Hassan Khomeini is referring to the distinction in Islamic theology between the “greater jihad,” which is the interior spiritual struggle, and the “lesser jihad,” which is warfare against unbelievers. A few years ago, Muslim and non-Muslim Islamic apologists made much of this distinction, attempting to downplay the importance of military action in Islamic theology. However, […]
Iranian ‘reformists’ request Israel’s help in letter to overthrow regime
The peculiar letter to Israel named “potential members of a future Iranian government.” The names included “Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Islamic Revolution leader Ruhollah Khomeini,” and Hassan Rouhani, the former President of Iran. Neither of these men are “reformists.” The word “reformist” has been thrown around too casually, and this has served to confuse […]
Frontrunners to rule Iran emerge as Islamic regime officials discuss possible successors to Khamenei
Khamenei has declared that Iran “isn’t a nation that surrenders”: Those who know the Iranian people and their history know that the Iranian nation isn’t a nation that surrenders. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 23, 2025 Those very words from Khamenei are reflected in the regime’s move to survive, as it now seeks likely candidates to […]
Hugh Fitzgerald: Iranian Degringolade (Part Two)
The agricultural sector in Iran is in free fall because of the two decades of ever-worsening drought. The government prints money, and the inflation rate, unsurprisingly, has gone from 10% to 35% in a year. Meanwhile, though the Trump Administration said it would exempt eight countries, including Japan, South Korea, and India, from sanctions (with […]