By Kian Sharifi ( RFE/ RL ) – Iran and Saudi Arabia have been bitter rivals for decades, vying to lead competing branches of Islam and standing on opposing sides of conflicts in Syria and Yemen. But Tehran and Riyadh have taken major steps to de-escalate tensions and boost cooperation, a move that appeared unthinkable […]
As Middle East Crisis Escalates, Hopes For Diplomatic Solution Dim
By Michael Scollon ( RFE/RL RFE/RL ) – Israel’s two-front war in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, as well as the threat of escalation with Iran, have put the Middle East crisis on boil. But despite the risk of all-out war involving regional powers Israel and Iran, experts say there is little appetite for a […]
Palestinians Count The Toll Of Israel’s Devastating War In Gaza
By Iliya Jazaeri ( RFE/ RL) Muhammad Nasser’s life was torn apart after Hamas, the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group, carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel one year ago. Within hours of the October 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people, Israel launched one of the deadliest and most destructive bombing campaigns in […]
Afghanistan Slides Into ‘Ever More Hellish Conditions’ After New ‘Morality’ Law Enacted
By Abubakar Siddique and RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi ( RFE/RL ) – The Taliban has attempted to police the public appearances and behavior of millions of Afghans, especially women, since seizing power in 2021. But the enforcement of the extremist group’s rules governing morality, including its strict Islamic dress code and gender segregation in society, was sporadic […]
The Push To Recognize ‘Gender Apartheid’ As A Crime
Written by Michael Scollon with reporting by RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi | – (
Amid Astonishing low Turnout, Iranians Mull Continuing Presidential Election Boycott in 2nd Round
By Kian Sharifi | – ( RFE/RL ) – More than 60 percent of Iran’s electorate did not vote in the June 28 presidential election, despite it being billed as an important poll given the role that the next president could play in the succession to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. With no candidate managing […]
Iranian President’s Death Could Trigger ‘Power Competition’ For Next Supreme Leader
( RFE/RL ) – The sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi has thrown a wrench in the succession plans of Iran’s elderly supreme leader. The ultraconservative Raisi was a longtime protege of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was widely believed to be grooming the former judiciary chief as his successor. Raisi’s demise has boosted the prospects […]
U.S. Seeks Shift In Iranian ‘Decision-Making Calculus’ Through Saudi-Israeli Normalization
By Kian Sharifi ( RFE/RL) – The United States wants to force a gradual shift in Iran’s “decision-making calculus” by signing a defense deal with Saudi Arabia and securing the normalization of relations between Riyadh and Israel. “We continue to work with allies and partners to enhance their capabilities to deter and counter the threats […]
Why are U.S. Sanctions against Iran’s Oil Exports Ineffective?
By Kian Sharifi ( RFE/RL ) – Iran is one of the most sanctioned countries in the world. But restrictions imposed by the United States have largely failed to stymie Iran’s oil exports, the backbone of its flailing economy. U.S. sanctions have cut off Iran from most of its traditional customers, forcing Tehran to find […]
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