Massoumeh Torfeh

The Iran nuclear deal may soon become Biden’s second major failure

Unless the president finds a solution to the JCPOA impasse, the deal may become unsalvageable, further reducing international trust in the administration.

IAEA fallout shows Iran will drive a hard bargain on the nuclear deal

Iran’s bargaining will be much tougher but a compromise also seems likely provided the US would seriously consider removing sanctions.

Arrest of rapper symbolises the danger of dissent in Iran

The Iranian Revolution claimed to represent the voice of the poor when coming to power in 1979, but this week arrested a rapper who voices the struggles of the poor.

The international community needs to act fast on getting Afghans out

The blasts in Kabul amplify the urgency to get vulnerable Afghans out of the country.

The Afghanistan catastrophe necessitates an international investigation

The state of Afghanistan today is the result of one strategic failure after the other, demonstrating the ineptitude of international interventions.

How the US helped hand Iran to hardliners

With the election of Raisi, Tehran has entered a new phase, more intense in its efforts to abolish dissent and under complete control of revolutionary powers.

Iran’s water protests reveal an impending environmental crisis

Mismanagement of natural resources and poor policymaking and implementation has led to the water shortages — and confrontations — of today.

Why is Iran’s Reform Movement in flux?

The Reform Movement is facing the consequences of focusing on securing a place in the political establishment rather than advocating for the civil and political rights their supporters demanded.

Iran’s election results promise little change

The unsurprising victory of Ebrahim Raisi will further entrench the hardline establishment, to the detriment of Iranians who have sacrificed their lives and livelihood for basic freedoms.

Iran’s elections are a ‘manoeuvre of banality’

Attempts to portray the performative elections as otherwise look foolish, and won’t convince the public.

Weary Iranians view upcoming election as 'selection'

Iran's Guardian Council seems to have all but snuffed out any moderate or reformist competition ahead of June's election.

Impending US retreat from Afghanistan is already raising alarm

There is a growing consensus that a civil conflict is becoming increasingly likely as the US leaves Afghanistan, and it could very well suck in neighbouring countries.