ANALYSIS: Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Stall Amid Threats of War
By Ahmad Rafat
The fifth round of negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program took place on May 23 at the Omani ambassador’s residence in Rome.
The discussions,...
ANALYSIS: Can the Iran Nuclear Deal Be Revived?
By Ahmad Rafat
The ongoing efforts to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran nuclear deal, bring to mind the story of Lazarus -- in the Gospel of John (John 11:1-4)...
Iran’s ‘Kleptocratic’ Leadership Will Fall, Says Albania’s Ambassador to UN
By Ahmad Rafat
On Nov. 2, the United Nations Security Council had an informal meeting on Iran’s ongoing repression of women, girls and ethnic minorities since the outbreak of nationwide protests in mid-September. Addressing the...
Iranian Directors Including Rasoulof In the Spotlight at Toronto Film Festival
By Ahmad Rafat
Mohammad Rasoulof, the Iranian filmmaker who secretly escaped Iran earlier this year, is back in the spotlight at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” which...
ANALYSIS: Europe Alarmed By Iran’s Nuclear Program; U.S. Holding Back
By Ahmad Rafat
European countries are increasingly worried about the Islamic Republic of Iran’s advancing nuclear program and a potential alteration of its nuclear doctrine. U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has further complicated the situation...
ANALYSIS: World Leaders Discuss Iran at Centenary of End of WWI
By Ahmad Rafat
November 12: More than 70 world leaders and senior government officials were in France last week for the Armistice ceremonies held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de...
Iranian Films Win Awards At Venice Film Festival
By Ahmad Rafat
Iranian filmmakers and actors won three awards in the Horizons (Orizzonti) section of the Venice Film Festival earlier this month. The section runs parallel to the main festival competition.
Dominique Welinski and René...
EXCLUSIVE: The Sweet Destiny of Arash Sobhani, The Kiosk Band Leader Speaks to...
By Ahmad Rafat
Arash Sobhani is the founder of the pioneering Iranian rock group Kiosk. An architecture graduate, he formed his band before moving to the U.S. Kiosk was one of the prominent bands in...
ANALYSIS: Why the U.S. Is Avoiding Direct Military Confrontation With Iran
By Ahmad Rafat
The U.S. has launched a series of retaliatory strikes on the military bases of Iran-backed groups in the Middle East. The U.S. military has used its supersonic strategic heavy B1 bombers to...
Iranian Oil Workers Go On Strike In a Major Challenge to Rouhani’s Government
By Ahmad Rafat
Workers at 15 oil, gas, and petrochemical projects and four power plants in nine Iranian provinces are on strike since Aug. 1, in the first large-scale industrial action by workers in Iran’s...
