US keeps pressure on Iran-backed forces with strikes in Yemen

The State Department had suspended funding for numerous initiatives, including Iranian human rights groups, internet freedom programs, and civil society organizations, as part of a broader review of foreign assistance under the administration’s America First policy.

The freeze, announced on January 20, was initially set for 90 days but the review process appears to have concluded in time, with all but a few of projects focusing on Iran colored green in a list of State Department “active grants” obtained by Iran International.

The State Department did not comment on the specifics of Iran-related grants when contacted by Iran International but confirmed that funding for some programs is proceeding.

"While the US Government's review of all foreign assistance is ongoing, some approved programs are continuing to advance US national interests. This includes some programs in support of the Iranian people," a State Department spokesperson said.

Multiple grantees have also confirmed to Iran International that their funding has been reinstated and that their operations will restart.

Ahmad Ahmadian, an advocate of internet freedom in Iran who leads the efforts of the California-based NGO, Holistic Resilience, in research and development of censorship circumvention technologies.

Welcoming the decision to reinstate funds to organizations like his, Ahmadian suggested that pressuring the rulers of Iran and supporting its people at the same time is not only possible but necessary if the United States wants to effect real change in the country—and beyond.

“The Trump administration’s policy is focused on increasing efficiency and avoiding the start of a new war,,” he told Iran International. “Iranian civil society remains the most promising option to achieve this goal and to change the behavior of the Iranian government.”

Ahmadian agreed that some reform toward efficiency and effectiveness might be required with the State Department grants.

“I believe new projects should demonstrate a clear return on investment, operate with greater transparency, highlight the shared values between the Iranian and American people, and focus more on tangible results,” he added.

Prior to the pause in foreign aid, Washington funded several Virtual Private Network (VPN) services that helped Iranians bypass government censorship. U.S. funding also supported projects aimed at promoting media freedom, strengthening civil society, and documenting human rights in Iran. All of these initiatives were affected by the executive order.

The halt in funding—announced on Trump’s first day in office—was widely criticized by Iranian activists who argued that the decision benefited Tehran’s theocratic rulers above all. The resumption, those affected believe, would turn the table and more.

“The Islamic Republic tried to use the temporary suspension of funds as a propaganda tool, claiming that these projects lacked usability and impact. But the reality is that many have had tangible effects on Iranian society,” one State Department grantee told Iran International, asking to remain unnamed.

“The Trump administration showed that it values Iran-related projects. I anticipate even more funding flowing into this sector. These projects are aligned with the America First policy,” the grantee added.

The State Department has not publicly commented on the status of the review or the reasons for reinstating aid. Both the pause and resumption of funding happened at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.

President Trump has ramped up economic and diplomatic pressure on Tehran, issuing an ultimatum to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to agree to a deal that curtails Iran’s nuclear program or face severe consequences.

Khamenei has rejected direct talks while pressure persists and rises, asserting that Iran would not bow to American demands.

With both sides hardening their positions, concerns are growing over further escalation, particularly as the US bolsters its military presence in the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.

The most recent US intelligence assessment pointed to Tehran’s diminished influence in the region and the potential of growing discontent at home giving rise to mass protests like those seen in recent years.

The decision to reinstate grants may have had such assessments at heart.

The report said that after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office on Jan. 20 mandating enhanced scrutiny of foreign nationals Iranian-Canadians have faced heightened border security.

The report highlighted specific cases since that time, citing immigration lawyer Melissa Babel, who described two Iranian-Canadians who were recently denied entry.

According to Babel, both individuals, who had lived in Canada for decades, were questioned closely about their military service in Iran. US border agents asked them to provide proof that they had never served in the Iranian military, which is a major concern due to the US designation of the Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist organization​.

One of the men, who frequently traveled to the US for business, was denied entry and later found that his Nexus card—used for expedited US border processing—had been canceled. The other man, traveling with his Iranian-Canadian wife and Canadian-born daughter, was also refused entry​.

The report cited legal experts who have called on Ottawa to issue a travel advisory warning that Canadian citizens and residents from Iran risk being denied entry, having their visas or Nexus cards revoked, or even being detained or deported when traveling to the US.

Earlier this month, Reuters reported citing informed sources and an internal memo that the Trump administration is considering issuing sweeping travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban.

The memo lists a total of 41 countries divided into three separate groups. The first group of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea among others, would be set for a full visa suspension​.

“My big preference ... is we work it out with Iran. But if we don't work it out, bad, bad things are going to happen to Iran,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

This is what Trump said he conveyed in his letter to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei last week.

Tehran confirmed on Wednesday that a response to the letter had been sent via Oman.

"Our policy remains not to engage in direct negotiations under maximum pressure and military threats. However, indirect negotiations as existed in the past can continue," foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said.

Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon but the UN's nuclear watchdog says it has enriched more uranium than any state lacking a bomb. While Washington assesses Tehran is not actively building one, it doubts Iranian intentions.

Trump last month reinstated the "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions on Iran from his first term, with the stated aim of driving its oil sales to zero.

Trump's remarks come as Iran’s parliament speaker on Friday accused the US of using nuclear talks to pressure Tehran into relinquishing its defense capabilities.

“The US means disarmament when it says negotiation,” Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a speech during Quds Day rallies in Tehran on Friday. “Our people understand that talks under threat are just a show to impose their will. No wise nation would accept that.”

His comments were echoed by other senior Iranian officials speaking at Quds Day events showcasing Tehran's solidarity with Palestinians, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Larijani.

"I'm not interested in negotiating with the Islamic Republic," said Poilievre. "I don't trust them. I think they are liars."

The federal Conservative leader was on the campaign trail Thursday in Surrey, British Columbia addressing what he called “another attack by President Trump” on the Canadian economy.

His comments followed the US President’s announcement of additional tariffs on Canadian goods.

Poilievre is a frontrunner in the upcoming federal election to unseat current Prime Minister Mark Carney. The election is set to take place next month as a trade dispute sparked by Trump's tariffs has upended Canada's close alliance with the superpower to its south.

Despite similarities in their hardline stance against Iran, Poilievre and Trump appear to diverge significantly in their approaches.

Trump recently sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging a nuclear deal. The outreach came after Washington imposed harsh new sanctions as part of the president's renewed “maximum pressure” campaign.

Trump’s letter reportedly laid out a deadline of two months to begin negotiations on the nuclear issue, with the warning that the alternative to a nuclear deal was a military attack. Iran responded by saying they are open to indirect talks but will not engage directly amid threats.

“I believe they (Iran) will promise anything you want them to get their oil and gas back on the world market,” Poilievre told Iran International. “Then they will use all the revenues from those sales to fund terrorism and attempt to obliterate our values.”

While Poilievre did not name Trump in his remarks, it was evident that he would not follow his US counterpart's Iran policy.

Poilievre dismissed the prospect of negotiating with Iran, arguing the theocracy would make promises to secure sanctions relief only to funnel the gains into funding terrorism.

“I think it's a terrible regime," said Poilievre. "It's the most dangerous sponsor of terror anywhere in the world."

The Conservative leader went on to accuse Iran’s government of exploiting Canada as a haven for their agents, threatening the lives of anyone they perceive as a critic. He vowed to deport any non-citizen or non-permanent resident with ties to the Islamic Republic.

In October 2024, Poilievre, in response to a reporter's question, said potential preemptive Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities would be a "gift to humanity."

“Everyone must be ready for the big operation,” said Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, deputy coordinator of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), during a speech in Karaj. “The US and the Zionist regime are at their weakest point in history. We must bring the mission we started 46 years ago to a proud conclusion — and that moment is near.”

Naqdi’s comments follow a letter sent by US President Donald Trump to Iran’s Supreme Leader, giving Tehran two months to accept a new nuclear agreement or face the prospect of a military response. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on Thursday that Iran had issued a formal reply and sent it through Oman.

Speaking again on Friday during Quds Day rallies, Araghchi said Washington's letter had been carefully reviewed. “Some parts of it were threatening,” he said. “We will not allow anyone to speak to the Iranian people in the language of threats.” He added that efforts had been made to keep a diplomatic window open.

Quds Day, marked across Iran on the last Friday of Ramadan, saw officials delivering a range of messages in response to growing US and Israeli pressure over Tehran’s nuclear and regional activities — with military commanders adopting a combative tone, while others struck a more measured stance.

Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, commander of Iran’s army, described the day as “a global stand against oppression,” saying more people each year were opposing the actions of the United States and Israel. “The key message of Quds Day is that the end of the Zionist regime is near, and that the rights of the oppressed will be restored,” he said.

Iran has rejected Trump’s ultimatum and maintains that it will not negotiate under pressure. Meanwhile, regional tensions continue to rise. On Thursday, Israel said it intercepted two missiles launched from Yemen, where the Iran-aligned Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for multiple drone and missile attacks in support of Hamas.

The United States has responded with ongoing airstrikes on Houthi targets since mid-March and has warned it will hold Tehran accountable for any further attacks.

To reinforce its regional posture, the US military has deployed B-2 stealth bombers, C-17 cargo planes, and aerial refueling tankers to its base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean — a move seen as preparing for sustained long-range operations.

Iran’s ambassador to Iraq, Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadegh, said this week that Iran’s regional allies remain active. “The resistance in Lebanon is still strong and capable. The resistance in Yemen is active,” he said. “The axis of resistance remains and is alive.”