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
Yemen
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
Iran’s Plasco Catastrophe: Who Is Responsible?
The horrific inferno that engulfed Tehran’s iconic Plasco building, rendering a heartbreaking scene of a 20-story building crumbling to the ground, and accidentally broadcasted live on state TV, came as a catastrophic shock for all Iranians. To add to the pain, dozens of brave firemen who rushed to … [Read more...] about Iran’s Plasco Catastrophe: Who Is Responsible?
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?
The Iran opportunity before Donald Trump
By Heshmat Alavi Friday, 20 January 2017 After eight years of US President Barack Obama teaching seemingly unending lessons of Iran Appeasement 101, a new administration in Washington has the opportunity to right the many wrongs of this failed policy. Obama’s doctrine has allowed Iran to launch … [Read more...] about The Iran opportunity before Donald Trump
How Iran Got Stuck in the Syria Quagmire
By Heshmat Alavi Iran, known for its unbridled sectarian meddling in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon, is currently facing an unwanted quagmire and dead-end in the Levant. We cannot limit Iran’s role and its meddling across the Middle East to 2016 alone. There is an ongoing war in the region, … [Read more...] about How Iran Got Stuck in the Syria Quagmire
The main takeaway from Iran’s ‘grave sleepers’ phenomenon
By Shahriar Kia Iran, and the entire world for that matter, was shocked and appalled over images of homeless Iranians resorting to sleeping -- and even living -- in pre-dug graves to escape freezing winter cold conditions. As mainstream media correctly covered this previously unknown aspect of life … [Read more...] about The main takeaway from Iran’s ‘grave sleepers’ phenomenon
Boeing/Airbus Deals Will Boost Iran’s Support of Terrorism
By Amir Basiri December 29, 2016 Mainstream media is rife with news about Iran sealing multibillion-dollar deals with Airbus and Boeing to purchase more than 100 passenger planes. Unfortunately, Iran is no ordinary buyer. It's a mistake for anyone to rejoice over such a deal or boast about it … [Read more...] about Boeing/Airbus Deals Will Boost Iran’s Support of Terrorism
As Congress adjusts to Trump, Iran put under the pressure it deserves
By Heshmat Alavi Maybe the single subject Democrats and Republicans can truly agree on in Washington, today and maybe for a long time to come, will be upgrading sanctions on Iran. President-elect Donald Trump is also expected to place his support behind this initiative, too. … [Read more...] about As Congress adjusts to Trump, Iran put under the pressure it deserves