The administration of United States President Barack Obama has launched a virtual US Embassy in Iran that, as expected, has been immediately filtered. Tehran sees it as yet another subversive initiative by Uncle Sam to sow divisions between the people and the Islamic regime that overthrew a US-friendly dictator and then took American diplomats as hostage for 444 days in 1979-1980, prompting the US to sever diplomatic ties with Iran

• December 13, 2011

Iran is facing ominous rhetoric and deadly explosions as the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia step up efforts to open Iran's nuclear facilities to inspection. Tehran is gauging its support from abroad. Syria, a longstanding ally, is in turmoil and Hezbollah in Lebanon would be of only limited help.

• December 12, 2011

Security is being stepped up ahead of an opposition rally in Moscow on Saturday expected to draw 30,000 people.

• December 9, 2011

Russia announced that it will not join any efforts to sanction Iran’s oil and gas sector..

• December 9, 2011

Russia warned Thursday time was running out to conclude a missile defence deal with NATO after the two failed again to bridge differences on a project the alliance says is aimed at countering threats from states like Iran.

• December 8, 2011

Washington hopes to have another round of rare denuclearization talks with Pyongyang, said Thursday Glyn Davies, new US special representative for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

• December 8, 2011

The chairman of presidential Atomic Energy Security Council (AESC) refuted statements of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia suggesting Armenian nuclear power plant poses security threat to the region.

• December 6, 2011

With India and Israel being at an advanced stage of finalising a free trade agreement, the bilateral trade is likely to touch $15 billion from around $5 billion now, said Mr Alon Ushpiz, Ambassador of Israel to India.

• December 6, 2011