Kiran Sharma

  The tension between the  U.S. and Iran has reached a boiling point as President Donald Trump issued a stark warning: negotiate or face dire consequences . In a recent statement from the Oval Office, Trump revealed he sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, demanding a decision on nuclear talks within two months — or else “very bad things” will happen. This ultimatum underscores the high-stakes standoff between the two nations, with Trump claiming his “big preference” is diplomacy but leaving no ambiguity about the alternative. The question now is whether Iran will bend under pressure or double down on defiance. Trump’s letter, reportedly delivered through the United Arab Emirates, marks another aggressive move in his administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran. Since unilaterally withdrawing from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018, Trump has reimposed crushing sanctions, aiming to force Iran back to the negotiating table. But Iran has co...

  As tensions between Iran and the U.S. reach a boiling point, Tehran signals openness to indirect negotiations  — but only if Washington drops its coercive tactics. Will diplomacy prevail, or is conflict inevitable? Iran remains cautiously open to indirect negotiations with the United States, despite firmly rejecting Washington’s current diplomatic approach. Kamal Kharazi, head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations (SCFR), recently dismissed U.S. tactics as a “psychological war,” accusing American officials of sending contradictory messages to sow confusion within Iran. This strategy, he argues, is designed to pressure Tehran into talks under the shadow of sanctions and military threats — a non-starter for Iranian leadership. Kharazi, a seasoned diplomat and former foreign minister, pointed to President Trump’s mixed signals — including his much-publicized letter to Iran — as evidence of an insincere approach. While some factions in Iran interpret these gestures as...

  A newly released video has pulled back the curtain on Iran’s latest underground missile base  — dubbed a “missile city” — revealing a sprawling network of tunnels packed with advanced weaponry. This marks the third such facility unveiled in less than a month, signaling Tehran’s aggressive military expansion amid rising tensions with the U.S. and Israel. The timing couldn’t be more explosive: Washington has issued a two-month ultimatum demanding Iran dismantle its nuclear and missile programs or face severe consequences. The footage, broadcast by Iranian state media, shows high-ranking military officials, including Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri and IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, inspecting rows of missiles like the Kheybar Shekan and Paveh cruise missiles. The dramatic presentation, complete with cinematic music, serves as both propaganda and a stark warning to adversaries — Iran is ready to strike if provoked. With the U.S. deploying additional c...

  Imagine waking up to find your life savings cut in half overnight — this is the harsh reality for millions of Iranians as their currency collapses under the weight of sanctions and geopolitical turmoil. Iran’s rial has plummeted to a historic low, breaking the psychological barrier of 1,000,000 rials per US dollar for the first time . According to Bonbast.com, which tracks live exchange data, the currency hit an unprecedented 1,039,000 rials to the dollar this week. This staggering depreciation marks a more than 50% drop since President Masoud Pezeshkian took office last year, leaving ordinary Iranians struggling to afford basic goods amid skyrocketing inflation. The crisis stems from the renewed “maximum pressure” campaign by the Trump administration, which has imposed four rounds of sanctions targeting Iran’s oil exports — its economic lifeline. With oil revenues slashed and foreign currency reserves dwindling, Iran’s ability to stabilize its economy has severely weakened. The ...

  The Iranian government has signaled its openness to indirect negotiations with the United States , marking a potential shift in diplomatic engagements over the long-standing nuclear dispute. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Monday that while Iran remains open to indirect talks, direct negotiations with Washington are off the table unless there is a fundamental shift in the U.S. approach. This announcement comes in response to an ultimatum from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had pushed for a new nuclear deal that would replace the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran’s position reflects its continued defiance against external pressure while keeping diplomatic options available. The strained relationship between Iran and the U.S. has been a focal point in global politics, particularly following Washington’s withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018. The Trump administration reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran, aiming to force Tehran into a new agreement...

  The US dollar exchange rate in Iraq has been on a steady decline, sparking concerns and debates among economists, traders, and everyday citizens. On Thursday, the dollar dipped further in Baghdad and Erbil, reaching 1,473 dinars in Baghdad’s stock exchanges, down from 1,476 dinars earlier in the day. This drop is part of a broader trend that has seen the dollar lose ground against the Iraqi dinar since the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) introduced a new official exchange rate of 1,300 dinars per dollar in February 2023. But what’s driving this decline, and how is it impacting Iraq’s economy? The Central Bank of Iraq’s decision to adjust the official exchange rate earlier this year was a bold move aimed at stabilizing the country’s economy. Before the change, the official rate was 1,450 dinars per dollar, but the parallel market saw rates as high as 1,610 dinars in January 2023. This disparity created a chaotic environment for trade and investment, with many Iraqis relying on the...

  In the heart of Tehran, as the sun sets on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the ancient fire festival of Chaharshanbe Souri ignites the city with a blaze of light and life. This centuries-old tradition, celebrated with bonfires, fireworks, and wish lanterns, is more than just a prelude to the Persian New Year—it’s a defiant celebration of culture and identity in the face of mounting geopolitical tensions. The festival’s rituals are as poetic as they are powerful. Iranians of all ages gather around bonfires, leaping over the flames to the chant of “My yellow is yours, your red is mine.” This act, rooted in Zoroastrian tradition, symbolizes the shedding of illness and negativity, making way for health and vitality. It’s a moment of collective catharsis, a fiery ritual that connects the past to the present and the individual to the community. But Chaharshanbe Souri is not without its dangers. Every year, the festival’s exuberance leads to injuries and even deaths, as fir...

  The Middle East is no stranger to conflict, but the latest escalation involving the US, Iran, and Yemen’s Houthi rebels has raised the stakes to a dangerous new level. In a bold statement on his Truth Social platform, former US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening “dire” consequences if Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes continue. This declaration has reignited fears of a broader regional conflict, with Iran squarely in the crosshairs of American military and diplomatic pressure. But what does this mean for the already volatile region, and how might Iran respond to Trump’s ultimatum? Trump’s warning comes amid a series of Houthi attacks on US naval assets, including the USS Harry S Truman in the Red Sea. The Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group backed by Iran, have claimed responsibility for multiple drone and missile strikes targeting the aircraft carrier. While the Pentagon has downplayed the effectiveness of these attacks, the sheer audacity ...

  For years, Iran’s clerical leaders have maintained a hardline stance against engaging with the United States, particularly under the presidency of Donald Trump. However, Iran’s deteriorating economic conditions, worsened by renewed U.S. sanctions, are forcing a re-evaluation of this position. While Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other officials publicly reject the idea of negotiating under pressure, the deepening crisis has led to quiet discussions about a possible deal. With inflation soaring, public unrest growing, and key economic indicators declining, the urgency to stabilize the country might outweigh Tehran’s longstanding resistance to dialogue with Washington. Iran’s economy has been on a downward trajectory since the Trump administration reinstated heavy sanctions in 2018. Despite efforts to circumvent these restrictions, the country’s oil revenue, a critical pillar of its economy, has been severely impacted. While China remains a major buyer of Iranian oil, th...

  China and Russia have united in a powerful call to lift what they describe as "unlawful sanctions" imposed on Iran. This joint stance was voiced during high-level talks held in Beijing, where diplomats from the three nations discussed Iran's nuclear program and broader global concerns. The meeting, led by China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, included Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Their joint statement emphasized the urgent need to remove all unilateral sanctions, sending a clear message to the global community about their solidarity with Iran. The timing of this diplomatic gathering is particularly striking, coming just days after US President Donald Trump sent a provocative letter to Iran. Trump's message not only invited Tehran to engage in talks but also carried a thinly veiled threat of military action should Iran refuse. This move has heightened tensions, with China, Russia,...

  In a high-stakes diplomatic move, China is set to host crucial nuclear talks in Beijing this Friday, joined by Russia and Iran. This pivotal meeting, chaired by China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, will focus on the Iranian “nuclear issue” — a topic that has drawn intense global scrutiny. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, the gathering comes at a critical moment, following a closed-door session of the United Nations Security Council in New York, where Iran’s alarming expansion of uranium stocks near weapons-grade levels was the central point of discussion. The trilateral meeting signals a deepening alliance between Iran and Russia, a relationship that has strengthened since the onset of the Ukraine war in 2022. In January, the two nations cemented their strategic partnership with a cooperation treaty, underscoring their shared geopolitical interests. China, maintaining robust ties with both countries, has positioned itself as a key mediator in the r...

  Mehdi Yarrahi, an acclaimed Iranian protest singer, has faced the brutal consequences of standing up to Iran’s authoritarian regime. This week,  Yarrahi endured 74 lashes as part of an agreement to conclude a criminal case against him — a punishment that has sent shockwaves across social media and human rights circles . His crime was rooted in his art: a protest song titled  Your Headscarf (Roo Sarito) , released in September 2023 to mark the first anniversary of the “Women, Life, Freedom” uprising. The song, a bold critique of Iran’s oppressive dress code for women, ignited both admiration and fury, sealing Yarrahi’s fate in the eyes of the regime. Yarrahi’s journey through Iran’s judicial system began in January 2024, when the Tehran revolutionary court convicted him of “acting unlawfully” by releasing his protest song. Despite the clear artistic and political motivations behind his work, the court deemed his actions criminal. He was sentenced to one year in prison — ...

  In a dramatic twist of geopolitical tension, several senior Russian missile specialists have covertly visited Iran over the past year, raising critical concerns about the deepening military ties between Moscow and Tehran . A Reuters investigation, based on travel records and employment data, reveals that seven Russian weapons experts traveled from Moscow to Tehran on two separate flights on April 24 and September 17 last year. These visits, which align with heightened military exchanges, suggest an undisclosed level of collaboration in missile technology between the two nations. The passenger manifests and booking records indicate that six out of the seven Russian specialists possessed passports with the "20" prefix, denoting official state business use — a clear indication that these individuals were acting in their governmental capacities. These passports are exclusively issued to Russian government officials on foreign work assignments and military personnel deployed abr...