ANALYSIS: The Mystery of the Bandar Abbas Explosion
By Ahmad Rafat
On April 26, an explosion rocked Bandar Abbas, one of Iran’s key commercial ports, in the southern province of Hormozgan. The blast claimed more than 100 lives and left more than 1,400...
Kiosk Explores Underground Iranian Music With New Album
By Ahmad Rafat
Kiosk is one of the best-known and most popular Iranian rock bands in the world. The group recently released their ninth album, “Stereo Tull Presents,” with tracks composed by singer-songwriter Arash Sobhani (who is also a San Francisco-based architect).
Kiosk is one of the best-known and most popular Iranian rock bands in the world. The group recently released their ninth album, “Stereo Tull Presents,” with tracks composed by singer-songwriter Arash Sobhani (who is also a San Francisco-based architect).
Iranian Regime Accuses Cannes Best Actress Award Winner Zar Amir-Ebrahimi of ‘Blasphemy’
By Ahmad Rafat
Iranian officials have accused the Iranian-born actress Zahra Amir-Ebrahimi -- who won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival recently for her role in “Holy Spider” -- and the movie’s...
ANALYSIS: A Year After Soleimani’s Death, Iran’s influence Is Receding
By Ahmad Rafat
January 3 marked the first anniversary of the death of the former Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Qods Force (IRGC-QF), Lieutenant General Ghasem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a U.S....
ANALYSIS: U.S. Sanctions Trigger Exodus of European Companies from Iran
By Ahmad Rafat
In the past three months, dozens of mid-size and large European companies have announced plans to end their business and trade ties with Iran. The reimposition of U.S. sanctions, the last set...
Iraqi Shia Stage Protests in Basra Against Iranian Influence
By Ahmad Rafat
On Friday September 7, protesters torched the Iranian consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. The crowd cried out against Iranian influence on Iraqi politics. They also attacked and set fire...
ANALYSIS: Islamic Republic Faces Imminent Return of International Sanctions
By Ahmad Rafat
Europe has issued a final warning to Iran, urging the Islamic Republic to take immediate action to prevent the reactivation of the "snapback" mechanism and the reimposition of international sanctions that were...
Iranian Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Receives Award for Campaign Against Death Penalty
By Ahmad Rafat
The Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, was awarded the Robert Badinter Award at the 8th World Congress Against the Death Penalty on Nov. 18 in Berlin.
The event was sponsored by the...
Italy and Iran Sign 5 Billion Euro Investment Agreement
By Ahmad Rafat
On January 11, Italy and Iran signed a framework credit agreement worth 5billion euros, which will help Italian companies invest in Iran.
The agreement will allow Invitalia, an Italian state-own holding company, to...
ANALYSIS: What Is Iran’s Role in the Future of Lebanon?
By Ahmad Rafat
The head of Lebanon’s Maronite Church, Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, has warned against the perils facing the country and has called for early parliamentary elections.
“Lebanon is facing its biggest danger,” Patriarch al-Rahi...
