Iran
Whose Anti-Imperialism?
An open letter in solidarity with Iran’s political prisoners drew vitriolic condemnation from parts of the anti-imperialist left. Yet much of the criticism the signatories faced was either mistaken or myopic.
War and Watermelons
After more than six months of war with Iran, the UAE has vowed to stop all trade with its neighbor. Yet fruit and vegetables from Iran still reach the Gulf states daily, showing how tightly the region’s economies are bound together.
The Ideologue Who Shaped Ahmadinejad’s Holocaust Denial
Mohammad Ali Ramin was the intellectual force behind Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Holocaust denial. Their changing relationship sheds light on the former Iranian president’s personality and transformations, and the possibility that he made a secret deal with Israel.
What Remains of a Musician’s Life After the Bombs Fell on Iran
Parvaneh spent years earning her place in the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, along with the professional double bass she had struggled to afford. After losing her job amid the turmoil that preceded the war, a U.S.-Israeli strike destroyed her home and shattered her instrument.
Southern Iran Is Being Destroyed
U.S. attacks across Iran’s southern coastline have damaged ports, airports, roads, power infrastructure and civilian landmarks, devastating local economies and forcing millions of people to endure rolling blackouts during extreme heat. Residents describe the destruction of their livelihoods and the growing sense that nowhere is safe.
As Millions Mourn Ali Khamenei, Iran Prepares for a New Chapter
Ali Khamenei’s six-day funeral drew vast crowds into Tehran, turning mourning into a display of grief, vengeance and state continuity. But beneath the red flags and public rituals, the ceremonies exposed Iran’s internal divisions, anxieties over security and uncertainty about the country’s unseen new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Iran’s Internet Blackout Was Decades in the Making
After an 88-day internet blackout, Iranians are just beginning to reconnect with the outside world. This is the story of how the Islamic Republic spent two decades building a sophisticated infrastructure for digital isolation.