Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, known to lead a regime based on a mantra of “Death to America,” has been cautiously silent ever since US President Donald Trump took the helm in the White House. With a recent medium-range ballistic missile test launch backfiring severely, both politically and … [Read more...] about ANALYSIS: Iran feeling US policy shift after Obama
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BLACKLIST IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS
The right signal to Tehran’s mullahs. It is a known historical fact that actions speak louder than words. Iran is beginning to understand this loud and clear with a new administration in Washington. U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, in his first public appearance, issued a stark … [Read more...] about BLACKLIST IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS
Flogging and Eye-Gouging Are Among Iran’s Medieval Punishments for ‘Morality’ Violations
Despite the many flaws in the nuclear deal with Iran, Tehran’s nuclear program has been curbed. Yet at what cost? As the new Trump administration realizes, the Islamic Republic is still a major violator of the human rights of its people. The regime’s continued practice of “cruel and inhuman … [Read more...] about Flogging and Eye-Gouging Are Among Iran’s Medieval Punishments for ‘Morality’ Violations
Trump Must Pressure Iran
Iran was involved in a long slate of aggressive measures up to the very doorsteps of President Donald Trump taking the helm in Washington. This concerning pattern of escalating extremism ironically increased following the Iran nuclear deal sealed between the P5+1 and Tehran, despite many in the West … [Read more...] about Trump Must Pressure Iran
Iran’s Trepidation Over Entering Uncharted Trump Territory
By Heshmat Alavi US President Donald Trump posted a statement only minutes after his inauguration indicating the administration’s intention to launch a “state-of-the-art” missile-defense system to help protect allies against possible attacks from Iran and North Korea. This only adds to the … [Read more...] about Iran’s Trepidation Over Entering Uncharted Trump Territory
Iran Sabotages a Syrian Ceasefire
By Heshmat Alavi Despite the boasted rhetoric about the agreement reached in the Astana talks over the Syria ceasefire, this latest stage unveiled the limits involved parties face in bringing an end to the six-year war. Even Russia’s chief negotiator at the discussion reached the point of … [Read more...] about Iran Sabotages a Syrian Ceasefire
Why is Iran, with the 2nd largest reserves, importing natural gas?
By Heshmat Alavi The sheer fact that Iran, sitting on the world’s 2nd largest natural gas reserves, second only to Russia, is forced to import up to 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas each year from Turkmenistan, its northern neighbor, sheds interesting light on the regime’s true economic … [Read more...] about Why is Iran, with the 2nd largest reserves, importing natural gas?
What Is Iran’s Policy-Making Mechanism?
By Heshmat Alavi As we close in to the Iran presidential election -- read "selection" -- a more precise look at the policymaking mechanisms at work in this very peculiar theocratic system is necessary. The regime in Iran, with Hassan Rouhani as its president, has been eager to portray an image of … [Read more...] about What Is Iran’s Policy-Making Mechanism?
What to learn from Iran’s unconventional naval tactics
Tehran took advantage of Obama’s appeasement to increase its Middle East influence. An alternative is available, and it’s not war. Once again Iran resorted to its desperate and unprofessional tactic of dispatching fast-attack boats in the Persian Gulf to harass U.S. Navy ships, this time leading … [Read more...] about What to learn from Iran’s unconventional naval tactics
Iran’s strategic defeat in Syria before Astana talks
By Heshmat Alavi The war in Syria has reached a major turning point. The Iran-Russia honeymoon is over, and Moscow is warming relations with Ankara. Reports indicate the two coordinated airstrikes targeting Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) and other terrorist groups. Such a turn of events has even been described … [Read more...] about Iran’s strategic defeat in Syria before Astana talks