WASHINGTON — As questions mount over President Donald Trump's tough talk on Iran, top national security officials headed to Capitol Hill Tuesday to brief Congress. But skeptical Democrats sought out a second opinion, holding their own briefing with former Obama administration officials. The competing closed-door sessions Tuesday, unusual and potentially...
Iran Quadruples Production of Low-Enriched Uranium, Reports Say
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has quadrupled its production of low-enriched uranium amid tensions with the U.S. over Tehran's unraveling nuclear accord, two semi-official news agencies reported Monday, an announcement just after President Donald Trump warned Iran it would face its "official end" if it threatened America again. While the reports...
Trump to Iran: Don’t Threaten US or It Will Face ‘Official End’
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump warned Iran early Monday not to threaten the United States again or it would face its "official end," shortly after a rocket landed near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad overnight and only 48 hours after he seemingly sought to soften his tone....
Iran’s Top Diplomat Presses Efforts to Save Nuclear Deal
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's foreign minister traveled Friday to China on his Asian tour aimed at keeping world markets open to Tehran amid an intense sanctions campaign from the U.S. as tensions across the Persian Gulf remain high. Concerns about a possible conflict have flared since the White House ordered...
Iran Claims Right to Respond to ‘Unacceptable’ US Sanctions
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia on Thursday blamed Tehran for a drone attack by Yemen's rebels that knocked out a key oil pipeline and a newspaper close to the palace called for the U.S. to carry out "surgical" strikes on Iran, adding a new layer of tension to...
US Pulls Nonessential Staff From Iraq Amid Mideast Tensions
BAGHDAD — The U.S. on Wednesday ordered all nonessential government staff to leave Iraq, and Germany and the Netherlands both suspended their military assistance programs in the country in the latest sign of tensions sweeping the Persian Gulf region over still-unspecified threats that the Trump administration says are linked to...
After Trump Invite, Iran Commander Says No Talks With US
TEHRAN, Iran — A top commander in Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard said Friday that Tehran will not talk with the United States, an Iranian news agency reported — a day after President Donald Trump said he'd like Iranian leaders to "call me." The semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Gen. Yadollah...
US Sanctions to Hit Iran’s Metals Industry, a Major Employer
TEHRAN, Iran — U.S. sanctions have targeted Iran's government, its paramilitary forces and the oil exports that fund them. Now they are hitting its vital steel, aluminum, copper and iron industries. The new sanctions, imposed as Tehran announced its partial withdrawal from its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, seem...
Iran Threatens to Boost Uranium Enrichment if Nuclear Deal Fails
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran threatened Wednesday to enrich its uranium stockpile closer to weapons-grade levels in 60 days if world powers fail to negotiate new terms for its 2015 nuclear deal, raising regional tensions as a U.S. aircraft carrier and bombers headed to the Middle East to confront Tehran. A...
US Dispatches Aircraft Carrier Over Unspecified Iran Threats
WASHINGTON — The U.S. is dispatching an aircraft carrier and other military resources to the Middle East following "clear indications" that Iran and its proxy forces were preparing to possibly attack U.S. forces in the region, a defense official told The Associated Press. At the White House, national security adviser...