Accessibility links
Iran's Nuclear Ambitions Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warns that his country will strike against anyone who targets Iran's nuclear facilities. Ahmadinejad, who has insisted that the nuclear program is not weapons-related, is visiting the United Nations as the General Assembly opens.
Special Series

Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

A U.S. intelligence review concludes that Iran stopped developing a nuclear weapons program in 2003.

Ahmadinejad: 'Who Exactly Is The Provocateur?'

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is visiting the United States and the United Nations — where he is expected to confront the U.S. over its policies. But in an interview with NPR, Ahmadinejad disputed that view — up to a point.

Ahmadinejad: 'Who Exactly Is The Provocateur?'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/94887472/94921428" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Diplomacy With Iran Spurs Concern In Israel

Time is running out for Iran to respond to a proposal by the West that offers a freeze on new U.N. sanctions if Tehran agrees to halt any expansion of its nuclear work. In Israel, the new diplomatic push is being met with skepticism and concern.

Diplomacy With Iran Spurs Concern In Israel

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93278569/93278558" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Scholar Believes Israel Will Strike Iran Nuclear Sites

An Israeli professor believes that Israel will attack Iran's nuclear program within the next four to seven months. He bases that timeline on unsuccessful diplomatic efforts and Iranian tehnological advances.

Scholar Believes Israel Will Strike Iran Nuclear Sites

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92830822/92836880" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

U.S. And Iran Discuss Nuclear Plan in Geneva

Iran has been given two weeks to agree to freeze its uranium enrichment program or face the prospect of new and tougher U.N. sanctions. The timetable stems from seven-country sessions in Geneva, where top-level U.S. and Iranian officials were present.

U.S. And Iran Discuss Nuclear Plan in Geneva

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92716691/92716670" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Analysis

For U.S., Iran, Will Momentous Become Momentum?

The Iranians have been consistent for years — they won't compromise on enriching uranium. The United States insists they must. Can Iran and America bridge this gap? Liane Hansen speaks with Vali Nasr, professor of International Politics at Tufts University's Fletcher School of International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

For U.S., Iran, Will Momentous Become Momentum?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92716694/92716671" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Photo Of Iran's Missile Launch Was Manipulated

It's been proven that a photo showing Iran's launch of four missiles is fake. A defense analyst says he believes only three missiles launched and the fourth malfunctioned. The photo was circulated by newspapers and news agencies before the discrepancy was detected.

Folkenflik talks about the doctored photo with Renee Montagne.

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92442928/92443089" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008: Candidates on the Issues

Candidates Diverge On How To Handle Iran

Both Barack Obama and John McCain have been explicit that they view Iran with a possible nuclear weapon as a grave threat. They also agree on toughening economic sanctions. But while Obama urges serious U.S.-Iran talks, McCain sees that as a fruitless path.

Candidates Diverge On How To Handle Iran

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92391485/92398749" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Mixed Signals On Iran Attack

The chatter about a U.S. or Israeli attack on Iran has been intensifying though President Bush emphasizes he will pursue diplomacy. But there are many in Israel who want to use military force as do some within the Bush administration.

Mixed Signals On Iran Attack

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92383792/92384978" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

News Analysis

U.S. Plans For Iran Examined

This week's New Yorker magazine reports on increased covert operations against Iran. The U.S. says no talks with Iran are possible before Tehran suspends its nuclear program. That is unlikely to happen, leaving Washington's plans open to question.

U.S. Plans For Iran Examined

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92151813/92152483" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Analysis

Israeli Military Sends Message to Iran, World

A major military exercise by Israel in the Mediterranean is believed to be a dry-run for a possible attack on Iran's nuclear sites. Amir Oren, chief national security correspondent for the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz, offers his take on the maneuvers and their overall message to the world.

Israeli Military Sends Message to Iran, World

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91773676/91773664" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Europe and the U.S. to Sweeten Offer to Iran

The U.S. and Europe, with the support of Russia and China, will offer a sweetened package of economic incentives to Iran this weekend in the latest attempt to persuade Tehran to stop enriching uranium. But Iranian leaders seem in no mood to stop any of their nuclear activities. The nations are also threatening new economic sanctions.

Europe and the U.S. to Sweeten Offer to Iran

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91488996/91488966" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Opinion

In Italy, Bush Calls for Tough Stand on Iran

President Bush, at a news conference in Rome Thursday, reiterated the need for a tough stand on Iran's nuclear program. Iran and Italy are major trading partners and the issue is a sticking point between Bush and his ally, Italian Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

In Italy, Bush Calls for Tough Stand on Iran

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91441592/91441577" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Analysis

News Analysis

Iran Seizes a Diplomatic Opportunity

Iran has sent U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon a sweeping proposal for a peaceful settlement of major disputes. President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad appears to have spotted an opportunity to upstage the U.S., where leaders are bogged down in campaign rhetoric.

Iran Seizes a Diplomatic Opportunity

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90736327/90736292" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Bush Reinforces Iran Opposition in Israel Speech

President Bush is in Israel to celebrate the country's 60th anniversary. He is using a speech to the Israeli parliament to reiterate his position that Iran must not be allowed to attain nuclear weapons.

Bush Reinforces Iran Opposition in Israel Speech

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90462078/90462039" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Presidential Candidates Come Out Strong on Iran

Iran's nuclear program and its involvement in Iraq present formidable foreign policy challenges for any U.S. president. The public comments of the current presidential candidates have lacked complexity, but their actual positions are more nuanced.

Presidential Candidates Come Out Strong on Iran

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90289419/90289401" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Iranians: Sanctions Fall Short of Intended Effects

The U.N. Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program. Washington has imposed sanctions on Iranian banks, designed to strangle Iran's ability to use billions of dollars of oil revenues in trade. The sanctions have had some effect, but ordinary Iranians appear to be more affected by government policies stemming from the international sanctions.

Iranians: Sanctions Fall Short of Intended Effects

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/88732688/88732642" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Iran Tensions Loom Large for Next President

For nearly 30 years, relations between the United States and Iran have been chilly. And with Iran's growing nuclear ambitions, the tension has only gotten worse. NPR's Liane Hansen speaks with Stephen Kinzer, author of Overthrow and All the Shah's Men about what lies ahead for these two countries.

Iran Tensions Loom Large for Next President

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18858180/18854825" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

U.S. Intelligence Report Complicates Iran Debate

Western diplomats at the United Nations are trying to persuade the Security Council to pass a new sanctions resolution on Iran. But some wonder why now, especially in the wake of the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate that said Iran suspended a secret nuclear weapons program in 2003.

U.S. Intelligence Report Complicates Iran Debate

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18842006/18841982" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Analysis

Iran NIE Reopens Intelligence Debate

Analysts who prepared the NIE on Iran knew they would cause a stir by reversing earlier judgments on Iran's nuclear weapons program. Some NIE critics say the drafters should have written it differently, while others may have not wanted to be accused of enabling another march to war.

Iran NIE Reopens Intelligence Debate

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18177103/18177076" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org