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The article informs on the status of allies of Iran after the Saudi-Iranian cold war. It mentions that Syria and Lebanon is defined by petrol queues, lf'ngthy hlilrkonts ilncl growing hunger, and Iraqis swelter through another summer of widespread power cuts, with temperatures soaring, wherein Iran and its allies are not wholly to blame for these problems.

The article considers the implication of the presidential election of Ebrahim Raisi for Iran and the nuclear agreement in 2021. Topics discussed include the disqualification of almost 600 candidates by the Guardian Council and record low voter turnout in the election, sanctions placed by the U.S. on Raisi for his participation in the repression of the pro-democracy Green Movement in 2009, and the possible hostility of Iran to Western influence.

The article focuses on gunboat diplomacy between Venezuela and Iran. It mentions that Iran and Venezuela are united in hostility to the U.S., which has imposed tough sanctions on the former for its nuclear programme and on the latter for its repression at home. It also mentions that Iran has also been free to sell weapons to anyone it fancies.

The article reports on impact of Saudi Arabia and Iran jostling for power in Middle East on Lebanon that has managed to maintain an uncomfortable balance between the two. Topics include Saudi Arabia suspending funding for the French and Americans to train and equip the Lebanese army, Saudi Arabia warning its citizens against travelling to the tiny country, and accusing Hizballah, Lebanon of smuggling drugs, and division of Lebanon's politicians, by their attitudes to Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The article reports that the littoral countries of Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have signed an agreement which clarified the maritime borders at the Caspian Sea to enable oil, gas and pipeline projects to push through. Topics discussed include each country to have a 15 mile-wide territorial water and additional 10 miles of exclusive fishing rights and the agreement helping Russia preserve its military dominance by retaining freedom of movement for its warships.

The article looks at the international agreement reached by the U.S. and several other countries with Iran over its nuclear program, discussing criticisms of the agreement which claim it will be ineffective in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and compare it to the U.S.'s agreement with North Korea in the 1990s.

The article looks at relations between the Persian Gulf states and the U.S., reporting on an upcoming summit involving U.S. President Barack Obama and leaders from the Gulf Co-operation Council countries and citing the Gulf countries' concerns about the U.S. engaging in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Topics include Iran's direct or indirect involvement in the conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen and the Saudi Arabia-led air attacks in Yemen.

The article discusses the Nuclear program of Iran and it's dealing in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) following disputes regarding Iran's non-compliance with NPT's guidelines. Topics include building nuclear weapons, Arak heavy-water reactor conversion plans, relations with Russia, role of International Atomic Energy Agency, sanctions by European Union and U.S., and views of Irani Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,

The article discusses negotiations between Iran and Western countries regarding the former's nuclear program as of May 17, 2014. Topics include optimism surrounding the talks due to signs of Iranian cooperation, details of potential aspects of a deal such as redesigns of nuclear facilities and regulations, and remaining obstacles such as uranium enrichment, the time frame of a deal, and relief of sanctions on Iran.

The article focuses on the development of nuclear weapons in Iran and their possible break from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Information is provided on why a nuclear attack on Israel would devastate the region, why Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is exploring preemptive attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, and why economic sanctions have not been successful in stopping Iranian nuclear proliferation due to a lack of cooperation from China and Russia.

The article discusses the country of Brazil's foreign policy, in which its president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva voted on June 9, 2010 against further sanctions against Iran at the United Nations Security Council. According to the article, this vote has taken Brazil out of step with its allies. Why Lula believes that he can talk Iran into obeying the world's nuclear rules and the assertiveness of Brazil's foreign policy under Lula are discussed.

The article looks at military and foreign policy in Iran, profiling Irani Major-General Qassem Suleimani, head of the Quds Force within Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), who it says was prominent for a period of time but has become less powerful, with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif taking a larger role. Topics include Iran's military involvements in Iraq and in Yemen.

This article discusses the political tensions between Israel and Iran following an Iranian demonstration of ballistic missiles. Military maneuvers by Israel, Great Britain, Bahrain, Iran, and the U.S. are described. Worries about the Israeli response to Iranian efforts to develop a nuclear warhead are noted.

This article reports on political developments in Lebanon, which may be on the verge of civil war. Israel's invasion during the summer of 2006, destablized the fragile, emerging democracy. Since then Hezbollah has received aid from Syria and Iran and seems intent on asserting more influence over the government while Western powers back the democratically elected government.

This article discusses the United Nations Security Council's policies toward nuclear development in Iran. The Council drafted a non-binding statement calling on the Iranian regime to end activities already deplored repeatedly at the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear guardian. Iran says it will go on enriching uranium. Foreign ministers of countries most closely involved in the diplomacy have called off talks with Iran.

Ayatollah Muhammad Baqer al-Hakim was an Iraqi with special Iranian status. His family had strong ties to Iran's clerical leaders, and he had raised his own army of exiles to help Iran fight Iraq in the 1980s. The Badr Brigade, the militia of 10,000 troops that he had created with Iran's help, made sure that the vast funeral procession went smoothly. America has long been suspicious of the brigade's political arm, the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), and its ties to Iran. The emergence of Ayatollah Muqtada al-Sadr, a much more radical young Iraqi cleric, makes SCIRI look moderate. Though neither side wishes to admit it, the United States and Iran, which sees itself as a regional power not to be ignored, share some common interests in Iraq. As much as Iran resents America's occupation, it too wants to see a unified, reliable leadership of the Shia majority, and some semblance of stability in Iraq as a whole.

Reports on relations between Russia and Iran in 2001, which the two nations are calling a strategic partnership. Common interests, including joint opposition to United States influence; Russia defense industry's desire to sell arms to Iran; Mutual concerns about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); Collaboration in battling Afghan's Taliban; Planned visit by Iranian President Muhammad Khatami to Russian President Vladimir Putin; What U.S. President George W. Bush may do about this strategic partnership.

The article discusses negotiations between Iran and countries such as the U.S., Russia, and China on the development of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. Emphasis is given to topics such as Russian support for the lifting of an arms embargo, international legitimacy for Iran, and Iran's conventional military capabilities.

Reports on the softening of the Iranian government's policy on the fatwa, or religious death sentence, against Salman Rushdie. Popularity of the administration of President Mohammad Khatami; Its policies towards Rushdie and the United States; Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi stating the government's intention not to carry out the death sentence; Reaction of the British government and hardliners in Iran.

Presents information on rising tensions between Iran and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The taking by the Taliban of the town of Mazar-i-Sharif; Murder of civilians and Iranian diplomats; Religious differences between Iran and the Taliban; The fall of the town of Bamiyan; Ethnic rivalry in Afghanistan; Iran's policy on Afghanistan.

Focuses on the Iranian response to the expansion of Taliban control over Afghanistan. Taliban seizure of the last stronghold of opposition in northern Afghanistan; Iranian fear of the purist Sunnis in Afghanistan, which had long been dominated by Iranian-aligned Tajiks, and suspicion of Pakistani influence; Taliban connections to extremist Sunni groups in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia; Pakistan's interest in the conflict.

In this article, the author analyzes the state of foreign relations of Russia in 1998. The author comments on some initiatives taken by the Russian government to improve its position in the world, including its effort to help Iran to build bigger missiles. He believes that despite the initiatives, Russia failed to be a great power once more. He also highlights the conflicting relation between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Further, the author indicates the determination of Russia to annoy the U.S. by ruling out force in all circumstances.

Discusses relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Details of their historical hatred for one another; Focus on signs that relations may be improving; Reference to Ayatollah Ali Khameini's trip to Saudi Arabia; How the countries, as the two top producers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, share crucial interests in efforts to stabilize oil prices; Impact on United States relations in the Persian Gulf area.

Reports on the foreign relations policy of Iran. The enormous pressure upon President Muhammad Khatami from the ruling clergy to remain faithful to Islamist ideology; The history on non-relations with the United States and Israel; Indications that there is a slight demand to open up relations with the United States; The actions of militants to preempt any move to normalize relations.

Examines the status of Germany's foreign policies as of April 1997. The ruling of a German court that Iran's political and religious leaders were responsible for the murder of four Kurdish dissidents in a Berlin bar five years ago; The options that Chancellor Helmut Kohl would like to exercise; Iran's reactions; Germany's troubles with Turkey.

Reports that a German court has blamed Iran's top leaders for the 1992 assassination of four Iranian Kurds in a Berlin restaurant. The strategy the United States and Europe should agree on in their treatment of Iran; The sanctions the US has against Iran; Europe's attempts to coerce Iran into better behavior; Iran's reactions; Recommendation of Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

This article discusses foreign policy in Turkey under prime minister Necmettin Erbakan. Foreign relations has traditionally been pro-western and consistent. Erbakan made moves to boost relations with Iran, Nigeria, and Libya, and embarrass his own foreign-ministry officials with the proposal that the country join a regional summit that includes Syria, Iran, and Iraq.

Focuses on Europe's relationship with Iran. The series of reforms being instituted by Iran's president, Ali Akbar Rafsanjani; Methods of communication and cooperation Europe is using with Iran; The threat of terrorism by Iran.

Comments on the return of many of the Afghan refugees in Iran back to Afghanistan. The number of refugees who have been in Iran for approximately 15 years; The agreement made by the two governments and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Iran's generosity toward the Afghan refugees; Other aspects.

Discusses Anglo-Iranian relations concerning arms sales. Actions of Michael Heseltine, president of the board of trade; Details of `Project Lisi' and how it has impacted the political career of Jonathan Aitken, chief secretary to the British Treasury.

Reports that a flood of Azerbaijanis are arriving in Iran. Flee from the fighting with Armenians over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Iranian President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani; Iran's own policies; Expectation that Rafsanjani will be criticized by Iran's Azeris for failing to help their ethnic brothers; More.

The article focuses on the relations between Iran and Iraq. The eight-year Iran-Iraq war, which ended in 1988, did not put an end to the hostility between the two countries. To this day they have unresolved arguments about the repatriation of prisoners-of-war, about the ownership of the Iraqi fighters that flew to shelter in Iran after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, and about the hostile groups each country harbors on its territory. The Iranians might welcome a secession in Iraq's south, especially if the Shias who detached themselves from Baghdad, Iraq chose later to attach themselves to their co-religionists in Tehran. They are much less happy about the emergence of an independent Kurdistan in northern Iraq, which might then become an inspiration for Iran's own Kurdish separatists.

The article reports how the Iranian government wants foreign exchange, foreign skills and foreign respect, and with America still out of its reach, it has a particular interest in restoring full ties with Great Britain. Supporters of President Hashemi Rafsanjani, who claim to be moderates in the Islamic politics of Iran, have managed to trounce their immoderate rivals in that country's parliamentary election. This is a relief foreign businessmen who expect to take advantage of Rafsanjani's economic opening to the West. Britain's reply could be simple: stop inciting people to murder. No longer impeded by a stubborn majority of conservatives in the Majlis, clinging to state subsidies and pressing for economic self-sufficiency, Rafsanjani will be able to pursue baz-sazi, Iran's version of perestroika: a freer economy, more trade, opportunities for western investors.

Looks at accusations from the Iraqi government that Iran is arming the rebellious Iraqi Shia `mujaheddin' and sending disguised Iranian Revolutionary Guard into Iraq to help with the guerrilla campaign. Iraqi Shia leader, Ayatollah Mohammed Baqral-Hakim; Flow of Shia refugees into Iran; Details; Outlook.

Focuses on the state of Iran's foreign relations as of November 1991. Iran's offer of its protective services through some kind of joint security system; Changes in the Islamic Republic since the death of Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989; Signs of ancient hostility between Iranians and Arabs; Saudi Arabia's role in Iran's return to international respectability; Improvement in Iran's relations with other countries including Canada and Europe.

Examines the reactions in Iran as the crisis in the Gulf developed. Ambivalent feelings; New agreements with Iraq; Statements from foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati; Iranian President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani's new bargaining power; Improved relations with Britain; Response to Saddam Hussein's role.

The article discusses Iranian trade with China. According to the article, Chinese trade agreements with Iran have strengthened as Western governments have imposed economic sanctions on the country. Topics include Chun, a Chinese entrepreneur who represents T-shirt manufacturers in Iran, Chinese imports of Iranian crude oil, and the belief of some Iranians that China's interests in Iran are economic only.

The article offers information about the foreign policy of China with the country of Iran. Topics include the view of China about sanctions in Iran due to production of nuclear weapons, the economic sanctions imposed on Iran by the U.S. and the European Union , and the effects of sanctions on trade between China and Iran. It is suggested that China does not want nuclear weapons in Iran but that it promote both loyalty to Iran and diplomacy.

The article discusses the complicated relationship between Iran and Afghanistan.

This article reports on foreign relations between Iran, Europe, and the U.S., describing how they could be different in 2009. The article discusses how the inauguration of President Barack Obama could result in changes related to direct diplomacy, sanctions, and nuclear capabilities. Information is also provided on the European Union (EU) and its stance on diplomacy, open talks, and negotiations with Iran.

This article reports on political developments in Iran where contradictions in social, economic and cultural policy continue to baffle outsiders. It continues to be run by a small group of powerful, conservative clerics who have adroitly managed to remain in power while advancing Iran's strategic interests.

This article reports on Iran and its nuclear progress after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ruled out talks with the United Nations (UN) and Europe about Iran's nuclear program in 2008. Iran has refused to cease enriching uranium after three sets of UN Security Council sanctions and has denied any wrongdoings. The article also discusses the International Atomic Energy Agency's intelligence about Iran's plans, as well as what Iranian nuclear prowess would mean for Israel.

This article presents various news briefs presenting politics from around the world. U.S. President George W. Bush's administration has said that it would take part in a regional meeting in March 2007 organized by Iraq's government. The five United Nations' (UN) Security Council permanent members along with Germany discussed ways of tightening UN sanctions against Iran for noncompliance in enriching uranium. Iraq's main factions have agreed to draft a law regulating the oil industry.

The article reports that the diplomatic unity shown by the permanent members of the U.N. Security council is essential to stop Iran from continuing with its nuclear weapons program. The U.S., Great Britain, China, Russia and France have all called for the International Atomic Energy Agency to report on Iran's illicit activities to the U.N. Iran is unwilling to believe that this unity is lasting, so the Security Council must call for reforms and inspections to show it is in earnest.

The article discusses relations between the India and the United States. Just two months ago Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister, returned home triumphant from a trip to Washington, DC, which seemed to have transformed relations with America. Mr Singh's prize in July was to secure America's commitment to "full civil nuclear energy co-operation" with India, even though India has built nuclear weapons and has always refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The deal was controversial in India, where Mr Singh was accused of giving away too much in return. There were critics in America, too, who thought India had not given nearly enough. Now the administration is impatient, for two reasons. First, it feels it has shown good faith, by helping secure the support of other nuclear powers for the deal and by sending top officials to defend it to Congress. Yet India has not begun to meet its central commitment--the separation of civilian and military nuclear facilities, and the submission of the former to international controls. Second, America has deep reservations about India's good relations with Iran, whose nuclear ambitions are the focus of so much concern. Just this month, Natwar Singh, India's foreign minister, visited Iran and stressed India's commitment to "continuing and expanding" ties. All of this bodes ill for another important issue in Indo-Iranian relations: a planned $4 billion project to pipe Iranian gas through Pakistan to India.

The article discusses the political stance of Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in Iran. He is easily the most discussed of Iran's presidential hopefuls, although he has not declared himself a candidate. He is supported by many bureaucrats and pro-market economists. He clearly longs to return to the office that he occupied before reform-minded Muhammad Khatami, who stands down after elections in June. Mr Rafsanjani, say associates, has not received the go-ahead from the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Without Mr Khamenei's unofficial endorsement, Mr Rafsanjani's campaign might come unstuck. Members of his entourage could be prey to long-threatened corruption probes. But Mr Rafsanjani has two things that his rivals have not: international standing and the authority to guide the country through a crisis. Under pressure for developing a nuclear programme that America, the Europeans and others suspect of being military in intent, the Iranians have suspended their uranium-enrichment activities. Enter Mr Rafsanjani, the best-known Iranian proponent of a "grand bargain" aimed at normalising relations and ending American sanctions. Mr Rafsanjani's ideological flexibility makes him the ideal man to come to terms with the "Great Satan"--but that makes him suspect in the eyes of the Iranian establishment.

Analyzes an agreement made by Iran to halt nuclear weapons development. Impact of the agreement on nuclear nonproliferation efforts lead by the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency; Hope of many world leaders that Iran will abandon the weapons development that has been suspended; Argument that Iran should not be permitted to continue nuclear energy development once a nonproliferation treaty has been signed; Potential impact of a nonproliferation deal on Iran's foreign relations.

Focuses on the popularity of President Muhammad Khatami of Iran. Relations between the European Union and Iran; Idea that Europe desires Iran to improve human rights; Law in Iran to protect the right of foreign investors to own companies based in Iran; Idea that conservative opponents of Khatami will accuse him of giving preference to foreign companies; Outlook for international arbitration for businesses in Iran.

Focuses on relations between the United States and Iran as of August 2002. Topic of ousting Saddam Hussein in Iraq and the role of Ayatollah Baqer Al-Hakim, an Iraqi dissident who has followers among Iraq's Shia majority; Indication that Iran's President Muhammad Khatami distrusts Bush, but might cooperate with the U.S. against Iraq; Issue of the U.S. not thanking Iran for its help in unseating the Taliban in Afghanistan and of accusations that some Iranians are helping al-Qaeda fighters to safety.