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Iran

Trump’s South Caucasus Peacemaking Is His Most Successful, but It Remains Unfinished
  • Commentary
  • Trump’s South Caucasus Peacemaking Is His Most Successful, but It Remains Unfinished

    Of all the fronts in President Trump’s peacemaking agenda, the South Caucasus has delivered the most concrete results. The August 2025 Washington Declaration, signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan and witnessed by Trump, marked an important step toward peace in the region. The two sides initialed a peace agreement and advanced plans to unblock regional connectivity, including through the establishment of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), which would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhijevan exclave through southern Armenia. Implementation of TRIPP has since made notable progress, but construction has yet to start. A breakthrough on those two tracks would, in turn, unlock Armenia–Türkiye normalization, transforming a long-fractured region into an area of trade and interdependence.

    The Iran War Was Always About Regime Change
  • Commentary
  • The Iran War Was Always About Regime Change

    Wars don’t just end. They get interpreted, reinterpreted, and turned into strategic doctrine. That is what happened after the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, a conflict that saw the United States back Tehran’s Iraqi adversaries. The war taught Tehran three lessons it never unlearned: that Washington wants the Islamic Republic gone, that Iran stands essentially alone in the world, and that it cannot survive a direct, overt fight with the U.S. and Israel.

    Iran’s New War Cabinet Is Really an Old One
  • Analysis
  • Iran’s New War Cabinet Is Really an Old One

    Within 48 hours this week, Iran filled six of the most important posts in its battered military and security establishment. Read together with the biographies and mandates behind them, the appointments show how Tehran is drawing lessons from successive wars and preparing for a prolonged period of insecurity, without proving it has abandoned negotiation.

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    Khamenei Aide: Iran Will Support “Resistance” to Confront U.S. in Region
  • Analysis
  • Khamenei Aide: Iran Will Support “Resistance” to Confront U.S. in Region

    A senior aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said that Iran will continue to aid the “resistance” forces in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to confront U.S. influence in the Middle East. “Victory in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen will continue as long as the resistance coalition defends its achievements. And as long as necessary, we will have a presence in these countries. The Islamic Republic of Iran has an active presence [in these countries].

    December 19, 2017

    Iran-Backed Iraqi Paramilitaries Gearing up for Next Year’s Elections
  • Analysis
  • Iran-Backed Iraqi Paramilitaries Gearing up for Next Year’s Elections

    The leader of a prominent Iranian-backed unit within Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (P.M.F.) said today that his group will hand over its heavy and medium weapons to the Iraqi security forces, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported. Qais al-Khazali, the head of the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, called on the Iraqi government to value P.M.F. forces as an asset and treat them fairly. The A.A.H.

    December 15, 2017

    Iranian Cleric Calls for Arming Palestinians for “Third Intifada”
  • Analysis
  • Iranian Cleric Calls for Arming Palestinians for “Third Intifada”

    A senior Iranian cleric today called for arming Palestinians to wage a “third intifada” against Israel, Fars News Agency reported. The interim Friday prayer of Tehran told worshippers that the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria has further solidified Iran’s influence in the region and stressed that the creation of Iranian-led “resistance” forces in the region will lead to the destruction of Israel. “The enemies created Daesh [ISIS] so as to create a security shield for Israel.

    December 15, 2017

    After Iraq and Syria, I.R.G.C. Seeking to “Expand” Its Role in Yemen and Broader Region
  • Analysis
  • After Iraq and Syria, I.R.G.C. Seeking to “Expand” Its Role in Yemen and Broader Region

    Emboldened by its recent gains in Syria and Iraq, Iranian military leaders are seeking to play a more aggressive role in other regional conflicts in order to “expand” Iranian influence and export the “Islamic Revolution.” In particular, latest statements by commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and commentaries in the Iranian media suggest that the I.R.G.C. is planning to further increase its support for its Houthi allies in Yemen.

    December 14, 2017

    Iran Poised to Test More Ballistic Missiles in Defiance of International Demands
  • Analysis
  • Iran Poised to Test More Ballistic Missiles in Defiance of International Demands

    Iran’s leaders reiterate that the Islamic Republic will not negotiate over its controversial missile program despite mounting international pressure. Abbas Araghchi, deputy foreign minister of Iran, said the country will continue to test new ballistic missiles as planned. “Iran’s missiles exist with full force. And when needed, missile tests will be carried out. And if necessary, Iran will launch missile attacks as it did against Daesh [ISIS in Syria],” he added.  

    December 14, 2017

    I.R.G.C. May Seek to Expand Military Role beyond Syria and Iraq, Warns Reformist Daily
  • Analysis
  • I.R.G.C. May Seek to Expand Military Role beyond Syria and Iraq, Warns Reformist Daily

    As the battle against ISIS is winding down in Iraq and Syria, some military leaders and hardliners in Iran call for not only keeping a long-term military presence in both countries but also expand the country’s “military advisory missions” to other conflict zones in the region, including Yemen and Palestine, warns reformist Iranian daily Bahar.

    December 13, 2017

    Rouhani, Soleimani Call Hamas Leadership, Urge Anti-Israel Uprising
  • Analysis
  • Rouhani, Soleimani Call Hamas Leadership, Urge Anti-Israel Uprising

    The commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force today called leaders of Palestinian “resistance groups” to pledge Iran’s “all-out support” for them in their armed struggle against Israel,

    December 11, 2017

    Marginalizing Religious Minorities Risks Fueling Radicalism in Iran
  • Analysis
  • Marginalizing Religious Minorities Risks Fueling Radicalism in Iran

    A senior aide to President Hassan Rouhani has revealed that “rogue and radical elements” within the government oppose the integration of Iran’s disenfranchised Sunni community into the sociopolitical fabrics of society.

    December 11, 2017

    Iran Rules out Missile Negotiation despite International Pressure
  • Analysis
  • Iran Rules out Missile Negotiation despite International Pressure

    Iranian leaders are urging European powers not to side with Washington to pressure the Islamic Republic to curb its controversial missile program and moderate its policies and actions in the region.

    December 11, 2017

    Senior Iranian Cleric: We Increase Missile Range to Target Israel, “Deprive White House of Sleep”
  • Analysis
  • Senior Iranian Cleric: We Increase Missile Range to Target Israel, “Deprive White House of Sleep”

    During Friday prayer in Tehran today, a senior Iranian cleric said that the Islamic Republic will further enhance the range and power of its ballistic missiles to threaten America and annihilate Israel, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported. “We have missiles and we produce missiles. And we increase the range of our missiles as much as we can so that we deprive the residents of the White House of sleep.

    December 8, 2017

    Iran-Backed Militia Calls U.S. Troops in Iraq “Legitimate Target”
  • Analysis
  • Iran-Backed Militia Calls U.S. Troops in Iraq “Legitimate Target”

    Harakat al-Nujaba, an Iranian-sponsored Iraqi militia group fighting in Iraq and Syria, today threatened to attack American troops in Iraq and the broader region in response to President Donald Trump’s announcement yesterday about the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

    December 7, 2017

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