Qantara.de - Dialog mit der islamischen Welt

Saudi Arabia feels as though it has been left in the lurch by the US. Primary thorns in the Saudis' side are Washington's energy policy, its rapprochement with Iran and its conduct in the Syrian conflict. Riyadh is now going its own way. By Rainer HermannMore

There is no traditional enmity between the US and Iran – at least not among ordinary people. Entrenched hostility at government level is largely due to historical errors. Iran's new President Hassan Rohani appears to be intent on learning from these mistakes. Commentary by Rudolph ChimelliMore

US military strikes on Syria have the potential to engulf the entire region – and perhaps the US – in a broader war. After its experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq over the past decade, the US can hardly afford a Syrian quagmire, says Seyed Hossein Mousavian in his essayMore

More exchange in academia, the arts and sports would contribute to improving Germany's relations with Iran, experts say. Such exchange would strengthen civil society in Iran and boost mutual understanding. By Mareike ForchheimMore

With its concept of targeted sanctions against Iran, the West has found a narrative with which it – and, ironically, the Iranian regime – can live. The people of Iran cannot. Sanctions are destroying the economy and harming the people. By Ali Fathollah-NejadMore

Many consider the Pasdaran, Iran's Revolutionary Guards, to be the real centre of power in Iran. In this interview with Shahram Ahadi, Bahman Nirumand talks about how the role of the Pasdaran in the Islamic Republic has changed in recent years and its possible influence on the presidential electionMore

The Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi was sentenced to an eight-year prison term on bogus espionage charges in Iran in 2009. She was released following the intervention of US president Barack Obama. Saberi does not believe that the presidential elections in Iran on 14 June will bring major political changes. An interview by Tobias KöberleinMore