Middle East

First lady Rula Ghani at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan. Earlier this year, she helped free more than 190 Afghan women and girls imprisoned for failing the virginity test after reproductive rights activist Farhad Javid brought it to her att

Whatever Happened To ... The Afghan Girls Imprisoned For Failing A Virginity Test?

10:44am August 27, 2019

by Malaka Gharib

After lobbying the president and first lady of Afghanistan to help, activist Farhad Javid has some good news to share. But there's still a lot of work to do.

Tajrish market, located in northern Tehran

World News

Reporter's Notebook: Here's How Iran Is Functioning In The Face Of Sanctions

8:36am August 27, 2019

by Steve Inskeep

The Iranian capital remains vibrant. But inflation has soared, and in a week of reporting in Tehran, NPR's Steve Inskeep found some residents openly critical of their government.

News Brief: Oklahoma Opioid Ruling, Iran Sanctions, Newark's Water

6:24am August 27, 2019

Oklahoma judge rules Johnson & Johnson is partly to blame for the state's opioid crisis. President Trump may meet with Iran's president. Protesters rally against lead in Newark's drinking water.

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In a photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani speaks at a conference in Tehran, on Monday.

World News

Rouhani Backs Off Meeting With Trump, Saying U.S. Must First Lift Sanctions

5:12am August 27, 2019

by Scott Neuman

The Iranian president's remarks on Tuesday were in contrast to an initially favorable reception to the idea of a face-to-face meeting with President Trump.

Satellite imagery from April 29 (left) shows the launch pad covered in debris. Imagery from August 24 (right) shows it with a fresh coat of paint.

World News

Iran Seen Preparing For Space Launch

6:13pm August 26, 2019

by Geoff Brumfiel

Satellite imagery shows that Iran has given its launch pad a fresh coat of paint. It is another sign the nation will soon attempt to launch something into orbit.

World News

Israel Appears To Intensify Its Campaign Against Iranian Forces

7:36am August 26, 2019

by Daniel Estrin

Over the weekend, Israel carried out an airstrike on Iranian forces and allies in Syria. It also reportedly struck sites in Lebanon and Iraq. All of this has sparked threats of retaliation and war.

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Authorities in Gibraltar rejected the United States' latest request not to release a seized Iranian supertanker.

World News

Iranian Oil Tanker Leaves Gibraltar, Despite U.S. Efforts To Keep It Detained

5:52pm August 24, 2019

by Gabriela Saldivia

The U.S. alleged that the tanker, which was seized in July, was carrying 2.1 million barrels of crude oil to Syria in violation of an international embargo.

Cancer patients receive chemotherapy treatment at Roshana Cancer Center, a private clinic in western Tehran.

Iran Under Sanctions: A Scramble For Cancer Care And Blame To Go Around

2:12pm August 24, 2019

Shortages affecting hospitals and clinics are a perilous example of an economic crisis that has worsened since the U.S. imposed economic and financial penalties on the country.

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World News

Situation In Idlib, Syria

8:32am August 24, 2019

NPR's Scott Simon asks U.N. Regional Humanitarian Coordinator Panos Moumtzis about conditions in Idlib, Syria.

News Brief: Rainforest Fires, G-7 Summit, Iran's Economy

11:20am August 23, 2019

Wildfires are spreading in Brazil's Amazon rainforest. The G-7 summit opens Saturday in France. And Iranians answer this question: Who do you blame for Iran's economic troubles?

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