Iran

Khamenei calls Trump 'criminal' as Iran protest death toll crosses 3,000

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday branded US President Donald Trump a criminal for supporting protesters in Iran, and blamed demonstrators for causing thousands of deaths. In a speech broadcast by state television, Khamenei said the protests had left several thousand people dead the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties from the wave of protests that began December 28 and led to a bloody crackdown. In this revolt, the US president made remarks in person, encouraged seditious people to go ahead and said: 'We do support you, we do support you militarily'," said Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters. He reiterated an accusation that the US seeks domination over Iran's economic and political resources. We do consider the US president a criminal, because of casualties and damages, because of accusations against the Iranian nation, he said. He described the protesters as foot soldiers of the United States and said they

India in touch with Iran over consular access for 16 detained sailors

In a statement, the mission said it was informed in mid-December about the detention of the vessel by Iranian authorities, with 16 Indian crew members on board

Trump thanks Iran for cancelling executions of political prisoners

President Donald Trump took the unusual step on Friday of thanking the Iranian government for not following through on executions of what he said was meant to be hundreds of political prisoners. Iran cancelled the hanging of over 800 people, Trump told reporters while leaving the White House to spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. He added and I greatly respect the fact that they cancelled. The Republican president also suggested on his social media site that more than 800 people had been set to be executed in Iran, but he said they now won't be. Thank you! Trump posted. Those sentiments come after Trump spent days suggesting that the US might strike Iran militarily if its government triggered mass killings during widespread protests that swept that country but now have quieted. The death toll from those demonstrations continues to rise, activists say. Still, Trump seemed to hint that the prospects for US military action were fading since Iran had he

Crude scenario: Indian refiners to benefit if Iran oil opens for trade

If US and UN sanctions ease, Iranian crude could return to Indian refineries, offering a cost-effective alternative as Russian oil flows shrink

Iran protests appear to fade as crackdown deepens, West weighs sanctions

The nationwide protests challenging Iran's theocracy appeared increasingly smothered Thursday, a week after authorities shut the country off from the world and escalated a bloody crackdown that activists say has killed at least 2,637 people. The prospect of US retaliation for the deaths of protesters still hung over the region, though President Donald Trump signalled a possible de-escalation, saying the killing appeared to be ending. Meanwhile, the US announced new sanctions on Iranian officials accused of suppressing the protests, which began late last month over the country's faltering economy and the collapse of its currency. The Group of Seven industrialised democracies and the European Union said they too were looking at new sanctions to ratchet up the pressure on Iran's theocratic government. The UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting on Iran for Thursday afternoon at the request of the United States. In Iran's capital, Tehran, witnesses said recent mornings show

Gold slips as strong US data, easing Iran tensions dent safe-haven demand

Gold prices slipped slightly as strong US economic data and easing tensions in Iran reduced safe-haven demand. Despite the dip, gold remained up for the week after hitting record highs

US renews threats against Iran at UN despite Trump's de-escalation signals

After weeks of escalating tension, US and Iranian officials faced each other Thursday at the UN Security Council, where America's envoy renewed threats against the Islamic Republic despite President Donald Trump's efforts to lower the temperature between the two adversaries. The US was joined by Iranian dissidents in rebuking the government's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests that activists say has killed at least 2,637 people. Colleagues, let me be clear: President Trump is a man of action, not endless talk like we see at the United Nations, Mike Waltz, US ambassador to the UN, said in a statement. He has made it clear that all options are on the table to stop the slaughter. And no one should know that better than the leadership of the Iranian regime. Waltz's remarks came as the prospect of US retaliation for the protesters' deaths still hung over the region, though Trump signaled a possible de-escalation, saying the killing appeared to be ending. By Thursday, the protests ..

Exiled Iranian prince seeks Trump backing, not public support: Experts

No pursuit of nuclear weapons. Confronting drug trafficking. An immediate recognition of the state of Israel. Exporting copious amounts of oil and gas. Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi laid out his aspirations Thursday for Iran if its theocracy is toppled and experts say they sound exactly like what US President Donald Trump wants to hear. That plan likely is aimed at trying to secure support to lead Iran if the nationwide protests succeed in ousting the Islamic Republic. Activists describe a bloody crackdown by security forces that has killed 2,637 people and broadly smothered the demonstrations. But Trump has yet to fully embrace Pahlavi. He's really struggling to win Trump's approval, to give the impression he has that strong support, but it doesn't seem to be working, said Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute, a Washington think tank and author of several books on Iran. Many of his goals also dovetail with the wishes of hard-line Israeli Prime Minister

India readies plans to evacuate nationals from Iran amid rising tensions

With the situation in Iran evolving, India has begun preparations to facilitate the return of its nationals, following embassy advisories, coordination with states, and signs of limited resumption

US imposes sanctions on Iranian officials accused of protest crackdown

The US is imposing new sanctions on Iranian officials accused of repressing protests against Iran's theocratic government. The Treasury Department on Thursday targeted the secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security for allegedly calling for violence against protesters. The sanctions also affect 18 people and companies involved in a shadow banking network linked to Iranian financial institutions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the US supports the Iranian people's call for freedom and justice. The sanctions block access to US assets and business, but they are mostly symbolic as many targets lack US funds.

India readies citizens' evacuation from Iran, first flight on Friday

In view of the evolving situation, the Ministry of External Affairs has begun preparations to assist Indian nationals who wish to return home from Iran

Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi outlines vision for a free, peaceful Iran

Earlier, US Senator Lindsey Graham on Wednesday (local time) met the exiled crown prince and reiterated Washington's support for the Iranian people against what he described as a "brutal regime"

'This time bullet will not miss': Iranian TV airs warning with Trump image

Iranian TV broadcast a Trump rally shooting image with a warning as US-Iran tensions rose over protests, military threats and reports of killings in Iran

Airlines issue advisory for international flyers as Iran shuts airspace

International flights from India face delays and cancellations after Iran temporarily closed its airspace, prompting Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet to issue passenger advisories

Trump claims killings in Iran are stopping, executions not planned

Donald Trump claimed he has been assured that Iran will halt killings and not execute protesters, warning of 'very strong action' if hangings resume

Iran temporarily shuts airspace amid tensions, forcing airlines to reroute

President Donald Trump has been weighing a response to the situation in Iran, which is seeing its biggest anti-government protests in years

Iran signals fast trials, executions; warns US, Israel against action

Iranian officials signaled on Wednesday that fast trials and executions lay ahead for suspects detained in nationwide protests, while the Islamic Republic promised retaliation if the US or Israel intervenes in the domestic unrest. The threats emerged as some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate, even as President Donald Trump made a series of vague statements in a span of 24 hours that left unclear what American action, if any, would take place against Iran. In comments to reporters, the Republican president said he had been told that plans for executions in Iran have stopped, without providing many details. The shift comes a day after Trump told protesters in Iran that help is on the way and that his administration would act accordingly to respond to the Islamic Republic's deadly crackdown. We've been told that the killing in Iran is stopping it's stopped it's stopping, Trump said at the White House while signing executive orders and legislation.

Datanomics: US imposes 25% tariff, worsening Iran's economic stress

As the US slaps fresh tariffs on Iran's trading partners, India faces little fallout - but the move underscores Tehran's deepening economic stress under decades of sanctions

US pulls some staff from military bases amid Iran's threat of strikes

The US has started pulling some personnel from its military bases in West Asia as tensions with Iran grow and diplomatic contacts between both nations collapse, sparking fears of a wider conflict

“Keep protesting, take over your institutions…”: Trump sends strong message to Iranian protesters

US President Donald Trump urged Iranian protesters to “keep protesting” and “take over your institutions” in a bold message of support.