The Latest Breaking News from Iran

Netanyahu in Germany Amid Tensions at Home, Iran Worries

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting Germany's leaders Thursday on an abbreviated visit that comes in the shadow of tensions over his government's planned overhaul of Israel's judicial system and worries about Iran’s nuclear program. Netanyahu has meetings scheduled with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Germany's largely ceremonial president, Frank-Walter…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 16, 2023

Middle East: recent developments could rewrite the political map – but a lot will depend on Israel

Following political developments in the past fortnight, two state-level policy changes in the Middle East are likely to combine to have a substantial impact on regional stability.

The Conversation · Mar 16, 2023

Singer Ariana Vafadari on supporting protests in Iran through music and dance

As Iranians continue to brave a deadly crackdown to protest against their regime, Iranian exiles living abroad have joined the movement in any way they can. For French-Iranian opera singer and composer Ariana Vafadari, that’s meant rallying support through music. She left Iran at age five and was later deeply…

France 24 · Mar 16, 2023

Saudi Official: Iran Will face Difficulties with China if it Doesn’t Honor Agreement

China has leverage on Iran and Tehran will find it difficult to explain if it does not honor the agreement signed with Saudi Arabia in Beijing, a Saudi official said on Wednesday. Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to re-establish relations, seven years after they were severed, following talks…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 16, 2023

TV tonight: inside Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s six-year fight to get home

A documentary follows the British-Iranian journalist and her family. Plus: new 80s-set crime drama A Town Called Malice. Here’s what to watch this evening

The Guardian - UK · Mar 16, 2023

UK urged to sanction Iranian officials on anniversary of Zaghari-Ratcliffe release

Richard Ratcliffe accuses ministers of downplaying Iran’s treatment of hostages since his wife’s release

The Guardian - UK · Mar 16, 2023

China, Russia, Iran Conduct Naval Exercises in Gulf of Oman

China, Iran and Russia are conducting joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman from March 15-19, the Chinese and Russian defence ministries said on Wednesday. The drills, the 2023 edition of the "Marine Security Belt" exercises, will help "deepen practical cooperation among the navies of participating countries", China's defence…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 16, 2023

Shirin Ebadi Urges EU 'Not to Give In' to Iran

Nobel Peace Prize-winning Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi on Wednesday urged the EU to maintain pressure on the authorities in Tehran over human rights violations. "Subordinate aid to Iran, contracts with Iran, and treaties with Iran to respecting international norms, otherwise the money will not benefit the Iranian people at all,"…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 16, 2023

Shamkhani Heads to UAE Thursday

Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, amid regional rapprochement, Nour News, which is affiliated with the Iranian top security body, reported. His visit to Abu Dhabi comes at a time of growing rapprochement between Iran and Gulf countries.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 16, 2023

With Saudi deals, US, China battle for influence in Mideast

In a matter of days, Saudi Arabia carried out blockbuster agreements with the world’s two leading powers

The Independent UK · Mar 16, 2023