Iran

Day 25: Iran cools dialogue prospects, appoints ‘hardliner’ as security chief

On March 24, 2026, Iran announced the appointment of former Revolutionary Guard commander Mohamad Bagher Zolghadr as the new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, replacing Ali Larijani, who was assassinated last week by Israel. EFE/ TASNIM News Agency - EDITORIAL USE ONLY/AVAILABLE ONLY TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (CREDIT REQUIRED) - BEST AVAILABLE QUALITY

International Desk, (EFE).- The Islamic Republic appointed on Tuesday Mohamad Baqer Zolqadr, an ultraconservative hardliner to lead its national security as hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough faded. The shift comes despite a new mediation push by Pakistan and a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Lebanon. Security shake-up and diplomatic deadlock Tehran appointed Zolqadr, a former Revolutionary … Read more

Iran threatens to ‘completely’ close Strait of Hormuz if US attacks its power plants

(FILE). Oil tankers cross the Strait of Hormuz in Oman. Jan. 15, 2012. EFE/Ali Haider

Tehran (EFE).- The Iranian Armed Forces threatened on Sunday to “completely” close the Strait of Hormuz and destroy United States economic interests in the region if Washington attacks Iran’s power plants. “The Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed and will not reopen until our destroyed power plants are rebuilt,” said Ebrahim Zolfagari, spokesperson for … Read more

Iranian missile hits Haifa oil refinery, according to local media reports

(FILE). Residents of Haifa, northern Israel, were urged to take shelter by the sound of sirens as a new barrage of rockets was launched from Iran. Mar. 03, 2026. EFE/ Magda Gibelli

Tel Aviv (EFE).- The Haifa oil refinery, the most important city in northern Israel, was attacked on Thursday after the latest missile strike launched from Iran, according to several local media outlets, including Israel’s public broadcaster Kan. “15 firefighting and rescue teams from the Coastal District are currently operating at the site where intercepted fragments … Read more

Erdoğan reiterates warnings to Iran after NATO intercepts another missile in Turkey

(FILE). Turkish President Recep Erdogan addresses the media after the conclusion on the G20 Summit held at the Nasrec Expo Center in Johannesburg, South Africa. Nov. 23, 2025. EFE/EPA/HALDEN KROG

Istanbul, Mar 9 (EFE).- The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, reiterated his warnings on Monday to Iran not to extend the conflict, hours after NATO intercepted an Iranian missile in Turkish airspace, the second such interception since Mar. 4. “Despite our sincere warnings, extremely wrong and provocative steps continue to be taken that test Turkey’s … Read more

China to send its special envoy for the Middle East to mediate amid regional crisis

(FILE). Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives to attend a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the end of World War Two, in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. Sep 03, 2025. EFE/EPA/ALEXANDER KAZAKOV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL MANDATORY CREDIT

Beijing (EFE).- China’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Wang Yi, announced on Wednesday the Special Middle East envoy would travel to the region to mediate the escalation sparked by the United States’ and Israel’s military attacks against Iran. Wang proposed sending the representative during a telephone conversation with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, to … Read more

Trump slams Spain over base use for Iran war, threatens to ‘cut off all trade’

US President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, Mar 03, 2026. (Alemania) EFE/EPA/SAMUEL CORUM / POOL

​Washington, Mar 3 (EFE).- United States President Donald Trump slammed Spain after the Spanish Government prohibited the use of the Rota and Morón bases for the Iran war and threatened to “cut off all trade on Tuesday, during a bilateral meeting at the White House with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. ​”Spain has been terrible,” Trump … Read more

UN insists on Middle East de-escalation, warns of “growing” civilian casualties

UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric speaks during a press conference in New York, USA, 02 March 2026. EFE/ Angel Colmenares

United Nations, (EFE).- The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call for a de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East on Monday, following the weekend attack by the United States and Israel against Iran, and warned of the “growing” number of civilian casualties. Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, made the statement during his daily … Read more

Trump: US current attacks were ‘last, best chance to strike’ Iran

US President Donald Trump gestures in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 02 March 2026. EFE/EPA/JIM LO SCALZO / POOL

​Washington, Mar 2 (EFE).- United States President Donald Trump assured on Monday the current attacks against Iran were the “last, best chance to strike” to eliminate the “intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime.” ​In his first live appearance after the start of Saturday of Operation ‘Epic Fury’ against Iran, in which Supreme … Read more

Iran willing to negotiate, Trump predicts offensive will last 4 weeks

(FILE). US President Donald Trump. Feb. 27, 2026. EFE/EPA/YURI GRIPAS / POOL

International Desk (EFE).- The new Iranian leadership conveyed its willingness to negotiate to both the United States and Oman while the offensive against the regime continues, which US President Donald Trump considered to be progressing faster than anticipated, although he predicted it could last four weeks. According to the Omani agency ONA, Omani Foreign Minister … Read more

Oman: Discreet, Credible Intermediary for Iran-US Negotiations

(FILE)- A couple of children are heading to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat (Oman), Sunday, February 14, 2010. EFE/Ian Langsdon

Cairo, (EFE).- Oman will once again play host on Friday to the negotiations between Iran and the United States. The Sultanate is regarded as a credible, discreet, and neutral mediator by the Islamic Republic, which seeks to restrict the dialogue to its nuclear program rather than expanding the agenda to include its missile arsenal. The … Read more

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