What is Rouhani seeking to achieve with his Citizens’ Rights Charter?

Barely out from the printing press, the Iranian president’s long-promised Citizens’ Rights Charter is coming under fire, and not just for coming five months before his bid for re-election.

Iran

Will Iran, Hamas break ties over Aleppo?

Relations between Hamas and Iran have been especially tense since the group publicly condemned the violent battle for Aleppo.

Palestine

Why did Iranian opposition leader resign from his own party?

Green Movement leader Mehdi Karroubi, who has been under house arrest since 2011, has resigned as head of the Reformist party that he established.

Iran

Why Iran sees Aleppo as chance to get in rather than out

Rather than seeing the victory in Aleppo as an opportunity to wind down operations, the Syrian government’s Iranian ally appears to be preparing to push ahead with new offensives.

Syria

How will Britain-Gulf rapprochement affect Egypt?

Following British Prime Minister Theresa May's attendance at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, it seems cooperation between both sides could potentially worsen Egypt’s relations with the Gulf states.

Legacy: Gulf

Christmas brings hope for peace for Aleppo’s Christians

Christians part of region’s DNA, said incoming UN secretary-general; Turkey’s “impossible war”; Erdogan backers blame Iran for Aleppo.

Egypt

Obama administration allows Americans to train Iranians

New regulations unveiled Dec. 22 allow drug, medical device and agricultural experts to travel to Iran.

United States

Did Zarif really say it was a 'mistake' to trust Kerry?

Once again, Iranian hard-liners move to tarnish the reputation of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif — this time by attributing to him false remarks about the “mistake” of trusting the United States.

United States

Why Ankara now feels vulnerable to Russia

The assassination of the Russian ambassador in Ankara has engaged Turkey to the Russian option in Syria, while Russia sees it as an opportunity to create an alternative axis in the Middle East

Syria

Turkish Islamists’ trial with sectarianism

Turkish Islamists’ Middle Eastern vision did not begin with a sectarian outlook, but the existing sectarian tension may change this.

Turkey

Iranian youth join wave of ecotourism

Iranian youths, particularly those from affluent backgrounds, join the growing trend of ecotourism, roaming the country’s vast desert, mountains and forests.

Iran

Will Iran’s next Oscar-winning film be in Spanish?

Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi’s latest project will be a Spanish-language film featuring power couple Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.

Iran