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ANALYSIS

The regime that lost the war, and the people

The regime that lost the war, and the people

The war has paused, but the collapse has not. Shaken by defeat in the streets, across the region, and from the skies, the Islamic Republic now stands weakened and exposed. The pillars that once held it up, ideology, reach, and fear, are cracking.

Trump says China can buy Iranian oil, but can Iran deliver?

Trump says China can buy Iranian oil, but can Iran deliver?

President Donald Trump's surprise remark—that China can now buy Iranian oil—made immediate headlines, but also raised a few eyebrows and fresh questions.

The 12-day war will change Iran—but in what direction?

The Islamic Republic will not return to what it was before the Israeli and American airstrikes, but what comes next is uncertain, experts tell Iran International.

If the Islamic Republic falls, what’s next for Iran?

Ten days of Israeli attacks and a heavy US bombardment, has dealt the Islamic Republic its greatest challenge in its nearly 50-year history. Washington and Tel Aviv openly hint at assassinating Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran after Khamenei? Israeli and US threats push succession into view

Iran after Khamenei? Israeli and US threats push succession into view

The question of succession has taken on new urgency in Tehran since Israeli missile strikes began and the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reportedly moved to a secure location as he was threatened by Israeli leaders and President Trump.

What Iranian energy sites did Israel hit—and what’s the fallout?

What Iranian energy sites did Israel hit—and what’s the fallout?

Israel has targeted Iran’s energy infrastructure in a major escalation that could unleash deep suffering for millions facing fuel and gas shortages.

Israel’s strike on Iran echoes campaigns against Hamas, Hezbollah

Israel’s strike on Iran echoes campaigns against Hamas, Hezbollah

Israel’s strikes on Iran recall the surprise attack on Egypt in 1967, but in aim and execution they more closely resemble the recent campaigns against Hamas and Hezbollah that targeted leadership and capabilities to force strategic paralysis.

Cautious Democrats seek Iran talks success but question backroom approach

Cautious Democrats seek Iran talks success but question backroom approach

Democratic lawmakers on the sidelines of the Trump administration's high-stakes nuclear talks with Iran largely hope for their success but lament being cut out of a process playing out behind closed doors.

Nuclear ambiguity has served Tehran well, but can it hold?

Nuclear ambiguity has served Tehran well, but can it hold?

Since the US exited from the 2015 nuclear deal, Tehran has neither raced toward a bomb nor returned to full compliance, maintaining a state of strategic suspension that might best be described as rule at the threshold.

Iran's regional energy clout wanes as buyers turn elsewhere

Iran's regional energy clout wanes as buyers turn elsewhere

Iran’s ambition to serve as a regional energy hub is faltering, with key neighbors losing confidence in Tehran’s ability to fulfil its commitments and shifting to alternative suppliers.

Policing without batons: Iran expands use of tech to preempt dissent

Policing without batons: Iran expands use of tech to preempt dissent

The Islamic Republic has entered a new phase of security governance—one where control is no longer maintained solely through arrests and bullets, but through data analysis, surveillance, and information engineering.

Iran wastes as much gas as Spain uses in a year

Iran wastes as much gas as Spain uses in a year

While suffering from severe gas shortages, Iran wastes a staggering volume of natural gas during production and transmission—equal to Spain’s annual consumption or about half of what Turkey or Italy use each year.

With Trump’s praise, Qatar could be set for bigger role in Iran-US standoff

With Trump’s praise, Qatar could be set for bigger role in Iran-US standoff

Qatar's diplomatic prowess was lavished with praise by US President Donald Trump on his visit this week, suggesting the maverick mediator state may be set for more involvement on one of the region's trickiest dossiers: Iran.

Iran set for soaring inflation and near-zero growth, grim IMF outlook finds

Iran set for soaring inflation and near-zero growth, grim IMF outlook finds

Iran is facing one of its bleakest economic outlooks in years, data published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggests, with inflation surging, fiscal deficit growing and nominal economy shrinking—all indicators of potential long-term instability.

Trump's Mideast tour showcases maverick stance to Arab allies, Iranian foe

Trump's Mideast tour showcases maverick stance to Arab allies, Iranian foe

On his tour of Iran’s Arab neighbors, US president Donald Trump lashed out at Tehran while hinting a deal was close—warning and wooing at once, and raising as many questions as he answered about the prospects of his transactional diplomacy.

Trump's niceties on Iran talks may not last without clear results

Trump's niceties on Iran talks may not last without clear results

The fourth round of indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington ended without a breakthrough but preserved a fragile diplomatic opening on the eve of President Donald Trump’s visit to Iran’s Arab neighbors.

Much ado about nothing: Iran's gas deal with Russia faces long odds

Much ado about nothing: Iran's gas deal with Russia faces long odds

A gas deal inked last month between Moscow and Tehran to transfer vast Russian volumes by pipeline via Azerbaijan faces the same logistical and financial obstacles that have sunk decades of energy deals between them before.

US-Iran talks may avoid war but deep hostility will thwart genuine peace

US-Iran talks may avoid war but deep hostility will thwart genuine peace

Tehran and Washington are set for another round of talks this weekend, but early optimism has dampened amid deep mistrust and mutual threats of attack, making any deal unlikely to lead to a lasting peace.

From Chernobyl to Bandar Abbas: Is Iran facing its Soviet moment?

From Chernobyl to Bandar Abbas: Is Iran facing its Soviet moment?

The devastating port blast on Iran’s southern coast has prompted comparisons to the Chernobyl disaster, with some Iranian thinkers seeing echoes of the Soviet Union’s final days in their own country’s unraveling.

Government keeps powder dry amid push to impeach ministers after port blast

Government keeps powder dry amid push to impeach ministers after port blast

President Masoud Pezeshkian's government has yet to mount a defense to parliamentary motions aiming to impeach two of his ministers following the port blast that killed scores and injured more than a thousand people.

Domestic issues dog Tehran as it negotiates with Washington

Domestic issues dog Tehran as it negotiates with Washington

Iran hopes to resolve its biggest foreign affairs challenge through talks with the United States at the same time it grapples with some of the toughest domestic problems in the Islamic Republic's nearly 50-year history.

Iran, Israel race to court Azerbaijan as rivalry in Caucasus heats up

Iran, Israel race to court Azerbaijan as rivalry in Caucasus heats up

The Iranian president’s visit to Azerbaijan, soon to be followed by the Israeli prime minister's trip, highlights Baku’s sophisticated geopolitical maneuvering as Tehran and Tel Aviv vie for influence in the strategically vital South Caucasus.