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...
As Pressure Grows, Iran's Foreign Minister Resigns
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif resigned late Monday without warning, offering an "apology" to the nation as the nuclear deal he negotiated with world powers stands on the verge of collapse after the U.S. withdrawal from the accord. The veteran diplomat first offered a vague Instagram...
US Intel Lists North Korea, not Border, as Threat
WASHINGTON — Directly contradicting President Donald Trump, U.S. intelligence agencies told Congress on Tuesday that North Korea is unlikely to dismantle its nuclear arsenal, that the Islamic State group remains a threat and that the Iran nuclear deal is working. The chiefs made no mention of a crisis at the...
US Reimposes All Iran Sanctions Lifted Under Nuclear Deal
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Friday announced the reimposition of all U.S. sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. The sanctions will take effect Monday and cover Iran's shipping, financial and energy sectors. It's the second batch of penalties that the administration has reimposed...
The US Now Has Second-Class Status in the Middle East
You may not have noticed it – the chair that wasn’t there. The seven-year Syrian civil war is ending with a government victory, aided by Russia and Iran. Talks to end to the war are accelerating. Who is at the table in those talks? Russia, Turkey and Iran. Noticeably, not...
Fears Rise, Diapers Vanish: Iran Currency Crash Causes Chaos
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's rial fell to a record low on Wednesday as worried residents of Tehran lined up outside beleaguered moneychangers, part of a staggering 140-percent drop in the currency's value since America pulled out of the nuclear deal only four months ago. Those who went to work at...
US Braces for Possible Cyberattacks After Iran Sanctions
WASHINGTON — The U.S. is bracing for cyberattacks Iran could launch in retaliation for the re-imposition of sanctions this week by President Donald Trump, cybersecurity and intelligence experts say. Concern over that cyber threat has been rising since May, when Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal, under which...
Iran's Currency Plunges as New US Sanctions Loom
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...
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...