Iran

Britain says Iran too powerful to leave in isolation

Tehran and world powers struck a deal last month on Iran's contested nuclear program, and on Sunday Britain and Iran reopened their respective embassies after a break of several years.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, who met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on Monday, said the two countries shared common ground despite a "deep legacy of distrust."

Deadly attacks surge as Iran's foreign minister visits Syria

The attacks killed at least 36 people and wounding dozens.

Stepped-up rebel shelling and government airstrikes came just a few hours before Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Damascus, where he discussed a four-point proposal Iran wants to offer to the United Nations as a way out of Syria's grinding conflict.

Despite skepticism, US confident it can monitor Iran deal

So why should anyone believe American intelligence officials when they express confidence that they can monitor Iran's compliance with the just-completed nuclear agreement?

The main reason, according to a classified joint intelligence assessment presented to Congress, is that the deal requires Iran to provide an unprecedented volume of information about nearly every aspect of its existing nuclear program, which Iran insists is peaceful. 

Trial wraps up for Washington Post reporter held in Iran

The trial that has been condemned by the newspaper and press freedom groups.

Jason Rezaian's lawyer, Leila Ahsan, submitted a 20-page defense brief at the start of Monday's session and provided an oral defense during the hearing, she told The Associated Press. 

Rezaian also spoke in his own defense, she said. She declined to provide details, citing confidentiality rules surrounding the trial.

Qatar's FM urges 'serious dialogue' with Iran

Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press that also touched on the controversy surrounding Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup and allegations of Doha's links to Islamic militant groups.

Al-Attiyah spoke from a skyscraper office overlooking the rapidly developing Qatari capital, Doha, a day after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council in Qatar. 

Gulf Arabs welcome Iran nuke deal but seek further assurance

Speaking for the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, Qatar's foreign minister said Monday that the bloc had been pleased by a presentation of the agreement from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. 

On that basis, he said the council welcomed the deal.

Kerry had come to Doha seeking to ease concerns about the regional implications of the deal. 

Kerry in Qatar to ease Arab concerns about Iran nuke deal

Kerry arrived in the Qatari capital on Sunday after visiting Egypt, where he also spoke in favor of the agreement reached with Iran last month in Vienna. 

The Sunni-ruled Gulf Arab states fear Shiite Iran's increasing assertiveness in the region. In Cairo, Kerry acknowledged Iran's negative role but said it would be easier to deal with if Tehran cannot develop a nuclear weapon.

Saudi FM says Iran is still showing 'hostility' in region

Adel al-Jubeir spoke Monday after talks with EU's Federica Mogherini who was in the kingdom to assuage its concerns over the nuclear deal she helped broker.

Al-Jubeir says Saudi Arabia rejects Iran's words and actions — a veiled reference to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's statement that the deal won't sway his country's support for the Lebanese Hezbollah group, Syria's government and Shiites in Bahrain and Yemen.