Shay Khatiri

Articles by this Author
Mourners in the streets of Tehran for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's funeral.
Middle East Forum Observer
Iran Seeks Revenge for Killing of Khamenei
Avenging the Supreme Leader’s Death in the War Is State Policy, and Iranian Media and Officials Reflect It
September 30, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
An interior view of Tehran's streets and squares in a file photo.
Middle East Forum Observer
What Does the Iranian Regime’s Changing Position on Exiles Suggest?
The Regime Has Compiled a List of More than 100 Diaspora Members Who Will Be Allowed to Return to Iran
September 23, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Protesters in Tehran, Iran, in January 2026.
Middle East Forum Observer
Iran’s Internal Battle over Tehran Street Protests
The Most Conservative Hardliners Worry That the Regime Is Losing Its Islamic Posture
September 18, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
A woman walks past an anti-America mural on a wall in Tehran.
Middle East Forum Observer
As Tehran Turns to Preemptive Attacks, Iran Believes It Can Win a War of Attrition
Iran So Far Has Adapted to the Conditions the United States Has Imposed on It
September 9, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Middle East Forum Observer
Iran’s Economy Slowly Deteriorates, but Policy Remains Steadfast
The Islamic Republic Will Worry When It No Longer Can Pay Its Security Forces
September 2, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
A Spanish national received approval to invest in the Iranian mining industry.
Middle East Forum Observer
European Capital Begins to Flow Into Iran
The Trump Administration Must Lean on Allies and Partners to Enforce U.S. Sanctions
August 27, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Trump, speaking to Fox News, professed himself in no hurry for diplomatic progress, saying that "We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want."
Middle East Forum Observer
Iran Believes It Will Survive Trump’s ‘Economic D-Day’
Tehran Pushes Back, Casting Doubt on the Effectiveness of Economic Pressure and Predicting U.S. Failure
August 21, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
The Port of Anzali on the Caspian Sea coast in northern Iran.
Middle East Forum Observer
Iran Moves to Legally Secure Itself at the Caspian Sea
An Upcoming Summit and Iran’s Pending Ratification of a Security Treaty Have Reopened Discussions About the Coastline
August 16, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Middle East Forum Observer
How Does Iran View the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey Mecca Pact?
Iranian Officials Portray the Pact as Dissatisfaction with U.S. Security Assurances and Israeli Attacks Against Qatar and Syria
August 11, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Mohammad Baqer Zolghadr, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, headed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ irregular warfare division.
Middle East Forum Observer
Zolghadr’s Ouster Suggests That The Islamic Republic Is Finding Its Postwar Footing
Zolghadr Had Ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, but Was Primarily Involved with Domestic Suppression
August 10, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq during a 2025 visit to Russia.
Middle East Forum Observer
Oman Is Iran’s Partner in Piracy
The Two Reportedly Are Mulling an Agreement Covering Insurance, Refueling, Environmental Services, and Other Naval Support
August 8, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is pictured in July 2025 at the BRICS plenary session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Middle East Forum Observer
Iran Threatens Neighbors as Talk of a ‘Land Blockade’ Grows
Iran Appears Confident That It Can Survive and Is Conducting Aggressive Diplomacy to Fend off Attacks on Infrastructure
August 3, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Iran used a cargo ship in the Caspian Sea to transfer weapons to Russia.
Middle East Forum Observer
The Islamic Republic Cannot Accept That It Invited the Ukrainian Strike
Regime Officials Threatened War in the Caspian Sea and Promised to Punish Ukraine and the United States
July 28, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
U.S. Navy warships transit the Arabian Sea on June 30, 2026, to promote regional security and stability.
Middle East Forum Observer
Iran Is Confident About Victory. Only Strategic Setback Can Change That
The Regime Media Continue to Portray the Current Phase of the War as Unprovoked, Omitting Iran’s Assaults on Shipping
July 25, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Middle East Forum Observer
New Araghchi Interview Reveals Iranian Delusions and Vulnerabilities
Araghchi Claims That the War Occurred Because Tehran Refused Concessions That Would Limit Uranium Enrichment
July 20, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami in a file photo.
Middle East Forum Observer
Mohammad Khatami Wants an ‘Honorable Peace.’ Hardliners Do Not
The Former President’s Remarks Suggest the Degree to Which Control Is Fracturing in the Islamic Republic
July 18, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
An aerial view of Qeshm Island.
Middle East Forum Observer
To Win the War Against Iran, the United States Must Seize Qeshm Island
In U.S. Hands, Qeshm Would Flip the Script—Iran No Longer Could Easily Target the Strait of Hormuz
July 11, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Middle East Forum Observer
The Ins and Outs of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s Funeral
Many Are Noting Mojtaba Khamenei’s Absence on the Funeral’s First Day, but There Were Other Sideshows
July 5, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Mohammad-Bagher Ghalbaf
Middle East Forum Observer
Should the United States Help Ghalibaf Triumph in Iran’s Power Struggle?
Trump Could Act as the New Supreme Leader, Refereeing by Drone and Tomahawk Disputes Within the Islamic Republic
May 12, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Iran believes it has won the war by asserting its control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Middle East Forum Observer
No, a Blockade Will Not Be Enough to Bring Down Iran
U.S. Desperation to Stabilize the Global Economy and the Ceasefire Increased Iran’s Stockpile of Will
April 14, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri