Iran Overhauls Educational System, Purges Academia in ‘Cultural Revolution’
By Roshanak Astaraki
As part of its broader efforts to tighten control over the Iranian public, the Islamic Republic has recently announced an overhaul of the educational system, which includes a wholesale purge of academia,...
ANALYSIS: Islamic Republic’s Suppression of a National Movement
By Roshanak Astaraki
The Islamic Republic has marked the start of the new school year by intensifying its efforts to stifle student movement and the activities of teachers’ unions. The state is tightening its grip...
ANALYSIS: The New Wave of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ Protests in Iran
By Roshanak Astaraki
The ongoing protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa (Zhina) Amini while in the custody of the morality police (guidance patrol) in Tehran on Sept. 16 have spread to 120 cities...
EXCLUSIVE: Iranian Protesters Speak Out in Interviews With Kayhan Life
By Roshanak Astaraki
A nationwide protest sparked a day after the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, a 22-year-old ethnic Kurd, while in the custody of the morality police (guidance patrol) in Tehran on Sept. 16...
Iran Experiences Surge in Suicides Among Soldiers and Nurses
By Roshanak Astaraki
Despite the publicly voiced concerns of healthcare professionals, physicians, and social workers, there has ben an alarming increase in the number of suicides in Iran in recent years, successive governments have failed...
ANALYSIS: A Look Back At President Raisi’s First Year in Office
By Roshanak Astaraki
President Ebrahim Raisi formed Iran’s 13th government soon after coming into office last August with the slogan of “people’s government; a strong Iran,” but he and his cabinet have failed to address...
ANALYSIS: Iranian Students Mark Anniversary of 1999 University Protests
By Roshanak Astaraki
July 9 marked the 23rd anniversary of the Iranian university student protests, known as the “18th of Tir” (July 9) and the “Kuye Daneshgah Disaster.”
Following a peaceful demonstration on July 8, 1999,...
Iran Protests Escalate After Abadan Tragedy, With Calls for Regime Change
By Roshanak Astaraki
Anti-government protests across Iran have escalated since the start of the Persian New Year in March. Despite a brutal crackdown by the security forces, demonstrators have poured out into the streets of...
ANALYSIS: Iranians Face Severe Economic Hardship As Prices Soar
By Roshanak Astaraki
Since the start of the current Iranian year on March 21, economic conditions in Iran have taken a turn for the worse.
While wages have increased by 57 percent in the past two...
Jailed Iranian Blogger Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki Released on Bail
By Roshanak Astaraki
Hossein Ronaghi, an influential civil rights activist and blogger, was released from prison on March 2 after posting bail, pending a trial.
Authorities arrested Mr. Ronaghi, whose full last name is Ronaghi-Maleki, on Feb....
