Iran
Washington’s threat to invade Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 26 April 2013
US allegations of chemical weapons use by government forces have brought Washington to the brink of war with Syria.
Israel renews military threat against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 20 April 2013
The Israeli government’s aim appears to be, in the first instance, to pressure the Obama administration into setting a deadline for a US-led attack on Iran.
US deploys troops to Jordan, prepares to invade Syria
By Alex Lantier, 19 April 2013
US forces deployed by the Obama administration to Jordan will plan for a rapid build-up of 20,000 or more US troops, preparing an invasion of Syria.
International talks on Iran’s nuclear program fail
By Peter Symonds, 8 April 2013
The collapse of the talks heightens the danger of rising tensions, further sanctions and US-led military attacks on Iran.
Pakistan begins construction of Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline
By Vilani Peiris and Sarath Kumara, 15 March 2013
Amid US threats of sanctions, Pakistan began construction of its portion of a pipeline supplying natural gas from neighbouring Iran.
US Vice President reinforces military threat against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 7 March 2013
Biden went out of his way to emphasise the Obama administration’s unalloyed support for the Zionist state across all issues.
Talks on Iran’s nuclear program reach no agreement
By Peter Symonds, 28 February 2013
Even if Iran agreed to the latest US-backed offer in full, it would only open the door to further American demands and threats.
US imposes new sanctions on Iran prior to international talks
By Peter Symonds, 9 February 2013
The US is making an “offer” to Iran over its nuclear program that is only marginally different from the one rejected by Tehran last year.
Iranian president publicly accuses rivals of corruption
By Peter Symonds, 6 February 2013
The public brawl is another sign of the bitter divisions wracking the Iranian regime in the lead up to presidential elections on June 14.
US claims Iran tried to shoot down drone
By Peter Symonds, 12 November 2012
The incident has the character of a US provocation designed to exacerbate the tense situation in the Persian Gulf.
US sought use of British bases for war against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 27 October 2012
US access to military bases on Cyprus, Ascension Island and Diego Garcia would significantly boost the Pentagon’s ability to wage round-the-clock air strikes against Iran.
US-Israeli preparations for war against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 25 October 2012
The US and Israel are currently conducting their largest-ever joint military exercise to ready Israel’s anti-missile systems for a conflict with Iran.
US Defense Secretary warns of “Pearl Harbor” cyber attack by Iran
By Niall Green, 15 October 2012
In a speech in New York Thursday, US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta warned that the US faced a threat from Iran equivalent to September 11 or the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.
US, Israel plan joint strikes on Iran
By Jean Shaoul, 10 October 2012
The US and Israel are planning joint strikes against Iran, according to reports in the Israeli media and Foreign Policy magazine.
US wages economic war on Iran
By Peter Symonds, 6 October 2012
As in the case of Iraq, the US-led sanctions on Iran are designed to weaken the country in the lead-up to a military attack.
US removes Iranian MEK from terrorist list
By Peter Symonds, 3 October 2012
Whether Washington brands a group as “terrorist” or not is determined purely by whether it serves the interests of American imperialism.
Netanyahu’s war ultimatum at the UN
By Barry Grey, 1 October 2012
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s belligerent and provocative speech last Thursday before the United Nations General Assembly underscored that plans for an unprovoked military attack on Iran are far advanced.
Israeli prime minister lays out path to war with Iran
By Joseph Kishore, 28 September 2012
In a speech before the UN, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded a “red line” for Iran’s nuclear program that would lead to military action in the spring or summer of next year.
US elections conceal preparations for war with Iran
By Barry Grey, 27 September 2012
In the midst of a presidential election campaign, the fact that plans for war against Iran are far advanced is being concealed from the American people.
Israeli leader presses Obama to set trigger for war against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 18 September 2012
Netanyahu’s remarks were designed to create the false impression that the country is on the brink of building a nuclear weapon.
Obama considers new “red lines” against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 5 September 2012
The laying down of “red lines”—that is, the triggers for war—would bring the prospect of an unprovoked US attack on Iran one step closer.
UN Secretary-General: Washington’s emissary at Tehran summit
By Peter Symonds, 31 August 2012
Ban Ki-moon used the Non-Aligned Movement gathering to criticise and press the Iranian regime on a range of issues, from nuclear programs to the civil war in Syria.
IAEA talks with Iran break down
By Peter Symonds, 27 August 2012
The failure of the negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programs has prompted new threats from Israel.
Israeli threats heighten danger of Middle East war
By Peter Symonds, 17 August 2012
Regardless of its immediate purpose, Israeli warmongering can only heighten tensions throughout the region and add to the dangers of war.
Memo exposes Israeli war plan against Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 16 August 2012
A leaked memo providing a detailed blueprint for an unprovoked Israeli war against Iran coincides with multiple Israeli media reports indicating that such an attack may be imminent.
Iranian earthquakes leave over 300 dead
By Mark Church, 14 August 2012
The communities affected are remote, with limited transport infrastructure making rescue and relief efforts difficult.
Israel steps up military threats against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 2 August 2012
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned US Defence Secretary Panetta that time was running out for a peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
Israel threatens Iran over Bulgarian bombing
By Peter Symonds, 21 July 2012
The real purpose behind Israel’s unsubstantiated denunciations of Tehran is to create the pretext for military strikes on Iran.
US navy fires on fishing vessel in Persian Gulf
By Peter Symonds, 19 July 2012
The incident reflects the deliberate heightening of tensions in the region by the US as it prepares for war against Iran.
Clinton renews military threat against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 17 July 2012
In recent months, the Pentagon has built up its forces in or near the Persian Gulf.
US-Iran confrontation enters dangerous new stage
By Peter Symonds, 5 July 2012
The Obama administration has declared that all options, including the military one, remain on the table if Tehran fails to bow to US demands.
US escalates military threat against Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 4 July 2012
The Obama administration has carried out a major buildup of military forces in the Persian Gulf as economic sanctions imposed by both the US and the European Union have sharply escalated tensions with Iran.
US and EU impose crippling sanctions on Iran
By Peter Symonds, 2 July 2012
Together with harsh new US penalties, the EU oil embargo can only raise tensions in the Persian Gulf, heightening the danger of military conflict.
Washington’s hypocrisy over Russian arms in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 23 June 2012
Western denunciations of Russia for sending back refurbished helicopters to Syria recall nothing so much as the old adage, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
International talks on Iran’s nuclear program fail
By Peter Symonds, 21 June 2012
The Moscow summit broke up with no further talks planned between the major powers and Iran other than a low-level technical meeting in Istanbul.
Washington’s “democratic” hypocrisy: The cases of Egypt and Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 20 June 2012
The hypocrisy of US imperialism’s pretense of promoting democracy on the world arena is manifest in Washington’s markedly different reactions to the Iranian elections of 2009 and the recent military coup in Egypt.
Bleak prospects for talks on Iran’s nuclear program
By Peter Symonds, 16 June 2012
If negotiations fail, as appears likely, tensions will rapidly escalate with the imposition of harsh new sanctions on Iran and the heightened threat of a US or Israeli military attack.
US excludes China from Iran sanctions waiver
By Peter Symonds, 13 June 2012
The new sanctions form part of escalating US threats, including of military strikes, to force Iran to shut down key aspects of its nuclear program.
IAEA talks on Iran’s nuclear program collapse
By Peter Symonds, 11 June 2012
The failure of the International Atomic Energy Agency talks sets the stage for a breakdown of the broader international negotiations next week in Moscow.
Growing tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan
By Clara Weiss, 5 June 2012
The reason for strained relations is Azerbaijan’s close collaboration with the United States and Israel in war preparations against Iran.
Obama oversees cyber warfare against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 4 June 2012
The cyber attacks were acts of sabotage that destroyed uranium enrichment centrifuges and forced Iranian technicians to shut down many more.
Washington Post airs another unlikely Iranian assassination plot
By Peter Symonds, 31 May 2012
The article, which claims US officials in Azerbaijan were targetted by Iran, is another attempt to blacken Tehran as new sanctions and war loom.
Tensions with Iran rise after failed Baghdad talks
By Peter Symonds, 29 May 2012
The Baghdad meeting last week broke up without any agreement other than a decision to hold a further round of talks next month in Moscow.
Iranian nuclear talks on brink of collapse
By Peter Symonds, 25 May 2012
Two days of negotiations in Baghdad between Iran and the major powers were only salvaged through a last minute proposal for another meeting in Moscow next month.
Baghdad talks on Iran’s nuclear program unresolved
By Peter Symonds, 24 May 2012
Sharp differences emerged after the US and its allies unveiled proposals requiring major concessions by Iran, but offering little in return.
US intensifies confrontation with Iran
By Peter Symonds, 14 May 2012
If the Baghdad talks next week collapse, the danger of military conflict initiated by Israel or the US will rise dramatically.
Berlin: Israelis and Iranians protest danger of war in the Middle East
By our correspondents, 7 May 2012
Several hundred Israelis, Iranians and German citizens demonstrated in Berlin on Saturday against US and Israeli preparations for war against Iran.
US deploys F-22 fighter jets in threat to Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 2 May 2012
The Pentagon has dispatched F-22 Raptors, its most advanced warplanes, to the United Arab Emirates in a provocative escalation of US war threats against Iran.
Israel repeats military threat against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 19 April 2012
Defence Minister Ehud Barak made clear that an Israeli attack on Iran was possible, even as international talks proceeded.
Despite talks, US-Iran confrontation continues
By Peter Symonds, 16 April 2012
None of the substantive issues was discussed, let alone resolved, amid the threat of further sanctions and US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
US, Israel issue ultimatums to Iran
By Peter Symonds, 10 April 2012
The provocative demands prior to international talks set to begin Friday are intended to make any deal to end the US confrontation with Iran highly unlikely.
Obama gives green light for punishing sanctions on Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 3 April 2012
President Obama has issued the green light for punishing US economic sanctions aimed at forcing the Iranian government to submit to Western pressure over its nuclear program by starving the country of oil revenues.
The award-winning A Separation and the humanity of the Iranian people
By David Walsh, 30 March 2012
The US government and military-intelligence apparatus is relentlessly and recklessly driving toward war against Iran. Asghar Farhadi’s film A Separation offers a rare glimpse into the reality of Iranian society.
Obama’s nuclear disarmament hoax
By Peter Symonds, 29 March 2012
The slogan of “disarmament” is one means used by the ruling classes to dupe working people as war is prepared.
US war game foreshadows Israeli attack on Iran
By Peter Symonds, 21 March 2012
The Pentagon exercise concluded that a strike on Iran would lead to a wider regional war involving the US.
Obama menaces Iran with military threat
By Peter Symonds, 17 March 2012
Washington reportedly asked Moscow to tell Iran that it had one “last chance” to reach a negotiated settlement and avoid US military action.
Obama reiterates war threats as Iran, major powers agree to new talks
By Barry Grey, 7 March 2012
After a bellicose speech before a pro-Israel lobbying group and a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Obama reiterated the US readiness to attack Iran.
The New York Times and “liberal” warmongering against Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 7 March 2012
The New York Times tried Tuesday to maneuver between Israel’s threats of imminent strikes against Iran and the Obama administration’s strategy of allowing crippling economic sanctions to force Tehran into submission before launching a shooting war.
Obama, Netanyahu discuss Iran war options
By Patrick Martin, 6 March 2012
The White House talks followed Obama’s speech to the principal Israeli lobby group in Washington, pledging support for Israel in any future military confrontation.
Khamenei supporters win in Iran legislative elections
By Niall Green, 5 March 2012
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his clerical allies consolidated their hold over the government in Friday’s Iranian parliamentary elections.
Obama hardens threat of war against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 5 March 2012
Citing the maxim “speak softly and carry a big stick,” Obama warned: “Rest assured that the Iranian government will know of our resolve.”
US, Britain gear up for war on Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 28 February 2012
The military commands in both the US and Britain have sought increased funding and stepped up deployments of arms and personnel in preparation for an anticipated war against Iran.
US pressures India to back sanctions against Iran
By Deepal Jayasekera, 25 February 2012
While India has attempted to place some distance between itself and the US, New Delhi has repeatedly succumbed to pressure to back US policy against Iran.
IAEA inspection team intensifies pressure on Iran
By Peter Symonds, 21 February 2012
If Iran fails to satisfy the inspectors, the way is open for a negative report, escalating sanctions and military threats by the US and its allies.
US, Israel invoke terror to ratchet up war threats against Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 17 February 2012
Both Washington and Israel have seized upon a string of abortive bomb plots in India, Georgia and Thailand to escalate threats against Iran.
US navy prepared for war against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 14 February 2012
The remarks of Admiral Fox contain a barely concealed warning that the US navy was “ready today” to attack Iran.
US and Israel in “lockstep” against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 8 February 2012
While publicly calling for a “diplomatic solution,” the White House is coordinating closely with Israel as it prepares military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Israel threatens war against Iran within months
By Peter Symonds, 4 February 2012
While the Obama administration has cautioned against Israeli military action, there is no indication that Washington has vetoed such an attack.
American intelligence agencies, media stoke war drive against Iran
By Alex Lantier, 2 February 2012
Provocative testimony by US intelligence agencies has become the focus of a hysterical media campaign accusing Iran of posing a terrorist threat to the US.
The New York Times and the drive to war against Iran
By Barry Grey, 31 January 2012
The New York Times on Sunday published a lengthy article in its weekly magazine that sympathetically and clinically lays out the arguments of Israeli policy makers in favor of a military attack on Iran sometime this year.
US military preparations for war on Iran
By Peter Symonds, 31 January 2012
Iran has repeatedly denied plans to build a nuclear weapon, but that has not stopped the barrage of unsubstantiated allegations in the media.
Israel prepares for war against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 27 January 2012
The Israeli political and military establishment is preparing to attack Iran, and pushing the US to advance its own plans for war.
European Union imposes oil embargo on Iran
By Peter Symonds, 24 January 2012
The EU sanctions are an act of economic war that heightens the danger of a slide into military hostilities.
US, Israel coordinate strategy against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 20 January 2012
The visit by America’s top general to Israel takes place amid a growing debate in both countries over an attack on Iran.
Economic, military pressures on Iran escalate global tensions
By Bill Van Auken, 18 January 2012
The march towards sweeping economic sanctions against Iran together with continuing military threats against the country from both the US and Israel are ratcheting up global tensions to an increasingly dangerous level.
Washington’s crimes against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 16 January 2012
Despite Washington’s denials, last week’s assassination of an Iranian scientist bears all the hallmarks of an Israeli operation, carried out in league with the US.
US doubles aircraft carriers near the Persian Gulf
By Peter Symonds, 14 January 2012
The provocative decision heightens the danger of war with Iran as the US moves aggressively to impose a de facto embargo on Iranian oil exports.
Iran’s Green Opposition endorses imperialist intervention in Syria
By Sahand Avedis, 13 January 2012
As the Western powers threaten to intervene in Syria, the Iranian “Green” opposition is denouncing the Iranian regime for refusing to back pro-Western Syrian protesters.
Iranian nuclear scientist assassinated in Tehran
By Alex Lantier, 12 January 2012
Iranian nuclear scientist Professor Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, aged 32, was killed yesterday in a bomb blast in Tehran.
US renews military threat against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 11 January 2012
The sharp rise in tensions in the Persian Gulf follows steps by the US and Europe to impose an embargo on Iranian oil exports that would ruin the country’s economy.
David N. Gibbs, historian and author, discusses threat of US war against Iran
By Barry Grey, 7 January 2012
The World Socialist Web Site interviewed David N. Gibbs, professor of history at the University of Arizona and author of a 2009 book on the Kosovo War, about US war threats against Iran.
EU oil embargo heightens tensions in the Gulf
By Peter Symonds, 6 January 2012
The European move dovetails with President Obama’s signing on Saturday of US legislation designed cripple the Iranian banking system and cut the country’s oil exports.
2012 opens with mounting war threat in Persian Gulf
By Peter Symonds, 4 January 2012
Once again an American administration is using unsubstantiated claims about nuclear weapons to create the political climate for a reckless military adventure.
US threatens war in the Persian Gulf
By Peter Symonds, 31 December 2011
Having provoked Tehran with legislation for an oil embargo, the US is threatening Iran with military action if it retaliates by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz.
US menaces Iran over Strait of Hormuz
By Peter Symonds, 30 December 2011
The growing tensions in the Persian Gulf are the result of provocative steps by the US and its European allies towards blocking Iranian oil exports.
US covert operations threaten war with Iran
By Chris Marsden, 10 December 2011
The United States is waging a sustained covert campaign of destabilisation against Iran.
US spy drone downed in Iran
By Oliver Campbell, 7 December 2011
The incident is another piece of evidence pointing to a mounting campaign of aggressive covert operations by the US and Israel against Iran.
Protesters storm British embassy in Tehran over new sanctions
By Oliver Campbell, 1 December 2011
Tuesday’s protests reflect the escalation of tensions between the Iranian regime and the major powers, led by the US.
Huge explosion at Iranian missile base kills top general
By Peter Symonds, 16 November 2011
While Tehran dismissed the blast as an accident, indications have emerged that it was an act of sabotage carried out by Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.
IAEA dossier heightens danger of war against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 10 November 2011
As in the war against Iraq, the latest allegations about Iranian weapons of mass destruction are nothing but a threadbare pretext for further aggression against Tehran, including further sanctions and ultimately military attack.
US/Britain prepare for war against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 4 November 2011
The war plans are not being driven by concerns over Iran’s nuclear program but by deepening inter-imperialist rivalry, fuelled by the worsening global economic crisis.
Washington and Iran: The reckless policy of provocation
By Bill Van Auken, 14 October 2011
With the fabricated allegations of an Iranian “terror plot,” US imperialism is seeking to advance its global interests by means of provocations and threats of military aggression.
US steps up sanctions and threats against Iran over alleged terror plot
By Bill Van Auken, 13 October 2011
The White House announced new sanctions against Iran, while Vice President Biden warned that “nothing has been taken off the table” in the US response to an alleged plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington.
Obama administration alleges Iranian terrorist plot
By Peter Symonds, 12 October 2011
The claims could provide the pretext for a dramatic escalation of punitive US measures against Iran over a range of issues.
Case of jailed Americans highlights infighting in Iranian regime
By Peter Symonds, 20 September 2011
As the country’s economic and social crisis has deepened, a political struggle has opened up between Iranian President Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Khamenei.
Iran’s Green Protests: Elite power struggle intensifies as Supreme Leader nears death
By Sahand Avedis, 8 March 2011
In the midst of an historic uprising of the working class in North Africa and the Middle East directed against the region’s authoritarian US-backed regimes, Iran’s rightwing Green opposition has failed to relaunch itself.
Iran and the Egyptian revolution
By Bill Van Auken, 16 February 2011
The government of Iran, the right-wing Green Movement opposition and the Obama administration in Washington have all sought to invoke the developments in Egypt to further interests that have nothing to do with this revolutionary upsurge.
International talks over Iran’s nuclear program collapse
By Peter Symonds, 24 January 2011
The chief focus of US efforts to tighten sanctions is not so much Iran, but China, which has become the target of an aggressive campaign to undermine its influence internationally.
Cables expose US-Israeli war talks
By Bill Van Auken, 5 January 2011
US diplomatic cables quoted by the Norwegian daily Aftenposten expose discussions between US legislators and Israeli officials on preparations for the next Middle East war.
Iran imposes huge increases in fuel and food prices
By Keith Jones, 24 December 2010
Iran’s government has imposed massive hikes in the prices of subsidized goods and services, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas, electricity, water and flour. The price hikes, which came into effect last Sunday, are the first stage in what is now expected to be a two-step elimination of the government’s more than $100 billion price-subsidy program.
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