Monday, February 13, 2012

Iran

Bush Warns Iran Over Iraq

Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Hassan Kazemi-Qomi (file photo) (epa)

January 29, 2007 -- U.S. President George W. Bush says he will respond "firmly" if Iran steps up "military action" in Iraq in a way that hurts U.S. troops or Iraqi civilians.

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January 29, 2007

Bush made the remarks in an interview with National Public Radio today.

Washington charges that Iran is helping insurgents who target U.S. troops, a claim denied by Tehran.

Also today, Bush's chief spokesman, Tony Snow, said Iraq is free to seek closer ties with Iran, after Iran's ambassador to Iraq, Hassan Kazemi-Qomi, said Tehran wants to boost its military and economic role in Iraq.

(dpa, AFP)

Iraq And Iran

Iranian Shi'a protesting the Golden Mosque Bombing in Iraq on February 24

WHAT IS GOING ON? On March 8, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a roundtable discussion on relations between Iraq and Iran. Although most analysts agree that Iran has been actively involved in Iraq since the U.S.-led military operation to oust former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, they continue to debate the nature, extent, and intent of that involvement.
The RFE/RL briefing featured WAYNE WHITE, former deputy director of the U.S. State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research's Office of Analysis for the Near East and South Asia, and A. WILLIAM SAMII, RFE/RL's regional analyst for Iran and editor of the "RFE/RL Iran Report."

LISTEN

Listen to the complete RFE/RL briefing (about 75 minutes):
Real Audio Windows Media

Iran/Iraq: Bilateral Ties Improving Despite U.S. Worries

Renewed Speculation About Tehran And Instability In Iraq

Iran/Iraq: Neighbors Mending Ties, But Outstanding Issues Remain

ARCHIVE

RFE/RL's coverage of Iran. RFE/RL's coverage of Iraq.

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Explainer: Iran's National Internet

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A cardboard Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini arrives in Tehran to mark the 33rd anniversary of his triumphant return to Iran following the Islamic Revolution.

Iran's 'Cardboard Khomeini' Faces Criticism, Condemnation

Iran's "Cardboard Khomeini" is fueling a firestorm of criticism in the Middle Eastern country after cutouts of the Islamic republic's founder appeared at a number of events, and photos mocking the mock-up went viral. More