Vatanka Reports
News and Analysis on the Greater Middle East 
 

No figure in Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s tightknit cabinet was more lifted by the recent Iranian election results than Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is eager to open up the country's economy.

The Biggest Winner in the Iranian-Saudi Dispute

Saudi Arabia’s execution of prominent Shi’a cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, is a gift in disguise to Iran’s hardliners seeking to undermine President Hassan Rouhani’s administration, and rally support ahead of key elections in February.

The three centers of power in Iran—the Supreme Leader, the president, and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)—are embroiled in a historic contest to shape the course of Iranian foreign policy.

Critics of the July 14 nuclear deal with Iran railed against it on the grounds that it would embolden what they argue is Tehran’s destabilizing behavior in the Middle East.

Russian President Vladimir Putin made waves leading into the UN General Assembly with new military deployments to Syria and with Iran and the Iraqi government, signaling the formation of something like an alternate coalition combating ISIS.

Looking to capitalize on the momentum from the July 14 nuclear deal, the moderate government of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is now seeking ways to reduce tensions with its regional rivals, particularly Saudi Arabia.

The American public remains justifiably anxious about Iran’s nuclear program.

The Iranian public is very optimistic and hopeful that the painful economic sanctions will soon begin to be rolled back.

As the June 30 deadline for a nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 approaches, the world is eagerly following the fortunes of political moderate figures in Tehran.

Tehran is full of anticipation as the June 30 deadline for a nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 approaches.