Arash Karami

Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East

Arash Karami is a contributor to Al-Monitor.

Iran | Jul 6, 2017

IRGC makes changes in Tehran after Islamic State attacks

The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has made two important changes within its units in Tehran.

Two-year-old Emad is evacuated during an attack on the Iranian parliament in central Tehran, Iran, June 7, 2017. Omid Vahabzadeh/TIMA via REUTERS/ File Photo ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. THIS PICTURE WAS PROCESSED BY REUTERS TO ENHANCE QUALITY. AN UNPROCESSED VERSION HAS BEEN PROVIDED SEPARATELY. SEARCH "IRAN EMAD" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTS181NE

Iran | Jul 5, 2017

Iran signs first energy contract since nuclear deal

Iran's first energy deal since the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions on the country is a major breakthrough in the development of the massive South Pars gas field.

Ali Kardor (2-L), Managing Director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of French energy company Total (C-L), Ezzatollah Akbari (3-R), Managing Director of Petropars Group and CNPC International president Lyu Gongxun (2-R) sign an offshore gas field agreement in Tehran, on July 3, 2017.
French energy giant Total defied US pressure, signing a multi-billion-dollar gas deal with Iran, the first by a European firm in more than a decade. / AFP PHOTO / ATTA KENARE

U.S. | Jun 29, 2017

Citing US threat, Iran parliament looks to boost IRGC budget

Iran’s parliament seeks to increase the military budget for the IRGC in response to the new policies of the Trump administration.

Members of the Iranian revolutionary guard march during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran September 22, 2011. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo - RTX2O26E

Saudi Arabia | Jun 26, 2017

With Qatar isolated by GCC, Iran steps in

After Saudi Arabia asked Qatar to cut relations with Iran, Iranian and Qatari leaders said they plan to expand ties.

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani takes part in a rally marking al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day in Tehran on June 23, 2017.
Chants against the Saudi royal family and the Islamic State group mingled with the traditional cries of "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" at Jerusalem Day rallies across Iran today.
/ AFP PHOTO / Stringer (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images)

Israel | Jun 22, 2017

The reason Tehran is against referendum on Iraqi Kurdistan

Iranian leaders and media have expressed strong opposition to the September referendum on the independence of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Iraq's Kurdistan region's President Massoud Barzani gestures during a joint news conference with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (not pictured) in Erbil, Iraq April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari - RTS1348S

Iran | Jun 19, 2017

Iran's missile strikes in Syria send 'message' to region

According to Iranian officials, Tehran's strikes on Islamic State fighters inside Syria carried a wider message.

An Iranian military truck carries a smart bomb during a parade on the occasion of the country's Army Day, on April 18, 2017, in Tehran. / AFP PHOTO / ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia | Jun 15, 2017

The real reason Iran is pointing finger at Riyadh for IS attack

Iranian officials have pointed the finger at Saudi Arabia as the culprit behind the attack by the Islamic State on Tehran.

Members of Iranian forces take position during an attack on the Iranian parliament in central Tehran, Iran, June 7, 2017. Omid Vahabzadeh/TIMA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX39EMR

Iran | Jun 12, 2017

Rouhani to domestic critics: Peace more daring than war

After the first-ever attack by the Islamic State against Iran, President Hassan Rouhani will have a difficult time pushing for compromise with regional countries and reducing tensions.