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...
Italian National Is Arrested in Iran
By Ahmad Rafat
Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence said in a statement on Sept. 30 that it had arrested nine European nationals from Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, and other countries, for their alleged...
Jailed Iranian Filmmaker Panahi Wins Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival
By Ahmad Rafat
Jafar Panahi’s “No Bears” (Khers Nist) won the Special Jury Prize last weekend at the Venice Film Festival, in a demonstration of solidarity with detained Iranian filmmakers such as himself.
In the festival’s...
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...
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...
ANALYSIS: Rushdie Attack Highlights Ongoing Persecution of Authors in Iran
By Ahmad Rafat
The recent knife attack on the acclaimed author Salman Rushdie is a shock episode that has shaken the international community. The assailant allegedly tried to carry out a death sentence issued by...
ANALYSIS: Can the Iran Nuclear Deal Be Revived?
By Ahmad Rafat
The ongoing efforts to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran nuclear deal, bring to mind the story of Lazarus -- in the Gospel of John (John 11:1-4)...
ANALYSIS: Hamid Nouri’s Life Sentence Is A Condemnation of Iran
By Ahmad Rafat
On July 14, a court in Stockholm found Hamid Nouri, an Iranian official, guilty of “crimes against humanity,” “war crimes,” and “premeditated murder,” sentencing him to life in prison.
The court found that...
ANALYSIS: Efforts to Reboot Iran Nuclear Deal Are Faltering
By Ahmad Rafat
For the past few months, European and American officials have warned that the “window of opportunity” for reaching a new nuclear deal with Iran is “closing fast.”
Speaking to French lawmakers on July...
Iranian Regime Accuses Cannes Best Actress Award Winner Zar Amir-Ebrahimi of ‘Blasphemy’
By Ahmad Rafat
Iranian officials have accused the Iranian-born actress Zahra Amir-Ebrahimi -- who won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival recently for her role in “Holy Spider” -- and the movie’s...
