US Opinion and Commentary

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Can Iran Change?

Posted January 19th, 2016 at 9:53 am (UTC-4)
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In an outlandish lie, Iran maligns and offends all Saudis by saying that my nation, home of the two holy mosques, brainwashes people to spread extremism. We are not the country designated a state sponsor of terrorism; Iran is.

Paradigm Shift With Iran Has Uncertain Future

Posted January 18th, 2016 at 10:47 am (UTC-4)
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By Barbara Slavin The last few days have witnessed major milestones between the United States and Iran, including implementation of a landmark nuclear deal, a prisoner exchange and resolution of a financial dispute that goes back to the severing of diplomatic relations between the two countries 36 years ago. It’s all been rather breathtaking given […]

Obama’s New Dance With Iran

Posted January 17th, 2016 at 7:29 pm (UTC-4)
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Without the deal, Obama would today be faced with the choice of using military force to set back the program for a couple of years — at a time of already enormous turmoil in the Middle East — or effectively acquiescing to its further development, leaving an even greater problem for his successor.  

On Jason Rezaian’s Imprisonment in Iran, His Release, and Its Meaning

Posted January 17th, 2016 at 12:25 pm (UTC-4)
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…[T]his moment will be used by those in the US who wish to push one agenda or another, or who wish to paint it as a victory or humiliation for the Obama administration.

Obama Hails New Era As Iran Complies With Nuke Deal

Posted January 17th, 2016 at 11:32 am (UTC-4)
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“I’m very happy to say that as we speak, we have received confirmation that five Americans who had been unjustly detained in Iran have been released from custody.”

2015 Was a Dangerous Year for Journalists

Posted December 30th, 2015 at 9:47 am (UTC-4)
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According to the [Committee to Protect Journalists], 199 [journalists] were in prison because of their work in 28 countries on Dec. 1. [Jason] Rezaian was one of 19 jailed in Iran alone. At least 70 other media workers were killed in 2015, including 47 who were singled out for murder in order to silence them.

My Father’s Continued Captivity Proves the Nuclear Deal has Not Made Iran Safe

Posted December 21st, 2015 at 1:58 pm (UTC-4)
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American and European companies are drafting plans to begin doing business in Iran with the lifting of sanctions as part of this summer’s nuclear-weapons agreement, and Westerners are planning visits to the country. My family and I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous traveling to Iran remains.

Jason Rezaian’s Case Proves Iran Still Can’t Be Trusted

Posted September 25th, 2015 at 10:40 am (UTC-4)
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Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called him “a good reporter” and said, more than seven months ago, “I hope he will be cleared in a court of law. . . . I hope once the court process is completed, we will have a clear-cut case or we will have his acquittal.” Instead, we have continuing lawless limbo

Rouhani Wins on Nuclear Deal. Struggles on Human Rights

Posted September 23rd, 2015 at 2:53 pm (UTC-4)
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By Barbara Slavin With Iranian President Hassan Rouhani about to arrive in New York, hopes are fading for the release of Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian during this year’s U.N. General Assembly. In the past, Iranian officials have freed political prisoners before the annual diplomatic gabfest. But this could well be the second General Assembly […]

CPJ to Iran Judiciary: Intervene in case of Jason Rezaian

Posted July 20th, 2015 at 11:33 am (UTC-4)
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The Committee to Protect Journalists is dedicated to ensuring freedom of the press around the world. Today, our board of directors is writing you to urge immediate intervention in the case of our colleague, Jason Rezaian …

Iran’s Trial of Washington Post Reporter

Posted May 26th, 2015 at 1:41 pm (UTC-4)
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Nearly 10 months after his arrest, Jason Rezaian, who holds both US and Iranian citizenship, is on trial in Iran. News that the trial of the Tehran bureau chief is closed to the public has sparked outrage, and raised questions about Iran’s motives as its continues negotiations for a landmark nuclear deal.