was to conduct a satellite launch criticized by the U.S. apparently exploded on its launch pad Thursday, satellite images show, suggesting the Islamic Republic suffered its third failed launch this year alone. State media and officials did...
Satellite Photos Show Burning Iran Space Center Launch Pad
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A rocket at an Iranian space center that was to conduct a satellite launch criticized by the U.S. apparently exploded on its launch pad Thursday, satellite images show, suggesting the Islamic Republic suffered its third failed launch this year alone. State media and officials did...
Iranian President: First Lift Sanctions, Then Let's Talk
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's president back-pedaled Tuesday on possible talks with Donald Trump, saying the U.S. president must first lift sanctions imposed on Tehran, otherwise a meeting between the two would be a mere photo op. Hassan Rouhani's change of heart came a day after Trump said Monday that there's...
Hezbollah Leader: Israeli Drones Over Lebanon Will Be Downed
BEIRUT — The leader of Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah said Sunday that his group will confront and shoot down any Israeli drones that enter Lebanese airspace from now on, raising the potential for conflict amid heightened regional tensions. Hassan Nasrallah also vowed to retaliate to an Israeli airstrike inside Syria that...
Hezbollah Leader: Israeli Drones Over Lebanon Will Be Downed
BEIRUT — The leader of Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah said Sunday that his group will confront and shoot down any Israeli drones that enter Lebanese airspace from now on, raising the potential for conflict amid heightened regional tensions. Hassan Nasrallah also vowed to retaliate to an Israeli airstrike inside Syria that...
Iran Moves to Strike 4 Zeroes From Its Battered Currency
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's president sent a bill to parliament Wednesday that would cut four zeroes from the value of the Islamic Republic's sanctions-battered currency, the rial, as tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington. By sending the bill to lawmakers, President Hassan Rouhani's government shows it is serious about...
How Do I Tell My Friends About My Amazing Trip to Iran?
There is nothing like traveling to another country to expand one’s preconceived notions and find those notions had more to do with ignorance than fact.  This is what happened to me when I traveled to Iran in October of 2017. Prior to my departure, people asked whether I was making...
'My God, I'm in Iran': A California Woman's Eye-Opening Journey
I could feel the excitement build when the pilot announced we were beginning our descent into Tabriz, but I wasn’t nervous or scared.  It just felt different.  I glanced at the other women on the plane, looking for a signal as to when I should put on my headscarf since...
Postcards From Iran: One Highlight After Another
During the nine days of traveling in Iran, we have been impressed by one highlight after another in the form of ancient mosques in every city we’ve visited, the opulent Golestan Palace, the dazzling Crown Jewels housed in a giant bank vault, the Carpet Museum to whet our purchasing appetites,...
Iran President: US Sanctions on Foreign Minister 'Childish'
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's president lambasted new U.S. sanctions by the Trump administration targeting the country's foreign minister, describing the move on Thursday as "childish" and a barrier to diplomacy. Hassan Rouhani's remarks came after the Trump administration announced Wednesday it had imposed financial sanctions on Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad...