Mahan Abedin
Middle East Monitor
United Kingdom
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Past articles by Mahan:
Mysterious tanker incidents reinforce Iran’s deterrent power –
A mysterious attack on an Israeli-linked oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman has significantly raised tensions in the region, not only between Iran and Israel, but also involving the former and leading Wes... → Read More
Iran’s presidential election has serious implications for the international community –
The Islamic Republic of Iran will hold its 13th presidential election tomorrow, Friday, amid an economic crisis compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic. While the Western media and think tanks have alread... → Read More
Why Iran can live without a nuclear deal –
The ongoing talks in Vienna (Austria) between Iran and the P4 + 1 group of countries to revive the nuclear deal, otherwise known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has revived hopes of... → Read More
Iran’s move towards China will have global ramifications –
The decision by Iran and China to embark on what amounts to a 25-year strategic partnership has touched off a flurry of analysis and speculation around the world. The agreement – which has yet to be... → Read More
Britain should avoid playing the role of spoiler in Gulf crisis –
Tensions between Iran and the US are heating up, as demonstrated by this week's proceedings at the United Nations General Assembly. The Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, refused to engage in poi... → Read More
Why Iran and Britain are heading for a crash –
The decision by the Gibraltar authorities to release supertanker Grace 1 will slightly ease tensions between Britain and Iran, but not for long. Relations between the two states have been steadily ... → Read More
Why Iraq cannot act as a bridge between Iran and the US –
The recent sharp increase in tension between Iran and the United States has prompted a flurry of reporting and commentary talking up the prospect of a military confrontation between the two powers. ... → Read More
Israel’s tunnel operation on Lebanon border betrays its weakened position –
Israel's operation on the Lebanese border earlier this month to destroy cross-border tunnels, has once again raised the temperature in that most volatile part of the Levant. By accusing the Leban... → Read More
Qatar’s decision to quit OPEC raises doubts about the future of the oil cartel –
The decision by the State of Qatar to leave the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) by January 2019 has raised eyebrows and set off speculation as to the extent of tensions and di... → Read More
Can Yemen survive the proposed ceasefire? –
As pressure grows for a ceasefire in Yemen it seems likely that there will be some form of de-escalation soon, if not a full-fledged ceasefire. Indeed, a modest de-escalation has already been affected... → Read More
Iran needs a more comprehensive strategy against economic ‘crimes’ –
The execution of a man dubbed the 'Sultan of Coins' and his accomplice has brought Iran's fight against economic crimes and corruption into sharp relief. Vahid Mazloumin had been involved in the... → Read More
The US is not sincere about a ceasefire in Yemen –
The call by the United States late last month for a ceasefire in Yemen initially raised hopes of a possible breakthrough in the nearly four-year old conflict. But even from the outset there were serio... → Read More
Bahrain set for greater instability as regional tensions mount –
The sentencing of Bahraini opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman to life in prison on charges of spying for Qatar is the latest sign of Bahrain's continuing political crisis. Sheikh Ali Salman, who is... → Read More
Why Oman’s embrace of Israel is bad news –
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's surprise visit to Oman last Friday has predictably elicited widespread favourable coverage on the Israeli media. Notwithstanding this fanfare, there is no... → Read More
Khashoggi’s disappearance presents PR opportunity for Iran –
The disappearance and probable murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is proving to be the most significant public relations challenge for the House of Saud in living memory. The gravity of the cr... → Read More
Iran’s Khamenei sets down boundaries on foreign policy –
'The enemy has failed to know you! The enemy has failed to know the Iranian nation! He does not know the Revolution or the revolutionary and faith-based spirit!', proclaimed Iranian leader Ayatoll... → Read More
Ahvaz terror attack points to deteriorating security in Iran –
The terror attack in Iran's south-western city of Ahvaz on 22 September has multiple local, national, regional and international layers in terms of causality and consequences. All point to an escala... → Read More
Why the Idlib agreement won’t hold –
A little over a week ago, Idlib was on the verge of a major assault by Syrian and Russian forces with the UN warning of potentially catastrophic consequences. However, a Russian-Turkish deal forged in... → Read More
Sistani’s shadow role in Iraqi politics set to grow –
Predictably the Iraqi political process has muddled along slowly and chaotically following May's closely contested parliamentary elections. However, the appointment on Sunday of Muhammad Al-Halbusi ... → Read More
Idlib offensive set to deepen Iran-Russia divide in Syria –
As the Syrian government prepares for a massive offensive to retake Idlib from an assortment of opposition groups, there are signs that the political and diplomatic shifts ensuing from this offensive ... → Read More