Topic: Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Iran talks: Why time is ripe for compromise

Positive signals from Iran and the United States are encouraging as talks on Tehran's nuclear program get underway, writes a political expert from Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Iran trumpets high turnout in parliamentary elections (+video)

Iran's leaders see today's parliamentary elections as central to affirming their popular support – especially at what Supreme Leader Khamenei called a 'more sensitive period' of tensions with West.

Ex-CIA spy: History of failed negotiations shows Iran won't deal

President Obama errs in pushing nuclear negotiation, writes this ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Four US presidents tried and failed. The problem lies in Iran's fanatic ideology. Biting sanctions and US overt support for the Iranian people will bring real change.

Iran nuclear talks depend on the bite of sanctions

The Iran nuclear talks that start Monday in Geneva come after a long year of tougher sanctions and other setbacks for Iran. Obama needs to be cautious about Iranian delay tactics.

On eve of Iran anniversary, talk of compromise

Opposition protesters are ready to rally when Iran's Islamic republic celebrates its 31st birthday on Thursday. Observers say both sides may be prepared to compromise after eight months of unrest.

Abdolkarim Soroush: The goals of Iran's Green Movement

A new manifesto outlines the aims of Iran's Green Movement, including a free press and the resignation of President Ahmadinejad.

The unseen bias in Middle East reporting

Journalists defy common sense when they call Fatah 'moderate' and Netanyahu's administration 'hardline'.

Fresh Iranian protests inconclusive for opposition

Reformists failed to gain the new momentum and international visibility they sought by coopting Quds Day marches, an annual event to show solidarity with Palestinians.

Do Iran’s hard-liners really believe ‘velvet revolution’ plot?

The indictment of more than 100 Iranians being tried en masse for opposing the regime opens a window onto the world view of those who fear change most.

Opposition skips out on Ahmadinejad's swearing-in

Leading reformist politicians signaled their intent to continue protest over what they say was a fraudulent election.

Why Iran's regime is at odds with itself

Crackdown on dissent only reveals the contradiction of this theocracy.

Rafsanjani's main message: Don't write off reformists

Within hours of the Friday sermon, grainy cellphone videos surfaced showing crowds surging away from tear-gas plumes and kicking the canisters back toward police.

In Friday sermon, Rafsanjani criticizes Iran’s crackdown

The influential former president appealed for the rule of law to be respected, an open national dialog, and a release of political prisoners

'Death to China' heard at Rafsanjani sermon. Why?

Protesters also targeted Russia. Both countries had quickly recognized President Ahmadinejad's reelection victory last month.

As Rafsanjani sparks new protests in Iran, one popular blogger is mysteriously silent

Should Obama talk to Ahmadinejad?

Western dialogue with Tehran won't reward a repressive regime. It will offer Iranians hope.

Next flash point in Iran face-off: Friday prayers

Ahead of a sermon by Mousavi supporter Hashemi Rafsanjani, protesters have taken their fight off the streets – including trying to crash the electricity grid by turning on kitchen appliances en masse.

Iran's seat of theocratic power

The role of the supreme leader has changed, but Iran's top cleric, Ayatollah Khamenei, still holds sway. How the political system in Tehran works, and who will determine what comes next.

Iran today: 1979 revolution redux?

Reformers hope to fulfill the work they began 30 years ago.

Ahmadinejad fires up the anti-America rhetoric again

Hopes dimmed for a thaw in US-Iran relations as the Iranian president criticized his American counterpart Barack Obama for echoing Bush rhetoric.

Protesters mourn 'Angel of Iran'

The Revolutionary Guard vowed to stop the street demonstrations, causing some protesters to stay home. But others gathered Monday to honor the death of Neda Soltan.

What Iraq can teach Iran

Ayatollah Sistani in Iraq shows religion can play an influential, but background, role in a secular democracy.

What's behind Iran's power struggle

Thirty years after the Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei is looking to remove rival old-guard leaders – including Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Iran's protests do not a revolution make

Ahmadinejad's reelection signals an end to an internal power struggle that has been under way for 20 years.

In Iran, candidates cap a bitter campaign

Street demonstrations quieted ahead of intensely anticipated presidential vote on Friday.