Why Iran Won’t Follow FATF Counter-Terrorism Rules
As usual, Tehran will make surface-level concessions and play for time. But it will never commit to genuine counter-terrorism regulation.
Ali Shamkhani
Iran threatens nuclear weaponization ambitions
Mahmoud Reza Aghamiri, the president of Iran’s Shahid Beheshti University and one of the Islamic Republic’s prominent nuclear scientists, offered a rare glimpse into Tehran’s calculus behind weaponization. During...
Op-eds
Behind Khamenei’s post-war shake up: Salvaging the remains of the ‘Axis of Resistance’
In the post-war era, the power players are no longer focused solely on succession; they are now deeply invested in survival in the post-Islamic Republic era as well.
Op-eds
U.S. Sanctions Extensive Shipping Network in Largest Iran-Related Action Since 2018
Latest Developments Massive Iran Sanctions: The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the State Department have designated over 50 individuals and entities, as well as...
Flash Briefs
Iran and its militias brace for another conflict with Israel
The Qatari New Arab reported on July 17 that Esmail Ghaani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards-Quds Force (IRGC-QF), met with Tehran’s Iraqi proxies in Baghdad earlier this...
Op-eds
How might Iran retaliate against the US?
Few Iranian officials have responded publicly to the US strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear sites on June 21—an understandable silence, given that many leaders have either been eliminated by...
Op-eds
Israel widens air campaign, hits Iran’s critical infrastructure, propaganda hubs (June 15–16 updates)
Israel has expanded its precision strikes across Iran. As Iran’s missile stockpile dwindles and top regime officials are either dead or in hiding, the Israeli military has now begun targeting critical...
Op-eds
The 9 Iranian Nuclear Scientists Israel Has Eliminated
By Bridget Toomey and Andrea Stricker To stop Iran’s drive to build nuclear weapons, Israel eliminated nine top scientists and experts whose knowledge was critical to Tehran’s initiative. Israel...
Insights
Israel targets Iran’s nuclear sites and senior military figures
In a joint operation led by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, Israel targeted Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure and key leaders. The attack, reported by...
Op-eds
At Least 20 High-Level Commanders, Nuclear Scientists Killed in Israeli Strikes on Iran
IRGC Commanders Killed: The Israeli Air Force’s strikes against Iran in the early hours of June 13 pummeled Iran’s top brass, with at least 20 high-level Iranian commanders killed in the operation, dubbed by Israel as “Rising Lion.” Iranian media reported that four prominent generals were killed, including Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces and second-highest commander after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel also eliminated Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, the deputy commander in chief of the armed forces, and Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the IRGC aerospace forces.
Flash Briefs
Iran’s armed forces escalate threats as Khamenei rejects latest US proposal
The Islamic Republic Armed Forces General Staff, Iran’s highest military authority tasked with coordinating the conventional army (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), issued a threatening statement on June 4 amid stalled nuclear negotiations with the United States.
Op-eds
‘Enrichment Enables Weaponization’: Witkoff Emphasizes Zero Enrichment for Iran
Iran Cannot Have Nuclear Enrichment: The United States drew a “very clear red line” that it will not allow Iran to enrich uranium domestically under a new nuclear agreement,...
Flash Briefs
‘For Us, Martyrdom is Far Sweeter’: Pezeshkian Says Iran Will Not Be ‘Bullied’ Into Nuclear Deal With U.S.
Latest Developments ‘Slogans’ Will Not Scare Iran, Iranian President Warns: Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran will not be forced into a nuclear deal by President Donald...
Flash Briefs
‘Deterrent Measures’: Iran Threatens to Halt Cooperation With Nuclear Watchdog if U.S. Military Threats Persist
Iran Threatens Expulsion of UN Personnel: An Iranian official warned on April 10 that Tehran might suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the...
Flash Briefs
A superficial approach to Iran’s illicit oil exports will backfire
The British government announced on Sept. 17, 2023, that it would dissolve a network of oil trading companies headed by Hossein Shamkhani, son of former Secretary of Iran’s Supreme...
Op-eds
Mohammad Mokhber: Khamenei’s Confidant
On May 19, 2024, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash. Mohammad Mokhber, the first deputy president, will serve as interim president until Iran holds elections for a new president. Iran...
Policy Briefs
Iran is playing musical chairs with leadership positions. None of these individuals have been sanctioned.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has a new secretary. After nearly a decade at the helm, Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani stepped down from the SNSC on May 22 and was appointed to...
Op-eds
Iran to Reopen Embassy in Saudi Arabia as Blinken Visits
Iran is reopening its embassy and diplomatic offices in Saudi Arabia on June 6 after a seven-year freeze. The two countries made the decision in March, when Beijing hosted Saudi Arabian National Security...
Flash Briefs
Saudi Arabia, Iran Agree to Reestablish Diplomatic Ties
Latest Developments Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations on Friday and reopen their respective embassies within two months in a deal brokered by China. Tehran and Riyadh severed...
Flash Briefs
Canada Must Support Justice And Closure For The Families Of PS752 Victims
On January 8, 2020, the Islamic Republic of Iran shot down Ukrainian flight PS752, causing the death of 176 people, including 138 Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and others with close ties to Canada....