Reza H. Akbari - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Reza H. Akbari

Reza H. Akbari is a program manager at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting. He conducts research on Iranian domestic politics, US foreign policy toward Iran, Shia politics and political transition. On Twitter: @rezahakbari

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during an event to announce a proposal to end surprise medical billing in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 9, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RC1C62BF4AB0

Iran calling: How Iranians use humor to cope with Trump

Reza H. Akbari

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani arrives to attend the closing statement for the Asian-African Conference in Jakarta April 23, 2015.
REUTERS/Darren Whiteside - RTX19YAE

Rouhani ignores domestic political reforms

Reza H. Akbari

Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami speaks with Reuters correspondents in Tehran January 22, 2008. Khatami has withdrawn his name as a candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Khatami, who served from 1997 to 2005, oversaw a thawing in Iran's ties with the West. Those relations have since sharply deteriorated under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is expected to seek a second four-year term. REUTERS/Caren Firouz/Files (IRAN POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTXCU5T

Iran's 'second-generation' Reformists off to shaky start

Reza H. Akbari

Mohammad Nahavandian, head of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, looks on during an interview with Reuters in his office in Tehran February 20, 2010. Western-backed sanctions on Iran to crimp its disputed nuclear activities will not have the desired impact as the country increasingly turns to Asian and regional countries, Nahavandian said. To match interview IRAN-ECONOMY/SANCTIONS REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) - RTR2ALV8

Rouhani's US-Educated Chief of Staff Knows East and West

Reza H. Akbari