Tensions Between Washington and Tehran Continue to Rise

Iranian leaders blame the US and Israel for the assassination Wednesday of an Iranian nuclear scientist. American officials, on the other hand, are publicly warning Iran not to cross a couple of “red lines.”

Iranian Nuclear Scientist Killed in Tehran Explosion

A nuclear scientist is killed after a suspected bomb exploded in a car in northern Tehran, the latest in a string of such nuclear-linked attacks.

The World Of Covert Operations In Iran

Iranian officials are blaming the killing of a Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran on Israel and the US. Washington has denied any involvement, but Israel isn’t saying one way or the other.

Iranian President Ahmadinejad Visits Latin America Seeking to Reinforce Alliances

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad embarks on a four-nation tour with visits to Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Ecuador, seeking to reinforce ties with the few allies Iran has left.

US Man Sentenced to Death in Iran

Former Marine Amir Mirzai Hekmati was “sentenced to death for cooperating with a hostile nation, membership of the CIA and trying to implicate Iran in terrorism,” semi-official Fars news agency said.

Who is Amir Hekmati?

Lisa Mullins finds out more about Amir Hekmati, the Iranian-American sentenced to death for spying in Iran.

Iran and world powers hold nuclear talks

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Iran and key world powers have begun talks in the Swiss city of Geneva on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program. On Sunday Iran said it had delivered its first domestically produced raw uranium and would now go into the talks with “strength and power”. Western powers fear Iran may be trying to produce nuclear arms, but Tehran says its program is purely peaceful. Lisa Mullins talks with the BBC’s Iran correspondent James Reynolds who is at the meeting. Download MP3

Iran’s “Daily Show”

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A new television show is changing the way many Iranians watch news. Some call it the Iranian version of the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Its name in Persian is Parazit (Static) – a reference to what happens when the Iranian government blocks the satellite airwaves that illegally broadcast the program into Iranian homes. Mitra Taj reports on its rising popularity both in Iran and abroad. Download MP3
Parazit video in Persian

Karzai confirms cash from Iran

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Afghan President Hamid Karzai has acknowledged that his office has received cash from Iran, but insists it was part of a “transparent” process. Karzai was responding to a report in the New York Times that Tehran had been passing bags stuffed full of cash to Karzai’s aides. Lisa Mullins gets the latest from the BBC’s Quentin Summerville in Kabul and a reality check from Pamela Constable, former Kabul bureau chief for the Washington Post. Download MP3

Inside Hezbollah

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Israelis recently watched as Iranian President Ahmadinejad addressed a rally near the border with their country. Ahmadinejad was on a trip to Lebanon, touring its southern border region. It was seen as a show of support for the Shiite militant group Hezbollah. Marco Werman talks with journalist Thanassis Cambanis (right), who spent time in Lebanon researching Hezbollah supporters. Download MP3
>>>Thanassis Cambanis homepage

Ahmadinejad in Lebanon

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Iran’s President Ahmadinejad pays a visit to Lebanon. He can expect a hero’s welcome in Hezbollah strongholds but how will it play at home in Iran or in Israel? Lisa Mullins talks with Los Angeles Times Middle East correspondent Borzou Daragahi in Beirut. Download MP3

Dealing with Iran

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John Limbert was the State Department’s point man for Iran under President Obama. Limbert’s experience and approach made him a good fit to negotiate with Iran under President Ahmadinejad. Like President Obama, Limbert is committed to improving relations with Iran. But Limbert resigned in July, after only nine months on the job. Lisa Mullins talks with him. Download MP3

Obama condemns Ahmadinejad’s 9/11 remarks

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President Barack Obama has described as “hateful” and “offensive” the claim by Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that most people believed the US government was behind the 9/11 attacks. Mr Obama was speaking exclusively to BBC Persian television, which broadcasts to Iran and Afghanistan. Mr Ahmadinejad’s speech at the UN General Assembly triggered a walkout. Jeb Sharp reports. Download MP3

A Persian insult, an Inuit dialect, and Urdu directions

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In this week’s World in Words podcast, Iran’s leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is known for his fruity prose, and this month he outdid himself with a new anti-American insult. Also, we hear from a linguist who’s spending a year in Northwest Greenland. And getting from Point A to Point B in Urdu, a language that has the same word for “go straight” and “turn right” Download MP3

Iran ‘concealed nuclear facility’

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Iran has been accused of concealing a second uranium enrichment plant in defiance of international calls for transparency over its nuclear plans. The US, UK and France demanded UN inspectors be given immediate access to the facility. Iran revealed the existence of the plant to the UN watchdog, saying it was not yet operational and would only be used for nuclear energy. Tehran has previously acknowledged it has one enrichment plant, at Natanz (pictured in AP photo). Katy Clark reports.

• BBC coverage
• Iran’s key nuclear sites
• Background Brief: Nuclear Standoff with Iran