Iranian hard-liner hints Ahmadinejad not completely out of the game

An Iranian hard-line former MP reveals that Tehran Mayor and two-time presidential candidate Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was barred from running in the 2009 presidential election — and that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may not be completely out of the game.

Russia

Why OPEC still can’t get Iran to cut oil production

Despite the agreement in principle on output cuts at its September meeting in Algeria, OPEC still has a long way to go in getting Iran to stop its drive to regain market share.

Saudi Arabia

Why Reformists have no choice but to back Rouhani

Despite the discontent among his key Reformist backers, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani seems set for another term — if only because of a lack of options.

Iran

The main reason Rouhani replaced three of his ministers

There are many reasons for the Iranian president’s decision to reshuffle his Cabinet, but none outweigh his drive to cement his chances for a second term in next year’s election.

Iran

Will Iran allow the EU to open shop in Tehran?

Iranian politicians are divided on the new EU Parliament resolution that favors normalization of ties with Iran.

Iran

Did Rouhani stop screening of hard-line film about jailed Iranian-American?

In Iran, the cancellation of the screening of a self-styled documentary about a jailed dual national leads hard-liners to point the finger at the Rouhani administration.

Iran

Iran unfazed by Saudi flexing in Persian Gulf

Saudi Arabia's large-scale military exercises may be cause for some concern in Iran, but Saudi capabilities in the Persian Gulf can't compare to those of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Saudi Arabia

How dual nationality became a key controversy in Iran

The issue of dual citizenship is turning into a full-blown political football in Iran, where 35 senior officials have been barred from holding office following probes into their citizenships.

United States

Zarif-Kerry joint prize raises eyebrows in Iran

For Iran's foreign minister, winning an international prize may not be good news as hard-liners could use it as a pretext to attack him.

United States

Will warming ties with Iran impact Morocco’s relationship with Saudi Arabia?

Morocco announced the appointment of an ambassador to Tehran, ending a seven-year break in diplomatic ties. But concerns are emerging about the reaction of Saudi Arabia, an ally to the kingdom and enemy of Iran.

Saudi Arabia

Iran's Rouhani breaks his silence on US presidential race

For the first time, Iran’s moderate president has spoken about the US presidential election — but even his criticism is dismissed by his hard-line opponents.

United States

Iran’s new challenge: The Islamic State in Persia?

Though Iran has announced that it has killed the Islamic State’s "emir" in the country, it continues to face serious security threats from a variety of militants.

Saudi Arabia