The Pic of the Day: Iraqi protesters storm Iranian consulate during protests

The Pic of the Day: Iraqi protesters storm Iranian consulate during protests

A man holds a national flag while protesters burn the municipal complex during protests demanding better public services and jobs in Basra, 340 miles (550 km) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018.   Learn more about Iraqi political protests and their motivations below:    

EU approves economic aid to Iran

EU approves economic aid to Iran

Brussels, Belgium—Defying US interests and sanctions, the European Commission has approved close to $21 million in aid to Iran. This will be the first installment of a $58 million package. “This new package will widen economic and sectorial relations in areas that are of direct benefit to our citizens,” said Federica Mogherini, the EU’s High […]

Oil up slightly as Japan agrees to cease importing Iranian crude

Oil up slightly as Japan agrees to cease importing Iranian crude

On Monday, several crucial Japanese oil wholesalers announced that come October the firms will cease importing Iranian oil. The announcement, which comes after increased U.S. pressure and the threat of sanctions on any country doing business with Iran, has already caused oil prices to rise, according to a report from Reuters. Japan had been in […]

United Nations Special Rapporteur claims that sanctions on Iran are illegitimate

United Nations Special Rapporteur claims that sanctions on Iran are illegitimate

According to United Nations Special Rapporteur Idriss Jazairy, the United States’ sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran are unreasonable, unjustified, and illegitimate and should be lifted immediately. Jazairy was appointed by the Human Rights Council in 2015 and has been a key figure in monitoring world policies. Last week Jazairy expressed the concerns surrounding the sanctions in a […]

Global oil market steady despite uncertainty in Tehran

Global oil market steady despite uncertainty in Tehran

The global oil market is remaining steady, in part due to the loss of supply from Iran thanks to U.S. sanctions. According to a report from Reuters, energy traders are enthusiastic about the upcoming sanctions, which are set to target the Iranian oil industry in November of this year. Iranian oil production appears to be […]

Iran threatens to block oil shipments in the Persian Gulf in response to sanctions

Iran threatens to block oil shipments in the Persian Gulf in response to sanctions

Presently, the Iranian government maintains control over the majority of the Persian Gulf and they claim that they are adequately prepared put into place a blockade on the exportation of any oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz as well. This measure is to be taken in response to the recently imposed sanctions from the United […]

Iran’s drug problem

Iran’s drug problem

Iran is notorious for the opium flowing within its borders. A significant portion of their population is plagued with addictions to opiates, and their meth problem is pretty severe as well. Some estimates in 2015 put the number of those addicted to illegal drugs at 2.2 million — 2.75% of the overall population. It has […]

Prime Minister of Iraq’s visit to Iran abruptly canceled

Prime Minister of Iraq’s visit to Iran abruptly canceled

Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi’s press office canceled a planned trip to Iran this week. Oddly enough, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that a visit by Abadi was even scheduled to begin with. Prime Minister Abadi’s office claimed the trip was canceled “because of his busy schedule,” but Abadi is still intending to […]

Kurdish militant groups call for unification against Turkish-Iranian alliance

Kurdish militant groups call for unification against Turkish-Iranian alliance

The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) has released a statement calling for a unified front against the Turkish and Iranian border elements. PJAK is a militant group that maintains a close relationship with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Prior to the announcement, Turkish and Iranian border officials made their intentions and “determination” to combat the two groups […]

Iran and the situation they are in with US sanctions looming

Iran and the situation they are in with US sanctions looming

Iran has continued to dismiss United States President Donald Trump’s talk that a confrontation of some kind will be in the near future. After the United States made its dramatic withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, the Iranian government has returned with threats. While President Trump has made the offer to discuss the situation “any time,” […]

Iranian currency rapidly dropping in value as US sanctions approach

Iranian currency rapidly dropping in value as US sanctions approach

The Iranian rial is falling in value again as a new set of sanctions from the United States are just around the corner. The rial dropped to 112,000 against the dollar over the weekend; it has been steadily dropping in value after the United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal earlier this year. The economic […]