U.S. names 4 Iranian companies to sanctions list

Published on May 10, 2013

The Obama administration added the names of four Iranian companies and an individual to those sanctioned for assisting Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program.

Iran, world powers ‘far apart’ after new nuke talks

Published on April 8, 2013

The world powers will pursue further talks with Iran over its nuclear program, but will not continue them indefinitely, John Kerry said a day after another round of talks failed to produce any new proposals.

Oxford students reject boycott Israel motion

Published on February 27, 2013

A motion calling for blanket sanctions against Israel was rejected by the Oxford University Students’ Union.

EU diplomats recommend economic sanctions against settlements

Published on February 27, 2013

European Union diplomats in eastern Jerusalem have recommended economic sanctions against Jewish settlements in the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem.

Iran’s supreme leader rejects direct talks with U.S.

Published on February 7, 2013

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, rejected a U.S. proposal for direct talks between the two countries.

73 Senators sign AIPAC-backed letter urging continued Iran restrictions

Published on December 21, 2012

A letter backed by AIPAC urging President Obama to keep up pressure on Iran even as he negotiates with the regime garnered signatures from 73 U.S. Senators.

Senate passes enhanced Iran sanctions

Published on November 30, 2012

The U.S. Senate, urged by AIPAC, unanimously approved tightened Iran sanctions.

Netanyahu praises EU for new Iran sanctions

Published on October 16, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the European Union for adopting new sanctions against Iran.

Iranian police clash with protesters over currency plunge

Published on October 3, 2012

Riot police clashed with demonstrators and arrested money changers in Tehran on Wednesday in disturbances over the collapse of the Iranian currency, which has lost 40 percent of its value against the dollar in a week, witnesses said.

Ahmadinejad: World goal must be to ‘annihilate’ Israel

Published on August 3, 2012

Many thousands of Iranians shouted "Death to America, death to Israel" during state-organized protests on Friday and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told them there was no place for the Jewish state in a future Middle East.

House, Senate pass final Iran sanctions enhancement

Published on August 2, 2012

Congress approved a broad array of new sanctions targeting Iran, and the White House suggested it would implement them.

White House agrees with Netanyahu on sanctions, calls for patience

Published on August 2, 2012

White House officials agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assessment that sanctions have not set back Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program, but counseled patience.

N.J. Gov. Christie signs law imposing Iran sanctions

Published on August 1, 2012

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed into law new sanctions against Iran that prohibit public contracts with any company or person that invests in Iran’s energy and finance sectors.

Panetta to meet Barak, Netanyahu, Peres in quick trip to Israel

Published on August 1, 2012

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta arrived in Israel to discuss United States-Israel defense ties and the potential threat of a nuclear-armed Iran.

House, Senate agree on enhanced Iran sanctions [UPDATE]

Published on July 31, 2012

Congressional negotiators have settled on a bill enhancing Iran sanctions, and President Obama announced new sanctions targeting fronts for Iran.

Panetta: no Iran attack plans to be discussed with Israel

Published on July 31, 2012

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta denied media reports on Tuesday that he would discuss possible military attack plans against Iran during a brief visit to Israel.

Panetta: Iran sanctions have not yet stopped nuclear program

Published on July 31, 2012

Two days before his visit to Israel, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that though tough international sanctions have not yet caused Iran to drop its nuclear ambitions, they would eventually persuade the regime to “do what’s right.”

Penn State’s Jewish community weighs how to move forward

Published on July 24, 2012

One unlikely venue for fallout from the Penn State University sex abuse scandal is the campus Hillel, for which now ousted university president Graham Spanier -- the school’s first Jewish leader -- was a fundraiser and vocal supporter.

Spate of attacks kills 107 across Iraq

Published on July 23, 2012

At least 107 people were killed in bomb and gun attacks in Iraq on Monday, a day after 20 died in explosions, in a coordinated surge of violence against mostly Shi'ite Muslim targets.

Death, grief in Syrian village, U.S. cries “murder”

Published on July 13, 2012

Graphic scenes of grief and death in a Syrian village bore witness on Friday to a massacre President Bashar al-Assad's opponents say was the work of his troops and militia allies, drawing words of outrage from the outside world.

Khamenei dismisses sanctions, says Iran stronger than ever

Published on July 11, 2012

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday dismissed harsher sanctions imposed on Iran this month over its disputed nuclear activity, saying the country was "100 times stronger" than before.

Boycott, divestment and sanctions put allies at odds

Published on July 3, 2012

As a long-time advocate for peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I am pained that frustration over failure to achieve a just and lasting peace has led allies in the struggle to end up at odds over tactics like boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS).

Iran threatens Israel; new EU sanctions take force

Published on July 2, 2012

Iran announced missile tests on Sunday and threatened to wipe Israel "off the face of the earth" if the Jewish state attacked it, brandishing some of its starkest threats on the day Europe began enforcing an oil embargo and harsh new sanctions.

Israel says clock ticking after Iran talks fail

Published on June 21, 2012

Israel has responded to the failure of the latest nuclear talks between world powers and Iran with a familiar refrain: sanctions must be ramped up while the clock ticks down toward possible military action.

Iran hopeful on atomic talks if ‘rights’ respected

Published on June 5, 2012

If the world recognizes Iran's "nuclear rights", negotiations aimed at easing a standoff with the West later this month could have a positive outcome, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

U.S. Treasury official on Iran sanctions: ‘We are intent on doing more.’

Published on June 4, 2012

A senior United States Treasury Department official said in Israel that more can be done to place financial pressure on Iran and the U.S. is “intent on doing more.”

U.S.: Israel ‘supportive’ on future Iran sanctions

Published on June 4, 2012

The United States is conferring with Israel about new sanctions planned against Iran should international negotiations this month fail to curb the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, a U.S. official said on Monday.

Iran nuke talks stall over sanctions

Published on May 24, 2012

Talks between world powers and Iran on its nuclear program have stalled over Iran's reluctance to advance without sanctions concessions.

Israel wary of expected Iran nuclear deal

Published on May 22, 2012

Israel expressed deep suspicion on Tuesday about an expected deal between the U.N. nuclear agency and Iran, suggesting Tehran's aim was to wriggle out of sanctions rather than make real concessions ahead of wider atomic talks with world powers.

US Senate Republicans block Iran sanctions vote

Published on May 17, 2012

U.S. Senate Republicans blocked legislation for new economic sanctions on Iran's oil sector on Thursday saying they needed more time to study the bill, a surprise move that drew anger from Democrats who wanted approval ahead of nuclear talks next week.

Iran nuclear concession would test big power unity

Published on May 16, 2012

Facing an imminent toughening of sanctions, Iran is hinting at a readiness to give some ground in its long nuclear stand-off with world powers, but any flexibility could split their ranks and lead to protracted uncertainty about how to respond.

Iran cleaning building of nuclear traces, U.S. institute alleges

Published on May 9, 2012

New satellite imagery analyzed by a U.S. security think tank shows that Iran may be clearing nuclear evidence from a building at a military site.

Biden: Israel still has time to strike Iran [VIDEO]

Published on May 8, 2012

Israel still has time to strike Iran and the right to decide for itself whether to do so, Vice President Joe Biden said.

Barak: Iran could seek short build time for bomb

Published on May 4, 2012

Iran's nuclear strategy could eventually allow it to build an atomic bomb with just 60 days' notice, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Friday.

Iran seeks end to sanctions at talks, hits out at France

Published on May 2, 2012

Iran said on Wednesday it would seek an end to sanctions over its nuclear activities at talks with big powers later this month and it sought to turn the tables on its Western foes by accusing France of helping Israel develop "inhumane nuclear weapons."

Barak: Iran unlikely to give in to pressure

Published on April 26, 2012

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said chances that Iran will give in to pressure to stop its suspected nuclear program are low, and that the dangers of a nuclear Iran outweigh the dangers of action to stop it.

Israel’s top general says Iran unlikely to make bomb

Published on April 25, 2012

Israel's military chief said he does not believe Iran will decide to build an atomic bomb and called its leaders "very rational" - comments that clashed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assessment.

Iran says it’s ready to resolve nuclear issues

Published on April 16, 2012

Iran is ready to resolve all nuclear issues in the next round of talks with world powers if the West starts lifting sanctions, its foreign minister said on Monday.

Obama responds to Netanyahu’s Iran ‘freebie’ comment

Published on April 16, 2012

President Obama responded to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that world powers gave Iran a "freebie" by agreeing to hold more talks.

U.S. not backing off as Iran sanctions bite

Published on April 5, 2012

The Obama administration's man in charge of squeezing Tehran over its nuclear program is unapologetic for the strain Western penalties on Iran have exerted on global oil markets.

Netanyahu says sanctions hurting Iran but not enough

Published on April 3, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that international sanctions were hurting Iran's economy but not enough to persuade it to curb its nuclear ambitions even slightly.

Obama says enough world oil to crack down on Iran sales

Published on March 30, 2012

President Barack Obama vowed on Friday to forge ahead with tough sanctions on Iran, saying there was enough oil in the world market - including emergency stockpiles - to allow countries to cut Iranian imports.

U.S. Treasury levels new sanctions against Iran

Published on March 28, 2012

The U.S. Treasury Department imposed additional sanctions against Iranian engineering firms linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and individuals and companies linked to the Iranian state shipping line.

EU slaps sanctions on Assad’s family; mortars hit Homs

Published on March 23, 2012

The European Union slapped sanctions on the mother, sister and influential wife of President Bashar al-Assad on Friday, increasing pressure on Syria to halt its bloody crackdown against a year-long uprising.

Israel takes concerns about Iran to key partner China

Published on March 16, 2012

Israel on Friday took its concern about Iran's nuclear programme to one of Iran's main partners, China, and hinted it could launch a preemptive attack on the Islamic Republic despite repeated calls by China to allow diplomacy to take its course.

In L.A., Shimon Peres advocates patience for Iran sanctions

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on March 8, 2012

Israel cautiously welcomes big-power talks with Iran

Published on March 7, 2012

Israel on Wednesday cautiously welcomed the planned resumption of big-power nuclear talks with Iran, insisting that Tehran be denied the means to turn uranium into bomb fuel.

Syria storms out of U.N. rights meeting

Published on February 28, 2012

Syria's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva stormed out of the U.N. Human Rights Council Tuesday after demanding angrily that countries stop "inciting sectarianism and providing arms" to opposition forces in his country.

Iran’s nuclear ambitions

Published on February 15, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran for attacks on Israeli embassy staff in Georgia and India on Monday Feb. 13 that wounded at least two people. "Iran is behind these attacks. It is the biggest exporter of terror in the world," Netanyahu told members of his Likud party. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland seemed much on the same wavelength two days later.

Russia urges ‘serious’ search for compromise with Iran

Published on February 15, 2012

Russia said global powers must work harder to win concessions from Iran over its nuclear program, warning that Tehran's desire for compromise is decreasing as it moves closer to being able to build atomic weapons.

Iran boasts nuclear advances, deepening standoff

Published on February 15, 2012

Iran proclaimed advances in nuclear know-how on Wednesday, including new centrifuges able to enrich uranium much faster, a move that may hasten a drift towards confrontation with the West over suspicions it is seeking the means to make atomic bombs.

Iran shrugs off latest U.S. sanctions, trade suffers

Published on February 7, 2012

Iran castigated its U.S. adversary on Tuesday over new financial measures to disrupt Iranian commerce, and a default on payment for rice purchases highlighted the encroachment of sanctions on the staples of everyday life.

Obama extends sanctions to Central Bank of Iran

Published on February 6, 2012

President Obama sanctioned parties dealing with Iran's Central Bank.

Iran threatens retaliation over oil embargo

Published on February 3, 2012

Iran's supreme leader threatened on Friday to retaliate against the West for sanctions, a day after a U.S. newspaper said defense secretary Leon Panetta believed Israel was likely to bomb Iran within months to stop it building a nuclear bomb.

Israel says Iran seeking U.S.-range missile

Published on February 2, 2012

Israel said on Thursday Iran had been working on developing a missile capable of striking the United States at a military base rocked by a deadly explosion three months ago.

Israel says Iran has material for four A-bombs

Published on February 2, 2012

Israel estimated on Thursday that Iran could make four atomic bombs by further enriching uranium it has already stockpiled, and could produce its first within a year of deciding to build one.

New book: Iran sanctions only If coupled with diplomacy

Published on January 31, 2012

News on the Iran front is getting more and more complicated. I am not referring to the situation at Iran's nuclear facilities but to the one here in Washington, where Congress, deep into election-year fundraising and thinking about the March AIPAC policy conference, is crafting yet another sanctions bill.

House GOPers urge Obama to enforce Iran sanctions

Published on January 26, 2012

A mostly Republican slate of 89 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to President Obama urging him to fully enforce sanctions on Iran’s Central Bank. The letter sent Thursday, first reported by the Weekly Standard, was signed by 85 Republicans and four Democrats who emphasized that the president cannot view these sanctions as “advisory only.”

Iran says sanctions to fail, repeats Hormuz threat

Published on January 24, 2012

Iranian politicians said on Tuesday they expected the European Union to backtrack on its oil embargo and repeated a threat to close the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane if the West succeeds in preventing Tehran from exporting crude.

EU bans Iranian oil, Tehran responds with threats

Published on January 23, 2012

The European Union banned imports of oil from Iran on Monday and imposed a number of other economic sanctions, joining the United States in a new round of measures aimed at deflecting Tehran's nuclear development program.