Lebanon Slips Further Into Iran’s Orbit as Hariri Bows Out
By Tom Perry and Laila Bassam
BEIRUT, Jan 26 (Reuters) - A decision by Sunni Muslim leader Saad al-Hariri to step away from Lebanese politics opens the way for Shi'ite Hezbollah to extend its already...
ANALYSIS: Islamic Republic Faces Paralysis If West Toughens Sanctions
By Ahmad Rafat
The Islamic Republic of Iran currently finds itself engulfed in a multitude of crises: a deepening water shortage as reservoirs run dry; an electricity crisis marked by relentless blackouts; the fallout from...
ANALYSIS: U.S. May Be Getting Ready to Resume Talks With Iran
By Hamed Mohammadi
On June 4, the Iranian authorities released Michael White, a U.S. Navy veteran who had been arrested in July 2018 in the city of Mashhad, the capital of the northeastern province of...
ANALYSIS: Hitler and Reza Shah: Mullahs and Pro-Israel Writers Sing Together
By Amir Taheri
That political life is full of surprises may be an old adage. However, there are times when something so unexpected happens that one has to look beyond surprise to understand it.
One such...
ANALYSIS: Islamic Republic’s Strikes Against Pakistan Are Strategic Blunder
By Ahmad Rafat
The Islamic Republic’s recent missile and drone attacks on neighboring countries are part of its broader plan to establish itself as a regional power. These missile strikes and other operations conducted by...
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-Frustrated Khamenei Pushed for Saudi-Iran Deal Clinched in China
By Parisa Hafezi, Aziz El Yaakoubi and James Pomfret
DUBAI, March 16 (Reuters) - Eager to end its political and economic isolation, Iran had been trying for two years to restore ties with its long-time rival Saudi Arabia, an Arab heavyweight...
Pope Breaks Silence, Condemns Use of Death Penalty Against Protesters in Iran
By Ahmad Rafat
Pope Francis has condemned Iran’s use of the death penalty against protesters, demanding greater respect for women.
He made the remarks during his annual speech to foreign diplomats accredited to the Vatican on...
ANALYSIS – Iran Nuclear Deal Rescue Needs More Time, Envoys Say Ahead of Fresh...
By Parisa Hafezi and John Irish
DUBAI, June 8 (Reuters) - A host of barriers to the revival of Iran's nuclear deal remain firmly in place ahead of talks due to resume this week between Tehran...
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...
