The southern coast provides oil, gas, ports, and strategic depth, while remaining poor. Tehran pledged to transform it with a new maritime economy.

Last Rites for a Theocrat

Ali Khamenei’s profligate six-day funeral spotlights both new rifts in the IRI base and the seeming rise of the pro-regime “bihejab” girl.

Hard to Find a Home

Housing construction stalls, purchase prices climb out of reach for many amid Iran’s war-struck economy.

Special Issues

Dancing with Death

Gareth Smyth talks to Yossi Alpher about his latest book, Death Tango, focused on the 2002 Arab Summit