Featured Article
Taking the Temperature in Tabriz
Mohammad Khiabani
Tabriz, Iran—Iranian politicians are always quick to praise Tabriz’s revolutionary credentials. During a November 2009 visit to the city, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recalled, “the people [of Tabriz and Iranian Azerbaijan] are pioneers of the pro-constitution movement, repelling the aggressors…
News Features
Q&A: Ali-Akbar Mousavi Khoeini: Khamenei Seeks Return of Moderate Conservatives to Preserve Islamic Republic
Mr. Mousavi Khoeini is a former member of the Iranian parliament and a visiting scholar at Stanford University. He spoke with insideIRAN.org from Washington, D.C..
Q: How do you interpret Supreme Leader Khamenei’s recent statements? Do you think he is welcoming moderate conservatives back into the fold? What do you think is his view now of Hashemi Rafsanjani? more»Return of Moderate Conservatives Could Help Greens
Babak
TEHRAN– After almost seven months of political hegemony for the hardliners, orchestrated by and centered around the political command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the moderate conservatives are now back at center stage of Iran’s political scene. more»Obama’s One-Year Anniversary of Outreach to Iran Shows Need for Realpolitik
Riccardo Redaelli
COMO, Italy—If proper “timing and tuning” are essential during negotiations, over the past decade, neither Washington nor Tehran has managed to tune their political mood into the same wavelength. When the Islamic Republic was ready to enter into negotiations, the White House was not, and vice-versa. more»- View All News Features »
Media Analysis
Iran’s Hardliners Pressure Rafsanjani: Children Charged with Organizing Protests
Arash Aramesh
According to IRNA, the Islamic Republic’s News Agency, the Iranian justice system has filed cases against Faezeh and Mehdi Hashemi, two children of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani. In an interview with IRNA March 10, Alireza Avaie, the highest ranking judicial official in the province of Tehran, announced that cases have been filed in the General Court and in the Revolutionary Court to address accusations against Mehdi and Faezeh Hashemi. more»IRGC Joins Move Towards Cultural Revolution
Arash Aramesh
Major General Yahya Rahim-Safavi, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, said yesterday, “Universities are not in a good condition. The presence of those who care for the revolution, the elites loyal to Imam Khomeini, the Supreme Leader, and the constitution is missing [in universities].” more»Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Academia
Arash Aramesh
Since coming into office in the summer of 2005, the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has implemented a number of measures restricting the activities of critical student organizations and professors. more»- View All Media Analysis »
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Critical Comments
Turkey’s Domestic Controversy Unfolds Amidst Increasing Ties with Iran
Shayan Ghajar
Events the past few weeks in Turkey indicate that a sea change is occurring in the nation’s domestic politics. Prime Minister Erdogan’s maneuvering against the traditionally untouchable military marks a new phase in Turkey’s history. This shift in Turkey’s domestic politics follows a more gradual but no less relevant shift in its foreign policy, and likely indicates even greater changes to come. Mutual trade, investment, and tourism are growing between Turkey and Iran, and the two nations are increasingly in accord on three of the regions biggest security issues, namely the Middle East peace process, Iran’s nuclear program, and Kurdish separatism. more»
Greens Shift Strategy in Wake of February 11
Shayan Ghajar
The low turnout and disorganization of Green Movement protestors on February 11, Iran’s 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, highlighted the weaknesses of the opposition’s approach in the face of intensifying pressures from the government. However, while the Green Movement may have suffered its first significant blow from the government last Thursday, both the leadership and grassroots supporters appear to be returning to their original strategy of decentralizing their protests. more»
Iranian Government Launches Communications Blackout on February 11
Shayan Ghajar
The Iranian government intensified its internet filters and communications blackouts on February 11, 2010. The day marks the 31-year anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and is witnessing massive demonstrations both for and against the government. Getting news out of the country is increasingly difficult for Iranians as the government clamped down on communications systems ranging from text messaging to email services. In previous protests, opposition supporters organized demonstrations on various social networking sites, and published videos and accounts of protests online in defiance of strict regulations on domestic and foreign press in Iran. more»
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