Head of Iran TV resigns after just 18 months

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appointed Abdul Ali Asghari as the new head of Iranian television after the previous head resigned abruptly only 18 months into his five-year term.

Iran

Who are Syria's Alawites?

Alawite doctrine differs in many ways from Sunni and Shiite Islam, but Alawites believe they should be respected and accepted as an independent Muslim sect.

Iraq

Does Iran’s 'resistance economy' welcome foreign money?

In Iran, the hard-line take on the “resistance economy” has led to misunderstandings about the concept, with pro-government economists emphasizing the need for consensus on how to develop the economy.

Iran

Iranian officials blame Aleppo cease-fire violations for military casualties

Iranian officials blame Syrian opposition groups for violating the cease-fire to attack Iranian forces in Syria.

Syria

US officials circle globe to explain Iran policy but fail to persuade

Obama administration officials are making strenuous efforts to convince foreign banks that they can return to Iran, but are failing to overcome fears of heavy fines and new sanctions.

Iran

The downfall of two Iranian tycoons

Iranian lawmaker Amir-Abbas Soltani told Al-Monitor that Iranian-Turkish businessman Reza Zarrab intentionally visited the US, knowing he would be detained, to avoid being arrested in Turkey and extradited to Iran.

Turkey

More than 100 Iran MPs ask Rouhani to stop nuclear deal implementation

Members of the current conservative-led parliament have signed a written warning to President Hassan Rouhani asking that he return Iran’s nuclear program to previous levels before the nuclear deal if US "obstruction" continues.

Iran

Will 'free financial center' lure foreign banks to Iran?

Iranian authorities are weighing whether to launch a free financial center to encourage capital inflow into the economy.

Legacy: Gulf

Khamenei claims US is anti-Iran and anti-Shiite

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has delivered one of his most anti-American speeches in years.

Iran

Rouhani moves to slash IRGC budget, empower army

The Rouhani administration has moved to cut spending for the IRGC while increasing funding for the army, but not without a backlash.

Regional

English language classes set to become next battleground in Iran

President Hassan Rouhani emphasized the learning of foreign languages in helping Iran’s economy, which put him at odds with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran

Will Iran's new undercover morality agents have any impact?

The plan to dispatch 7,000 undercover morality agents has stirred much criticism in Persian-language media and social networks, with the backlash mostly focused on the project's social costs.

Iran