Donate

Ali Khamenei

Ayatollah Khamenei stands on a stage.

Ayatollah Khamenei says nuclear weapons are ‘forbidden under Islamic law’

Conflict & Justice

During tensions with the United States over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Ayatollah Khamenei has come out and declared a fatwa over the use of nuclear weapons. But what does this really mean for Iran and the recent nuclear deal? The World’s host Marco Werman speaks with Omid Safi, a professor of Iranian studies at Duke University and the director of the Duke Islamic Studies Center, to find out.

three women take a selfie with a rainbow umbrella covering them from the rain

Forty years on from the Iranian Revolution, could the country be at risk of another one?

People wear green bands in support of the Iranian opposition movement during the funeral of dissident Iranian cleric Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri in the holy city of Qom on December 21, 2009.

Five years later, Iran’s protest movement still casts a shadow over its politics

Global Politics

How Iran became a leader in fertility treatment, courtesy of the Ayatollahs

Health & Medicine
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations in New York. (Photo: REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

Israeli radio host says if Iranian leaders want a dialogue, they know whom to call

Global Politics
Tell us about your experience accessing The World

We want to hear your feedback so we can keep improving our website, theworld.org. Please fill out this quick survey and let us know your thoughts (your answers will be anonymous). Thanks for your time!

Iran’s Rouhani willing to work with the West

Newly-elected Iranian President Hasan Rouhani has landed in the United States and quickly made a flurry of friendly gestures toward the West, including declaring Iran would not ever develop nuclear weapons. Rouhani has met with American media as he prepared for the U. N. General Assembly.

What Many Iranians (Unfiltered) Think of a Possible US Attack on Syria

Arts, Culture & Media

In the case of Iran and its attitudes toward a possible US attack on Syria, the BBC Persian Service has been fielding comments — lots of them — from Iranian citizens. Marco Werman speaks with Rana Rahimpour of BBC’s Persian Service.

Iranian President-elect a moderate, with unknown ability to reform

Global Politics

An overwhelming majority chose Hassan Rowhani as the country’s next president, leading some to wonder of Rohani’s moderate background will lead to reforms in the isolated country. But Rowhani’s power and ability to reform may be limited, with the country’s Ayatollah retaining the true power.

Activists call for renewal of diplomatic relationship between Iran, U.S.

Development & Education

The United States and Iran haven’t had diplomatic relations for more than 30 years. But as confrontations continue between the two countries over Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, some are calling for the two countries to renew their diplomatic ties.

Wife of powerful Mexican drug lord gives birth in US

One of Mexico’s most wanted men and head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s wife recently gave birth in California.

We respect your time, attention and privacy

This is a news website, not a click casino. We do NOT employ deceptive behaviors, display annoying ads or use third party cookies and trackers to monetize your visit or help advertisers track you across the internet.

Simply, we ask that you would consider a donation to support the journalism we produce every weekday. Thank you.

This is The World

The World is a public radio program and podcast that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter.

Follow The World

Subscribe to The World’s Latest Edition podcast for free using your favorite podcast player: