A correspondent in Tehran

At times, Al-Monitor withholds the bylines of our correspondents for the protection of our authors. Different authors may have written the individual stories identified with this byline.

Iran | Nov 3, 2021

Iran's female soccer fans still can't attend games

While Iranian authorities said that spectators had been banned from recent games due to health protocols, many fans speculated the move was aimed at avoiding pressure from FIFA to allow women into stadiums.

Iran | Oct 25, 2021

Iran's state broadcaster veers further right under IRGC control

Iran's already conservative, state-funded broadcaster appears ready to pursue an even more ideological approach under its new IRGC-linked director.

Peyman Jebelli, chief of the world service for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

Iran | Aug 24, 2021

Raisi's foreign minister pick indicates change for Iranian policy

The choice of incoming Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian suggests that new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is downgrading the role of the Foreign Ministry in regional conflicts.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian attends an extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the situation in Yemen on June 16, 2015 in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah.

Iran | Jul 9, 2021

Why Iranian celebrities took a break from politics

Unlike in previous years, Iran's celebrities went quiet during the June election.

Iran | Jun 28, 2021

Iran's hard-liners may face power struggle despite Raisi win

Incoming Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi is widely discussed as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s successor, but there may be rumblings of a power struggle in the conservative camp.

Iranian President-elect Ebrahim Raisi holds a press conference at Shahid Beheshti conference hall, Tehran, Iran, June 21, 2021.

Jun 16, 2021

Iran’s Reformists face tough choice between participation or boycotting election

While Reformists are hesitant to give legitimacy to what they believe to be a fraudulent vote, they are also aware that if they do not participate in the Friday election, it would be difficult for them to win in the next election four years later.

Supporters of Iran's Reformist candidate Abdolnasser Hemmati hold his campaign posters during a rally in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on June 15, 2021, three days ahead of the Islamic Republic's June 18 presidential election.

Iran | Jun 16, 2021

Does hard-line front-runner for Iran's president have foreign policy plan?

Although Ebrahim Raisi has been generally mum about his potential foreign policy focus, some recent comments offer clues to the approach his administration could take if he wins the elections June 18.

Iran | Jan 12, 2021

Iran’s capital suffocating amid blame game over pollution

For nearly a month, residents of the Iranian capital have been exposed to record-high air pollution amid the government’s confusing explanations and failure to work out a solution.

Air pollution covers the Iranian capital Tehran on December 23, 2019. - Schools in Iran's Tehran province have been ordered shut until due to severe air pollution, authorities announced, extending their closure to a full week. Tehran city was cloaked by thick toxic smog for a third successive day on Monday that blanketed out landmarks like Milad Tower and the snow-capped Alborz mountains. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran | Dec 28, 2020

Iranians increase pressure on government to purchase vaccines

Puzzled by their government’s reluctance to purchase coronavirus vaccines, Iranians launched campaigns for their “basic right to live” at a moment when the pandemic is raging and neighboring countries have started vaccinating their citizens.

Women, mask-clad due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, walk along a street in Iran's capital Tehran on November 8, 2020. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran | Dec 22, 2020

Woman sets self on fire after city demolishes shelter, Iranians outraged

The demolition of a single mother’s shanty at the hands of Iranian authorities and her despairing self-immolation have recharged an uproar over the Islamic Republic failing the needy citizens it once promised to raise from poverty.