Shayan Ghajar

The European Union approved the most hard-hitting sanctions against Iran to date July 26, in an attempt to compel Iran to accede to Western demands to halt its nuclear enrichment. The sanctions, more damaging than those passed by the United States as a result of Europe’s greater economic involvement with Iran, specifically target Iran’s two sectors most vulnerable to European nations: banking, and oil. more»

Shayan Ghajar

As Western nations wait to see if sanctions are having the desired effects on Iran’s economy and foreign policy, India’s Petroleum Secretary S. Sundareshan announced that recent U.S. sanctions would hamper state-controlled Indian firms’ attempts to invest in Iranian energy projects. more»

Shayan Ghajar

While little is known about the disappearance of Iranian scientist Shahram Amiri in June 2009 in Saudi Arabia, a great number of conflicting reports surfaced today attempting to explain precisely what has transpired with the Iranian national in the last 13 months. Some give the United States the benefit of the doubt, arguing that Amiri defected willingly and, for any number of hypothetical reasons, seeks to return to Iran. more»

Shayan Ghajar

Responding to an invitation to continue nuclear talks from EU High Representative Catherine Ashton in mid-June, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili responded early July 7 in a letter to the EU representative agreeing to open the possibility for renewed discussions starting September 1. more»

Shayan Ghajar

From Turkey’s vantage point, the Tehran Declaration brokered by Turkey and Brazil on May 17 was an unprecedented breakthrough in diplomatic efforts to gain any token of cooperation from Iran regarding its nuclear program. Turkey and Brazil’s heads of state hailed the compromise as a victory for diplomacy and a sign of the changing structure of international politics. For the first time since the 1979 Islamic revolution, they say, Iran has compromised with the West over its nuclear program. more»