Iran's religious reformists call on former leaders Khatami, Rafsanjani, to run for president: Report

Kristin DeasyMarch 13, 2013 16:57

An Iranian clerical groups throws its weight behind moderates in the lead-up to the country's presidential election.

Mac DefordMarch 15, 2013 06:58

What was Biden signaling in his pro-war comments on Iran to Israeli lobby?

Commentary: Is the vice president building his own hardline bona fides for 2016?

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US Vice President Joe Biden addresses the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's annual policy conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on March 4, 2013, in Washington, DC. Biden boldly confirmed the political, historical and military ties between the two countries and emphasized President Barack Obama's support for Israel, a country the president will visit later this month. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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OWL’S HEAD, MAINE — Next week will mark the 10th anniversary of the United States' invasion of Iraq, the low point of many in George W. Bush's failed presidency.

Kristin DeasyMarch 12, 2013 13:09

Iran to sue Affleck over 'Argo:' Reports

Iran takes Ben Affleck to task over 'Argo.'

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Ben Affleck (C), George Clooney (R) and Grant Heslov celebrate in the press room after winning the trophy for Best Picture for 'Argo' during the 85th Annual Academy Awards on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

Iran lashes out at Hollywood over "Argo."

Freya PetersenMarch 11, 2013 23:20

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's touchy-feely turn with mother of Hugo Chavez angers Iranian clerics

A photo of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad embracing the mother of Hugo Chavez at the Friday funeral for the late Venezuelan president has outraged religious leaders in the Islamic Republic.

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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) waves to the crowd while departing from the funeral for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at the Military Academy on March 8, 2013 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Mario Tama/AFP/Getty Images)

A photo of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad embracing the mother of Hugo Chavez at the Friday funeral for the late Venezuelan president has outraged religious leaders in the Islamic Republic.

Islamic law forbids unrelated men and women from touching, and Ahmadinejad is seen in the photo in a cheek-to-cheek embrace with a sobbing (and bareheaded) Elena Frias.

Ahmadinejad predicts Chavez will be resurrected with Jesus, Muslim prophet

Talia RalphMarch 6, 2013 17:37

Ahmadinejad has predicted that Hugo Chavez would be resurrected along with Jesus and a sacred Muslim prophet.

Tehran rats outgrowing cats, surviving poison, but not snipers

David TrifunovMarch 5, 2013 19:25

So far, a few teams of snipers using infrared scopes to hunt the creatures have killed about 2,200 rats. Iran hopes to have 40 teams this year.

Jennifer MattsonMarch 5, 2013 18:43

Jon Stewart taking ‘Daily Show’ hiatus to direct film

Stewart will take 12 weeks off this summer to direct 'Rosewater' about journalist Maziar Bahari's 2009 imprisonment in Iran.

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Jon Stewart speaks onstage at the First Annual Comedy Awards at Hammerstein Ballroom on March 26, 2011 in New York City. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Stewart will produce 'Rosewater' along with Hollywood A-listers Scott Rudin and Gigi Pritzker.

Kerry warns of 'nuclear arms race' if Iran gets the bomb (VIDEO)

Kristin DeasyMarch 5, 2013 18:13

Kerry warns Iran on the nuclear issue.

Pakistan: Sectarian violence threatens elections

Mariya KarimjeeMarch 6, 2013 07:00

KARACHI — Some Pakistani Shiites say martial law is the only thing that can stem the terrorist tide.

Tytti ErästöMarch 6, 2013 07:33

With Iran posed to be a regional player, US should find ways to repair relations

Commentary: Size and oil wealth means Western sanctions over nuclear issue are unsustainable.

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The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, speaks during a press conference at the consulate of Iran in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sept. 19, 2012. The P5+1 group made up of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany joined diplomatic efforts to curb Iran's nuclear program in 2006, but efforts to broker a treaty have proven fruitless to date. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The ongoing deadlock in the Iranian nuclear dispute is becoming increasingly unsustainable. While Iran’s economy is seriously harmed by Western sanctions, the Obama administration has created high expectations by portraying the coming year as the final test for diplomacy. Pressure to reach a successful nuclear deal thus seems to be high on both sides. The question is whether such a deal is understood to mean compromise or Iran’s capitulation.