Morad Vaisi
Iran International political analyst
Iran International political analyst
Israel’s strikes on Iran recall the surprise attack on Egypt in 1967, but in aim and execution they more closely resemble the recent campaigns against Hamas and Hezbollah that targeted leadership and capabilities to force strategic paralysis.
In his Eid al-Fitr sermon, Ali Khamenei once again voiced concern about the possible resurgence of anti-government protests in Iran, using his signature rhetoric to warn of a "new sedition."
Iran is in a state of limbo as no one can know whether the country is moving toward negotiations or war - a choice which rests with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
On Friday, the Tehran division of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is set to hold a military exercise involving 110,000 paramilitary Basij forces. According to an IRGC spokesperson, the drill is designed to prepare for any potential threats against the capital.
Five years ago, Qassem Soleimani was killed under the direct orders of then-US President Donald Trump, in a watershed moment in the Middle East, triggering a series of setbacks for the Islamic Republic.
The world is witnessing a period of significant regional setbacks and retreats for the Islamic Republic. After two decades of massive financial expenditures and international isolation, Tehran’s strongholds and allies are crumbling one by one across the region.
Iran's Supreme Leader on Sunday openly opposed Syria's new government, spoke of the need to overthrow it, and announced plans to form a group to combat the Damascus administration.
The clerical government in Iran is currently grappling with at least seven significant domestic and international crises, creating what can be described as a "mega-crisis" for the whole political system and its leadership.
The fall of Aleppo to rebels opposing President Bashar al-Assad has caused a critical situation for the Syrian government with implications that may extend to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah not only failed to achieve Hezbollah's stated objectives but also dealt a significant blow to the group and its primary backer, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
On November 15, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts announced that the Assembly has selected three individuals as potential successors to Ali Khamenei in order of priority. However, the names of these candidates remain confidential.
In the week since Donald Trump won the US election, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian and his foreign policy chiefs have talked about the importance of engaging with Washington. Their wording may vary, but the message is one: that tensions with the US must be managed.
Revelations of major high-level corruption by a former lawmaker have shaken Iran’s political landscape, with many viewing the exposure as a tactic to bolster Mojtaba Khamenei’s candidacy to succeed his father as Supreme Leader.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, often deflects responsibility on difficult decisions, issuing vague statements that allows him to avoid blame if and when things go wrong.
In recent weeks, the rising tensions between the Islamic Republic and Israel, along with the increasing likelihood of an Israeli military strike, have had negative impacts on Iran's economy.
The explosion of thousands of Hezbollah pager devices on Tuesday has sent shockwaves through governments, political groups, and ordinary citizens across the Middle East, eliciting a mix of admiration, outrage, and disbelief.
