Crisis Chronology

IRAN

10/27/2024

Israel strikes military targets in Iran in retaliation for 10/1 attack.

10/03/2024

Houthis increasingly targeting ships with little or no connection to the US or Israel, beginning to warn Greek shippers in 5/2024. Iraq-based Kataib Hezbollah, another proxy that forms part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” has warned that an “energy war” could have severe consequences globally, suggesting that Iran and its allies see the conflict as a full-scale war against the west and Israel and/or attempting to forestall an Israeli attack on the Iranian oil industry in retaliation for Iran’s attack on Israel. Tehran, meanwhile, has conveyed a message to the United States through Qatar, stating that the “phase of unilateral self-restraint has ended,” warning that any Israeli attack will be met with an “unconventional response” targeting Israeli infrastructure.

07/31/2024

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh is killed in Teheran, Iran, by an assassin. Iran accuses Israel of the killing and vows to revenge it. Israel does not respond.

04/19/2024

There is a drone attack near nuclear site Isfahan in Iran. Israel claims responsibility, but Iran plays down significance.

04/17/2024

US says it will impose more sanctions on Iran as a result of attack, but international community continues to seek a way for Israel to respond without ramping up the war.

04/15/2024

Though world leaders call on Israel not to ramp up the fighting with Iran, Israel vows to respond.

04/14/2024

Iran sends more than 300 drones to attack Israel, the largest drone attack in history. Most are destroyed without incident by Israel’s Iron Dome. The attack, announced well in advance and unlikely to have caused serious damage in Israel, may have been designed to show force without intensifying the fighting.

04/12/2024

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seizes a container ship in the Red Sea, saying that it is linked to Israel. It is not clear if this is Iran’s response to the bombing of its consulate in Syria in total or it there will be other attacks. Israel is on high alert and the US intelligence says it expects an attack on Israeli territory imminently.

04/01/2024

Iran says Israeli bombed Iranian embassy in Syria and killed several military commanders, including an Iranian Quds Force commander.

02/07/2024

US drone strike Baghdad kills leader of the Kataib Hezbelloh militia that initiated the attack that killed US soldiers in Jordan.

02/06/2024

The Houthi attacks on Red Sea commercial shipping are adversely affecting China’s economy, causing China’s leaders to question the benefits of relations with Iran.

02/03/2024

US and allies strike at least 85 targets in seven locations in Iraq and Syria in reprisals on Iranian proxies for the 1/28 killings.

02/02/2024

Revolutionary Guards advisor killed in Israeli airstrike in Syria. Some report that this is Israeli help in a response to the killing of three Americans on 1/28.

02/01/2024

US announces that it will carry out multiple attacks on Iranian proxies and assets in response to the killing of US military personnel on 1/28. Kata’ib Hezbollah, which carried out the attack on Tower 22 in Jordan, announces that it will no longer carry out attacks on the US military. US intelligence suggests Iran wants to reign in attacks by its proxies in the region. Iran may be concerned that attacks from Houthi militants in Yemen on commercial shipping in the Red Sea could upset the economic interests of both China and India, key Iranian allies. Its general strategy of using the proxies to carry out attacks will remain.

01/28/2024

Three US military personnel are killed in an attack on a post in Jordan, probably by Iranian proxies. Jordan says it was a neighboring post in Syria.

01/18/2024

Pakistan bombs sites in Iran said to be linked to the Baloch insurgency. The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) were allegedly present. Both groups — which claim their regions are independent — are considered terrorist organizations by Pakistan. The BLA is also considered a terrorist group by the U.S., the European Union and China.

01/18/2024

US and allies continue attacks on Houthi rocket and drone installations, while the Houthis continue to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea. Combined with recent attacks by Iran on Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan, as well as the continued Israeli attacks on Gaza, there is increasing fear that the war is becoming regional.

01/17/2024

Pakistan accuses Iran of violating its airspace in the attack on 1/16.

01/16/2024

Iran bombs militant group Jaish al-Adl, the “Army of Justice,” in Pakistan. The Jaish al-Adl has been launching deadly attacks against Iranian border guards since at least 2013 and has previously claimed bombings and kidnappings of border police. The group is a Baloch Islamist organization. The two countries have generally maintained an amicable relationship.

01/15/2024

Iran attacks alleged ISIL (ISIS) targets in Syria. In Erbil, a Kurdish city in Iraq, Iran says it bombed a Mossad facility.

01/03/2024

More than 100 killed at terrorist attack at memorial for military commander Qasem Soleimani. Government suspects Israel, but no one has taken responsibility for the attack. ISIS subsequently claims responsibility.

12/28/2023

Several IRGC top commanders killed in Israeli attack on Damascus airport.

10/27/2023

US says that its forces have attacked two sites in Syria used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Forces and affiliated groups in response to attacks on US personnel in Iraq and Syria.

10/24/2023

US warns Iran against attacking US troops in the Middle East. This is in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict. There have been multiple attacks by Iranian allies on US positions.

10/20/2023

Increased attacks by Iranian proxies in the Middle East target US installations. This indicates an intention to foment a wider conflict that would be in line with Hamas’s intentions.

09/12/2023

US waives some sanction restrictions on Iran to allow $6 billion to be transferred from its deposits in foreign banks to Qatar for humanitarian uses and releases five Iranian prisoners in exchange for the release of five Americans held by Iran.

09/12/2023

US waives some sanction restrictions on Iran to allow $6 billion to be transferred from its deposits in foreign banks to Qatar for humanitarian uses and releases five Iranian prisoners in exchange for the release of five Americans held by Iran.

08/24/2023

At BRICS summit meeting, the group invites six countries to become members: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

07/15/2023

Government restores its security force generally known as the “morality police.”

04/27/2023

About five days after US seizes oil from an Iranian tanker at sea, Iran seizes another oil tanker in retaliation.

04/06/2023

Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers meet, for the first time since 2006, in Beijing.

03/10/2023

In an agreement facilitated by China, Saudi Arabia and Iran agree to normalize relationships. The process was known to the West and is possibly a new way to bring Iran into the larger international community. It is also a sign of China’s increasing influence in the Middle East, which it is also exerting throughout Africa and South and Southeast Asia in different ways.

03/04/2023

IAEA says Iran has pledged to restore cameras in nuclear facilities and allow inspectors more access.

02/20/2023

The rial falls to a new low as the EU considers new sanctions.

02/14/2023

Iran President Raisi begins three-day visit to China, meeting China President Xi.

02/05/2023

Khameni pardons “tens of thousands” of prisoners, including some from the recent protests.

01/29/2023

Drone attack on military plant in Isfahan. Government says that there was no damage and no casualties. Israel is believed to be behind the attack.

12/11/2022

US warns that Iran has become an extensive military supported of Russia.

12/04/2022

Government official says that Iran has disbanded its “morality police,” although the government has not officially announced that.

11/28/2022

Niece of Ayatollah Khamenei, Farideh Moradkhani, calls for foreign countries to break ties with Iran.

11/18/2022

Protestors set fire to Ayatollah Khomeini’s ancestral home, which has been a museum.

11/17/2022

Despite ongoing trials of protestors, protests continue, with increasing violence.

11/14/2022

Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran attacks the headquarters of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan in Iraq, saying that it bombed terrorist groups.

11/14/2022

Trials of anti-government protestors begin and the first ends in a death sentence for allegedly setting a government building on fire and participating in a “war against God” and “corruption on earth.”

11/01/2022

Iran reported to be sending short-range missiles to Russia.

10/27/2022

Widespread gatherings and protests both in Amini’s hometown of Saqqez and elsewhere on the fortieth day after her funeral. The 40th day since someone’s funeral, known as “chehelom,” holds cultural significance in Iran and religious importance for Shia Muslims.

10/26/2022

Iran sanctions many EU officials for “inciting terrorism,” probably related to the protests.

10/21/2022

US confirms presence of Iranian military drone trainers in Crimea and says that Iran is now fighting with Russia in the war in Ukraine.

10/17/2022

EU sanctions members of Iranian morality police and some government officials over the crackdown on protestors.

10/16/2022

Riot breaks out in Evin prison, where many political dissidents are imprisoned.

10/16/2022

Sadrist camp says it will not join the new government.

10/11/2022

Government intensifies crackdown on protests, which continue. Some workers in the oil industries join the protests.

10/03/2022

Khamenei condemns the protests and accuses Israel and the US of fomenting them.

09/29/2022

Protests persist, though at least 80 have been killed.

09/28/2022

Protests somewhat suppressed.

09/25/2022

As protests continue and spread, army attacks Kurds in the north of Iraq, accusing them of fomenting protest.

09/24/2022

Ukraine revokes accreditation of Iranian ambassador to Ukraine and orders a reduction in embassy staff because Iran has supplied Russia with armed drones. Iran denies this, but most in the West believe it is true. Certainly at least some of the drones were built in Iran.

09/22/2022

Protests continue. US sanctions the “morality police” that detained her. Tehran police deny that she was mistreated.

09/21/2022

Protests in the Amini incident grow; government disrupts the internet and phone service. At least six protestors have been killed.

09/19/2022

Third day of protests across the country over the beating death by police of a Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, traveling in Tehran, who refused to wear a hijab. Police begin repressing the protests.

09/08/2022

Albania suspends diplomatic relations with Iran after a major cyberattack.

09/06/2022

Government announces that it intends to build more nuclear power plants.

08/30/2022

Iran continues to insist that the demand for further investigation of nuclear particles found years ago at Iranian nuclear sites be dropped.

08/23/2022

US strikes positions in Syria of groups supported by Iran.

08/08/2022

Syrian president Assad visits Iran for only the second time since civil war broke out in Syria.

07/19/2022

Putin meets with Turkish President Erdogan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Iran expresses support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. No progress on the shipping of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

07/14/2022

US and Israel announce that they will use every means of their disposal to prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon, including military force.

06/14/2022

Two members of the aerospace industry in widely separated places, have died almost simultaneously. Government suspects they were poisoned by Israel.

06/08/2022

Iran turns off two surveillance cameras at the Natanz nuclear facility, contrary to the agreement with the IAEA.

05/14/2022

The EU says that talks with Iran about the nuclear agreement have become “unblocked.”

05/07/2022

Dispute between Shiite scholar Mahmoud al-Sarkhi and Moktada al-Sadr flares into violence. Al-Sarkhi is firmly against both the US and the Iranian influence in Iraq. Al-Sadr has been more political in his stances, and although al-Sarkhi was formerly a follower of al-Sadr, they are now at odds.

04/26/2022

Israel bombs military positions in Syria linked to Iran, killing five Syrian soldiers and four soldiers of an Iranian militia.

03/15/2022

Russia and Iran both issue statements that the United States has removed all obstacles from the continuing negotiations on the nuclear agreement.

03/11/2022

Nuclear talks suspended after Russia demands guarantees against sanctions imposed by its invasion of Ukraine.

03/11/2022

Nuclear talks suspended after Russia demands guarantees against sanctions imposed by its invasion of Ukraine.

03/09/2022

Iran and Afghanistan meet to discuss resuming construction of the Khaf-Herat rail link, part of the Five Nations Railway Corridor in the Belt and Road project. It was halted when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. It would link China, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Iran and provide China with a rail link to Turkey.

02/20/2022

Saudi Arabia and Iran to continue talks, although there has been little progress in talks so far.

02/19/2022

Negotiators with Iran on JPCOA report some optimism about reaching a new agreement.

02/08/2022

Talks on nuclear agreement resume.

02/04/2022

US restores a waiver on some sanctions on Iran. That allows Russian, Chinese, and European companies to resume non-proliferation work on Iran’s nuclear sites, which in turn allows some discussions on the JPCOA to move forward.

01/10/2022

Iran says it will not yet recognize the Taliban government in Iran. It has called for an “inclusive” government there. Iran is sending humanitarian aid to the Taliban government. There have been some skirmishes and Iranians have in the past been killed by Taliban attacks. In addition, refugees are leaving Afghanistan for Iran, among other countries.

12/27/2021

Iran says it is ready to begin nuclear pact discussions again and to continue them until a deal is reached.

12/11/2021

EU-Iran talks on nuclear agreement continue.

11/29/2021

Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the UK begin talks to restore the JPCOA. Iran continues to require lifting of US sanctions before substantive talks can begin, but says it seeks a “fair deal.”

11/26/2021

Government clamps down on spreading protests about water shortages.

10/28/2021

Iranian negotiator says Iran is ready to resume talks about the nuclear agreement.

10/06/2021

Iran and Russia hold discussions. Iran says that it is looking for closer relations with Russia and with China.

10/04/2021

Saudi Arabia confirms that it held a fourth round of talks with Iran on 9/21.

09/07/2021

Israel announces that it has accelerated military planning to counter Iran’s development of nuclear capability.

08/28/2021

Saudi and Iranian representatives talk at Baghdad summit to continue seek talks begun in April, seeking “dialogue and peace.” The talks were halted when the new administration was elected in Iran.

08/27/2021

Opening of summit meeting in Iraq of Middle Eastern countries aimed at promoting stability in the region. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II have said they will attend, as has French President Emmanuel Macron, the only official expected from outside the region. Leaders from Saudi Arabia and Turkey were also invited. Iranian president Raisi has been invited, but has not responded, but the Iranian foreign minister will attend.

08/05/2021

Raisi sworn in as president, vowing to have sanctions lifted. He has said he would engage in talks on the JPCOA, but is likely to take a tougher stance than the previous administration. With the economy suffering, there are signs of unrest.

08/05/2021

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon in retaliation for Hezbollah missile attacks.

08/01/2021

US and UK blame Iran for drone attack on Israeli ship.

07/20/2021

Government imposes six-day stay-at-home order during Eid as precaution against COVID-19 surge.

07/20/2021

Reports of large protests in southeastern Iran province of Khuzestan due to water shortages caused by drought and high temperatures.

07/20/2021

Reports of large protests in southeastern Iran province of Khuzestan due to water shortages caused by drought and high temperatures.

06/18/2021

Ebrahim Raisi elected president

Hardliner Ebrahim Raisi is elected president by a large margin. Turnout is a record-low 49%. Raisi insists on reinstatement of the nuclear deal.

06/10/2021

Russia to supply Iran with advanced satellite surveillance system.

05/27/2021

After all but seven candidates are eliminated (including Ali Larijani), the leading candidate is Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner (like all other permitted candidates).

04/28/2021

In an interview, Mohamed bin Salman says Saudi Arabia wants to improve relations with Iran and that the country has only minimal differences with the US, despite Pres Biden’s accusation that MBS ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

04/26/2021

The U.S. Navy fired warning shots in the northern Persian Gulf on Monday night after Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps "armed speed boats rapidly approached" two U.S. ships at what the Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet called "an unnecessarily close range with unknown intent." That range was about 68 yards, or nearly 200 feet.

04/13/2021

Government announces that it will begin enriching uranium to 60%, still below weapons grade, in response to attack on the Natanz nuclear facility.

04/11/2021

Explosion at Natanz nuclear facility. Israel is widely suspected to have set off the explosion, which may end uranium enrichment for as much as nine months. The action complicates discussions about reviving the JPCOA.

04/02/2021

US and Iran agree to start indirect talks about returning to the JCPOA in a week, in Vienna.

03/27/2021

China and Iran sign long-term agreement on military and economic cooperation.

03/27/2021

China and Iran sign long-term agreement on military and economic cooperation.

03/02/2021

Airbase in Iraq that is used by US forces is bombed.

02/28/2021

Iran rejects direct talks with the US and other signatories to the nuclear treaty unless sanctions are promised to be lifted as a result of those talks.

02/26/2021

US bombs Iran-allied militia encampments on the Syria-Iraq border in response to a missile attack on a base used by US forces.

02/22/2021

Parliament passes a resolution that the agreement with the IAEA is in violation of a law passed in 12/20 that bars sharing of information with the IAEA unless US sanctions are lifted.

02/21/2021

IAEA and Iran agree to inspections that will be more limited than when the agreement was in full effect.

02/18/2021

US rescinds announces UN sanctions on Iran placed by the Trump administration, a step toward restarting talks on returning to the JPCOA nuclear agreement with Iran. Iran insists that sanctions imposed by the Trump administration be lifted before they will return to the agreement and that there is nothing to talk about, since the agreement exists.

02/15/2021

Rocket attack on coalition military base near Erbil. A group called Saraya Awliya al-Dam, an Iran-allied group, claims responsibility.

02/10/2021

Qatari foreign minister advocates for Iran to return to the nuclear deal.

01/03/2021

Government reports that it has resumes 20% uranium enrichment, violating the nuclear agreement.

12/05/2020

An Iranian journalist reports on Twitter that the Ayatollah’s health is failing and he has transferred some powers to his son, Mojtaba Khamenei

12/03/2020

Parliament passes a law barring further inspections of nuclear sites and allowing massive increase in enriched uranium unless the US lifts sanctions by the end of 2/21, in response to killing of nuclear scientists Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. The Ayatollah will have to approve the law. Rouhani opposes the law, but has no veto power over it.

11/27/2020

Top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is assassinated. No group takes responsibility, but Iran accuses Israel and the United States. He was seen as a vital moving force behind the revival of the nuclear program and difficult to replace. The killing may also complicate any further negotiations on the nuclear arms agreement by the incoming Biden administration.

10/18/2020

UN sanctions on Iran arms trade expire.

10/18/2020

Fighting continues. Azerbaijan seizes strategic bridges and dam near Iranian border.

10/13/2020

Fighting continues. Iran warns Armenia and Azerbaijan against allowing a spread of the fighting and also offers to mediate. Iran has a substantial Azerbaijani minority, much larger than its Armenian minority and has asserted that Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijani territory. However, it is concerned about Azeri links with the US and with Israel. Turkey also offers support for Azerbaijan.

10/08/2020

Iran reports a record number of new cases of COVID-19.

09/21/2020

US reimposes sanctions on Iran and on others who would trade with Iran. Other signatories to the nuclear agreement object to the move. Iran advocates continuing with the agreement. Rial falls to a record low against the dollar.

08/21/2020

Other western nations reject the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran.

08/20/2020

US calls for restoration of UN sanctions against Iran for its progress on nuclear energy. Some countries argue that because the US has withdrawn from the treaty, it has no sanction to make the demand.

07/20/2020

Another in a series of attacks on Iranian positions in Syria, assumed to be carried out by Israel.

07/05/2020

Large explosion at Natanz. Israel is suspected to have engineered the blast.

06/11/2020

US and Iraq begin negotiations on withdrawal of American troops and combatting Iranian aggression.

05/27/2020

US says that all waivers of nuclear trade with Iran are ending.

05/27/2020

US says that all waivers of nuclear trade with Iran are ending.

05/20/2020

US imposes new sanctions on several Iranian officials for human rights abuses.

05/20/2020

Venezuelan navy to escort Iranian oil tankers bringing oil to Venezuela.

05/07/2020

With the value of the Iranian rial plummeting amid low oil prices and crippling US sanctions, the government has decided to replace the rial with the toman, which will be worth 10,000 rials. While the move has no real effect on the economy, the government hopes it will have a psychological effect.

05/05/2020

Rami Makhlouf criticizes his cousin Bashar Assad in two Facebook videos accusing Assad of arresting his employees and taking over his businesses. In 2011, Makhlouf controlled up to sixty percent of Syria’s economy and he has continued to enrich himself during the war. There are reports that he was placed under house arrest last year in a corruption investigation. The government is much impoverished by the war and Russia may be demanding repayment for its part in the war. Bashar’s younger brother Maher Assad is said to be takin control of parts of the informal economy. Bashar’s wife Asma is said to be planning the creation of a telecommunications company to compete with Makhlouf’s Syriatel, which has been billed €200 million in taxes. In 12/19, the Ministry of Finance seized Makhlouf’s Abar Petroleum, accusing it of smuggling oil and gas without paying taxes.

04/20/2020

Major highways and shopping centers allowed to reopen. Iran has more than 80000 cases and more than 5000 deaths.

04/19/2020

Iran disputes US interpretation of an incident on 4/15. The US said Iranian ships harassed US ships. Iran says US blocked one of its ships twice. On 4/14, armed men thought to be Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, boarded and diverted a Hong Kong-registered tanker into Iranian waters, then released it.

03/12/2020

US blames Iran-backed group Kata’ib Hezbollah for the killing of US soldiers in Iraq.

03/12/2020

US strikes at Kata’ib Hezbollah in Iraq, suspected of launching attacks that killed US soldiers.

03/11/2020

Three US military are killed in a rocket attack in Iraq, bringing the total this week to five.

03/09/2020

Government releases 70000 prisoners in response to coronavirus outbreak. All are said to be virus-free.

03/03/2020

COVID-19 spreading widely. Many in the government are sick.

02/23/2020

Government reports outbreak of COVID-19 virus and shuts schools and cultural centers.

02/21/2020

Parliamentary elections.

01/15/2020

Rouhani says that Iran is now enriching more uranium than it was before the JPCOA. He also warns that European soldiers may be in danger.

01/14/2020

France, Britain, and Germany begin process that would allow them to impose sanction on Iran for not following JPCOA. Iran argues that since the US has already broken the agreement, they are not liable. It is later revealed that Pres Trump threatened to impose new auto tariffs if they did not.

01/12/2020

Mass protests calling for the government to resign after its accidental downing of the Ukrainian airplane, decrying its evasions in first reports.

01/11/2020

Government admits that Ukrainian airliner with dozens of Canadian passengers was shot down by an Iranian missile when it was mistaken for an American warplane.

01/09/2020

US imposes new sanctions on metals companies aimed at handicapping construction.

01/08/2020

US Pres Trump says US will impose new sanctions on Iran.

01/07/2020

Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly names US Department of Defense a terrorist organization.

01/07/2020

Iran fires ballistic missiles at two US bases in Iraq. There are no casualties, which seems to have been Iran’s intent. Ayatollah Khamenei calls the attack just a “slap in the face,” and suggests there may be other reprisals.

01/05/2020

Iran withdraws entirely from the nuclear agreement. Hundreds of thousands mourn Suleimani, uniting the country.

01/02/2020

US kills high-ranking Iranian

US kills top Iranian military commander, Qassam Soleimani, head of Quds force, probably the second-most powerful leader in the country at the Baghdad airport. Iran vows revenge.

12/29/2019

US strikes bases of the Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia, on the Iraq-Syria border to deter attacks on US personnel. The bases were in both Syria and Iraq.

12/26/2019

Barham Salih threatens to resign if he is forced to name Asaad Al Eidani as PM-designate. Al Eidani, supported by Iran, has been criticized by protestors.

12/12/2019

Iran confirms cyberattack that attacked three banks and calls it state-sponsored. The banks are also under US sanction.

12/03/2019

Pres Rouhani calls for release of “innocent” protestors.

11/25/2019

Large pro-government demonstrations, at which Quds force leader threatens western countries.

11/20/2019

Israel fires rockets on Quds Force targets near Damascus and surrounding towns in Syria, killing Iranians and Syrians. Observers suggest that Israel has also fired on Iranian targets in Iraq, fearing that they may be preparing an attack like the one on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco.

11/19/2019

Four rockets are launched into the Golan Heights, but intercepted. Israel says they were fired by “an Iranian force.” The Israelis take this as evidence that Iran is increasing its threat to Israel by bolstering its forces in southern Syria and giving them precision-guided missiles.

11/17/2019

Leaked cables between Iran and Iraq in 2014-15 show heavy involvement of Iraq in Iranian affairs and access to Iranian intelligence.

11/15/2019

Surprise increase in fuel prices of 50% provokes protests.

11/10/2019

Iran announces it has discovered an extremely large oil field, possibly worth up to $50 billion.

11/04/2019

Protests continue in Iraq. In Karbala, protestors attack Iranian consulate demanding that Iran reduce its influence in Iraq.

11/04/2019

Continuing its progressive steps out of the JPCOA, Iran begins enriching uranium at Fordo underground facility.

10/14/2019

Pakistan PM Khan in Iran for talks with Pres Rouhani.

10/01/2019

Iran says it is open to dialogue with Saudi Arabia.

09/25/2019

Rouhani says that Iran is willing to resume adhering to the JPCOA if US sanctions are lifted. It would also agree to further negotiations on details of the treaty then. Imran Khan says Trump asked him to mediate with Iran, as did Saudi Arabia. French Pres Macron says conditions are in place for Rouhani and Trump to talk.

09/20/2019

US imposes new sanctions on the Iran national bank and announces plans to send some more troops to Saudi Arabia.

09/18/2019

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calls the bombing of Saudi oil facilities “an act of war.” Iran threatens “all-out war” if there is a military strike on the country.

09/16/2019

US Pres Trump plays down prospect of a military response. Oil prices spike. Saudis do not directly blame Iran for the attack, although they say they will respond “forcefully.”

09/16/2019

Russia, Turkey, and Iran announce the formation of a commission to rewrite the Syrian constitution.

09/15/2019

US Pres Trump suggests that US is ready for an armed response to drone strikes, but waiting for Saudi Arabia to direct it.

09/14/2019

Drone attacks by Houthis destroy major oil refineries in Saudi Arabia, cutting its oil production in half. US and SAudi Arabia blame Iran for the attacks. Iran denies this. Houthis claim responsibility but there is conflicting evidence.

09/12/2019

Israel intensifying its war on Hezbollah, fearing that the group will gain missile technology that could overwhelm Israel’s defenses.

09/11/2019

US Pres Trump indicates that he may be open to negotiations with Iran that would institute the French proposal of a hard currency credit line for Iran or some other sanctions relief. His suggestion comes the day after firing National Security Agency chief John Bolton, a hardliner against any relief to Iran.

09/05/2019

Iran announces third step in reducing commitments to the nuclear agreement, amid increasing pessimism that it can be saved.

09/03/2019

US sanctions three Iranian space agencies, alleging they are hiding missile development.

09/03/2019

France offers Iran a $15 billion credit line that would allow it to trade for hard currency. However, it may run afoul of US sanctions anyway.

08/31/2019

France and Iran say they are near an agreement that would hold the nuclear deal in place with European signatories.

08/26/2019

Iran demands an end to sanctions before talks with US can begin.

08/15/2019

US, Israel, and UAE in secret talks on confronting Iran.

08/14/2019

UK releases Iranian tanker despite US request to detain it.

08/05/2019

Iran seizes another tanker said to be smuggling oil to Iraq.

07/21/2019

Iran arrests seventeen people, claiming they were working for the US CIA.

07/19/2019

Iran seizes British tanker in Strait of Hormuz without immediately giving a reason. The ship is diverted toward Iran.

07/18/2019

US says it shot down Iranian drone that approached within 1000 yards of a US warship and refused to respond to warnings. Iran later says that it was not an Iranian drone.

07/13/2019

Crew members of detained Iranian tanker are released in Gibraltar.

07/12/2019

Iran demands that UK release tanker seized on 7/4.

07/11/2019

UK accuses of Iran of trying to block a commercial tanker from leaving the Persian Gulf, which Iran denies. US Navy intervenes.

07/08/2019

Iran announces its intention to enrich uranium beyond the limit specified in the JPCOA, and says it will move further every sixty days. Its likely intention is to push EU to find a solution to the stand-off with the US or the divorce its policies from the US.

07/04/2019

UK detains Iranian oil tanker on suspicion that it was shipping oil to Syria in a breach of EU sanctions against Syria.

06/28/2019

Iran exceeds JPCOA levels of enriched uranium. All of it is low-enriched uranium, not weapons-grade. France, Germany, and the UK have initiated the “special purpose vehicle” (an SPV officially called INSTEX) that allows EU countries to circumvent US sanctions on sales to Iran.

06/21/2019

US initiates strikes against military positions in Iran and then called them off.

06/20/2019

Iran says it has shot down unmanned drone flying over its territory, though US says it was in international waters.

06/17/2019

US announces it will send an additional 1000 troops to the Mideast.

06/16/2019

Iran moving toward exceeding JPCOA limits on enriched uranium by the end of the month.

06/13/2019

US accuses Iran of attacks on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to fears that US will attack Iran. =Iran denies involvement in the attacks.

06/12/2019

Abe visits Iran to shore up relationship made difficult by US and protect energy supply.

05/31/2019

Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a 57-member group, issues a statement supporting Palestine and condemning US embassy move to Jerusalem, and condemns Iran for aggression in the region.

05/08/2019

Iran ends some aspects of nuclear agreement

Iran announces it is ending some of its commitments under the JPCOA: selling its enriched uranium and will revive some nuclear activity it had halted. It also warns the European signatories that it will resume high-level uranium enrichment after sixty days if they fail to protect Iran’s oil and banking sectors from sanctions. It blames the US withdrawal from the agreement and increased sanctions for these moves.

05/05/2019

US sends carrier strike force to the Persian Gulf as a warning to Iran, saying it has received credible information that Iran is planning an attack on US forces in the region.

04/25/2019

Talks between Russia, Iran, and Turkey on Syria end with no progress on the composition of a constitutional committee.

04/08/2019

US adds sanctions on Iran

US designates the Iranian Revolutionary Corps a terrorist organization, the first time a nation’s military has been so named and imposes sanctions on its leading members. The IRC and its militant arm the Quds force, are deeply involved in Iranian economy. Iran names the US military a supporter of terrorism.

04/07/2019

Recent record rainfall causes widespread flooding throughout the country.

03/13/2019

Mahdi and Rouhani sign agreements on trade and travel. Rouhani is also granted a rare audience with Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.

03/11/2019

Iran Pres Rouhani visits Iraq and visits Iraqi Prime Minister Abel Abdul-Mehdi to discuss US sanctions.

02/25/2019

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif abruptly resigns in frustration over the strength of hardliners and the obstacle of US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, though Rouhani eventually rejects the resignation.

02/22/2019

UN confirms that Iran continues to abide by nuclear agreement.

02/13/2019

Islamic State attacks Revolutionary Guard post near Pakistan, killing twenty-seven.

01/31/2019

EU ready to initiate mechanism to bypass US sanctions on Iran. Iran asserts it will continue to abide by the nuclear agreement.

01/30/2019

Rouhani says the economy is more severely challenged than at any time since 1979. Inflation is above 35% and the rial has lost 70% of its value in the last year.

01/12/2019

Israel targets missile attacks on Damascus airport buildings suspected of holding Iranian weapons and materiel.

01/08/2019

EU imposes sanctions on Iran for assassinations in Europe in 2015 and 2017 of opponents of the regime.

12/18/2018

Trump tweets that ISIS is defeated in Syria and therefore the US will withdraw all its troops from Syria. US security advisors and allies are dismayed. Russia and Turkey welcome the move, and some conjecture that Trump made the move after discussion with Erdogan. Others conjecture that the US may not withdraw all its troops. Syrian Kurds are left with few options for independence and will probably have to negotiate with Assad.

11/19/2018

Saudi Arabia protests that the US has betrayed it by issuing many waivers on oil exports to Iran that the price of oil dropped sharply, and that it will cut oil exports in December.

11/01/2018

US sanctions related to the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement go into effect on Iranian energy and banking sectors.

10/27/2018

Israel accuses Iran of ordering recent missile strikes on Israel from Palestinian Territories.

10/27/2018

France. Germany. Russia. and Turkey meet to discuss Syria and agree to work toward a political process. Russia, Syria, Turkey, and Iran want the US to leave northern Syria and end its association with the YPG. Europe is angered about the US ending the nuclear and possibly destabilizing Iran’s economy and therefore nascent democratic government, and the possible increase in refugees to Europe. Assad has no interest in any change in the Syrian political structure.

10/17/2018

US imposes new sanctions on Iranian paramilitary group, the Basij, for recruiting children, and on three Iranian banks.

10/16/2018

Israel admits that it has carried out multiple strikes against Iranian allies in Syria and implies that it will not hesitate to continue such strikes when and where necessary.

10/03/2018

International Court of Justice orders US to end Iran sanctions on humanitarian goods.

10/01/2018

Iran fires missiles at what it calls “terrorists” in Syria, but connects the attack to the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

10/01/2018

Iran fires missiles at what it calls “terrorists” in Syria, but connects the attack to the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

10/01/2018

Iran fires missiles at what it calls “terrorists” in Syria, but connects the attack to the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

09/25/2018

Russia deploying advanced air defense system to Syria, perhaps to reassure Syria in regard to Israel, which has affirmed that it will continue to fight Iranian proxies in Syria. The US objects.

09/24/2018

EU, Russia, China, and Iran agree to create a “special vehicle” to convey payments for Iranian exports, a way of avoiding US sanctions.

09/07/2018

Presidents of Russia, Turkey, and Iran meet in Teheran to discuss Syrian conflict, the assault on Idlib, the refugee problem, and those whose whereabouts cannot be identified.

08/31/2018

Iran reported to be sending missiles to Shiite militias in Iraq.

08/30/2018

UN IAEA says Iran is still abiding by the terms of the JPCOA.

08/28/2018

At UN court, US argues that UN has no jurisdiction over US sanctions on Iran.

08/28/2018

At UN court, US argues that UN has no jurisdiction over US sanctions on Iran.

08/28/2018

At UN court, US argues that UN has no jurisdiction over US sanctions on Iran.

08/28/2018

At UN court, US argues that UN has no jurisdiction over US sanctions on Iran.

08/26/2018

Iran parliament impeaches economy minister, another blow to Rouhani. The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs was dismissed by parliament earlier this month.

08/21/2018

Iran shows images of a new domestic fighter plane. French energy company Total withdraws from a proposed project in Iran after it fails to receive a waiver from US sanctions.

08/21/2018

Iran announces that it resumed electricity supplies to Iraq and other states on 8/11.

08/13/2018

Ayatollah Khamenei, in a tweet, rejects talks with the US about the nuclear deal, but also says there will be no war. Iran successfully tests new ballistic missile.

08/13/2018

Iran says it will not follow all US sanctions against Iran. Iraq is heavily dependent on Iran for gas, food supplies, electricity, and water, largely because the United States' invasion, which disrupted much national infrastructure and relationships.

08/13/2018

Israel reported to be pursuing peace pact with Hamas in Gaza, in order to concentrate on the greater threat it sees from Iran.

08/13/2018

Ayatollah Khamenei, in a tweet, rejects talks with the US about the nuclear deal, but also says there will be no war. Iran successfully tests new ballistic missile.

08/08/2018

China, Russia, and EU say that they will continue to trade with Iran despite US Pres Trump’s tweeted threat to end business with any entity that trades with Iran.

08/06/2018

US begins to reimpose sanctions on Iran oil exports, which it will do in stages.

08/02/2018

Iran reported to be preparing naval exercises to show that it could close the Strait of Hormuz.

08/01/2018

Second day of large protests about economic hardships in Isfahan, Iran’s third-largest city.

07/22/2018

Trump warns Iran against threatening the US.

07/21/2018

Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz if US imposes new sanctions.

07/17/2018

Iran sues US in International Court of Justice over reimposition of sanctions, citing a 1955 treaty.

07/08/2018

Iranian foreign ministry official says that Iranian military advisors will remain in Syria despite Russian request to remove them.

07/02/2018

Rouhani says that Iran will continue nuclear agreement as long as its interests are preserved, following a day in which the US says it aims to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero to pressure it into a better deal.

06/25/2018

Protests in Iran about economy as US sanctions once again being imposed.

06/21/2018

OPEC countries, plus Russia, gather to discuss output. Saudi Arabia is urging increasing production, but Iran and others object. Venezuelan production has dropped, and Iran production may be reduced by re-imposition of US sanctions.

06/10/2018

Chinese President Xi meets with Iran President Rouhani at the annual meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Russian President Putin also meets both with Rouhani and Xi. The economic group of the SCO consists of eight full members (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, India, and Pakistan), four observers (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia), and six dialogue partners (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey). Iran is working to become a full member.

06/04/2018

Iran says it will inform UN of its intention to increase production of enriched uranium “within the framework” of the JPCOA.

05/23/2018

Iran requires that negotiations about JPCOA exclude any discussion of Iran’s ballistic missiles, “safeguard trade” with Iran, continued buying of Iranian oil, resist US sanctions, and condemn US for breaking a UN resolution that supports the JPCOA.

05/23/2018

Merkel in China for discussions about improving relations overall and maintaining the JPCOA with Iran.

05/17/2018

EU says it will revive a 1996 statute that prevents EU countries from complying the US sanctions against Iran, and also that the European Investment Bank to facilitate European companies’ investment in Iran.

05/15/2018

Continuing negotiations among Iran, Germany, France, Russia, China, and the UK about continuing the JPCOA.

05/15/2018

US imposes sanctions on the head of Iran’s central bank.

05/11/2018

Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin agree to meet on 5/18 to discuss the JPCOA and the withdrawal of the US from it. They also agreed to work to have other signatories remain in the agreement, especially France, the UK, and China.

05/10/2018

Rockets from Iranian Quds forces in Syria strike the Golan Heights in Israel. In response, Israel attacks dozens of Iranian sites in Syria, destroying much of the Iranian infrastructure there.

04/08/2018

With value of rial falling substantially, Iran works to stop its slide. The cause is attributed to the continued foreign reluctance to invest in Iran, but some see it as a manufactured problem created by Rouhani’s conservative opponents.

04/03/2018

Russia, Iran, and Turkey meet to discuss Syria in a continuation of what is known as the Astana process. The UN-Geneva process, supported by the US, remains stalled.

04/02/2018

Mohamed bin Salman acknowledges Israel’s right to a homeland as he continues to court Israel as an ally against Iran. He also compares Ayatollah Khamenei to Hitler.

03/23/2018

US indicts ten Iranians and a tech firm, accusing them of hacking 144 universities in the US and another 176 around the world.

03/21/2018

Israel, admitting that it bombed a suspected Syrian nuclear facility in 2007, warns Iran that it could to the same in that country if it tries to develop a nuclear weapon.

02/10/2018

After Iranian drone enters Israeli air space, Israel strikes “command and control” center for the drone and other Iranian and Hezbollah sites. An Israeli jet is shot down returning from the mission.

01/13/2018

Iran rejects any change to the nuclear deal.

01/12/2018

US does not decertify JPCOA, but imposes new sanctions on Iranians. Pres Trump also demands that the European signatories agree on addendums to the deal within 120 days, including extending the ban on nuclear development in definitely and a new agreement on ballistic missiles.

01/08/2018

After Revolutionary Guards sent to many cities, protests largely subside.

01/05/2018

Protests continue throughout Iran.

01/03/2018

Government sends Revolutionary Guards to undetermined number of protesting cities to end demonstrations and charges US with inciting protests.

01/03/2018

Iran reopens borders with Kurdistan.

01/02/2018

Governments vows to end protests. Pro-regime rallies around the country. Ayatollah Khamenei blames unrest on “enemies.” The United States is often named as an enemy to rally support for the government, though not in this address.

12/31/2017

Continuing protests and more deaths in protests.

12/30/2017

In third day of protests, perhaps organized through social media, government warns of severe consequences and restricts Telegram and Instagram. Two protestors are killed.

12/28/2017

Protests in Iran for a second day over rising prices of basic necessities, evolving into a more general protest of the government of the mullahs. The people were promised an economic lift due to the nuclear deal, but have seen little or no change so far.

12/05/2017

Iran Pres Rouhani urges Muslims to disrupt efforts to build ties with Israel. The statement may be aimed at Saudi Arabia.

12/05/2017

Iran Pres Rouhani urges Muslims to disrupt efforts to build ties with Israel. The statement may be aimed at Saudi Arabia.

12/05/2017

Iran Pres Rouhani urges Muslims to disrupt efforts to build ties with Israel. The statement may be aimed at Saudi Arabia.

12/05/2017

Iran Pres Rouhani urges Muslims to disrupt efforts to build ties with Israel. The statement may be aimed at Saudi Arabia.

12/05/2017

Hariri withdraws resignation after Lebanon cabinet affirms its disengagement from conflicts in the Arab world. Hezbollah agrees to remove its fighters from Iraq after the Islamic State is declared defeated.

11/22/2017

In discussions brokered by Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Russia agree on a plan for peace in Syria. It includes a dialogue in Russia in December that would frame a constitution for an integrated Syria and elections that could include Assad as a presidential candidate. Turkey insists that Kurds be excluded from the discussion. Iran objects to military from foreign countries, including the US, in Syria. A number of Syrian negotiators resign in protest to this outline.

11/21/2017

Iran Pres Rouhani declares Islamic State vanquished.

11/06/2017

Pakistan Chief of Army Staff in Iran to discuss issues including common border security.

11/04/2017

Lebanese PM Saad Hariri resigns, accusing Iran and Hezbollah of fomenting discord in the Arab world. Pres Michel Aoun must appoint a Sunni as PM. An assassination plot against Hariri was recently foiled.