Iran
U.S. calls for release of Americans in Iran, denies swap deal
WASHINGTON/DUBAI - The United States called on Tuesday for the release of U.S. citizens held in Iran, but denied a report that Washington had proposed a prisoner exchange for a former U.S. Marine.
U.S. calls for release of Americans in Iran, denies swap deal
WASHINGTON - The United States called on Tuesday for the release of U.S. citizens held in Iran, but denied a report that Washington had proposed a prisoner exchange for a former U.S. Marine.
Iran says nuclear talks set for Jan 15, vows to stand firm
DUBAI - Iran and six world powers are set to resume low-level talks on Iran's nuclear program in Geneva on Jan 15, with wide gaps remaining in their positions, the Iranian foreign minister said.
U.S. names more Iran targets for sanctions
WASHINGTON - The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on nine new targets, saying the entities and people targeted had supported Iran's efforts to avoid sanctions and backed the government's human rights abuses, including censorship.
Obama: Iran has 'chance to get right with the world' - NPR
WASHINGTON - Iran could become a "very successful regional power" if Tehran agrees to a long-term deal to curb its nuclear program, President Barack Obama said in an interview with NPR News.
Iran expands 'smart' Internet censorship
DUBAI - Iran is to expand what it calls "smart filtering" of the Internet, a policy of censoring undesirable content on websites without banning them completely, as it used to, the government said on Friday.
Budget pressure unlikely to deflect Iran from nuclear goals
DUBAI - A big oil price slide will hurt Iran's attempts to rescue battered living standards, but economic pain is unlikely to soften its stance in nuclear talks or end aid to allies such as Syria, matters seen by its ruling clerics as strategic priorities.
Iran nuclear diplomat gets key post as head of foreign oil deals
DUBAI - Iran has appointed a backstage strategist in nuclear talks with world powers as chief of foreign petroleum contracts, the oil ministry said, a job that will hinge largely on any settlement of its atomic dispute with the West.
Exclusive: Iran's support for Syria tested by oil price drop
AMMAN - Syrian businessmen and trade officials say they are worried the economic lifeline provided by Iran is under strain from plunging oil prices, despite public messages of support from Syria's strongest regional ally.
Exclusive: Iran's support for Syria tested by oil price drop
AMMAN - Syrian businessmen and trade officials say they are worried the economic lifeline provided by Iran is under strain from plunging oil prices, despite public messages of support from Syria's strongest regional ally.
Bad weather hampers search for AirAsia wreckage after debris, bodies found
SURABAYA, Indonesia/JAKARTA - Ships and planes resumed the search for wreckage, bodies and black boxes of a doomed AirAsia plane on Wednesday after Indonesian rescuers found several bodies and debris floating in shallow waters off the coast of Borneo.

