Social and Political

iranintl – Israeli experts closely monitoring Iran perceive the defeat of Hamas as pivotal in curbing the influence of Iran and Hezbollah’s aggressive tendencies. In recent months, Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah have engaged in daily cross-border skirmishes following a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, that killed 1,200 Israelis and ignited the Gaza war. Yaakov Katz, renowned author …

iranintl – In spite of Iran’s absence from one of the world’s leading security conferences, the regime remained among the top topics in the fight against terror. Approximately 50 heads of state and government, alongside around 100 ministers participated in this year’s Munich Security Conference, the second consecutive year that Tehran and Moscow did not receive invitations. The event took place …

iranintl -Iran’s ruler, Ali Khamenei, made a fervent appeal for voter turnout in the March 1 elections, amidst indications of a potential low participation rate, signaling a declining legitimacy. In a meeting with supporters from East Azarbaijan Province Sunday morning, Khamenei called for self-reflection and “enhancing existing strengths while addressing weaknesses.” He claimed that the United States and other “enemies” …

Iranwire – Mostafa Tajzadeh, a prominent Iranian political prisoner, has said that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei “lacks the tact necessary to steer the country toward comprehensive, equitable and sustainable development.” In a letter published on his Telegram channel on February 18, Tajzadeh accused Khamenei of neglecting Iran’s pressing issues and rendering the electoral process meaningless. Khamenei, who has the last …

Iranwire – The United States is offering up to $10 million for information regarding an Iranian hacker alleged to be involved in a “coordinated, multi-year” cyber campaign that targeted more than 12 US companies, as well as the departments of State and the Treasury. From about 2016 through April 2021, Alireza Shafie Nasab “worked for Iran-based Mahak Rayan Afraz, a …

RFL/RE – The United States conducted five self-defense strikes in areas of Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed Huthi militias, U.S. Central Command said on February 18. It said it struck three mobile, anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel, and one unmanned surface vessel on February 17. Huthi attacks in the Red Sea area have been one sign of spreading …

gatestoneinstitute.org – When Hamas decided to drag the entire population of the Gaza Strip into another war with Israel on October 7, it did not care what would happen to Palestinian civilians. If the hostages were indeed held in an apartment of a Palestinian family, this shows that Hamas has no problem placing Palestinian civilians in harm’s way. Consequently, Hamas …

iranintl – As the case surrounding the suspension of US special envoy to Iran, Robert Malley, stalls, the State Department’s Inspector General has opened an internal investigation into the steps before and after the suspension. Ryan Holden, the Inspector General’s director of congressional and public affairs, announced last month that a probe had been launched as questions as to Malley’s …

iranintl – A report by Reuters states that the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, traveled to Iraq in late January to convince allied militants to suspend attacks on US forces. Qaani met with representatives of several Iran-backed groups in Baghdad airport on January 29, one day after a drone launched by the same groups killed three American soldiers …

iranintl – Two pivotal developments are casting significant doubt on the viability of religious reformist movements in Iran, that have tried to present a more liberal view of Shia Islam. Firstly, the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, which operates independently of religious affiliations, renders religious reformism largely irrelevant. Secondly, the impending sham elections scheduled for March 1, have divided reformists on …