Iran

Iran's President apologises to 'all those affected' by protests, crackdown

Iran's president apologised on Wednesday to "all those affected" by the nationwide protest and bloody crackdown that followed it. President Masoud Pezeshkian also denounced unspecified "Western propaganda" surrounding the protests. Pezeshkian said he knew the "great sorrow" felt by people in the protests and crackdown, without directly acknowledging the hand Iranian security forces had in the bloodshed. "We are ashamed before the people, and we are obligated to assist all those who were harmed in these incidents," Pezeshkian said. "We are not seeking confrontation with the people." Pezeshkian also insisted that his nation was "not seeking nuclear weapons... and is ready for any kind of verification." His comments came during a speech at a commemoration marking Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran is in the midst of negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program. It remains unclear, though, if a nuclear deal will be reached. President Donald Trump has threatened to se

Russia, Iran accuse Elon Musk's Starlink of violating international law

The Starlink service has become a key communication link for Ukrainians fighting against Russia's invasion, as well as Iranian opposition forces that took to the streets last month

Top Iran security official to travel to Oman for nuclear talks with US

A top Iranian security official will travel Tuesday to Oman, the Mideast sultanate now mediating talks between Tehran and the United States over the Islamic Republic' nuclear program aimed at halting a possible American strike. Ali Larijani, a former Iranian Parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country's Supreme National Security Council, likely will carry his country's response to the initial round of indirect talks held last week in Muscat with the Americans. Larijani is due to meet with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, the chief intermediary in the talks, and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. IRNA described the talks as "important," without elaborating on what message Larijani will carry. Iran and the U.S. held new nuclear talks last week in Oman. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking Sunday to diplomats at a summit in Tehran, signaled that Iran would stick to its position that it must be able to enrich urani

Crackdown on dissent after Iran protests widens to target reformist figures

Iranian security forces have launched a campaign to arrest figures within the country's reformist movement, reports said on Monday. That widens a crackdown on dissent after authorities earlier put down nationwide protests in violence that killed thousands and saw tens of thousands more detained. Detained Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has received another prison sentence of over seven years. It signals a widening effort to silence anyone opposed to the bloody suppression of unrest by Iran's theocracy as it faces new nuclear talks with the United States. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned he could launch an attack on the country if no deal is reached. Media reports quoted officials within the reformist movement, which seeks to change Iran's theocracy from inside, as saying at least four of their members had been arrested. They include Azar Mansouri, the head of the Reformist Front, which represents multiple reformist factions, and former diplomat Mohsen ...

Iran sentences Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi to 7 more years in prison

Iran sentenced Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to over seven more years in prison after she began a hunger strike, supporters said Sunday. Mohammadi's supporters cited her lawyer, who spoke to Mohammadi. Mohammadi's lawyer, Mostafa Nili, confirmed the sentence on X. "She has been sentenced to six years in prison for gathering and collusion' and one and a half years for propaganda and two-year travel ban," he wrote. Iran did not immediately acknowledge the sentence. Supporters say Mohammadi has been on a hunger strike since February 2.

Nuclear talks with US a good start, says Iranian Foreign Minister

For Washington, carrying out enrichment - a possible pathway to nuclear bombs - inside Iran is a red line. Tehran has long denied any intent to weaponise nuclear fuel production

Oil slides over 2% as easing supply fears follow planned US-Iran talks

Brent crude futures were ​down $1.73, or 2.5 per cent , at $67.73 per barrel at 1402 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude was down $1.67, or 2.5 per cent , at $63.47

Iran's President seeks 'fair' negotiations as US shoots down drone

Iran's president said on Tuesday he instructed the country's foreign minister to "pursue fair and equitable negotiations" with the United States, the first clear sign from Tehran it wants to try to negotiate as tensions remain high with Washington after the Mideast country's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests last month. The announcement came as a US Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching an American aircraft carrier early Tuesday morning. The Iranian Mission to the UN did not immediately comment on the incident. The US military announced the downing of the drone on Tuesday evening. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff has been planning to hold talks with Iranian officials in Turkey later this week, and the talks are still scheduled despite the drone incident. It was the first direct acknowledgment of the talks by the White House. "President Trump is always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously

Iran protests European Union's terror tag for Revolutionary Guard

The move comes as Iran faces the threat of US military action in response to the killing of peaceful demonstrators and over possible mass executions

US attack to spark 'regional war': Iran's supreme leader Khamenei

Iran's supreme leader warns a US attack would trigger a regional war as tensions rise over protests, nuclear issues and military moves in the Strait of Hormuz

Any attack could trigger 'regional war': Iran's Khamenei warns US

Iran's supreme leader warned the United States on Sunday that if "they start a war, this time it will be a regional war". The comments from the 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are the most-direct threat he's made so far. Iranian state television reported the comments online. It added that Khamenei said: "We are not the instigators and we do not seek to attack any country. But the Iranian nation will deliver a firm blow to anyone who attacks or harasses it.

Iran says it considers all European Union militaries to be terrorist groups

Iran speaker of parliament said Sunday that the Islamic Republic now considers all European Union militaries to be terrorist groups. The comment by Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf follows an EU agreement last week to list Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group over its part in the bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in the country. Qalibaf cited a 2019 law as authorization for the announcement. That law was passed after the US listed the Guard as a terrorist group and allows for reciprocal action by Iran against any nations that follow that decision. Qalibaf made the announcement as he and others wore Guard uniforms in parliament. Qalibaf was a commander in the Guard.

Blast in Iran kills 1, wounds 14 ahead of Hormuz naval drill watched by US

An explosion tore through an apartment building Saturday in Iran's port city of Bandar Abbas, killing a 4-year-old girl as local media footage purportedly showed a security force member being carried out by rescuers. The blast happened a day before a planned naval drill by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes. Already, the US military had warned Iran not to threaten its warships or commercial traffic in the strait, on which Bandar Abbas sits. State television quoted a local fire official as blaming the blast on a gas leak. Media reported at least 14 others suffered injuries in the explosion at the eight-storey building, which blew out windows and covered the street below in debris. A local newspaper, Sobh-e Sahel, aired footage of one of its correspondents speaking in front of the building. The footage included a sequence that showed a man in black boots and a green security force uniform being carried out

One person killed, 14 hurt in blast in Iranian port of Bandar Abbas: Report

The semi-official Tasnim news agency said that social media reports alleging that a Revolutionary Guard navy commander had been targeted in the explosion were "completely false"

Satellite photos show activity at Iran nuclear sites amid protest crackdown

As tensions soar over Iran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, satellite images show activity at two Iranian nuclear sites bombed last year by Israel and the United States that may be a sign of Tehran trying to obscure efforts to salvage any materials remaining there. The images from Planet Labs PBC show roofs have been built over two damaged buildings at the Isfahan and Natanz facilities, the first major activity noticeable by satellite at any of the country's stricken nuclear sites since Israel's 12-day war with Iran in June. Those coverings block satellites from seeing what's happening on the ground - right now the only way for inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor the sites as Iran has prevented access. Iran has not publicly discussed the activity at the two sites. The IAEA, a watchdog agency of the United Nations, did not respond to requests for comment. US President Donald Trump repeatedly has demanded Iran negotiate a deal over its nuclear

Iran ready to make a deal, says Trump as US weighs military options

The updated menu of options includes scenarios that would place American forces directly on Iranian soil, such as targeted raids against key facilities

Oil holds near six-month high as investors track US-Iran tensions

Oil prices steadied near six-month highs as investors tracked US-Iran tensions, sanctions risks and a stronger dollar after a sharp monthly rally

Iran agrees for 'fair' talks with US but not over its defence capabilities

Iran signals readiness for US talks but rules out negotiations on missile and defence capabilities, as regional powers push to avert military conflict

EU lists Iran's Revolutionary Guard as terrorist group, sanctions follow

European Union ministers approved adding Iran's Revolutionary Guard to the terror list and announced sanctions; Iran hit back, calling the move a 'major strategic mistake'

Massive armada heading to Iran, says Trump; urges Tehran to 'make a deal'

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said a "massive armada" was heading towards Iran, led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln