Iranian politicians and media are grappling with the implications of Assad's fall on Tehran's future relations with Damascus. Simultaneously, the Iranian government is attempting to justify its substantial expenditures in Syria since 2011.
Some Iranian ultra-hardliners online are blaming the ouster of Tehran's Syrian allies on the Revolutionary Guards and the commander of its foreign arm the Quds Force in cautious but rare social media broadsides at a key ruling institution.
A prominent centrist figure in Iran says that the ongoing deadlock over enforcing the new hijab law and lifting censorship on the Internet has effectively paralyzed the Pezeshkian administration.
Iranian authorities have tightened control on media and public figures in the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s fall and warned them not to draw any parallels between Syria under his rule and the situation in Iran.
The recent round of talks between Iran and Europe has left many Iranian diplomats and politicians disappointed. However, some observers argue that the failure of the November 29 talks in Geneva does not entirely close the door on diplomacy.
As images of brutality and prison abuses flood the internet following Bashar al-Assad’s fall, Iran’s tightly controlled media has cautiously criticized the deposed leader, hinting that a similar fate could befall the Islamic Republic.
Millions of Iranian families will celebrate the ancient Winter Solstice festival on Friday evening, though many have scaled back their budgets for the occasion, with businesses reporting a notable drop in sales.
Iranian hardliners who ironically spent time in the United States are responsible for pushing policies which deepen Iran's isolation and weakness, a leading centrist news outlet fulminated this week.
Three prominent centrist and conservative figures in Iran have suggested that the country’s political doctrine must change to address its ongoing problems, especially the economic impasse.
A senior Iranian military officer has expressed concern over the ideological influence of Iran's enemies and the risk of losing out in a technological race for armaments, in a potential sign of greater official unease following regional setbacks.
Syria's new ruling Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has appointed a deputy for Iranian affairs known for his jihadist sermons as the group builds ties with Iran's Sunnis in a bid to reduce Tehran's influence in the country.
Recent regional setbacks have further weakened Iran’s hardliners at home, with increasing criticism from within the establishment holding them responsible for mismanagement and misdirection in the country’s foreign and domestic affairs.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is seeking to sell oil stored in China before US president-elect Donald Trump can block sales with tougher sanctions, an informed source told Iran International.