Can Mediation Efforts Between US and Iran Succeed?

by Shireen T. Hunter     Tehran these days has been witnessing a lot of diplomatic visitors. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas just ended a visit to Iran and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo  Abe will be in Tehran in mid-June. The… Continue Reading

EU3: De-Facto Enforcer of U.S. Sanctions against Iran?

by Eldar Mamedov The situation around Iran, which only seemed to be moving inexorably toward a crisis, recently took a slightly more hopeful turn. Multiple international efforts to facilitate de-escalation between the United States and Iran, in addition to both… Continue Reading

Shinzo Abe’s Crucial Iran Visit

by Kaveh L. Afrasiabi Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Tehran next week to mediate between the United States and Iran, taking center stage in one of the most vexing global issues today threatening international peace and security. Although… Continue Reading

What Is Russia’s Game in U.S.-Iran Standoff?

by Shireen T. Hunter      During his visit to Japan last month, President Donald Trump suggested some softening of American position regarding Iran and indicated that the United States welcomed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s mediation between Tehran and Washington. Soon… Continue Reading

As Trump Slams Pyongyang, Seoul Begins Shift

by Tim Shorrock After returning from his Asia trip this week, President Trump went on national television to laud the accomplishments he apparently thought the US media had missed on his highly publicized swing through Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and… Continue Reading