Islamic Republic Faces Powerful New Wave of Protests, Labor Strikes
By Ahmad Rafat
A new wave of protests and strikes by various trade unions and guilds has spread throughout Iran in the past few weeks. This wave differs in many important respects from the demonstrations...
Iranian Asylum Seekers in Turkey Face Potential Threat of Extradition to Iran
By Ahmad Rafat
The situation of Iranian refugees in Turkey is deteriorating, with Turkish authorities reportedly entering into secret agreements with the Islamic Republic to return some refugees to Iran.
This has raised concerns that those...
Attempted Killing Of Spanish Politician Raises Questions About Islamic Republic’s Role
By Ahmad Rafat
Spain has arrested three suspects -- including two Spaniards and a British woman -- in connection with the attempted assassination of Alejo Vidal Cuadras, the founder of Spain's right-wing VOX party and...
Iranian Filmmakers, Actresses Defy Regime In Aftermath of Protests
By Ahmad Rafat and Firouzeh Nordstrom
Since the start of the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement in 2022, Iranian cinema has entered a new phase unparalleled in the past four and a half decades. Independent filmmakers...
ANALYSIS: What Exactly Is Iran’s Strategy in the Israel-Gaza Crisis?
By Ahmad Rafat
The war in Gaza will end, eventually. While Israel will undoubtedly win the military battle, it is unclear what fate awaits Gaza once the conflict has ended. What is certain is that...
Marjane Satrapi Releases ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ Book With Fellow Illustrators
By Ahmad Rafat
Seventeen Iranian and non-Iranian illustrators including Marjane Satrapi have released a book titled “Woman, Life, Freedom.” The book, originally published in French, has been translated into English and other languages, with Satrapi...
Iranian Filmmakers, Actors Win Major Awards At Festivals In Lugano, Tokyo
By Ahmad Rafat
The 10th Lugano Human Rights Film Festival, held from 19 to 29 October, awarded Iranian director Manijeh Hekmat with the Human Rights Author 2023 prize.
Iranian filmmakers also shined at the 36th Tokyo...
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...
ANALYSIS: Iran’s Strategy in Hamas’s War Against Israel
By Ahmad Rafat
Hamas’s unprecedented air and ground attacks against Israel on Oct. 8 shocked everyone and surprised Israeli intelligence agencies, famous for their capabilities and competence. The significance of Israeli intelligence being blindsided by...
PROFILE: Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Speaks Of Her Struggle
By Ahmad Rafat
Narges Mohammadi, winner of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, is an Iranian journalist and human rights activist serving a 16-year sentence in prison. She has been detained a total of 13 times...
