News

As U.S. Hands Down New Sanctions On Iran, Will Goodwill Be Short-Lived?

5:13pm January 17, 2016

The U.S. imposed new sanctions on Iran just hours after three Americans released as part of a prisoner swap made their way to Europe. What does this spell for relations between the two countries?

Congressman Jeff Duncan displays pictures of Saeed Abedini, Amir Hekmati, Jason Rezaian and Robert Levinson during a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing in Washington, D.C. on July 28, 2015. Abedini, Hekmati and Rezaian were freed this weekend as p

Americans Released By Iran; 3 Arrive In Germany

4:39pm January 17, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The four Americans who were part of a prisoner exchange have been released, a senior administration official says, and those who wished to depart Iran have left. A fifth prisoner was also released.

Dr. Rajia Sharhan, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, takes a child's mid-upper arm circumference in Madaya, Syria, on Thursday. The city was under siege by government forces and didn't receive aid for months. Dozens of people have died of malnutrition.

World News

As Aid Is Offered In Madaya, Other Regions In Syria Are Still Besieged

2:46pm January 17, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Aid arrived in the besieged town of Madaya, as well as two other towns, on Monday. Meanwhile, the U.N. is drawing attention to the hundreds of thousands of Syrians they still can't reach.

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani presents the draft budget for the next Iranian fiscal year to the chairman of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani at the Iranian parliament in Tehran on Jan. 17, 2016.

Path To U.S.-Iran Deal, Prisoner Swap Began Years Ago

2:31pm January 17, 2016

by Deb Amos

While negotiations over a nuclear deal between the United States and Iran began two years ago, smaller efforts for diplomacy go back to the last decade.

Latest Implications For Iran Prisoner Exchange

2:02pm January 17, 2016

Iran has released five Americans in what is an apparent prisoner swap. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks to foreign affairs analyst Robin Wright about the exchange and the diplomatic gamble.

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President Obama Gives Statement About U.S.-Iran Deals This Weekend

1:58pm January 17, 2016

President Barack Obama addresses the nation, following the lifting of sanctions on Iran. NPR's Scott Horsley and Deb Amos join host Rachel Martin to discuss what the president says.

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Iran Economic Sanctions Lifted: What Critics Are Saying

12:35pm January 17, 2016

Certain economic sanctions will be lifted in Iran, but there are critics of the nuclear deal in surrounding countries and in the U.S. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with NPR's Peter Kenyon about their reaction.

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Iranian Reaction To Implementation Day

11:39am January 17, 2016

NPR's Rachel Martin speaks to the New York Times correspondent in Tehran, Thomas Erdbrink.

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What's Being Done To Address The Country's Backlog Of Untested Rape Kits

11:37am January 17, 2016

by NPR Staff

Tens of thousands of rape kits sit, untested, in evidence rooms. While a new push to clear the backlog has brought urgency the issue, what's taken so long — and why does it exist in the first place?

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U.S. Imposes New Ballistic Sanctions On Iran, Day After Many Penalties Lifted

11:26am January 17, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

On Saturday, many sanctions on Iran were lifted under the nuclear pact, and the U.S. and Iran exchanged prisoners. On Sunday, the U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions over Iran's weapons program.