Tuesday, March 10, 2026

ANALYSIS: How the Gaza Conflict Is Helping Iran

By Ahmad Rafat The unfolding tragedy in Israel and the Gaza Strip shows just how quickly the Middle East can combust in the flames of war. It also makes clear that ordinary people are paying...

Albania Severs Ties with Iran, Expels Diplomats 

By Ahmad Rafat Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sept. 7 that his country had severed ties with the Islamic Republic, giving Iranian diplomats 24 hours to leave the country. In a televised statement, Prime...

ANALYSIS: Iran Nuclear Talks Are Deadlocked Again

By Ahmad Rafat Negotiations in Vienna to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran nuclear deal, have reached an impasse once again. Despite the optimism expressed by several parties involved in...
Iraqi Security Forces

Inside Iraq, the Iranian Government Pulls All the Strings, Journalist Tells Kayhan Life

By Ahmad Rafat   Anti-government protests that began on October 1 in the central and southern provinces of Iraq have turned more violent in recent days. There have been fierce clashes between rioters and security forces...

ANALYSIS: Red Sea Ship Attacks Could Trigger All-Out Middle East War

By Ahmad Rafat A dangerous power struggle is unfolding in the Red Sea caused by recent developments. The “Axis of Resistance,” led by the Islamic Republic, is posing a major economic challenge to the Western...

ANALYSIS: Iran and Saudi Arabia Still Have Many Unresolved Issues

By Ahmad Rafat The Islamic Republic, Saudi Arabia, China, Israel, and the U.S. have been engaged in a power play in the Middle East recently, each trying to strengthen its influence in the region. While Israel...

ISIL’s Retreat from Mosul: The Nasty Consequences

By Ahmad Rafat The Battle of Mosul is a joint military offensive launched in October 2016 by Iraqi government forces, Iranian-backed Shia militia, and the Peshmerga military forces of Iraqi Kurdistan. Its aim is to...

ANALYSIS: Iran Prepares for Fresh Round of Nuclear Talks

By Ahmad Rafat On Nov. 27, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, dubbed the “father of Iran’s nuclear program,” was killed by unknown attackers who reportedly used a “remote control weapon” to fire on his car on Mostafa Khomeini...

ANALYSIS: Women-Led Protests Are Shifting the West’s Attitude Towards Iran

By Ahmad Rafat Western governments and politicians have finally focused their collective attention on the nationwide protests in Iran, sparked by the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, a 22-year-old woman, who died while in the...

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...