The Iranian Labyrinth: Journeys Through Theocratic Iran and Its Furies

by Dilip Hiro

As Tehran faces a crisis in its escalating showdown with the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding its nuclear program, renowned Middle East expert Dilip Hiro clears the way through the labyrinth that defines today's Islamic Republic. In a country stereotyped as fundamentalist by America, Hiro finds a contradictory land -- where black chador-clad women are the majority at universities, Iranian films are shown at international festivals, and human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi is a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Drawing on Iran's rich history, its vast oil and gas reserves, and its unique strategic importance, Hiro reveals a complex nation whose theocratic rulers are struggling to prove that Islamic democracy is a viable and enduring social system.

Genres: History, Iran, Middle East, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

Reviews

[Brian Griffith]

Starting with the merchants of Tehran's Grand Bazaar, Hiro walks us through the labyrinth to the Majlis legislature, the popular movements and the dictatorships of the past, the Islamic revolution, the oil economy, foreign relations, youth, women, and the future. I've seldom seen the perspectives of Iranians and Westerners compared with such objectivity, or seen the shifting tensions between Iran's five major centers of power explored with such in-depth knowledge. I'll offer copy one typical quote:

"When it comes to interpreting the Sharia -- that is practicing ijtihad (interpretive reasoning) [concerning what is morally required, allowed, indifferent, undesirable, or forbidden] -- there is often no difference between jurisprudents on the obligatory and prohibited subjects. Differences usually arise in the gray area of "allowed, unspecified, and undesirable." Whether a woman is entitled to become President of Iran or a member of the Assembly of Experts falls into this category. As stated earlier, at least one senior theologian, Grand Ayatollah Yusuf Saanei said "Yes" to both. In general, though, older jurisprudents are conservative, sticking to traditional interpretations, whereas younger ones are flexible and progressive." (p. 355)

[Laura Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredibly informative... Almost to a fault.
Honestly this book bored me to tears but I must say I have become more informed about Iranian politics than I ever thought (or wanted) to be.
This book kept my brain engaged and I found chapter 10 to be very interesting (as most of the book was not).

[Patrick McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Iranian Labyrinth by Dilip Hiro is a very readable current affairs book. Hiro once again shows me that journalist can often produce very informative histories, since they know how to make a compelling and coherent narrative out of the available facts. I’d put him in the esteemed company of Stanley Karnow and Robert F. Kaplan-two of my favorite journalist/historians. I liked the structure Hiro used in the book-he introduces the most important events like the CIA backed coup that supported an unpopular Shah, the Islamic revolution, and subsequent storming of the American Embassy and hostage crisis that haunted the Carter administration-in the introduction of the book. Later he builds up and expands on these important events without spending too much time on ancient history-however, he gives us enough to understand how Iran got to be where it is now, he does a great job of linking the past with present and possible future. I also appreciate that he forecasts what might happen with Iran in the future and lists possible American approaches to the state. I found the final four chapters (“Oil: Life Blood of Modern Iran”/”Iran and Iraq: Neighbors, Not Friends”/”Iran and America: Allies Turned Adversaries”/”Iranian Youth and Women: The Future”) particularly fascinating and informative.