Subscribe to The Iranist

Subscribe to receive a weekly newsletter on all things Iran brought to you by the Atlantic Council.

Content

IranSource

Mar 27, 2024

Ex-minister Zarif confirms Iran’s reform movement is dead

By Shay Khatiri

The audio leak confirms that there was, in fact, a sincere reform movement in the 1990s, and now that movement is dead.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 22, 2024

‘Unification of the arenas’ might turn from an opportunity for Iran into a threat

By Raz Zimmt

Hamas’s decision to start a war at a time not determined by Iran created a situation of escalating risks.

Conflict Iran

IranSource

Mar 21, 2024

It’s morally imperative that the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Iran be extended. Here’s why.

By Rose Parris Richter and Azadeh Pourzand

The need for the FFMI's mandate to be extended for an additional year lies in the gravity and scope of its findings and the ongoing and escalating atrocities documented since the initial report.

Civil Society Conflict

IranSource

Mar 20, 2024

Iran targeted human rights sanctions series: Understanding ‘terrorist organization’ designations in relation to the IRGC

By Celeste Kmiotek, Lisandra Novo

This post looks at how terrorist organization listings are decided, the consequences, and how these are related to targeted human rights sanctions.

Economic Sanctions Iran

IranSource

Mar 13, 2024

For meaningful change in Iran, Khamenei has got to go

By Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

The supreme leader's death will provide people inside Iran and the diaspora with a historic chance to make a foray into fundamental change in the country.

Human Rights Iran

IranSource

Mar 6, 2024

A year ago, Beijing brokered an Iran-Saudi deal. How does détente look today?

By Giorgio Cafiero

Tehran and Riyadh saw dialogue as the only viable way to reduce tensions, and realized that further escalating hostilities would not advance either’s national interest. 

Conflict Iran

IranSource

Feb 28, 2024

March 1 is the upcoming Iranian elections. The terrain looks more divided than ever.

By Arash Azizi

With widespread disillusionment with the Islamic Republic and its unrepresentative institutions, few people care to take part in these elections.

Elections Human Rights

IranSource

Feb 22, 2024

The United States needs a new Iran policy—and it involves regime change, but not the traditional kind

By Kelly Shannon

The tactics of 1979 are not enough in the 2020s. Additional strategies are necessary, and international support will be critical to ensuring the success of any mass democratic movement in Iran.

Democratic Transitions Iran

IranSource

Feb 16, 2024

Iran is socially engineering mass depression to suppress dissent  

By Saeid Golkar and Kasra Aarabi

The Islamic Republic has worked tirelessly to strategize and doctrinize control of Iranians’ minds and bodies. But it hasn't always been successful.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Feb 2, 2024

Iran is on its way to replacing Russia as a leading arms exporter. The US needs a strategy to counter this trend.

By Danny Citrinowicz  

The US must understand the seriousness of the situation: without active measures, it will be extremely tough to stop Iran from becoming a world leader in arms sales

Arms Control Conflict