Protester Ahmad Batebi, Face of Iran’s 1999 Revolt, Speaks to Kayhan Life
By Ahmad Rafat
Tehran University students staged a mass protest on July 9, 1999, after the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence shut down the Salam newspaper for publishing a secret memo by the former deputy intelligence...
ANALYSIS: How Accurate Are Opinion Surveys of Iranians Conducted From Abroad?
By Ahmad Rafat
On Feb. 24, the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy Center for International and Security Studies (CISSM) published a study titled “Iranian Public Opinion in the Biden Era,” which, according to...
Iran Cabinet Members May Have Been Dismissed For Backing Iran-U.S. Talks
By Ahmad Rafat
On March 1st, in the space of less than 24 hours, the government of Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian lost two key figures: Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Vice President for Foreign Affairs, who...
Iran-Backed Militias Stage Failed Coup in Iraq
By Ahmad Rafat
On May 26, Iraqi security forces arrested Qassim Mahmoud Musleh, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) military commander for the western province of Al Anbar, in Baghdad, on terrorism charges.
Sabah al-Wafi, a senior...
Iran and China on the Verge of Signing 25-Year Deal
By Ahmad Rafat
After years of talks, Iran and China are reportedly getting ready to sign a wide-reaching 25-year contract. There has been no official announcement regarding the agreement. It is also unclear whether the...
ANALYSIS: Iran Employs Global Criminal Networks to Kill Opposition Figures
By Ahmad Rafat
The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East following Israel’s recent missile and drone strikes on Lebanon and the deaths of Hezbollah military leaders, coupled with the detonation of communication devices...
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...
ANALYSIS: Who Is Khamenei’s Choice for President?
By Ahmad Rafat
Iran is to hold a presidential election on June 28 to find a successor to Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19. The incident also claimed the lives...
ANALYSIS: Is the U.S. Resuming Nuclear Talks With Iran?
By Ahmad Rafat
There is no shortage of speculation around a new Iran nuclear deal.
There are ongoing talks between the Islamic Republic and U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration, which officials of both governments insist are...
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...
