How Iran's hard-liners aim to sideline traditionalist clerics

Iranian hard-liners are establishing parallel entities to train clerics in order to marginalize traditionalist clerics at the Qom seminary.

Iran

Iran arrests dozens at International Workers’ Day protests

Iran has marked International Worker's Day with arrests and threats against independent labor unions.

Iran

Badr strongman Amiri faces dissent within his group's ranks

Powerful Iraqi politician Hadi al-Amiri is up against strong opposition within his own Badr Organization, as hundreds of members accuse him of being corrupt and exploiting power.

Iraq

Yemen's divided parliament growing further apart

Literally and figuratively, the two sides of Yemen's split parliament are miles away from each other and show no sign of reconciliation.

Saudi Arabia

Iranian teachers fill gap between state, society after floods

Teachers in Iran have played an important role in relief efforts in the wake of recent flooding, shining a light on the impact of Iranians' mistrust of the state.

Iran

How the Holocaust became part of Israel’s identity

Over the years, the memory of the Holocaust has shaped the new Israeli identity with notions of victimhood rather than lessons of tolerance.

Palestine

Pakistan steps up efforts to soothe Iran

Pakistan is managing to maintain a delicate balance in its foreign relations despite the fierce rivalry between two of its allies, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Legacy: Gulf

Iran intensifies nuclear diplomacy but says patience 'running thin'

The Iranian Foreign Ministry seems to have launched a fresh drive to salvage the JCPOA, as the future of the country’s oil revenue hangs in the balance due to reinstated US sanctions.

United States

Here’s how Iran wants to take its financial system on the blockchain

A major project commissioned by the Central Bank of Iran aims to incorporate blockchain technologies in the country’s banking and financial system, and potentially employ a sovereign rial-backed cryptocurrency.

Iran

After cleric's murder, Iranians debate hate speech on social media

The murder of a cleric in Iran has opened a new battle between Reformists and hard-liners, as the two sides clash over who instigated the killing.

Iran

Why Iran-US confrontation may intensify under new IRGC commander

A sharp-tongued commander taking the helm of Iran's most powerful military force has been interpreted by many as a signal that Tehran is bracing for more tensions, including a possible military conflict with the United States.

Iran

Zarif criticized for showing ‘weakness’ in proposing Iran-US prisoner swap

While Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has floated the possibility of talks with the United States over prisoners, others in Iran have rejected showing any signs of "weakness" amid ramped up outside pressure.

United States