Meir Javedanfar
Iran’s Most Powerful Weapon Is Energy
Iran is working hard to get key countries hooked on cheap Iranian gas in order gain leverage and pressure them not to cooperate with Western economic sanctions or military action.
A Wedding in the Ahmadinejad Family
In what sounds like "My Big Fat Iranian Wedding," President Ahmadinejad's new daughter-in-law and her relatives learned quickly that it's not easy to be part of Iran's first family.
New Iran Nuclear Gambit Threatens West
The Iranians are in the process of doubling their capacity to enrich uranium. What can be done to counter this provocative move?
Sadr Rages Against Iran
In an unprecedented move, embattled Iraqi Shiite leader Muqtada Al Sadr has publicly lashed out at Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Why?
A Bad Election for Ahmadinejad
Public unhappiness with the Iranian president was reflected in the results of Friday's parliamentary elections, writes Meir Javedanfar.
Iraq Rolls Out the Red Carpet For Ahmadinejad
The United States should be extremely concerned about the friendly tone of Iranian president's visit to Iraq, says Meir Javedanfar.
Ahmadinejad Stabs Supporters in Back – Again
It's not just the US and the West that distrust Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, writes Meir Javedanfar.
Mughniyeh Assassination: Another Setback for Iran’s Intelligence Agency
The assassination of Hezbollah kingpin Imad Mughniyeh in Damascus is a major blow to his boss, the Iranian intelligence network. PJM's Meir Javedanfar notes that this is their latest of many recent setbacks. UPDATE: Michael Ledeen weighs in.
Iran’s Messianic Extremists Grab Another Government Post
Think the recent NIE foreshadows a softening of relations with the Iranian regime? Absolutely not, says Meir Javedanfar. Religious fanatics are busy gobbling up influential positions in Tehran, with the Foreign Ministry being the latest to fall.
Ahmadinejad Takes on the Parliament, and Loses
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is alienating Ayatollah Khamenei by arrogating powers to himself that belong to other government bodies in the Islamic Republic. As Meir Javedanfar reports, Ahmadinejad "has until the next presidential elections on June 2009 to repair the damage. If he fails, it will most probably cost him the elections."
President Bush Went to the Middle East and All He Got Was Some Glitzy Jewelry
If a central goal of President Bush's tour of the Middle East was to rally Gulf states to toughen their stand against Iran, it can't be considered a success, writes Meir Javendanfar.
Ahmadinejad’s Carefully Choreographed Naval Confrontation
The tense encounter between Iranian speedboats and American warships was no fluke, writes PJM's Middle East analyst Meir Javedanfar. It is part of a strategy to bolster Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's base ahead of crucial elections. And more provocations might be on the way.
Does Iran Want the US to Stay in Iraq? For Now, Yes.
It seems absurd to believe that the Iranian leadership wants the U.S. to continue to "occupy" Iraq - and that it is taking concrete action to make sure it happens. But Meir Javedanfar contends that this is indeed the case - and explains why.
For Iran, the NIE Report Is the Gift that Keeps On Giving
Hope of a strong united international front against Iran is gone, after the CIA gave it a clean bill of health regarding nuclear weapons. PJM Middle East analyst Meir Javedanfar shows how the world is suddenly a much friendlier place for President Ahmadinejad.
Iran Celebrates the NIE Report
The U.S. intelligence report on Iran's nukes is being hailed in Tehran as a political victory by an exultant Ahmadinejad and his supporters, and is a clear cause of worry for Iran's neighbors. But there are also some within Iran worried about its implications, reports Meir Javedanfar.
Iran Puts Damper on Annapolis Party
Time will tell whether the Annapolis conference actually marked a milestone in the pursuit of Israeli-Palestinian peace. But it has made Mahmoud Ahmadinejad very unhappy. Meir Javedanfar has been following the Iranian reaction.
Nuclear Poker: Iran Strengthens Its Hand
Score one for the Iranian regime, which is cleverly spinning the latest IAEA report in order to undermine Western sanctions. PJM analyst Meir Javedanfar warns that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad now has a golden opportunity to boost his standing at home and abroad.
Iran’s Army Turns Suicidal
A senior general in Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps declared this week that Iranian forces were prepared to carry out martyrdom operations in the Persian Gulf "if necessary." PJM analyst Meir Javedanfar warns that the threat should be taken very seriously.
Iran’s New Nuclear Negotiator Has Messianic Ties
Iran's new chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili is close to the same apocalyptic splinter group as Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, reveals PJM analyst Meir Javedanfar.
A Warning to the West – Iran’s Chief Nuclear Negotiator Resigns
The resignation of Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, and his replacement with Saeed Jalili should for at least the short term send shivers down the spine of anyone who is looking for a negotiated settlement for the current Iranian nuclear crisis, writes PJM analyst Meir Javedanfar.
Iran Waves Goodbye to Putin With Empty Hands
While the world reacted with alarm to the friendly visit that Vladimir Putin paid to Iran, PJM analyst Meir Javedanfar argues that Ahmadinejad might have gotten good publicity out of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit - but not much else.
New Head of Iranian Revolutionary Guard is a Former US Hostage Taker
Rumors Iranian president Ahmadinejad was one of the 1979 kidnappers at the Tehran US Embassy have yet to be authenticated. But, as Meir Javedanfar reports for the first time in Western media, Mohammad Ali Jafari - new commander of the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard - indeed was one of the original hostage takers.
Election Time In Iran’s ‘Vatican’
The next Supreme Leader of Iran will be appointed by the Assembly of Experts, which meets this month to elect its new head. Meir Javedanfar reports that the more conservative members of the Assembly are likely to claim victory -- and as a result, chances for any compromise in nuclear talks are unlikely.
Iran’s Increasing Iraqi Security Concern
Meir Javedanfar argues that Tehran is feeling the heat for its meddling in Iraq. Not only has Iran become the target of threats from Al-Qaeda in Iraq, but Iranian forces have been attacked by PEJAK, an offshoot organization of the Kurdish PKK. Javedanfar contends "this could be the last opportunity the West has to force Iran to take the diplomatic channel seriously."
America’s $20 Billion Mistake
It's no secret that Saudi Arabia is encouraging and financing Sunni terror against Shiite targets in Iraq, undermining everything that the U.S. is trying to acheive there. So why, asks PJM Mideast analyst Meir Javedanfar, is the U.S. rewarding them with $20 billion worth of advanced weaponry?
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