Review of Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet, Heroes to Hostages America and Iran, 1800–1988 (Cambridge U.P., 2023) When the subject of Iran and America comes to mind, two eventful episodes are often invoked by Iranians and Americans. The first is the CIA-led coup d’état of 1953, which toppled Mohammad Mossadegh’s democratically elected government; and the second is the […]
Is Iran satisfied with the Derailing of the Abraham Accords by the Gaza Conflict or does it Want More?
“For the last few months Jerusalem has become the center of nationality struggles. Until then we were living peacefully. The Orientals were grateful to their European coreligionists for the help they brought to their moral and material misery. Zionism was created supposedly to bring about closer relations within Judaism; all it has succeeded in doing […]
Iran’s Denials and Delusions at the United Nations
Newark, Del. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – Frankly, it was hard to watch last weekend’s interview of Farid Zakaria of CNN with Iran’s current president, Raisi. It was embarrassing. As usual it was all denial and delusion on the part of the highest official of the Islamic Republic. When Raisi’s men showed up at […]
The Legacy of Mahsa, a Year later: It Is Only the Beginning for Iranian Women
Newark, Del. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – Imagine, you come from your small town to visit the capital. You have a whole plan to visit places, parks, and monuments. You want to have a good time with your friends and relatives. The night before you are together with your friends and family. You laugh, […]
Imperial Hubris: 70 Years ago, the CIA overthrew the Parliamentary Gov’t of Mosaddegh in Iran, and Washington has been Complaining about Iran ever Since
Newark, Del. (Special to Informed Comment: Feature) – On August 19, seventy years ago, the legitimate government of Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh was toppled in a coup jointly orchestrated by U.S. and British intelligence agencies and their Iranian collaborators. This article was first published in Persian in Iran in the journal Iran-e-Farda in February 1981. Every […]
“Corruption on Earth:” Iran’s Government and Judiciary are Riddled with Corruption
Newark, Delaware (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – Corruption exists in every country and comes in many guises: economic corruption, social corruption, political corruption. But in many corners of the world, corruption meets resistance; it is investigated, and the perpetrators are often held to account. When major Hollywood actors and directors, and sports coaches, were […]
“Don’t Let them Kill Us:” How the Ayatollahs’ Iran became the Execution Capital of the World
Newark, Delaware (Special to Informed Comment) – Under the previous Iranian Penal Code or IPC, which was in force until 2013, the charge of mohareb, “Waging War (on Islam,” was frequently used against political dissidents and people with connections to opposition groups abroad, even if they were non-violent. The new Penal Code has provided for their punishment […]
Neither Iran nor Israel Needs Dictatorship: The Bad Joke of Pretender to a non-Existent Throne Kowtowing to Netanyahu
Newark, Delaware (Feature — Special to Informed Comment) – The recent visit of Reza Pahlavi to Israel and his meeting with PM Netanyahu raise many questions. Why now and what is the meaning of this pilgrimage? What is it about water? Is water the main issue in Iran? This must be a joke. Reza Pahlavi […]
Iranians are done with Kings and Ayatollahs, and look back to Mosaddegh for a Way forward
Newark, Delaware (Feature — Special to Informed Comment) – The debate over the coup 1953 still lingers on especially now that there are discussions whether the Shah’s son, Reza Pahlavi, after forming a coalition with a few opposition figures, might even seek the return of monarchy, the monarchy which ended in 1979. On Facebook, clubhouse […]
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