A little-known but influential body handpicked by Iran's Supreme Leader may provide the spur Ali Khamenei needs to ditch his avowed refusal of nuclear weapons and reach for the ultimate deterrent in the wake of punishing Israeli attacks.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, often deflects responsibility on difficult decisions, issuing vague statements that allows him to avoid blame if and when things go wrong.
While the Islamic Republic’s establishment downplays Israel’s air strikes as ineffective and praises Iran’s air defenses, many hardliners are pushing for a retaliatory response—one that risks triggering further reciprocal attacks.
In recent weeks, the rising tensions between the Islamic Republic and Israel, along with the increasing likelihood of an Israeli military strike, have had negative impacts on Iran's economy.
After Iran's Central Bank report on government banks providing large loans to their employees and affiliates, new reports have emerged about these loss-making financial institutions entering the local foreign currency market.
The prospect of an Israeli attack on Iran has sparked new tensions within Iran’s opposition. Over 360 leftists, woke activists, and former Islamist/religious-nationalist figures have issued a statement titled "No to war, no to the Islamic Republic."
Following Israel's October 4, 2024, strike on Beirut, which targeted Hashem Safiuddin, a potential successor to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, speculation has also arisen regarding the status of Ismail Qa’ani, the chief commander of the Quds Force.
After two months of warnings, Iran’s Islamist government attacked Israel on October 1, 2024, with 200 ballistic missiles. Iranians and Israelis watched as missiles flew over cities, debris falling from the sky after being intercepted.
In the wake of Iran's massive but largely ineffectual missile barrage, Israel has arrived at a critical crossroads that will test its ambition in dealing with its mortal enemy.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian's current stay in New York for the UN General Assembly will be the shortest of any of his predecessors, lasting just three days.
Iran is signaling its desire to resume nuclear negotiations with the West, as indicated by the Foreign Minister on Monday, as the country’s President arrived in the US for the UN General Assembly.
The explosion of thousands of Hezbollah pager devices on Tuesday has sent shockwaves through governments, political groups, and ordinary citizens across the Middle East, eliciting a mix of admiration, outrage, and disbelief.
The immediate reaction on social media to President Masoud Pezeshkian’s belated press conference on Monday was mixed, highlighting the deep divide within Iranian society.