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Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

Iran
Israel's Limited Attack on Iran Appears Aimed at De-Escalating Conflict

Israel’s Limited Attack on Iran Appears Aimed at De-Escalating Conflict

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Kian Sharifi ( RFE/RL ) – Israel had vowed to make Iran pay for Tehran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on April 13. But Israel’s suspected military response early on April 19 appeared to be limited in scale and scope and aimed at de-escalating tensions with Iran. Tehran said it shot down three quadcopter […]

Iran
With Its Deterrence Strategy Weakened, Iran Faces Pressure To Hit Israel

With Its Deterrence Strategy Weakened, Iran Faces Pressure To Hit Israel

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Kian Sharifi | – ( Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty ) – Iran’s strategy of deterrence against Israel has suffered greatly since the outbreak of the Gaza war — particularly after the brazen attack on its consulate in the Syrian capital on April 1. Eighteen members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), including […]

Elections
Growing 'Despondency' And Hard-Liners' Dominance: Key Takeaways From Iran's Elections

Growing ‘Despondency’ And Hard-Liners’ Dominance: Key Takeaways From Iran’s Elections

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By By Kian Sharifi ( RFE/ RL ) – Iran’s parliamentary elections on March 1 witnessed a historically low turnout, in a blow to the legitimacy of the clerical establishment. The official turnout of 41 percent was the lowest for legislative elections since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Critics claim the real turnout was likely even […]

Hamas
Iran’s “Axis of Resistance:” Different Groups, Similar Goals

Iran’s “Axis of Resistance:” Different Groups, Similar Goals

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Kian Sharifi ( RFE/RL ) – Iran’s so-called axis of resistance is a loose network of proxies, Tehran-backed militant groups, and an allied state actor. The network is a key element of Tehran’s strategy of deterrence against perceived threats from the United States, regional rivals, and primarily Israel. Active in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, […]

Iran
Little Room For Negotiation Between Iran And U.S. Amid Middle East Tensions

Little Room For Negotiation Between Iran And U.S. Amid Middle East Tensions

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Michael Scollon ( RFE/RL ) – Like two heavyweight boxers, the United States and Iran circle the ring — flexing their muscles without stepping close enough to actually trade blows. It is clear that neither wants to fight, but they also have no interest in settling their stark differences. That is how experts say […]

Iran
Iran says It's 'Not Looking for a War,' But is Ready for one

Iran says It’s ‘Not Looking for a War,’ But is Ready for one

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Michael Scollon ( RFE/RL ) – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said during a trip to an impoverished southern region that Tehran is not looking for military conflict but would respond forcefully to any country that threatens the Islamic republic. “We will not start any war, but if anyone wants to bully us, they […]

China
Iranian Economy Buoyed By ‘Dark Fleet’ Oil Shipments To China

Iranian Economy Buoyed By ‘Dark Fleet’ Oil Shipments To China

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Michael Scollon | – ( RFE/RL ) – More than 6,000 kilometers from Tehran, in treacherous waters off the shores of Singapore, a “dark fleet” of oil tankers waits to offload the precious cargo that helps keep Iran’s economy afloat — a dependency that could also sink it. The fleet has grown steadily over […]

Uncategorized
U.S. Warns Of Wider Mideast Conflict As Iran Cautions Israel Ahead Of Gaza Invasion

U.S. Warns Of Wider Mideast Conflict As Iran Cautions Israel Ahead Of Gaza Invasion

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

( RFE/RL) – The United States has warned that conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas could expand into the wider Middle East, engulfing the oil-rich region in fighting. U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan said on October 15 that there was a risk that militant group Hizballah or Iran could get directly involved in […]

Afghanistan
'Their Freedoms Have Been Taken Away': Afghanistan Sees Surge In Female Suicides Under Taliban Rule

‘Their Freedoms Have Been Taken Away’: Afghanistan Sees Surge In Female Suicides Under Taliban Rule

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Ahmad Hanayish and Abubakar Siddique (RFE/RL ) Shabana had a bright future ahead of her. She was studying to become a doctor and preparing to get married. But the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 turned her life upside down. The militant group’s ban on women attending university forced her to abandon her studies. […]

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