TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's currency plummeted to a record low Monday, a week before the United States restores sanctions lifted under the unraveling nuclear deal, giving rise to fears of prolonged economic suffering and further civil unrest. Already last month, protesters clashed with police outside parliament in Tehran in three...
U.S. Bombing Plan for Iran Reported, Disputed
Citing government sources, an Australian television network is reporting that the United States is prepared to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities as early as next month. "The ABC has been told Australian defence facilities would likely play a role in identifying targets in Iran, as would British intelligence agencies," said a...
Iran Says It's 'Unimpressed' by Trump's Twitter Threats
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's explosive Twitter threat to Iran's leader comes as his administration is ratcheting up a pressure campaign on the Islamic republic that many suspect is aimed at regime change. No one is predicting imminent war. But Trump's bellicose, all-caps challenge addressed to President Hassan Rouhani followed...
No, Twitter Will Not Ban Trump. Here's Why.
NEW YORK — Calls to ban Donald Trump from Twitter are at least as old as his presidency. But it's not going to happen, at least not while he's in office. The latest strive involves an all-caps tweet sent late Sunday warning Iran of "CONSEQUENCES THE LIKE OF WHICH FEW...
White House Blames Iran for War of Words With Trump
WASHINGTON — The White House on Monday blamed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for inciting a war of words with President Donald Trump, who warned that verbal threats could escalate into military conflict with the U.S. Trump, who campaigned on a promise to bring a more hawkish approach to Iran, sent...
History Shows Sanctions Fail. Why Does US Impose Them?
What are sanctions and how do they affect a country’s economy? More importantly, do sanctions work? I ask these questions because U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has vowed on behalf of President Donald Trump to use the "strongest sanctions in history" to force Iran back to the table and negotiate...
What's Powering Trump's Desire To Befriend Russia?
Many people have speculated about why President Donald Trump appears eager to develop a close relationship with Vladimir Putin's Russia. Adam Entous, a Washington, D.C. based reporter for The New Yorker, has done deep reporting that provides new fodder for why Trump is attempting to reverse decades of U.S. foreign policy...
US Slaps Terrorist Designation on Iran-Linked Group
WASHINGTON — The United States designated a Shiite militant group in Bahrain as a foreign terrorist organization Tuesday to ramp up pressure on Iran. The al-Ashtar Brigades are "yet another in a long line of Iranian-sponsored terrorists who kill on behalf of a corrupt regime," Nathan Sales, the coordinator for...
U.S. Following Familiar Path to War with Iran
The Cato Institute's Christopher Preble sees troubling similarities between warnings about threats posed to America's interests by Iran and the build-up leading to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Writing for The National Interest, Preble points to the efforts by top U.S. officials to make the case for war while relying on information and...
With US Out, Other World Powers Negotiate Iran Nuclear Pact
VIENNA — Five world powers agreed with Iran on Friday to forge ahead with negotiations with the country and maintain its ability to export gas and oil as they seek to preserve a nuclear deal with Tehran despite the withdrawal of the United States. European Union foreign policy chief Federica...