Pen-Palling With the Ayatollah
Only ideologues and the ignorant don’t understand that Obama’s letter to Khamenei is just pragmatic politics. If wearing a tan suit at a press conference is enough to bring on a deluge of criticism , President Barack Obama probably shouldn’t be surprised that sending a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made some heads spin. That’s […]
Iran and the U.S. meet on the wrestling mat in Tehran
In an atmosphere of heavy sanctions and talk of war, wrestlers from around the world have come to Tehran to participate in the annual Wrestling World Cup. The event, which changes venues every year, has brought together wresting teams from countries not typically known for close ties, such as the U.S., Cuba, Russia, and Iran. […]
Why Iran’s Hardliners Love the iPhone and McDonalds Sanctions
If you’re an Iranian who wants to get the latest iPhone, iPad or Macbook, it may just be easier for you to purchase one in Iran than in the U.S. New pressures to “tighten the noose” on Iran through sanctions have indeed led to discrimination against Persian-speakers at Apple Stores. One has to wonder how […]
Washington and Tehran’s Vicious Spin Cycle
The crux of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran is that, at some point, in order to succeed, each side will have to take a deep breath and shake hands on a deal. But thirty years of mutual demonization and fear mongering, means it takes serious political courage to come to the table, and even […]
Cultures of Resistance: Spotlight on Iranian Artists
Almost every day, news and media cover politics or policy related topics on Iran with a concrete agenda. Behind this coverage, however, there is another voice desperate to be heard. It’s the voice of Iranian artists representing ordinary Iranian citizens. Trying not to be overshadowed by the common misconceptions about Iran, it is not easy […]
Obama Shifts, Iranians Seethe
The Washington Post reported on Sunday that the Obama Administration is using sanctions to prevent Iranian civilian flights from refueling in Europe—flights that serve as “the main lifeline for Iranians with the outside world.” This draconian step is particularly troubling since it is coming from an Administration that claimed to understand that isolating the Iranian […]
“Shahram, your blood was unjustly shed!”
To the world, he is the man that was brutally run over a police car during Ashura’s protests, but to his family, he is Shahram. Abbas (Shahram) Farajzadeh Tarani was thirty-years old when a police car backed into him and then ran over him again, killing him on Dec. 27. His death was captured by […]
More Footage from Ashura: Peaceful Protesters Attacked
This moving video, also posted on Mir Hossein Moussavi and Zahra Rahnavard’s Facebook page shows hundreds of protesters in the streets on Tehran on Ashura. Amidst peace signs, chants of “Ya, Hossein! Mir Hossein!” “Death the the dictator!” and “Don’t be afraid! Don’t be afraid! We are all together!” security forces attack with batons and […]
Hundreds arrested & the face of Ashura
Government forces have shown no mercy today as they have arrested any and everyone in sight–from typical young protesters to 80 year-old grandmothers at the University of Tehran. What they will do with all of those arrested is unknown as space is probably limited. A police officer who spoke to a young protester today, said that protesters have burned at least 56 […]
Green Trio Forced to Cancel Iftar Ceremony
According to Zahra Rahnavard’s Facebook page, Mousavi, Khatami, and Karroubi were forced to call off their Iftar ceremony because of crowds gathering outside the Amir Almomenin Mosque in Tehran. Iftar refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. The video shows small crowds chanting “Ya Hossein! Mir […]
“State TV, Shame on You!” Chant Iranians
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR_23Aijb4Q] July 25 in Tehran: Iranians took to the streets and with a new chant, “State TV, shame on you!” followed by “Honorable Iranians, support us!”