The International Institute for Iranian Studies has issued its Iran Case File (ICF) for April 2022, providing readers in general and researchers in particular with an in-depth analysis and detailed review of Iranian affairs and interactions at variant levels. The file is divided into three main parts: Internal Affairs, Arab Affairs and International Affairs.
Internal Affairs is divided into four files. The Ideological File discusses the factors which led to the desecration of Khomeini’s statue as well as the public reaction to the attack against clerics in Iran. The Political File examines the criticisms launched by some “conservatives” against President Ebrahim Raisi’s performance and their objection to reviving the nuclear deal. This in addition to discussing the dismissal of Mohsen Rezaee from President Raisi’s economic team. The Economic File analyzes the reasons behind Iran’s spiraling inflation, poverty and unemployment in addition to the government’s response and future plans. The Military File discusses two prominent topics: the display of Iran’s military capabilities on Army Day and the ballistic missile rallies staged on Quds Day.
Arab Affairs is divided into four major files. The first file discusses Iran’s relations with the Gulf states, shedding light on the increased momentum in Iran-Qatar relations and the new round of Saudi-Iran talks. The second file reviews Iran’s interactions in Yemen, discussing the intra-Yemeni consultations hosted by Riyadh and how such consultations will pave the way for Yemen’s peace and development — this is in addition to analyzing the truce in Yemen which the legitimate government showed adherence to while the Houthis violated it. The third file examines the motivations behind Iran’s removal of its ambassador to Iraq, the political stalemate in Iraq, the impact of Sarkhi’s calls on the divisions among Shiites, and Iran’s role in Turkey’s military operations in Iraq. The fourth file investigates Iran-Syria interactions, highlighting three major developments: the abounding tensions in the Astana tripartite process in Syria, the growing tensions between the Syrian government and Hezbollah on the Damascus-Beirut border crossing, and the resumption of Iranian pressure on US interests in Syria and Iraq.
The Iran Case File also discusses Iran’s interactions with the United States and Europe. As for Iran-US relations, it reviews four prominent developments as follows: the dispute over delisting the IRGC from the US terrorism list; the impact of regional and international developments on the Vienna talks; Iran’s nuclear agreement and its hedging strategy, the mutual crisis of confidence and the challenges to broadening the Vienna talks. As for Iran-Europe relations, the file sheds light on the nuclear issue and endeavors to resume the Vienna talks, and the points of convergence and disagreement between Europe and Iran.
