Media Analysis

Khamenei Reveals Iran’s Hypocrisy in Treatment of Women

May 23rd, 2011

Arash Aramesh

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met with a group of Iranian women May 22 and asked them to defend what he called “Islamic values” against Western attacks. Ayatollah Khamenei praised the concept of the so-called “Islamic woman” and ordered Iranian and Islamic thinkers and intellectuals to “critique” the West’s notion of the role of women in society. more»

Iran Responds to Obama’s Speech

May 20th, 2011

Arash Aramesh

The Iranian government’s reaction to President Barack Obama’s speech May 19 was somewhat predictable. Iranian officials denounced Obama’s plans for Middle East peace and accused him of trying to expand “American imperialism” in the region. more»

Turkish Banks Ostracize Iranian Bank Mellat

May 18th, 2011

Shayan Ghajar

The largest Iranian bank in Turkey announced May 18 that Turkish financial institutions have ceased financial interactions with it as a result of pressure from the United States. more»

Ahmadinejad Stuck in New Row with Parliament

May 16th, 2011

Arash Aramesh

Just when it appeared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had decided to obey Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and return to work last week, now the president is locked in a new battle with old foes. This time Ahmadinejad is trying to defy the will of the conservative Iranian parliament, led by his archrival Speaker Ali Larijani, and circumvent the parliament’s constitutional right and responsibility to grant votes of confidence to new cabinet appointees. Simply put, the president wants to create new ministries and appoint new ministers all without parliament’s approval. more»

Iran Aborts Bahrain Flotilla Trip

May 16th, 2011

Shayan Ghajar

UPDATED: The initial version of this story asserted that Iranian authorities turned the ships back, as was reported by Iranian state television. Shortly thereafter, other sources indicated that the flotilla turned back due to threats of violence by Gulf Cooperation Council warships.

On May 16, an Iranian flotilla intended to land in Bahrain was forced to turn around due to threats of violence made by Gulf Cooperation Council warships before reaching Bahrain’s waters. Tensions have been at a peak for Iran and Bahrain following the crackdown of Bahraini, Saudi, and Qatari forces on protesters urging reform. Iran supports the protestors and has denounced the brutality against them. more»

Page 11 of 65« First...«9 101112 13 »20 30 40...Last »

Follow Insideiran

Critical Comments

A Rock and a Hard Place: Turkey’s Position on Iran

Shayan Ghajar

Turkey currently finds itself in the unenviable position of mediating between the demands of its most powerful NATO ally, the United States, and its neighbor Iran in two different issues critical to its foreign relations. The first issue Turkey will have to address in the coming month is the proposed missile shield NATO hopes to install on Turkish soil to defend its members against potential missile attacks from Russia or Iran. After Turkey’s decision on the shield is finalized–which will inevitably irk either NATO or Iran and Russia–Turkey must determine its role in the next round of proposed nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1. While historically Turkey has enjoyed its status as a literal and figurative bridge between East and West, when it comes to Iran, Turkey is caught in the middle of an uncomfortable dilemma. more»

Inflation, Subsidy Cuts Have Potential to Reignite Unrest

Shayan Ghajar

The Wall Street Journal reports that the subsidies on necessities such as gasoline and food cost the Iranian government $100 billion per year, saving every Iranian family about $4000 dollars. Prices, the WSJ says, will jump 20% on all subsidized items. Iran’s government, businessmen, and consumers are already coping with skyrocketing inflation due to economic mismanagement and the pressures of sanctions, with the value of Iran’s currency falling over 10% in just two days in early October due to concerns over foreign currency. In response, Ahmadinejad demanded that Iran’s central bank adjust foreign exchange rates to a more “realistic” level. more»

Karzai and Iran: Much Ado About Nothing

Shayan Ghajar

The recent revelation that Hamid Karzai received cash payments from Iran has sparked accusations that the Islamic Republic is trying to buy influence over the Afghan government. The story broke at an especially inconvenient time for Iran, following the coverage of Iran’s influence over Iraq’s Prime Minister and its role in forming the Iraqi government, as well as the controversial trip Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took to Lebanon in early October. However, despite the validity of concerns about Iran’s activities in Iraq and Lebanon, the Islamic Republic’s “bags of money” sent to Afghanistan’s government may actually prove to be a stabilizing influence. more»