Khamenei banks on patience Trump may lack
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has hinted at and cautioned about potential negotiations with the United States, maintaining his long-held strategy of calculated ambiguity.
ANALYSIS
Iran faces wage dilemma amid sanctions, economic malaise
As Iran's fiscal year draws to an end in March, the government and parliament grapple with the challenge of raising wages in line with an inflation rate of 40% that has pushed millions of workers to poverty.
Tehran daily calls for talks following Khamenei's defiant speech
A day after Iran’s Supreme Leader urged officials to dismiss US demands, a conservative newspaper in Tehran advocated for negotiations, describing them as the only viable path to addressing the country’s economic crisis.
Assad's fall shakes Iran's rulers, reinvigorates dissidents
The sudden departure of Bashar al-Assad from Damascus to Moscow exposed deep divisions between Iran’s government and its people. While state loyalists viewed the event as disastrous, many ordinary Iranians rejoiced in it with renewed hope.
What’s on the agenda for Iraqi PM's Tehran visit?
Iraq’s prime minister is set to visit Tehran on Wednesday to discuss regional issues following the tumultuous events of 2024, including the overthrow of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and the decline of Iran’s regional influence.
Tehran struggles to mobilize supporters as it faces multiple crises
As economic protests take place in Iran, the government-sponsored rallies and those organized by its core ultra-hardliner supporters are garnering dramatically less support amid the country's mounting crises.
Regional events signal a chance to move beyond Tehran's influence
The world is witnessing a period of significant regional setbacks and retreats for the Islamic Republic. After two decades of massive financial expenditures and international isolation, Tehran’s strongholds and allies are crumbling one by one across the region.
Frustration with internet restrictions set to smolder on
The lifting of official bans from two social media platforms on Tuesday may do little to dull the ire of Iranians about persistent government restrictions on their internet access.
Iran signals preparation for potential unrest
Iran's energy-rich government is bracing for potential unrest amid rolling blackouts and rising gasoline prices, with judicial, security and intelligence services briefed to be ready for a response.
Khamenei hints at desire to overthrow Syria's new government
Iran's Supreme Leader on Sunday openly opposed Syria's new government, spoke of the need to overthrow it, and announced plans to form a group to combat the Damascus administration.
Iran's government retreats from implementing new hijab law
Iran's vice-president announced that the administration is drafting a bill to amend the highly controversial hijab law, which the Parliament Speaker had promised would take effect on December 13.
Iran and Qatar forge unlikely bond over shared interests
The relationship between Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Iran is one driven by mutual interests over ideological alignment, helping both to fulfil regional and international objectives.
Tehran faces a mega-crisis with seven challenges
The clerical government in Iran is currently grappling with at least seven significant domestic and international crises, creating what can be described as a "mega-crisis" for the whole political system and its leadership.
Road to Damascus: How neighboring conflicts transformed Syria's war
Syria’s second largest city Aleppo fell to rebel forces within a mere 48 hours of their launching a shock offensive. Now they push forward on the road to Damascus.
Assad’s downfall could trigger a crisis for Tehran
The fall of Aleppo to rebels opposing President Bashar al-Assad has caused a critical situation for the Syrian government with implications that may extend to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Will Trump square a security strategy that Biden could not?
US president-elect Donald Trump is gearing up for his second term, pursuing a national security doctrine rooted in principles forged during his first term: a blend of pragmatism and resolute America First ideology.
Iranian commander's killing, Aleppo advance shake up Syria conflict
Armed opposition factions in Syria including the Islamist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) killed a top Iranian military commander and pierced the outskirts of Aleppo in recent days, jolting the stalemated fight against President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.
What Iran and Hezbollah lost in war with Israel
The 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah not only failed to achieve Hezbollah's stated objectives but also dealt a significant blow to the group and its primary backer, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Why do Iranian health authorities deny an HPV crisis?
Iran's health ministry has come under fire for denial of a crisis requiring general vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to please the religious and political hardliners.
Why Iran is grappling with worsening gas and power shortages
Iran's growing gas deficit stems from rising consumption, driven by 8,000 MW of new thermal power plants and increased household use, while gas production growth in the past three years has slowed to a third of the previous decade's rate.
Trump unlikely to buy any Iranian charm offensive
In the week since Donald Trump won the US election, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian and his foreign policy chiefs have talked about the importance of engaging with Washington. Their wording may vary, but the message is one: that tensions with the US must be managed.
Are Tehran-Riyadh relations entering a new positive phase?
Saudi Crown Prince’s call on Israel to “respect the sovereignty” of Iran and to “cease all hostile actions on Iranian territories” could be the signal of a turning point in Tehran-Riadh relations.