Iran

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The Reagan administration in the 1980s was buffeted by two policy drives toward Iran. On the one hand, Reagan ally Saudi Arabia supported Iraq, which illegally launched a war on the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1980 in order to steal its oil-rich Khuzistan Province. Reagan […]

Iran

Would Iran reformers gain upper hand with UNSC Nuclear Deal?

contributors

By Golnaz Esfandiari | ( RFE/RL) For Iranian President Hassan Rohani, a nuclear deal with global powers would be a double-edged sword. An agreement to restrict Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief would bolster Rohani’s reputation among Iranians who want better ties with the world and allow him to claim credit for the […]

Featured

No, Mr. Netanyahu, Iran isn’t trying to Take over the world & it isn’t ISIL

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanahu charged last week that Iran was the major sponsor of terrorism in the world and that it wants to take over the whole world. He also likened Iran to the faux caliphate in Iraq and Syria. Iran is not trying to […]

Barack Obama

Iran Deal can only Succeed with the Support of Civil Society

contributors

By John Robert Kelley | ( Euractiv) | – – . . . [T]he key to success in the Iran nuclear deal lies in its implementation, and that should be everyone’s business. Diplomacy is not just for elites anymore. Success will require total cooperation throughout the societies of parties to the deal, and this applies […]

Cold War

Iran’s Nuclear Program was A Child Of Washington in the First Place

contributors

By Tony Wesolowsky | (RFE/RL) | – – The start of Iran’s nuclear program can arguably be pegged to December 8, 1953. It was on that date that U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered what was later dubbed his Atoms For Peace speech to the United Nations General Assembly. U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower (right) […]

Featured

Tehran Press on Talks: From “Iran will be US Strategic Ally” to “US Sanctions here to stay”

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The Iranian press has reacted in a whole range of ways to the current round of negotiations at Vienna between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5 + 1) over its civilian nuclear enrichment program. Moderates and liberals are […]

Iran

Iran Talks Down to the Wire: Diplomatic Breakthrough or Prelude to War?

contributors

By Jasmin Ramsey | — WASHINGTON (IPS) – A final deal on Iran’s nuclear programme wouldn’t only make non-proliferation history. It would also be the beginning of a better life for the Iranian people—or at least that’s what they’re hoping. Iranians, who are keeping a close eye on the talks which will resume Saturday in […]

Iran

Iranians pin Hopes on success of Kerry-Zarif Nuclear Negotiations

contributors

By William O. Beeman | (Informed Comment) | – – I have just returned from a three-week trip in Iran in which I interviewed hundreds of Iranian citizens. I think many know that I speak fluent, unaccented Persian, so I am able to talk with Iranians of all ages, ethnicities, education and income levels quite […]

Economy

From Iran: Sanctions help the Hardliners

contributors

William Beeman | (Informed Comment) | – – Bill Beeman writes from Iran: I am continuing my trip through Iran traveling from Yazd to Isfahan via Na’in Discussions with a variety of ordinary people in shops, on the street and in a couple of cases in private homes are very revealing about the public attitude […]