With the clarification of the names of the presidential contenders in Iran, the focus now has shifted to their possible policies. A key question for Iran analysts is what direction will Iran’s nuclear program - which has emerged as the most complex issue in Iran’s foreign policy since the end of the war with Iraq in the 1980s – take with each of th ... Continue reading »

Two men who the Iranian government said worked as spies for Israel and the United States were hanged Sunday morning, according to Iranian state news outlet Press TV.   The men were identified as Mohammad Heidari and Kourosh Ahmadi. Press TV said Heidari provided classified information to Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, and Ahmadi had been ... Continue reading »

Iran is tightening control of the Internet ahead of next month's presidential election, mindful of violent street protests that social networkers inspired last time around over claims of fraud, users and experts say.   The authorities deny such claims, but have not explained exactly why service has become slower.   Businesses, banks and even state ... Continue reading »

The iron fist of Iran's regime allows no chance for opposition candidates to run in the presidential election, but in the virtual realm, a new graphic novel character is the champion of a free and fair election.   Hundreds of hopeful Iranians have registered as candidates to replace President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as in the forthcoming election on Ju ... Continue reading »

DUBAI: Women in Iran are becoming more angry and are beginning to show their frustration through underground campaigns aimed at ending what activist Samira Mekhani told Bikyanews.com is “the bigotry of a male-dominated society.” For her and other women in Iran, fighting daily to change the use of language and “stupidity” is a never-ending affair.   ... Continue reading »

To maintain the illusion of some prospect for progress in nuclear diplomacy with Tehran, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will meet with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, in Istanbul next week. Purportedly, Ashton will see if the P5+1 dialogue with Iran can be put back on track after yet another round of nuclear tal ... Continue reading »

After the economy, the most controversial issue in the presidential election is normalizing Tehran’s ties with the United States. For the first time, both major conservative and reformist candidates actually embrace the idea that direct talks could bring Iran out of isolation by lifting sanctions. They all stipulate that Washington must first chang ... Continue reading »

A new wind instrument, named the yasnai, will be introduced during concerts that are being organized by tar virtuoso Kayvan Saket.     Mohammad Beigi, the creator of the instrument, will play it during the concerts, which will be held at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall from May 8 to 10, Saket said at a press conference on Monday.   Beigi is an expert construc ... Continue reading »

Whatever the intent of Iran’s nuclear program, it appears regional tensions and fears surrounding Tehran’s possible motivations could be pushing together some interesting partners.   Various outlets are reporting that Israel and nations such as Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could be forming a defensive pact with Ir ... Continue reading »

One of President Obama’s greatest “accomplishments” has been creating fissures within the antiwar/progressive community in the United States by talking like a progressive politician, but acting in most cases as a conservative one. Consider, for example, his domestic policy. It has helped Wall Street far more than anything the President is willing t ... Continue reading »