Sina Toossi

Sina Toossi is a senior nonresident fellow at the Center for International Policy.

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Articles by Sina Toossi
From left: Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, visit Khomeini's shrine in the south of Tehran on July 6, 2024.
From left: Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, visit Khomeini's shrine in the south of Tehran on July 6, 2024.

Iran’s Foreign Policy Is Changing in Real Time

Analysis
Sina Toossi
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a handover ceremony for the new Israeli chief of staff on January 15, 2019 at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a handover ceremony for the new Israeli chief of staff on January 15, 2019 at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv.

Israel’s War on Iran Backfired

Argument
Sina Toossi
A young Iranian woman, not wearing the mandatory headscarf, walked past a group of young veiled women near a sports hall during a gathering in support of the hijab on November 2, 2023.
A young Iranian woman, not wearing the mandatory headscarf, walked past a group of young veiled women near a sports hall during a gathering in support of the hijab on November 2, 2023.

The Middle East Is in Chaos. Iran Is Focused on the Veil.

Analysis
Sina Toossi
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian addresses parliament during a session to approve his new cabinet appointments in Tehran on August 21, 2024.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian addresses parliament during a session to approve his new cabinet appointments in Tehran on August 21, 2024.

Iran’s New Outreach to the West Is Risky

Analysis
Sina Toossi
Supporters cheer as newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrives at the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on July 6, 2024.
Supporters cheer as newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrives at the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on July 6, 2024.

Iranians Voted for Change. Will They Get It?

Analysis
Sina Toossi
Supporters of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf hold a banner depicting him, in Shahr-e-Rey, south of Tehran, on June 7, 2013.
Supporters of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf hold a banner depicting him, in Shahr-e-Rey, south of Tehran, on June 7, 2013.

The Conservative Power Struggle Shaping Iran’s Election

Analysis
Sina Toossi
Iranians mourn late president Ebrahim Raisi at the Imam Reza shrine during the funeral ceremony in the city of Mashhad on May 23, 2024.
Iranians mourn late president Ebrahim Raisi at the Imam Reza shrine during the funeral ceremony in the city of Mashhad on May 23, 2024.

Raisi’s Funeral Has Exposed the Two Irans

Argument
Sina Toossi
An Iranian military truck carries surface-to-air missiles past a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a parade on the occasion of the country's annual army day on April 18, 2018, in Tehran.
An Iranian military truck carries surface-to-air missiles past a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a parade on the occasion of the country's annual army day on April 18, 2018, in Tehran.

Iran Has Defined Its Red Line With Israel

Analysis
Sina Toossi
Men ride their scooter in front of a poster encouraging Iranians to vote in the upcoming elections, in Tehran.
Men ride their scooter in front of a poster encouraging Iranians to vote in the upcoming elections, in Tehran.

Iran’s New Wave of Political Conservatives Is Here

Analysis
Sina Toossi
A young boy takes part in a protest in Tehran, expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, while in the background, President Raisi of the Islamic Republic of Iran addresses the crowd.
A young boy takes part in a protest in Tehran, expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, while in the background, President Raisi of the Islamic Republic of Iran addresses the crowd.

Iran Is Flexing Its Muscles—and Hurting Itself

Analysis
Sina Toossi
In a pro-government demonstration on October 18, 2023, in Tehran, Iran, mock body bags are placed on the podium as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi addresses the crowds.
In a pro-government demonstration on October 18, 2023, in Tehran, Iran, mock body bags are placed on the podium as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi addresses the crowds.

How Iran Really Sees the Israel-Hamas War

Analysis
Sina Toossi
Iranian students attend a parliament session in Tehran on November 15, 2009.
Iranian students attend a parliament session in Tehran on November 15, 2009.

Iran Is Doubling Down on Headscarves

Analysis
Sina Toossi
A fan at the FIFA World Cup match between Wales and Iran on Nov. 25, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
A fan at the FIFA World Cup match between Wales and Iran on Nov. 25, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Iran Is Conceding Much Less Than It Seems

Analysis
Sina Toossi
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (C) gestures during his swearing in ceremony at the Iranian parliament in Tehran on Aug. 5.
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (C) gestures during his swearing in ceremony at the Iranian parliament in Tehran on Aug. 5.

U.S. Policymakers Are Misreading Iran

Response
Sina Toossi
Iran's President-elect Ebrahim Raisi addresses his first press conference in Tehran on June 21, 2021.
Iran's President-elect Ebrahim Raisi addresses his first press conference in Tehran on June 21, 2021.

Iran and Raisi Have a Legitimacy Crisis

Argument
Sina Toossi
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