Iran & The Gulf

Blasting the United States for "distorting reality," Iranian Foreign Ministry official accuses President Biden of "supporting the most murderous regime in the world."

Ebrahim Raisi tells state TV that Islamic Republic will not retreat from "right and logical stance" in negotiations to revive the 2015 JCPOA.

In interview with Channel 12 News conducted just before his visit to Israel, US president sends warning to ayatollahs but vows to work toward a deal.

"Our conclusion is that the negotiations have been positive. Both sides are interested in a continuation of the meetings," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani told a televised weekly news conference.

According to Ebrahim Raisi, US efforts to "strengthen the position of the Zionist regime" will not ensure its security.

"The National Day of Hijab and Chastity is only an excuse to target women and launch a new wave of repression against Iranian people and in particular women," dozens of prominent women's rights activists said in a joint statement on Monday.

A diplomatic official, speaking with Israel Hayom, assessed that "Saudi Arabia is still not ready to formalize a defense pact with Israel, regardless of its relations with Iran." 

The United States and Israel are seeking to lay the groundwork for a security alliance with Arab states that would connect air defense systems to combat Iranian drone and missile attacks in the Middle East.

Move breaches 2015 deal as talks to revive it are stalled. West is worried about a fast switch in enrichment level as attempts to revive the nuclear deal again falter. 

Iranian media says top British Embassy official Giles Whitaker and other foreigners faced “spying” charges after visiting various forbidden zones and were expelled from the Islamic republic. UK's Foreign Ministry says reports are "completely false."