Tehran

By Alireza Ronaghi in Middle East on November 4th, 2010
A generation that didn't exist at the time of the Islamic Revolution still commemorates the takeover of the US embassy [EPA]

On November 4, 2010, Iran marks the national day of fight against what the government calls a "day of national confrontation against World Imperialism".

It is the 31st anniversary of the takeover of the US embassy in Tehran, an event that not only changed the dynamic of Iran-US relations but also created a chain of events that are still affecting Iran's foreign and domestic affairs.

The US sanctions that were imposed on Iran shortly after the takeover are still in place, although they have been relaxed at times. The diplomatic ties between Iran and the US remained severed since the takeover of the embassy.

The anti-American stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which many see as its main attribute, became prevalent as a result of the event.

By Dan Nolan in Business on October 19th, 2010
Photo by Reuters

The United Arab Emirates' new crackdown on business with Iran will no doubt draw applause in Washington but alarm in Dubai.

New regulations preventing transactions with Iranian banks means trade between the two nations has all but come to a standstill in recent weeks, according to those affected.

In 2009 total trade was worth an estimated $12bn, making the oil-rich Arab nation Iran's top trading partner.

But the reality is that only one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE federation has been responsible for the bulk of Iranian trade and is thus regarded as Tehran's backdoor to the West – Dubai.

For years, Dubai has been seen by the West as dragging its feet on rigorous enforcement of UN sanctions - an accusation it always denies.

By Teymoor Nabili in Middle East on September 14th, 2010
Photo by EPA

Saudi Arabia is about to buy another $60bn worth of military hardware from the US, and even The Guardian is dutiful in parroting, without question, the accepted western narrative :

The sale, under negotiation since 2007, is aimed mainly at bolstering Saudi defences against Iran, which the US suspects will achieve a nuclear weapons capability within the next few years.

By Marwan Bishara in Imperium on June 10th, 2010
Photo by EPA

The New York Times revealed yesterday why the Chinese changed their mind about yet another UN Security Council resolution that imposes new sanctions against Iran.

The resolution passed with 12 votes in favour, two against and one abstention is the fourth of its kind.

Like the Brazilians and the Turks, the Chinese leaned towards diplomacy and doubted the efficacy of another round of sanctions.

Along with Russia, China opposed tougher sanctions that would hurt Iranians and push Tehran into a corner.

Analysts believe Beijing and Moscow came on board after direct intervention by Barack Obama, the US president, and a pledge to water down the resolution and possibly other concessions some of which might be kept secret for long.

The end result is UNSC resolution 1929 that focuses primarily on the nuclear domain, avoids targeting the Iranian society, and dispel

By Anonymous in Middle East on May 24th, 2010
AFP photo

They say at the eye of the storm, there is calm. So it is with the sabre-rattling over Iran’s nuclear programme. As a diplomatic and political typhoon blows towards Tehran from Western countries, in the Gulf, all is still.

This silence seems odd. After all, Arab countries know that they will pay a heavy price if military action is taken against Iran - the most significant armed power in the region.

So what’s behind this reticence to join the debate?

Many Arab countries have a deeply ambivalent view of the impasse.

By Teymoor Nabili in Americas, Middle East on May 19th, 2010

It didn't take too long for Washington to put Lula firmly in his place.


Brazil's President thought he had scored a diplomatic coup last weekend, by persuading Iran to ship 12 tonnes of partially-enriched uranium out of the country.

In many ways he had.

By Marwan Bishara in Imperium on May 17th, 2010
Photo by EPA

In the days ahead, western diplomats will weigh every word in the final Iranian, Brazilian, Turkish communiqué looking for ways to evaluate whether its is sufficient to end or at least freeze efforts to obtain another UN Security Council resolution that hardens sanctions against the Islamic republic.

But I won't do any such analysis of the text, rather I will leave it to those searching for faults that might allow Iran off (or on) the hook.

No such short statement will ever be sufficient to ensure serious long term verification of Iran's compliance..

Neither is it meant as a substitute for the relevant parties getting their hands dirty on the details of any long term arrangements. Nor is it sufficient to defuse the political tensions between the US and Iran. Let alone satisfy Israel.

But it is an excellent declaration of principle.

By Clayton Swisher in Europe on May 17th, 2010
Photo by GALLO/GETTY

It's a great time to be in lovely Istanbul, taking in the Bosphorus and all the historic sites by foot. The scenery on Turkey's political landscape is every bit as dramatic.

By Gabriel Elizondo in Middle East on May 16th, 2010
Photo by Ricardo Stuckert/PR

As I type this post it is about 7pm Sunday in Sao Paulo, shortly after 2am Monday in Tehran.

I just spoke on the phone with a source within Brazil's diplomatic delegation currently in Iran who tells me that after 18 hours of negotiations the Brazilians are "very optimistic" and that talks on Sunday went "very well" on a negotiated solution to the Iran nuclear standoff.

The Brazilian member of the diplomatic corps said there was hope that an agreement could be announced as early as Monday morning.

Brazil's foreign minister, Celso Amorim, who is spearheading Brazil's negotiating team, apparently returned to his Tehran hotel room shortly after 11pm.

The news from the Brazilians seems to back up a late Reuters report on Sunday night in which Turkey Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was asked by a reporter whether there would be an agreement and he allegedly said: "Yes, it has been reached after almost 18 hours of negotiations."

By Gabriel Elizondo in Americas on May 15th, 2010
Photo from EPA

 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is making a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on May 15-17 for meetings with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and others. The trip comes on the heels of Ahmadinejad’s visit to Brasilia in November of last year.

Lula has been outspoken in his belief that Iran has a right to peaceful nuclear energy, and his desire that the international community avoid new sanctions against Iran. Lula’s trip to Tehran could represent for the international community its last, best shot at a negotiated solution before the UN takes up a vote on new sanctions.

Brazil is taking a leading diplomatic role in a dicey international issue that sits outside its normal sphere of diplomatic influence.

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