Who is Behind the Suspicious Fires and Explosions in Iran?
By Ahmad Rafat
Several suspicious fires and explosions have occurred at Iranian nuclear facilities, power plants, and weapons depots in recent weeks. The latest explosion was at the Isfahan Power Plant on July 19.
There were...
EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Sister of Murdered Lebanese Activist Lokman Slim
By Ahmad Rafat
The body of the Lebanese publisher, researcher, political activist and commentator Lokman Mohsen Slim was found in his car on Feb. 4 in the Zahrani District of South Lebanon. He was reportedly...
ANALYSIS: The Outcome of Hamas-Israel War Is Uncertain
By Ahmad Rafat
Israel has said that its ground offensive will destroy Hamas in the Gaza Strip. While Israel will most likely win the military war against Hamas, it has no clear plan for administering...
Sattar, Iranian Performers Honor Khuzestan Protests With Song Khunestan
By Ahmad Rafat
Khunestan (“Land of Blood”) is a song written in tribute to this summer’s bloody protests against water shortage in Iran’s southwestern province of Khuzestan, which resulted in 11 deaths and some 700...
Jailed Iranian Filmmaker Jafar Panahi In Competition at Venice Film Festival
By Ahmad Rafat
The Venice International Film Festival turns 90 this year. Originally launched in 1932, it is the oldest international film festival in the world.
The 79th edition of the festival, organized by La Biennale...
Spain Turns Down Iran’s Request for Extradition of Ex-Diplomat’s Son
By Ahmad Rafat
A court in Madrid has ordered the immediate release of Mohammad (Sasha) Sobhani, the son of a former Iranian diplomat and a social media celebrity who was detained by Spanish police at...
ANALYSIS: Iran’s Elections Are Setback for Khamenei
By Ahmad Rafat
On June 28, Iran held an election to choose a successor for the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19 while returning from a visit...
Iran Accused of “Crimes Against Humanity” at Aban Tribunal in London
By Ahmad Rafat
On Nov. 15, the Aban Tribunal concluded a five-day hearing in London on the alleged direct involvement of several senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran in crimes committed during the...
ANALYSIS: Who Could Be the Successor to Ali Khamenei?
By Ahmad Rafat
Elections (or, more accurately, appointments) of 290 seats in the Majlis (Iranian Parliament) and 88 seats in the sixth Assembly of Experts (which has the power to appoint Iran’s Supreme Leader) were held on...
Iranian Films Are Among Award Contenders at Venice Film Festival
By Ahmad Rafat
The Venice Film Festival -- which gave Shirin Neshat its best director award in 2009 -- opened on August 29 on the island of Lido. While this year's main competition has no...
