Tiers Upon Tiers: Iran’s New Internet Paradigm Further Stratifies Web Access
“White SIMs” for the power elite, different levels of “Internet Pro” for the rich and favored, domestic intranet for the plebes.
“White SIMs” for the power elite, different levels of “Internet Pro” for the rich and favored, domestic intranet for the plebes.
Repeated internet shutdowns are breaking the digital economy millions depend on.
Affordability rather than availability is key threat to Iranians’ food security.
From surging inflation to supply chain disruption to industrial havoc, a crisis could be nearing its breaking point.
Mobarakeh Steel, reportedly targeted by both the US and Israel, plays an outsize role in Iran’s corruption-riddled economy. The targeting of major Iranian steel plants by Israeli and US forces is threatening the future of Mobarakeh Steel, one of the largest producers in the MENA
The small island tells the story of oil wealth siphoned, culture sidelined, and a landscape steadily militarized in the name of security.
The former police chief, mayor and manager likes getting his hands dirty in big projects. How will he exploit this moment in the crumbling Islamic Republic to make his next move?
Tracing the kinship networks, ideological lineage, and international footprint of the late principlist’s family
A closer look at the institutions and relationships underpinning the principlist politician’s influence
How propaganda, religious symbolism, and narrative revision are being used to legitimize Mojtaba Khamenei’s succession
The firm—founded with senior IRGC commanders and government officials—oversees the financial records of companies tied to Iran’s military establishment.
For years Mojtaba Khamenei operated in the shadows. Now he’s Supreme Leader. Here’s the empire behind him.
After the Trump-era breakdown in nuclear negotiations, the EU’s Blocking Statute—introduced to shield European businesses from U.S. sanctions and assert legal independence—ended up bottlenecking courts, costing millions, and is now widely dismissed as a farce.
The EU’s Iran-focused sanctions policy is “dead in the water”
From orchestrating terror plots to leveraging economic loopholes, Tehran’s reach in Germany underscores the growing complexity of countering the Iranian regime’s covert operations
Italian court sides with Iranian company in little-known sanctions case, orders bank to release frozen funds
German court narrows Clearstream’s liability in Iranian securities dispute
Frankfurt court orders German graphite supplier to repay €35.9M to Iranian client despite U.S. sanctions
UK court rules in favor of Mamancochet Mining in €3.8 million insurance dispute
German court sides with Iranian metal firm’s subsidiary in sanctions-linked contract dispute
German court sides with Iranian shipping company in sanctions dispute with local bank
Court sides with German bank’s decision to end Iranian account over U.S. sanctions risk
French court reduces biotech firm’s damages in Iranian distribution case
EU General Court ruling delists Iranian company with past involvement in nuclear activities
Dutch court finds “force majeure” argument inadmissible
Intesa Sanpaolo Payed $2.95 Million Settlement Over Iran Sanctions Violations
Ruling marks victory for German-based subsidiary of a company sanctioned for “facilitating censorship”
An EU Court ordered damages to an Iranian businessman, deeming the placement of his electrical equipment purveyor on the sanctions list an “error.”
Company Overview
EU court rejects Iran Air’s bid to suspend sanctions
Flagship airline fought EU sanctions over alleged role in arms transfers to Russia
German court rebukes bank over U.S. sanctions compliance
Dutch court puts freight forwarder under spotlight in Iran exports case
EU Court Upholds Clearstream’s Decision to Block Iranian Funds
Despite U.S. secondary sanctions cutting Iranian banks off from global finance, Bank Saman maintains branches in Germany and Italy, underscoring the EU’s divergent approach.
While Washington isolates Tehran, the EU allows Iranian banks to operate on its territory, reflecting diverging strategies on diplomacy, sanctions, and engagement.
EU Court Dismisses €121 Million Claim by Bank Refah Kargaran Over Sanctions
French case shows the practical difficulties in implementing the Blocking Statute against economic pressures.
Government-owned entities have 60% stake
Iranian bank co-owns active UK-based subsidiary, as well as IRGC-linked companies
Court ruling found in favor of Bank Mellat subsidiary in the UK, setting the beneficial ownership bar high for sanctions enforcers
This large, state-owned Iranian bank has a long history of challenging European Union sanctions.
Frankfurt case navigates cross-jurisdictional legal challenges
Court reaffirms EU Blocking Statute, encouraging EU companies to continue business relations with Iran despite US sanctions
Despite international sanctions, Iran’s oldest bank continues to operate globally with branches in key cities worldwide
Older litigation by EIH shows how banks that assist sanctioned Iranian businesses maintain pressure on EU legal structures
Tehran is like a sea—you can’t see where it begins or ends.
Tehran is a big city with big-city behaviors, maybe like New York.
“Out of nowhere, one of the boys in the class, Amir, turned his head in surprise and asked, ‘Do Kurds even know anything about financial markets?’ The room became heavy with tension.”
I turned onto the street and saw two guys standing there with Kalashnikovs in their hands. I had never seen traffic cops with Kalashnikovs before.