On 7 July, Donald Trump declared the ceasefire between the United States and Iran “over” and dismissed further talks as “a waste of time”. US forces struck more than eighty targets across southern Iran. Iran retaliated by hitting tankers taking the southern route through the…
I regularly write a blog that brings together reflections on recent developments in global political economy, social movements, and higher education. It connects my academic research with contemporary debates, offering critical perspectives on global change, power, and education, with particular attention to the Middle East.
In the weeks since the United States and Iran signed a preliminary agreement on June 17 to halt their hostilities, an organised political force inside Iran has openly opposed the deal. Mahmoud Nabavian, deputy chair of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission, has warned that…
Farhang Morady 22 June 2026 The United States and the Islamic Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to end the Strait of Hormuz crisis and open a path to a final settlement of the war that began with the joint US and Israeli attack…
Published: May 26, 2026 4.00 pm BST, The Conversation, The war between Iran, the US and Israel has escalated into a major global crisis, with consequences that are reaching far beyond the Middle East. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 25%…
Nearly two months after Israeli and US strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and drew Tehran into retaliation across the Gulf, the region has settled into an uneasy quiet. This is not peace. It is a fragile equilibrium, a balance sustained less by diplomacy than by…
As the war in the Middle East enters its second month, the scale of destruction, loss of life, and the disruption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz are already producing global consequences. Rising energy prices are being felt directly through higher living costs.…
Within days of regional mediators signalling “significant progress” in US–Iran nuclear talks — including reports that Iran was prepared to move enriched uranium beyond its borders — Israel launched what it termed a “pre-emptive strike.” The United States followed. By last Saturday evening, President Trump…
As I discussed in my previous blogs, the current crisis in Iran stems from the essential conflict between labour and capital. In simple terms, this is a contradiction of the severe economic conditions most ordinary Iranians are under. Increasing inflation, housing problems, healthcare, job security,…
Introduction The Iranian protest movement is entering its third week, marked by unprecedented levels of popular anger. While the internet has largely been cut, and reliable information is scarce, current estimates suggest that more than 2,000 people have been killed and over 15,000 arrested. The…
The recent protest movement in Iran has gathered unprecedented momentum amid a deepening economic and political deadlock. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that even Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei publicly acknowledged the gravity of the crisis. In early January 2026, speaking through state…
by Farhang Morady
The 2nd National and the 3rd International KU Social Sciences Conference 2025Kasetsart University, Bangkok | 29 August 2025 Roundtable Discussion It was a great pleasure to be invited to participate in this roundtable discussion at Kasetsart University. Rather than structuring my contribution around simplified frameworks…
The Middle East stands on the precipice of regional war, and Israel’s actions have become the primary catalyst. According to the Financial Times (14/06/2025), Israel’s recent attack on Iran has been two decades in the making. For years, Israeli leaders have insisted that Iran must…
As World Tourism Day approaches on September 27th, it’s important to recognise the growing global impact of tourism in our interconnected world. This integration has created significant opportunities, one of the most important being the active involvement of local communities in managing and owning their…
https://www.rebelnews.ie/2024/10/11/irans-response-resistance-and-regional-rivalry/
The situation in the Middle East has significantly worsened due to increased military intervention by Israeli forces in Lebanon. This comes after almost a year of sustained conflict, violence, and genocide in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail…
As World Tourism Day approaches, it is crucial to emphasise the significance of responsible and sustainable tourism practices that promote economic development while also prioritising cultural appreciation and environmental conservation. This involves advocating for cross-cultural understanding and acknowledging the substantial cultural richness and diversity that…
The deepening ties between Iran and Russia are being shaped by global and regional power struggles. China’s rise as a key challenger to US hegemony and intensifying competition among regional actors in the Middle East and Central Asia are significant factors. The intensity of this…
Iran: One Year On From the “Women, Life, Freedom” Protests
The anti-government mass protest sparked by Mahsa Amini, a young woman’s death in police custody in Iran, started on the 17th of September. It spread to different cities and towns, including religious ones such as Qum and Mashhad, the power centres of Shiite Islam and the Islamic Republic’s power base. Images and slogans posted via social media demonstrate the bravery of ordinary Iranian, calling for “Women! Life! Freedom!” and “Emancipation is our right!”
National Teaching Fellow 2022 Dr Farhang Morady of University of Westminster reflects on his approach to inclusive education, community building and student empowerment.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is going through the most challenging time since its establishment in the 1979 Revolution. The devastating impact of the sanctions imposed by the US and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a toll on Iranians, especially the poor. When Donald Trump became US President in 2016, he withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a negotiated nuclear agreement between six leading global powers (US, France, Britain, Germany, Russia and China) and Iran. This was supposed to end Iranian nuclear enrichment and bring the country closer to the West.