Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Iran

Syrian President Arrives In Iran

Syrian President al-Assad (left) during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart in Damascus in January (epa)

February 17, 2007 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in Iran today, his country's closest regional ally.

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February 17, 2007

Iranian state television said that during his two-day visit, Assad will discuss with Iranian leaders bilateral ties and the situation in the region, in particular in Lebanon and Iraq.

U.S. officials have accused both Syria and Iran of helping stir up insecurity in Iraq by supporting insurgents and allowing militants to cross their borders.

The United States has also accused Syria, Iran, and Hezbollah, the Lebanese guerrilla group backed by those countries, of trying to bring down Lebanon's elected government.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora recently accused Iran of using its territory to wage a proxy battle against the United States.

(AFP, dpa)

Iran, Syria, And Hizballah

Iranians demonstrating in support of Hizballah in Tehran on July 17 (epa)

'FOR THE SAKE OF LEBANON': The Islamic Republic of Iran has served as an ideological inspiration for Hizballah since the Lebanese militant group's creation in 1982, and Tehran acknowledges that it supports the organization morally and politically. "Yes, we are friends of Syria and Iran" Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah has said. "For 24 years we benefited from our friendship with Syria and Iran for the sake of Lebanon...." (more)

Hizballah -- Past And Present

Tehran Playing Key Role In Israel-Lebanon Crisis

Iran, Hizballah Brush Off U.S. Terrorism Label

Intifada Conference In Tehran Has Multiple Objectives

UN Resolution Rankles Syria, Hizballah, Iran

ARCHIVE

RFE/RL coverage of Iran. RFE/RL web special on Iran's nuclear program.

For weekly news and analysis on Iran by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Iran Report."

Many Iranians have been claiming that their access to social networks and Internet-based e-mail sites has been blocked in recent days.

Iran Tightens Internet Control

Iranians are reporting that their access to Facebook and Internet-based e-mail sites like Gmail has been blocked, without any explanation from the government. Not even the strongest antifiltering programs have penetrated the firewall, they say. Some speculate the move is related to Iran's plan to launch a national internet, which might sever Iranians' ability to access the World Wide Web. More

Web-savvy Iranian oppositionists are renowned for their ability to use proxies and other means to circumvent Tehran

Explainer: Iran's National Internet

Reports that Iran has stepped up its Internet censorship in recent days -- as evidenced by a general slowdown of the web, Internet blackouts, and the blocking of sites such as Google -- has raised speculation that the country might be testing its controversial "national Internet." More

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