Media Analysis

Bazaar Launches General Strike to Protest State Tax Hike

July 12th, 2010

Arash Aramesh

The government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced in the first week of July that it intended to raise taxes on Iran’s merchants and members of the bazaar, the country’s traditional center of goods and merchandise distribution. This tax hike was estimated to be as high as 70 percent. The bazaar in Tehran reacted and launched a general strike. more»

Salehi: Sanctions on Iran May Slow Nuclear Program

July 7th, 2010

Shayan Ghajar

Iran’s Nuclear Chief, Ali-Akbar Salehi, stated July 7 in a press conference that the American-led sanctions efforts may impact the speed of Iran’s nuclear program, according to ISNA, a state-run student news agency. more»

Conflict Between Conservatives in Parliament and Ahmadinejad Intensifies

July 7th, 2010

Shayan Ghajar

Prominent conservative parliament deputy from Tehran, Ahmad Tavakoli, launched a scathing verbal attack on the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad July 6, in yet another spat between conservative parliamentarians and Ahmadinejad’s administration, Alef News reports. Tavakoli, a cousin to the powerful Parliamentary Speaker, Ali Larijani, accused Ahmadinejad of deliberate corruption and disregard for the rule of law. more»

Motakki: Iran Unmoved by Military Threat

July 2nd, 2010

Arash Aramesh

At a press conference held June 29, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Manouchehr Mottaki dismissed the possibility of a military attack against Iran and said, “As regards a military attack against Iran, we do not see any chance for the US, let alone its illegitimate child, the Zionist regime [Israel], which is stuck in internal and regional crises.” more»

Ahmadinejad Lists Preconditions for Restarting Negotiations

June 28th, 2010

Shayan Ghajar

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced Iran’s reactions to recent sanctions legislation passed in the United States, as well as comments made by Western heads of state in the G-8, at a news conference June 28 in Tehran. In the speech, Ahmadinejad outlined Iran’s prerequisites for continued dialogue between the P5+1 of the United Nations Security Council and the Iranian government. more»

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China and Sanctions: An Elusive Hope

Shayan Ghajar

President Obama’s nuclear summit last week was part of a series of efforts aimed at convincing China and Russia to join American efforts for international sanctions on Iran. Three weeks ago, administration officials announced China was ready to begin serious discussions soon regarding sanctions on Iran. In recent days, however, more and more evidence is mounting to the contrary, indicating any support from China for international sanctions on Iran is highly unlikely. more»

Ahmadinejad Plans His Own Nuclear Summit Amidst Rising Fear in Iran

Shayan Ghajar

President Obama’s push for U.N. sanctions on Iran is gaining in intensity this week with the meeting of numerous heads of state in Washington’s nuclear summit, April 11-13. Although the U.N. Security Council neglected to include the issue in its April agenda, the President is urging the world’s nuclear powers to call on Iran to accede to demands for increased transparency and proof that its nuclear aspirations are peaceful. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already responded in less than civil terms, calling Western leaders “retarded” and deciding to host his own nuclear summit in Tehran. more»

Experts: Military Attack on Iran Would Dampen Prospects for Reform

Shayan Ghajar

Concern over Iran’s desire to possess nuclear weapons has intensified in light of an article indicating Iran may begin construction on two more nuclear enrichment facilities and could be planning even more. The increasing tension over the topic has led to renewed calls for military action from various sources. However, a multitude of experts on Iran, international politics, conflict, and global economics conclude that an attack on Iran would be extremely counterproductive, both in terms of setting back Iran’s nuclear program and in weakening the central government or encouraging regime change. more»

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