Analysis
Assessments, publications, and commentary related to emerging situations involving Iran.
Latest Analysis:
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Iranian Strategy in Syria Iran has conducted an extensive, expensive, and integrated effort to keep President Bashar al Assad in power as long as possible while setting conditions to retain its ability to use Syrian territory and assets to pursue its regional interests should Assad fall.
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Iran's Denial and Deception at Parchin The Iranian regime’s refusal to provide the IAEA access to certain nuclear-related facilities and personnel is one element of a broader denial-and-deception campaign intended to obscure its pursuit of nuclear weapons capability.
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IRGC Shows Its (True) Hand in Syria Iran has been deploying training teams to Syria, drawn from some of its elite regular combat formations, similar in some respects to the advisory units the U.S. has sent to help train Iraqi and Afghan forces.
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Iranian Regime Exerts Pressure on Green Movement As Iran's presidential election draws near, it appears there is an effort underway to rekindle a national debate about the regime’s legitimacy, prompting a series of harsh reactions from regime officials.
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Quds Force Commander and Candidate: Gholamreza Baghbani A review of Brigadier General Gholamreza Baghbani's career trajectory solidifies a pattern of generational change in the IRGC QF in which former QF field operatives are pursing prominent political and advisory positions.
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Tracker
Iran loses a key player in its Syria strategy
The IRGC and Iran just suffered a big blow in the death of Brigadier General Hossein Hamedani on October 8 in Syria. His death may disrupt Iranian efforts in Syria and possibly throughout the region. It could also create opportunities that the U.S. and our allies could exploit.
Iran Tracker Features
Here are two of our lastest features, don't miss them.
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Rouhani's Challenge in Parliamentary Elections: The Disqualification of Key Allies One of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s greatest victories, the implementation of the nuclear deal, overlapped this weekend with a significant defeat: the mass disqualification of many of his supporters seeking to run in parliamentary elections.
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The Russo-Iranian Military Coalition may be Deepening The Russo-Iranian military coalition in Syria may be deeper than many have believed. The Iranian armed forces appear to be allowing Russian aircraft to use their military airfields in support of combat operations over Syria.
Basics
Introduction to the most relevant people, places, and events associated with Iran.
Latest Basics:
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Backgrounder
Islamic Republic of Iran Understand the founding and basis of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Backgrounder
Political Structures of Iran Understand the key institutions and power centers within the Iranian regime.
Iran News Round Up
A selection of the latest news stories and editorials published in Iranian news outlets
Latest Roundups:
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Iran News Round Up - February 22, 2016
Ayatollah Rafsanjani and other prominent moderate figures called for increased voter turnout in the Parliamentary and Assembly of Expert elections on February 26. Their comments were likely aimed at urging Reformist supporters to vote for more centrist candidates, who have historically relied upon the Reformist base to edge out their more hardline opponents.
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Iran News Round Up - February 19, 2016
Expediency Discernment Council Chairman Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani continued to spar with senior regime officials over the Guardian Council's mass disqualification of electoral candidates.
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Iran News Round Up - February 18, 2016
Parliamentary candidates began campaigning ahead of the February 26 elections.