Engineering Economic Suffering
After hearing Ahmadinejad’s announcement on Sunday of the first phase of subsidy cuts, the world is watching and waiting to see what will come out of eliminating 30 year-old oil subsidies for Iranian citizens. With economic sanctions already taking a toll and the beginning of cuts on subsidies coming into effect, ordinary Iranians continue to […]
Ahmadinejad Accuses Opposition of Supporting Sanctions
Earlier this week, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reacted to the latest round of international sanctions by lashing out at his political arch nemeses, Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mir Hossein Mousavi, during a televised conference with the heads of Iran’s propaganda machine, the IRIB. Ahmadinejad didn’t call them out by name, instead referring to them as those “who were […]
A Majlis of the IRGC, by the IRGC, and for the IRGC
The recent battle over Azad University and its assets is not only a sign of a growing division in Iran’s hardliners. If one looks more closely, the growing importance of the IRGC in Iranian politics is also becoming clearer. Originally created by Ayatollah Khomeini to be the Supreme Leader’s personal militia, the IRGC acts […]
Iran’s Hardliners Continue Splitting
Tensions are boiling in Iran’s parliament over the government’s demand to take control over the assets of Azad University, which amounts to over $200 billion. This feud between the parliament and Ahmadinejad’s administration reflects the ongoing battles between the camps of Rafsanjani and Ahmadinejad. (Azad University was one of the most successful pet projects and […]
The People’s Enemy
[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEeMnedfUy0&”] Today marks the 28th anniversary of the liberation of Iran’s southwestern city of Khorramshahr, captured by Iraq in 1980 near the start of the Iran-Iraq War. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei made a speech marking the occasion, declaring that “Enemies of the Iranian nation will definitely be defeated today as they were defeated in 1980.” […]
Who is Mousavi Challenging in His New Statement?
Mir Hossein Mousavi issued a statement just a few days ago calling for the implementation of each and every article of the Iranian constitution. According to Mousavi, the full implementation of the law is the only peaceful solution to the existing crisis in Iran, and he commits to this path forward. His English translated statement […]
It’s the Economy, Ahmagh
Time reports that the Iranian economy is in a dire state, more than Tehran would like to reveal. The Iranian government has even stopped reporting economic statistics, as financial anxiety is encroaching upon the Islamic Republic’s stability. Although the Iranian government has ceased official economic reports, unofficial sources still report the growing labor problems; one […]
Would Ahmadinejad Welcome an Attack on Iran?
“Bomb Iran!” Few words cause more apprehension among Iranians and Iranian Americans than those two put together. Yet attacking Iran is always among the list of suggestions for how to deal with Iran’s nuclear program. Whether Iran is pursuing peaceful nuclear energy or a weapon is, however, actually becoming irrelevant. The international community is rallying […]
Bearing Witness: 22 Bahman
NIAC is liveblogging the events of Feb. 11 in Iran, which marks the latest day of planned opposition protests as well as the anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Republic. We encourage readers to share their own news and insights in the comments section below. 2:36 pm: More from the Senate presser. John McCain, […]
Iran’s Space Jam
Press TV reports that Iran has launched a rocket capable of putting a satellite into space, this time equipped with living organisms. The worms, two turtles, and rat were monitored by video transmission aboard Kavoshgar-3, and were studied by scientists upon their return to earth. “Projects that we inaugurated are mostly on the very edge […]
2 More Executed in Iran
The NY Times reports that Mohammad-Ali Zamani and Arash Rahamipour were hanged before dawn for their suspected role in the April 2008 mosque bombing in Shiraz, Iran. The mosque bombing killed 13 people and left 200 others wounded. 9 others were also found guilty of “moharebeh”, or being enemies of God, as they were arrested […]
Karroubi ‘recognizes’ Ahmadinejad…
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports (via www.payvand.com) that opposition leader Mehdi Karrubi recognizes Ahmadinejad as being the head of Iran’s government, although he is quick to maintain that the June presidential election was rigged. Karrubi’s new found stance could demonstrate a ploy to extract similar concessions from the ruling elite–sort of a quid pro quo. […]