http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 20 May 2013 01:04:19 +0200 Mon, 20 May 2013 01:04:19 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iranians-planning-to-create-environmental-catastrophe-in-hormuz-strait-a-861343.html#ref=rss Iran could be planning to create a vast oil spill in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a top secret report obtained by Western intelligence officials. The aim of the operation is to both temporarily block the vital shipping channel and to force a suspension of Western sanctions. Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:25:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iranians-planning-to-create-environmental-catastrophe-in-hormuz-strait-a-861343.html Iran could be planning to create a vast oil spill in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a top secret report obtained by Western intelligence officials. The aim of the operation is to both temporarily block the vital shipping channel and to force a suspension of Western sanctions.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iranian-foreign-minister-salehi-on-syria-and-nuclear-weapons-a-860015.html#ref=rss Last week, the violence in Syria came close to spilling across the country's borders and spiraling into a regional conflict. SPIEGEL spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi about his country's continued support of Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad, NATO's delicate role in the region and Iran's nuclear program. Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:52:23 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iranian-foreign-minister-salehi-on-syria-and-nuclear-weapons-a-860015.html Last week, the violence in Syria came close to spilling across the country's borders and spiraling into a regional conflict. SPIEGEL spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi about his country's continued support of Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad, NATO's delicate role in the region and Iran's nuclear program.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-ronald-lauder-on-the-iran-conflict-a-859215.html#ref=rss Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, speaks to SPIEGEL about the conflict between the West and Iran, Israel's threat of a preemptive strike against Tehran and why he believes unilateral action without Washington's support would be "disastrous". Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:47:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-ronald-lauder-on-the-iran-conflict-a-859215.html Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, speaks to SPIEGEL about the conflict between the West and Iran, Israel's threat of a preemptive strike against Tehran and why he believes unilateral action without Washington's support would be "disastrous". ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/sanctions-create-problems-for-iran-air-in-europe-a-858886.html#ref=rss Sanctions against Tehran have made operations of Iran Air far more difficult in Europe, where the company is hardly able to purchase fuel any longer. Officials at the national airline complain of a "human rights violation." Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:32:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/sanctions-create-problems-for-iran-air-in-europe-a-858886.html Sanctions against Tehran have made operations of Iran Air far more difficult in Europe, where the company is hardly able to purchase fuel any longer. Officials at the national airline complain of a "human rights violation."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nuclear-technology-for-iran-german-investigators-uncover-illegal-exports-a-858893.html#ref=rss Recent arrests suggest that Germany remains a hub for sales of prohibited supplies to Iran that are being used in Iran's nuclear program. Illegal exports are undermining Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has pursued an embargo policy in order to prevent a possible war in the Middle East. Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:02:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nuclear-technology-for-iran-german-investigators-uncover-illegal-exports-a-858893.html Recent arrests suggest that Germany remains a hub for sales of prohibited supplies to Iran that are being used in Iran's nuclear program. Illegal exports are undermining Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has pursued an embargo policy in order to prevent a possible war in the Middle East.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-press-review-of-iran-talks-in-istanbul-a-827776.html#ref=rss Amid ongoing tension about Iran's nuclear program, representatives from Tehran and six global powers held talks in Istanbul on Saturday. Despite cautious optimism from diplomats, German commentators warn on Monday that the specter of war still haunts the region. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:10:05 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-press-review-of-iran-talks-in-istanbul-a-827776.html Amid ongoing tension about Iran's nuclear program, representatives from Tehran and six global powers held talks in Istanbul on Saturday. Despite cautious optimism from diplomats, German commentators warn on Monday that the specter of war still haunts the region. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/world-powers-to-pursue-selfish-interests-at-iran-nuclear-talks-in-istanbul-a-827385.html#ref=rss Is a new war on the horizon in the Middle East? This weekend the international community will undertake diplomatic efforts to convince Iran to back down in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. A speedy agreement remains unlikely because the biggest world powers are focused on one thing -- their own interests. <i>By SPIEGEL ONLINE Staff.</i> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/world-powers-to-pursue-selfish-interests-at-iran-nuclear-talks-in-istanbul-a-827385.html Is a new war on the horizon in the Middle East? This weekend the international community will undertake diplomatic efforts to convince Iran to back down in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. A speedy agreement remains unlikely because the biggest world powers are focused on one thing -- their own interests. By SPIEGEL ONLINE Staff. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-luxembourg-foreign-minister-asselborn-on-iran-dispute-a-826947.html#ref=rss Israel as the aggressor and Iran as the victim? Günter Grass got his line of argument wrong in his controversial poem, argues Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn in a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview. But the poem has triggered an important debate about how Germany should approach Israel's decisions, he adds. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:54:41 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-luxembourg-foreign-minister-asselborn-on-iran-dispute-a-826947.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iran-stops-oil-exports-to-germany-ahead-of-nuclear-talks-a-826964.html#ref=rss Iran has halted oil exports to Germany, according to Iranian television, in an apparent effort to strengthen its position ahead of a fresh round of nuclear talks with Western powers in Istanbul on Saturday. It stopped crude exports to Spain and Greece on Tuesday to preempt the EU's embargo on oil imports, which come into force in July. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:57:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iran-stops-oil-exports-to-germany-ahead-of-nuclear-talks-a-826964.html Iran has halted oil exports to Germany, according to Iranian television, in an apparent effort to strengthen its position ahead of a fresh round of nuclear talks with Western powers in Istanbul on Saturday. It stopped crude exports to Spain and Greece on Tuesday to preempt the EU's embargo on oil imports, which come into force in July. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/playing-for-time-europeans-take-lead-on-iran-nuclear-negotiations-a-820852.html#ref=rss The Europeans want to play a key role in the ongoing conflict with Iran over its disputed nuclear program, jumpstarting stalled negotiations in a bid to prevent Israel from taking military action. But can the EU's hapless foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who will lead the talks, make a difference? Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:57:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/playing-for-time-europeans-take-lead-on-iran-nuclear-negotiations-a-820852.html The Europeans want to play a key role in the ongoing conflict with Iran over its disputed nuclear program, jumpstarting stalled negotiations in a bid to prevent Israel from taking military action. But can the EU's hapless foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who will lead the talks, make a difference?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nuclear-conflict-eu-announces-resumption-of-talks-with-iran-a-819711.html#ref=rss European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton announced on Tuesday that the international community had agreed to resume talks with Iran on the country's controversial nuclear program. Tehran has even offered to open up one suspicious site to inspectors. Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:43:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nuclear-conflict-eu-announces-resumption-of-talks-with-iran-a-819711.html European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton announced on Tuesday that the international community had agreed to resume talks with Iran on the country's controversial nuclear program. Tehran has even offered to open up one suspicious site to inspectors.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/tehran-s-last-chance-israel-iran-and-the-battle-for-the-bomb-a-819312.html#ref=rss Israel has been doing everything in its power to stop Iran's atomic program, from targeted killings to computer worms. Now, a bombing raid on Iran's nuclear facilities may be just months away. But an Israeli attack could have the effect of strengthening the regime -- and make it more determined than ever to build the bomb. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff.</i> Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:45:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/tehran-s-last-chance-israel-iran-and-the-battle-for-the-bomb-a-819312.html Israel has been doing everything in its power to stop Iran's atomic program, from targeted killings to computer worms. Now, a bombing raid on Iran's nuclear facilities may be just months away. But an Israeli attack could have the effect of strengthening the regime -- and make it more determined than ever to build the bomb. By SPIEGEL Staff. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-iranian-regime-will-make-no-concessions-a-817149.html#ref=rss Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency had been hoping to be allowed access to a suspicious facility southeast of Tehran, but the visit was pronounced a failure. German editorialists nevertheless argue that, despite Iranian obstinancy, negotiations remain the best option available. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:02:28 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-iranian-regime-will-make-no-concessions-a-817149.html Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency had been hoping to be allowed access to a suspicious facility southeast of Tehran, but the visit was pronounced a failure. German editorialists nevertheless argue that, despite Iranian obstinancy, negotiations remain the best option available.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/what-iranian-elites-think-an-inside-look-at-views-of-the-west-a-816867.html#ref=rss Israeli hawks are threatening a military strike in order to stop Iran's nuclear program and many Republican presidential candidates in the US also support action. A loose survey of students and academics in Tehran shows that even among opponents of President Ahmadinejad, anti-Western sentiment is strong. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:13:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/what-iranian-elites-think-an-inside-look-at-views-of-the-west-a-816867.html Israeli hawks are threatening a military strike in order to stop Iran's nuclear program and many Republican presidential candidates in the US also support action. A loose survey of students and academics in Tehran shows that even among opponents of President Ahmadinejad, anti-Western sentiment is strong.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-the-iran-conlict-is-intensifying-step-by-step-a-815679.html#ref=rss Taken together, the myriad developments are baffling. Iran says it has made advances in nuclear research, but wants to resume talks with the West. It is threatening to cut off oil supplies to Europe while allegedly sponsoring attacks against Israeli diplomats. German editorialists attempt to make sense of the confusion. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:18:35 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-the-iran-conlict-is-intensifying-step-by-step-a-815679.html Taken together, the myriad developments are baffling. Iran says it has made advances in nuclear research, but wants to resume talks with the West. It is threatening to cut off oil supplies to Europe while allegedly sponsoring attacks against Israeli diplomats. German editorialists attempt to make sense of the confusion.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spiegel-interview-with-foreign-minister-westerwelle-i-don-t-want-a-german-europe-a-814977.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, 50, discusses the "repulsive" violence in Syria, his concerns about Germany's standing in Europe as a result of the euro crisis and his disatisfaction with the recent political impasse in Greece. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:08:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spiegel-interview-with-foreign-minister-westerwelle-i-don-t-want-a-german-europe-a-814977.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/revenge-for-eu-sanctions-iran-set-to-turn-off-oil-supply-to-europe-a-811507.html#ref=rss The European Union embargo on Iranian oil will only come into effect in six months, but the leadership in Tehran wants to act first: Exports to Europe are set to be halted immediately. It is a move which could mean added difficulties for struggling economies in southern Europe. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:38:53 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/revenge-for-eu-sanctions-iran-set-to-turn-off-oil-supply-to-europe-a-811507.html The European Union embargo on Iranian oil will only come into effect in six months, but the leadership in Tehran wants to act first: Exports to Europe are set to be halted immediately. It is a move which could mean added difficulties for struggling economies in southern Europe.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-iran-embargo-elevates-dangers-to-global-economy-a-811124.html#ref=rss Tehran has reacted angrily to the European Union agreement reached on Monday to impose an embargo on Iranian oil. But German commentators say that the EU had little choice, even if the move is not much more than a last gasp effort to resolve the conflict peacefully. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:53:23 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-iran-embargo-elevates-dangers-to-global-economy-a-811124.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/eu-oil-embargo-sanctions-benefit-iran-s-revolutionary-guards-a-811125.html#ref=rss The EU has banned oil imports from Iran to try and pressure the regime into making concessions over its controversial nuclear program. But even though the Iranian economy is suffering, Tehran is refusing to give ground. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Guards are profiting from the sanctions. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:08:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/eu-oil-embargo-sanctions-benefit-iran-s-revolutionary-guards-a-811125.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/unprecedented-sanctions-eu-agrees-on-tough-oil-embargo-against-iran-a-810813.html#ref=rss European Union countries on Monday announced tough sanctions against Iran in an effort to force negotiations over the country's nuclear program. Not only will they impose a formal oil embargo against the rogue nation on July 1, but they will also freeze the Iranian central bank's EU accounts. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:26:27 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/unprecedented-sanctions-eu-agrees-on-tough-oil-embargo-against-iran-a-810813.html European Union countries on Monday announced tough sanctions against Iran in an effort to force negotiations over the country's nuclear program. Not only will they impose a formal oil embargo against the rogue nation on July 1, but they will also freeze the Iranian central bank's EU accounts. ]]>