Global

Collage showing pictures of Khamenei and Trump
Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Celal Gunes / Anadolu / Getty; Pool / Iranian Religious Leader Press Office / Anadolu Agency / Getty.

The Iranian Hedgehog vs. the American Fox

The American and Iranian leaders are complete enigmas to each other—and the asymmetry in their beliefs is driving the crisis between their countries.

Protesters gather around a fire on a street in Mashhad the night f January 8
Majidreza / Middle East Images / AFP / Getty

What I Saw in Mashhad

Visiting Iran during the unrest in January, I found the accounts of both state and opposition media to be exercises in cognitive dissonance.

A photo illustration of Khamenei, an image of destruction and armed soldiers in the colors of the Iran flag.
Illustration by Akshita Chandra / The Atlantic. Sources: Getty; Atta Kenare / AFP / Getty; Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto / Reuters

What Trump Fails to Grasp About Iran

The president’s threats reinforce the regime’s siege mentality.