UK to Designate Wagner A Terrorist Group; No Designation For IRGC
By Ahmad Rafat
The UK government plans to designate the Wagner Group, a Russian state-funded private military company, a terrorist organization on Sept. 13.
Under the Terrorism Act 2000, being a member of the Wagner Group...
Iranian Protest Songs Are Galvanizing the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ Revolution
By Ahmad Rafat
The Iranian authorities arrested singer, musician, and activist Mehdi Yarrahi on Aug. 28 on the orders of the Tehran prosecutor’s office. The Judiciary had launched an investigation of Mr. Yarrahi following the...
ANALYSIS: What Exactly Does the U.S.-Iran Agreement Contain?
By Ahmad Rafat
South Korea has yet to transfer the $6 billion it owes Iran to a Swiss National Bank account under the unwritten agreement reportedly reached between Tehran and Washington. The money will then...
Islamic Republic Had A Hand In Attack on Shiraz Shrine, Says Analyst Vahedi
By Ahmad Rafat
A terrorist attack on the Shah Cheragh Shrine in Shiraz on Aug. 13 left one person dead and seven others injured, according to the local authorities.
Shortly after the attack on the Shia...
ANALYSIS: China’s Influence in the Middle East Is Expanding
By Ahmad Rafat
China’s efforts to expand its sphere of influence significantly in the Middle East and Africa in recent years have been a concern for the West. While China previously limited its aim to...
Banned Iranian Director Ali Ahmadzadeh Wins Top Award At Locarno Film Festival
By Ahmad Rafat
Ali Ahmadzadeh — an Iranian filmmaker who was banned earlier this year from leaving his country — has won the top award at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland for his movie...
Venice Film Festival To Present ‘Tatami,’ First Iranian-Israeli Cinematic Collaboration
By Ahmad Rafat
The Venice Film Festival, the world’s oldest cinematic event, opens on August 30 on the island of Lido. While there are no Iranian films or filmmakers in the main competition, two titles...
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: 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...
Two Iranian Directors Win Prizes at Karlovy Vary Festival in Czech Republic
By Ahmad Rafat
Two Iranian directors have won prizes at the prestigious Karlovy Vary International Film Festival held in the Czech Republic.
The Best Director award was given to the movie "Fremont,” directed by Babak Jalali....
