After the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric on Saturday by Saudi Arabian officials, it seems that despite the passage of the landmark nuclear deal with the West, Iran’s Arab neighbors are cutting themselves off diplomatically and maybe, economically. After major protests in Tehran after the cleric Nemer al-Nemer’s execution, where crowds burned the Saudi…
Following a series of protests stemming from the execution of a well-known Shiite cleric and critic of the Saudi Arabian government, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Sudan have cut diplomatic relations with Tehran and ordered its diplomats to leave their countries. The latest row between the preeminent Sunni and Shiite Muslim authorities is likely to portend…
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed its 12-year investigation on Iran’s development of nuclear weapons, which was a precondition for lifting UN, US and EU sanctions on Iran. The IAEA concluded that Iran conducted research related to nuclear weapons until 2003 and to a lesser extent in 2009, but the agency said that the activities…
Russian and Iranian leaders agreed to boost cooperation in a number of sectors during a meeting on the sidelines to of the Gas-Exporting Countries Forum that took place on November 23. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei held a press conference after the meeting, during which they commented on their countries’…
Al Monitor recently published an interesting piece on brand integrity in Iran. The article focuses partially on misconceptions related to brand integrity and representation in Iran and partially on the possibilities inherent when and if existing commercial obstacles facing US companies are removed. A number of popular US businesses and fast food chains have been…
RIA Novosti reported that Russia has concluded a deal with Iran for the sale of long-range missile systems. Russian-owned Rostec chief executive Sergei Chemezov was quoted at the Dubai Airshow stating that the deal for the S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system was already signed. Observers note that the contract has the potential to alter the…
Despite the deal between Iran and the P5+1 powers lifting sanctions in exchange for compliance with the dismantling of the Iranian nuclear program signed over the summer, it appears that Iran’s government is not as eager to rejoin the world economy as most originally believed. For those hoping that the deal would cause a flood…
The U.S. and its allies have invited Iran to participate in international talks over Syria’s future, potentially indicating a shift in its strategy related to the Iranian nuclear program. The next talks are planned for Thursday in Vienna where Secretary of State John Kerry, Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Lavrov and top European and Arab diplomats are…
The start of this week has seen Russian and Iranian officials comment on cooperation in the defense, communications and energy sectors. RIA Novosti quoted the head of Russia’s largest defense company claiming that there are plans for Iran to withdraw its $4 billion lawsuit against Russia concerning non-delivery of weaponry in 2010. The Iranian Communications…
Iran announced that it will issue $300 million in state treasury bills, an Iranian alternative to sovereign debt that is sharia-law compliant. The bills are being issued well below their market value for the time being and are seen as a means of gauging interest in the opening Iranian market. The Iranian government has previously…
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