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
Rafsanjani
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
Iran: Why “moderate” Rouhani can’t tolerate 2 motorcycling women
By Heshmat Alavi Two young women were arrested last week in Dezful, southwest Iran, for riding a motorcycle, according to a report wired by state-run IRNA news agency. As images went viral a social-media backlash was sparked against the ultra-conservative establishment ruling the country. But … [Read more...] about Iran: Why “moderate” Rouhani can’t tolerate 2 motorcycling women
Time to end the Iran “reformist-moderate” hoax
By Heshmat Alavi Eight years of Barack Obama’s tenure has come to an end. We are also winding down on the first, and maybe last, term of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. This should mark the long overdue end of the U.S.-Iran appeasement doctrine, based on a mirage of “reformists” and/or … [Read more...] about Time to end the Iran “reformist-moderate” hoax
What is behind Iran’s escalating domestic feuds?
By Heshmat Alavi With only four months to Iran’s next presidential “elections,” the political stage inside the country has been the scene of new and intense disputes, with both so-called “moderates” and “hardliners” pointing fingers. “Can a single individual steal $3 billion all by himself?” asked … [Read more...] about What is behind Iran’s escalating domestic feuds?
Iran after Rafsanjani
By Amir Basiri Dying at the age of 82 from a heart attack on Sunday, former Iranian president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani had a long record of guiding the regime’s lethal measures domestically and abroad, including suicide bombings and eliminating exiled dissidents. Such an image is far from the … [Read more...] about Iran after Rafsanjani
Will Rafsanjani’s death trigger Iran regime upheaval?
By Heshmat Alavi The Iranian regime was dealt a significant blow as former president and senior cleric Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani died of a heart attack on Sunday, January 8, at the age of 82. Known for his influential role in shaping the regime’s politics following the 1979 revolution, … [Read more...] about Will Rafsanjani’s death trigger Iran regime upheaval?
The Future Of Iran Following Rafsanjani’s Death
Originally published in Forbes By Heshmat Alavi The regime in Iran suffered a major setback after former president and figurehead Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani died of a heart attack on Sunday. He was 82. Following the 1979 revolution, Rafsanjani played an influential role in structuring the … [Read more...] about The Future Of Iran Following Rafsanjani’s Death
My Iran report – Dec 5, 2016
Mousavian: Iran regime change may return to agenda Hossein Mousavian is a former Iranian regime ambassador to Germany back in the 1990s and the man providing logistics for the famous Mykonos restaurant killings, former spokesman for the Iranian regime’s nuclear negotiations team in early 2000s, and … [Read more...] about My Iran report – Dec 5, 2016