The Russian Art of Mudslinging and Conspiracy-mongering
Whenever a world leader dies, either by sinister or natural causes, you can be sure Moscow will warp the narrative to sow, if not panic, then at least cynicism and doubt.
Ebrahim Raisi
Iran Poised to Execute Child Offender and Five Other Prisoners
Iran’s judiciary has transferred six men to pre-execution solitary cells in Shiraz Central Prison, suggesting their executions are imminent, the Oslo-based nonprofit Iran Human...
Flash Briefs
U.S. Boycotts UN Session Honoring Iran’s Late President
The United States boycotted a May 30 plenary session of the UN General Assembly held to commemorate Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19. Speeches...
Flash Briefs
Maryland Court Issues Restraining Order Against U.S.-Based Iranian Diplomat
A Maryland court issued a temporary restraining order on May 28 against an employee of Iran’s Interests Section in Washington — the Islamic Republic’s de facto consular office...
Flash Briefs
Amid New Iranian Nuclear Advances, Washington Blocks European Push for IAEA Censure
The United States is blocking European states from pursuing a formal censure of Iran for its nonproliferation violations, despite a push by the United Kingdom and France, The Wall...
Flash Briefs
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’s Terror Proxies Gather On Sidelines of Raisi’s Funeral
Representatives from Iran’s network of terror proxies convened on May 22 on the sidelines of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s funeral. Raisi died alongside Iranian...
Flash Briefs
Israel SitRep: May 24, 2024
Today’s Issue: IDF and Shin Bet Retrieve Bodies of Three Men Killed on October 7 | IDF Continuing Operations in Northern, Southern, and Central Gaza | IAF Airstrike Kills Hezbollah Weapons-Production...
Israel at War Situation Report
Can the Middle East halt the rise of Iran before it’s too late?
Iran has recently reconciled with Saudi Arabia, with China’s backing, and it has been seeking to open a new page of ties with Egypt.
Op-eds
Maximum Support
A New Strategic Direction for U.S. Iran Policy
Memos
U.S. Conducts Secret, Indirect Talks With Iran’s Chief Nuclear Negotiator
The United States conducted indirect talks with Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator last week, the Associated Press (AP) reported on May 21. The talks — which Axios first reported...
Flash Briefs
The Butcher Is Dead. What Comes Next for Iran?
The unexpected death of the Iranian president may be the vent that allows a volcano of rage to explode. Reuel Marc Gerecht explains.
Op-eds
Russia, China Hail Late Iranian President as Stalwart Ally
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed their condolences to Tehran over the May 19 death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, honoring the late...
Flash Briefs
Did Raisi’s outreach to Arab states pave the way for Oct. 7?
Iran sought to derail any Saudi-Israeli normalization deal, which October 7 did; as such, it exploited October 7 to change the regional order.
Op-eds
The Death of Iran’s President Does Not Bode Well
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has not always seen eye to eye with his country’s presidents. Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani nudged the Islamic Republic too close to the West for the supreme leader’s...
Op-eds
Iran Arrests More Than 260 People at Alleged ‘Satanist’ Gathering
Iranian police announced the arrest of more than 260 people for promoting “satanism and nudity” at a gathering on May 17, Tehran’s state media reported. The detainees, who...
Flash Briefs
Deaths of Iranian president, FM will have no significant change on Israel
The death of Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian will undoubtedly cause great turmoil in Iran.
Op-eds
How Ebrahim Raisi transformed Iran’s role in the region
Regardless of what Western analysts think about Iran's international relations, Iran has secured close ties throughout the Middle East and Asia under President Raisi.
Op-eds
Raisi set the Middle East aflame but his death will not put out the fire
With Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian gone, Iran will fall back on the IRGC which controls much of the country behind the scenes.
Op-eds
Iranian President’s Helicopter Crashes, Condition Unknown
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian crashed in Iran on May 19. Iranian personnel are still searching for the aircraft,...