Iran: As traffic chokes Tehran, Women turn to motorbikes despite the ban | World News

Cafe owner Merat Behnam rides her yellow scooter through Tehran, defying traffic rules and social restrictions/Image: AP In Tehran’s dense traffic, where millions of cars and motorbikes jostle daily for space, a quiet transformation is taking shape. Women, long excluded from the city’s motorbike culture by regulation and taboo, are beginning to ride for themselves, […]

US and Israel accuse Iran of plotting assassination of Israeli ambassador in Mexico; Tehran denies ‘big lie’ claims

With the help of the United States and Israeli intelligence agencies, Mexican authorities thwarted an alleged plot by Iran to assassinate the Israeli ambassador to Mexico. On Friday, the US and Israeli officials accused Iran of plotting to kill Einat Kranz-Neiger, with Mexican authorities denying any knowledge of such a plot.The purported assassination attempt came […]

No more nuclear curbs? Iran declares end to UN deal – what it means

The landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal officially came to an end on Saturday, marking the expiration of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the agreement. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that “with the end of Resolution 2231 on October 18, its provisions have officially terminated,” signalling what Tehran described as the final […]

‘Israel doesn’t want war’: Iran says Russia relayed Netanyahu’s message; raises doubt over Gaza ceasefire

Abbas Araghchi (left), Benjamin Netanyahu (File – agencies) Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Russia had relayed a message from Israel indicating it is not seeking a renewed conflict with Tehran, following a 12-day war in June.“Apparently three or four days ago there was a telephone call between (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) […]

‘Everyone loves Israel again’: Donald Trump speaks to Netanyahu on phone; credits ‘luck’ in Gaza deal

Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu (AP) US PresidentDonald Trump recalled his phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the announcement of a hostage release and Gaza ceasefire agreement.“I spoke to Bibi Netanyahu just a little while ago,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News. “He called. He said, ‘I can’t believe it. Everybody […]

Iran: What’s next as UN sanctions snap back?

The Iranian flag (Image credits: AP) Iran is once again facing crippling international sanctions on its weapons trade, oil exports, international banking, and much more under the snapback mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal.The accord, concluded between Iran on one side and the US, France, Germany, the UK, Russia and China, as well as the […]

‘Snapback’ over nuclear programme: UN hits Iran with sanctions; economy, tensions likely to worsen

File photo (Picture credit: AP) The United Nations has reimposed wide-ranging sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, further tightening the squeeze on the Islamic Republic as it grapples with soaring food prices, currency collapse and fears of renewed conflict with Israel and the United States.According to news agency Associated Press (AP), the sanctions—revived through […]

‘Never sought to build nuclear bomb’: Iran president at UNGA; blames European powers for acting in ‘bad faith’

Masoud Pezeshkian (AP image) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday reaffirmed that Tehran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting that its nuclear activities are peaceful in nature.“I hereby declare once more before this assembly that Iran has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb,” Pezeshkian told the United Nations General Assembly […]

No ‘luxury goods’ purchase: Trump administration bars Iranian diplomats from shopping; Iran condemns move

Iranian diplomats and officials visiting the United States will no longer be allowed to shop at Costco or other wholesale retailers without prior approval from the State Department, according to new restrictions published in the Federal Register this week. The rules, which also apply to accompanying family members, prohibit the purchase of “luxury goods” without […]