Iran’s president has said that Saudi Arabia cannot “cover up” its crime of executing a leading Shi’ite cleric by severing diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic.

A nuclear deal may have been signed by Iran and Western powers but the regional powerplay is far from resolved, writes Volker Perthes

It is hard to picture Iran’s nuclear talks with world powers without the beaming face of foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who, in reaching a deal, has shown the power of what Iranians call ‘smile diplomacy’.

Critics believe Iran will use the deal to boost its economy while continuing to try to build a bomb, but the agreement may be the best global powers could get, writes Dan Perry

Rush-hour passengers in the busy metro system of Iran’s capital have brushed shoulders with a surprising commuter – President Hassan Rouhani.

Eleven people have been arrested in Iran after allegedly sending text messages deemed insulting to the founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, an Iranian newspaper said.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and fellow foreign ministers are attempting to advance troubled nuclear talks with Iran as a deadline looms for a pact meant to curb programmes Tehran could turn to making atomic arms.

Thousands of Iranian protesters packed the streets outside the former US Embassy in Tehran in the biggest anti-American rally in years.

Iran’s Supreme Leader has warned against undermining negotiators engaged in talks with the West over its nuclear programme.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has played the spoiler to Iran’s attempts to ease relations with the West, calling the Iranian leader “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” and declaring that Israel will do whatever it takes to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it has to stand alone.

President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke by telephone today, the first conversation between American and Iranian presidents in more than 30 years.