The article discusses Iran's strategy of using hostage diplomacy as a political tool since the 1979 revolution. It highlights the recent arrest of a French couple and the historical context of Iran's tactics, including the occupation of the American embassy in Tehran. The piece also covers the release of Iranian-British prisoners in exchange for unfreezing Iranian funds and the broader implications of Iran's actions on international relations and negotiations, particularly during nuclear talks. The article further explores Iran's methods of suppressing and eliminating opponents abroad, referencing specific cases in Europe and the assassination attempt on William Nygaard in Norway. It concludes by warning of the potential risks to European citizens' safety due to Iran's state-sponsored terrorism.

The Reconstruction Headquarters of Holy Shrines, linked to Iran's Quds Force, claims increased financial contributions for shrine construction in Shia Imam shrines over the past two years. However, due to a lack of transparency and financial reporting, it is suspected that these funds are being used for activities beyond the stated religious purposes, potentially supporting the Quds Force's operations in Iraq and Syria. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had previously accused Iran of prioritizing funding for terrorist groups over its people's needs, leading to U.S. sanctions against the Reconstruction Headquarters. The organization, while claiming to rely solely on public donations, has received government funds, contradicting its statements. The U.S. has linked the Reconstruction Headquarters to financial support for the Quds Force and military personnel transfers, suggesting a broader mission for the organization in the region.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has prompted Europe to seek diversification of its energy sources and reduce dependence on Russian gas. With the concurrent JCPOA negotiations, some Iranian officials and energy market experts speculate that Iran could re-enter the gas export market to Europe. However, this overlooks critical factors such as gas export infrastructure and trust-building. The EU, which imported about 45% of its gas from Russia in 2021, aims to reduce this by two-thirds before the end of 2022, but complete independence is a lengthy process, potentially until 2030. Iran, despite having the world's second-largest natural gas reserves, faces challenges in becoming a reliable alternative due to its limited export capabilities, infrastructure issues, and political trust concerns. The revival of the JCPOA could open global market opportunities for Iran, but investment security and Iran's foreign policy behavior, particularly its close ties with Moscow, raise questions about its viability as a gas supplier to Europe. Technical limitations in LNG exports and high domestic gas consumption further complicate Iran's potential as a major player in the global gas market.

The Islamic regime in Iran, driven by its ideology, has increasingly restricted women's rights since the 1979 revolution, culminating in recent laws that severely limit reproductive rights and access to contraception. The 'Youth Plan for Population and Family Support' criminalizes sterilization and abortion, with harsh penalties for non-compliance. These measures, including the prohibition of genetic disorder screenings for pregnant mothers, are expected to result in significant physical and psychological consequences for women and the birth of thousands of children with disabilities annually. The regime's policies, which aim to increase the population to fulfill ideological goals, are a stark violation of women's human rights, dictating their sexual rights and decisions over their bodies, reminiscent of the dystopian society depicted in Margaret Atwood's 'The Story of Nadima'.

The Martyrs Foundation of Iran has been financially supporting Palestinian families of deceased individuals through organizations managed by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement. Despite facing domestic protests over insufficient budget allocations for Iranian war veterans, the foundation has consistently increased its budget, with a significant portion directed to its foreign branches. The funds are distributed in various forms, including annual financial aid and reconstruction of homes. The distribution process involves Hamas-controlled financial institutions, which are not recognized by the Palestinian National Authority and have been labeled as terrorist by the US. The scope of beneficiaries has expanded beyond Palestine to include supporters of Iran-aligned groups in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, reflecting the foundation's growing role in supporting Iran's political and ideological objectives in the region.

Since the 1979 revolution, Iran's national interests have been intertwined with ideological issues, defining the structures of the Islamic Republic. The state's principles are based on ideological foundations, extending to governance, economy, society, and culture. This redefinition of national interests post-revolution has set ideological tasks for the Islamic government, extending beyond Iran's borders, including support for Islamic resistance movements and liberation movements. The intertwining of ideological issues and ideals with Iran's national interests has led to debates, such as when Hassan Rouhani emphasized the need for international engagement based on national interests rather than ideals. National interests are not confined to national borders, especially in the context of globalization, and can encompass security approaches and economic development. The Middle East's significance has increased due to its vast oil and gas reserves, affecting regional national security and economic competition.

The discussion revolves around the concept and dynamics of the middle class in Iran, its role in social and political developments, and the challenges it faces. Despite the relative consensus among intellectuals on the importance of the middle class in driving political and economic development, its nature and hegemony in Iran are ambiguous. Recent events have shown signs of the middle class reclaiming its social and political position, yet debates have focused on its erosion, especially from economic and political perspectives. The roundtable with Hamidreza Jalaeipour and Mohsen Renani delves into the middle class's economic actions, social and political behaviors in recent years, and the conceptual evaluation of the middle class based on today's indices.

Neoliberals often criticize bureaucrats in various societies, especially developing ones, as agents of a country's backwardness. Government managers, who are part of an influential group, resist changes due to their power and prevent the implementation of major decisions and policies. The primary motivation for these managers to cling to their positions is the political and economic benefits they gain from the created environment.