So, we can’t force Iran out of its nuclear intentions, whatever they are. Pragmatism might prompt Iranian leaders to abandon their current course, but that seems unlikely at this point, as, internally, doing so would certainly be taken as a sign of weakness. Approaching Iran as an autonomous state — one with the same rights as ours (energy, weapons, and all) — is the only way to get beyond this impasse.

(The Pedestrian Blog) | March 10, 2010
The Pedestrian is an excellent blog providing insightful pieces on Iranian culture, politics and life.   Highly recommended by Iran News Now.
Emad Bahavar [1979] is a political activist, writer and the head of “Supporters of Khatami and Mousavi” in the 2009 presidential campaign. He was arrested shortly after the election, [...]

(The New Republic) | February 17
Abbas Milani
Iran finds its Nelson Mandela.
Traditional Iranian husbands, the sort found in the highest ranks of the Islamic Republic, sometimes refer to their wives as “the house.” For them, this is not just an expression of their understanding of gender relations. It is viewed as a necessary euphemism, vital protection [...]

Considering that Ahmadinejad is the so-called president of the 70 million strong Iranian nation, and considering that according to the governing regime in Iran he (sic) “won” the majority of the votes in the election held in June of 2009, you’d think he could muster more than what we see in the video below.
As Ahmadinejad [...]

(Tehran Bureau) | February 24, 2010
by ALI CHENAR in Tehran
[ comment ] The month of Bahman, the 11th in the Iranian calendar, has ended. Politics will pause for a moment while Iranians turn their attention to their beloved Norouz, the New Year, which starts March 21st. Stores will advertise holiday sales, housewives will turn their [...]

(Tehran Bureau) | February 25, 2010
by HANA H. in Tehran
[ analysis ] Iranians are a complex people. Talking in riddles and metaphors is a cultural thing that everyone learns from a young age.
Iranian politicians have mastered this ‘art of riddle-talk.’ Most foreign journalists reporting on Iran do not realize that in order to understand [...]

Originally published in Enduring America and The Huffington Post | February 22, 2010
Every so often, I read the news about Iran and it reminds me of growing up as a refugee in Pakistan.
The latest reminder came on 11 February, my birthday, which happened to be the Islamic Revolution’s birthday as well. The occasion brought [...]

(insideIRAN.org) | February 17, 2010
Shayan Ghajar
The low turnout and disorganization of Green Movement protestors on February 11, Iran’s 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, highlighted the weaknesses of the opposition’s approach in the face of intensifying pressures from the government. However, while the Green Movement may have suffered its first significant blow from the government [...]

(New York Times) | February 18, 2010
By ROGER COHEN
NEW YORK — Here’s what happens when a business linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.) is targeted with sanctions. A representative of the Revolutionary Guards finds a lawyer in Dubai and says: “Look, I’m on this stupid U.S. Treasury list. I’ll give you 10 percent. [...]

In less than 48 hours Iran will be marking the 31st anniversary of the 1979 revolution that brought the Islamic Republic system to Iran. Massive opposition protests are planned to coincide with the event.
The government of Mr. Khamenei in Iran has been preparing to stage bought and paid for pro-government rallies.
Please–I implore [...]