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Monday, November 30, 2015

Uskowi on Iran, signing off

It is with heavy hearts that Nader Uskowi and I, Mark Pyruz, announce we are signing off at Uskowi on Iran. This is the last post.

Mr. Uskowi’s professional commitments no longer afford the time required to put into this publishing effort. I, in turn, have decided to focus on personal health issues.

Looking back, this publishing effort was initiated by Mr. Uskowi on 3 March 2007. I, Mark Pyruz, was recruited in April 2008. Subsequently, writers added to this effort included Paul Iddon, Amir Taheri and Dr. Jabbar Fazeli. We sincerely thank these three writers for their contributions.

During this nearly nine-year run, the total number of posts reached 6,663.

The total number of page views exceeded 8 million, for which we express our deepest appreciation to you, the readership.

Speaking for myself, I am eternally grateful to Nader Uskowi for including me in this effort. I learned a great deal in the process. In retrospect I realize I've been bestowed the opportunity to honor my paternal Iranian ancestral heritage. I know that in all of Mr. Uskowi’s many important endeavors, he is likewise motivated.

This site will remain up for a period of time primarily as a resource for Iran military-related studies.

Farewell from Nader Uskowi and Mark Pyruz.

Center: Nader Uskowi's father, Nasser Oskoui, a full Colonel in the IIA, later rising to the rank of Major General. In civilian suits: three uncles. Center right: Lt. Colonel and brother-in-law to the Uskowis. Circa 1960.

Mark Pyruz's paternal Iranian heritage: 
Freydoun Merat, father, 1973
Ismail Merat, grandfather, Minister of Education and Health/Welfare, University of Tehran chancellor University of Tehran, 1936
Ismail Mumtaz, great-grandfather, writer of 1906 Constitution, Speaker of Parliament, circa 1902
at

62 comments:

  1. Technology WorldNovember 30, 2015 at 5:17 AM

    I think so that u should continue, as this blog website is a really good source of information for what is happening in Iran..............................

    talhamalik1563@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 5:55 AM

    for us, the abroad Iranian
    Uskowi was one of the best sources fpr Information about Iran
    many many thx to you

    living long and in good health.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownNovember 30, 2015 at 6:58 AM

    I respect you sir. Wish you your wishes of life

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 7:30 AM

    All of u put ur best effort to communicate the news of interest. Any thing started in the world, definitely come to an end in due course of time, no one is exception.
    However ur team efforts will be remembered.
    S.A.H. Rizvi /India

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownNovember 30, 2015 at 7:40 AM

    Even though I hardly ever posted comments here but this was one of my must reads on daily basis. Wish you the best for the future and you will be missed.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 7:49 AM

    Thank you for making this site a solid and muli-layer base of information for me about Iran for the last years.

    I hope to see something as good and professional as this forum soon.

    All the best!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Javed RajNovember 30, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    Oh really! Oh no

    ReplyDelete
  8. KemjikaNovember 30, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    Woooooooooow. I dont even know what to say. THANK YOU to you all. We might not have always agreed but the information on this blog has been PRICELESS to me. As a half nigerian, half american, people wonder how i have so much knowledge about Iran and this blog is surely responsible for a good portion of my knowledge. Good luck to you all. you've helped ALOT of people.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 9:12 AM

    Uskowi's wise and moderate writings will greatly be missed.

    Pyruz's stuff.....not so much

    ReplyDelete
  10. matNovember 30, 2015 at 9:28 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. YossarianNovember 30, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    Adios, Gentlemen...Thank you for your work, even if we disagreed at times.

    https://youtu.be/MaCazf36D3k

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 9:51 AM

    Thank you for giving your time and effort in making Uskowi on Iran a worthy website to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 10:19 AM

    You were a very dependable source of news and information about Iran. You will be missed. I hope a healthy and bright future for you all. Do you recommend any other e-publications that you trust?

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 10:24 AM

    What a loss, you will be missed.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 1:03 PM

    I've never commented before, but this blog is a daily read for me and has been extremely useful in keeping up with Iranian news. I'm sad to see this is your last post, you did good work.

    Thank-you!

    PS: I also would love a recommendation for other sites, its so hard to find consistently reliable sources of info.

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 2:34 PM

    Thank You Mr. Uskowi. It was a pleasure visiting your site and posting some comments here. I am sad and I will miss Uskowi on Iran. Good luck noble friend.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 3:19 PM

    It is sad to see you go, but then again, this is life and it has its ups and down. I always read Iranian and other related news only and exclusively from your site. I hope I can manage to find another site just like you. Anyways, best wishes and good luck and above all thank you very much for everything.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 4:03 PM

    Please please don't shut it down. I have been reading and enjoying this weblog on the daily basis.
    I'm really sad to hear that out of the sudden my favorite bloggers are no longer able to carry on.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 4:20 PM

    Take sometime off and start again. This has been a brilliant weblog that I loved

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownNovember 30, 2015 at 4:33 PM

    And I must say that it was indeed a long-lasting pleasure to share so many thoughts with you all through the most heated and passionate debates ever, while never falling prey to crossing the boundaries of respect in the process. And these exchanges, on top of the treasures of information formulated post after post on the blog itself, counted among the most instructive and sometimes humbling experiences ever for me, when it came to day by day event occurring in Iran, country of my fathers and forefathers that i have yet to witness and step foot on myself to this day.

    One of the very first sites that triggered momentum in my personal quest for my national, political, human identity. And for that too, will I never thank you enough for regularly appealing to the deepest and purest forms of intellectual productions surrounding that beautiful country and land of us all, whether we contemplate it from abroad or live it from within.

    Farewell to you all, and thanks a million for the great work. Time flies indeed.


    Respectfully,

    Best regards,


    -Abtin, aka "A".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousDecember 2, 2015 at 5:13 PM

      Where have you come from, your "A" is no way related to +A..........

      Delete
    2. AnonymousDecember 3, 2015 at 9:10 AM

      Precisely because I am not +A, but -A, always signed my posts this way on this honorable blog (and so long before +A ever started comenting here as well) and decided to give it my public testimony once and for all after the news of its sudden and saddening end came out. And anyway, what difference does it make at this point to know exactly who I am ? My posts via "-A" are plenty out there to show you the obvious difference in tone, style and orientation with regards to +A who has his own specific persona. Anyway it is not the name or signature that matters, but rather the deeds and words put together in one consistent mind. And I usually cannot sign via Google when I post from outside, like I do right now.

      Regards,

      -A

      Delete
  21. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 6:34 PM

    Best wishes to Nader and Mark, both will be missed. All the best for Mark's health and future too. This blog was a good reflection of Iran's diversity and link to the diaspora thinking and input.

    Hosein.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 8:17 PM

    One of my daily go-to sites. There is nowhere else on the web to objectively review Iranian subjects and news as it emerges. I hope you can find someone to whom to pass the torch. You will be missed

    ReplyDelete
  23. interested partyNovember 30, 2015 at 11:55 PM

    I'm Gutted! This has been the best find and source of information I've ever found on Iran. You guys are legends! Do you have any recommendations for reliable information?

    ReplyDelete
  24. swakilNovember 30, 2015 at 11:56 PM

    A big thank you to the authors of the blog for their hard work and professionalism. Best of luck in future endeavors.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousDecember 1, 2015 at 1:18 AM

    Dear Nader: This is a sad, sad news for me. You will be surely missed by many ! Thank you for your great service and wish you and all your colleagues all the best ! Azar from LA

    ReplyDelete
  26. interested partyDecember 1, 2015 at 4:07 AM

    Having given it further thought! NOOOOOOOOOOO! Please Mr Uskowi it cannot be. Surely somewhere among the post graduates you must know and with Marks contacts and your esteemed contributors there must be a way. Uskowi On Iran can keep on keeping on. Your site is a testament to the lack of good, sober, well correlated information so needed. Not least in the west. Please!! I fully respect your and Mark reasons for needing to step away. Have a little faith. Trust! Gotta be someone you can hand over the legacy too. Just keep an eye on to make sure it doesn't stray. USKOWI! USKOWI! USKOWI!

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownDecember 1, 2015 at 5:32 AM

    This was one of the sites I checked daily, really fantastic insights and opinions that were consolidated in a neutral and professional manner. You guys will be sorely missed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownDecember 1, 2015 at 2:13 PM

      This was one of the sites I checked daily, really fantastic insights and opinions that were consolidated in a neutral and professional manner,please continue

      Delete
  28. AnonymousDecember 1, 2015 at 11:20 AM

    Gentlemen,
    Your weblog has been my trustable daily source for Iran & middle east news for about 2 years.
    It definitely will be missed and i wish there was a way for you to keep on.
    Thanks for all your efforts.
    B. K. from DC

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousDecember 1, 2015 at 11:31 AM

    I've been visiting this website almost everyday for 7 years. You guys did an impeccable job in presenting news in a neutral manner. Hope you feel better Mark. Thank you guys and good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  30. B.M.ADecember 1, 2015 at 1:53 PM

    MARK and NADER--this is how you are wrong !!.

    one-
    Although this blog was your brain child am very honest to tell you that its ceased to be YOUR property instead turned into A MUST read,a source of valuable information with a unique democratic moderation .HOW then do you selfishly close such a forum that is visited by students, politicians ,Lecturers, Presidents ,opposition fanatics ! and a source of hope to many people!.

    two-
    When will you learn that leaving behind a legacy is fete many a people die to accomplish in their life.DO you close down your busy supermarket simple because your are unwell ?-throwing your customers in confusion ?.IS it not noble to let the institution go on while you tackle your health issues diligently.

    three-
    THERE are many noble projects in this world that were started as a simple ventures but then turned into very important part of peoples lives-what i mean is like the founder of Facebook deciding to close the whole thing one fine morning !.OR the owners and founders of YOU TUBE deciding to close down citing health issues!.

    four-
    why don't you let the forum go on!and let the world continue benefiting from your humble venture ,Among the Iranian youth there are so many Uskowis,Marks,Fazzelis,Pauls and Taheris !.

    USKOWI on Iran is an Iranian forum belonging to the world,a gift to humanity that deserves a prize and a mention in the UN -[if there was one] . HERE is a short list of achievements this site has accomplished and the impact it has inside IRAN -a fete which will make you realize closing down this useful window is not only short sighted and selfish but unwise to the extreme !!.

    -one-

    No politician ignores this site in Iran.The criticism and counter criticism here is used as an eye opener and a silent useful counsel for policy makers in the Government . This helps the Government to correct its ways and we have witnessed many changes in Iran thanks to divergent voices likes Uskowi on Iran.

    two

    Many western news sources have praised this site as a professional and valuable source of trusted information about the Iranian Nation.I wish to tell you that no site exposes the good and the bad of the Nation the way this site does.The professional moderation we have here makes this forum a must read for the opposition,the conservative,the moderate , and all in the country.FOR this i WISH to also say that Uskowi on Iran has played a mercurial role of uniting the country .

    three

    I can speak with authority that This BLOG has taught the establishment in Iran what it is to accommodate divergent views !.When a government official visits this blog and reads about some wrong hanging practices ,comes again tomorrow and reads again about some noble projects going on in the country , He gets the notion that this site is educative and doesn't lean on one side .

    HOW THEN ON earth can one come up one morning and decides to close such a valuable window?.

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousDecember 1, 2015 at 2:28 PM

    Will miss u

    ReplyDelete
  32. Nader UskowiDecember 1, 2015 at 9:17 PM

    The support you have given us is so overwhelming, and humbling. Let me explain more why we ended this project. Uskowi on Iran was a labor of love, the authors had day jobs of their own and had to struggle finding time to update the blog. The main emphasis of the blog was on Iran’s foreign and military policies. In recent months, it was becoming impossible doing a good job covering those topics without examining the ongoing conflicts in the region, especially in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. At the same time, the volume of my day job as a Middle East consultant was increasing significantly. Keeping the blog meant not paying enough attention to either. Mark also had his health issues and frankly it would have been difficult for each of us to continue without the other. Uskowi on Iran, especially at its best, was a joint project.

    The decision to end the project did not come easy to us. Although we did not know the blog’s effects on readers like Abtin, nor the facts presented so eloquently by B.M.A., we knew we had a loyal readership, whom we hoped understood our reasons for our decision. Hope younger generation, like Abtin, could pick up where we left, offering an even-handed resource on Iran and relevant regional issues.

    Your support as expressed here, and also on Twitter and Facebook, was the best thank-you note the authors could have received. This nearly nine-year experience is what I will cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you and love you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownDecember 3, 2015 at 4:27 PM

      Thanks again for these kind words Nader !

      It touches me profoundly to be quoted in such ways. As a 2nd generation French with Persian descent, I really hope I can be worth this kind of expectations by finding one day my own way of hosting such mature and healthy debates regarding our troubled homeland. Whether we like it or not, us Persians outside and inside Iran will be forever bound together, one way or another around the country's destiny. And so, notwithstanding our personal ideology, vision, philosophy or even generation for that matter. Hopefully I won't have to do this too long before we see fundamental changes to Iran's Society and Institutions that transform our debates accordingly. But in the meantime, if I ever manage to pull something as huge as your blog, you will certainly be first to know, sir :-)

      Have a good day/evening/night,

      Regards,


      -Abtin

      Delete
  33. UnknownDecember 2, 2015 at 3:46 AM

    This is really the worst information I would have like to hear! I check this site everyday and get insights that no other site on the internet could give.
    Really dommage!!!! :(

    ReplyDelete
  34. interested partyDecember 2, 2015 at 6:23 AM

    You leave us with no choice. A call to arms and minds all Uskowi enthusiasts. We can find some worthy people to take on this mantel. Even if it takes years we must combine our nagging power until Mr Uskowi relents and delegates. Or has some more free time! Uskowi on Iran cannot and must not end. Especially now!

    ReplyDelete
  35. David EdmundsDecember 2, 2015 at 7:42 PM

    We are losing an extremely important information resource, however your sterling efforts have been appreciated and from me a personal thank you

    ReplyDelete
  36. RamboDecember 2, 2015 at 7:45 PM

    I know its selfish to ask but without Uskowi very few of us will have any real sources for Iranian news that isn't the heavy handed PressTV.

    Is there no way you can find a replacement? Are there no young proteges under your tutelage which may want to continue the project?

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousDecember 3, 2015 at 11:22 AM

    A good site which tried to provide "balanced view" during a very sensitive time in the in Iran, in the region and also the around the world. Having said that I had my many differences with this site on the comments coming close to a "soft view" on GCC and some of its allies in the region. Time will show this strategy has been wrong.

    Wish you good health and long life!

    ReplyDelete
  38. interested partyDecember 4, 2015 at 1:08 AM

    Hello anonymous Dec 3. Can I ask you what you mean by"a soft view of the GCC and some of its allies". And which and who's strategy you were referring too? Please! I'm having USKOWI withdrawals. Mr Uskowi may not be joining the discussion, but we can always hope!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousDecember 4, 2015 at 8:28 AM

      "interested party, December 4". No I can't, you can look your archive and also all the comments submitted but not published :-)

      Delete
  39. AnonymousDecember 6, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    Like all the good shows, inevitably there will come a time to say good bye .I guess the good times can only roll for so long .
    We could only hope for a change of mind by the authors to keep this blog up and running .
    Either way , I think Mr Uskowi is owed a big thanks from all of us who enjoyed reading his blog all this time.

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousDecember 7, 2015 at 8:01 AM

    Wish you guys the very best!!

    Sincerely,

    Z

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousDecember 9, 2015 at 6:27 PM

    Good luck Gentlemen and thank you for all your efforts.
    You will be missed.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Brig. Gen. Basrawi (IQAF.ret)December 10, 2015 at 7:58 AM

    An amazing blog and the best one on Iran. Wish all the best for the authors, from a loyal reader.

    ReplyDelete
  43. UnknownDecember 13, 2015 at 1:24 PM

    Mark, maybe you could continue and go on and make te blog work, with less articles? I know its selfish but I can't stop it!

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousDecember 13, 2015 at 10:05 PM

    ever since i find this site in 2011 i've always spent time to browse the page for Iran military and cultural information. although it saddened me i must say that these past years Uskowi Iran has given me a great deal of knowledge and information. Thank you very much for your effort Mr. Uskowi and staff, best regards and sayonara.

    ReplyDelete
  45. AnonymousDecember 15, 2015 at 4:47 PM

    Any news about soleymani? Is he injured in Syria?
    Mark can you not keep it on just with providing with short news from Iran. It will be really sad when you and made quit the site. I fully respect your both decision and I have to thank you both for this good job all this years but could you not go on with a light version of uskoWi on Iran? Maybe one or two of the commentators you prefere can help you....any chance?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousDecember 16, 2015 at 12:18 AM

      I believe Soleimani was injured and may have not survived. The Sepah website is quite silent on the issue.

      Delete
  46. AnonymousDecember 16, 2015 at 1:35 AM

    I for one will surely like to volunteer .

    AJ

    ReplyDelete
  47. matDecember 17, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousDecember 31, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    My resolution for the new year is success and happiness for everybody . Happy new year everybody .
    I guess we can only hope for Mr Uskowi to change his mind and keep " Uskowi on Iran " open .

    ReplyDelete
  49. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2016 at 9:23 AM

    Wish you all the best.Most of all peace and health. May Mr. Uskowi will change his mind and keep on.

    ReplyDelete
  50. B.M.AJanuary 6, 2016 at 1:15 AM

    NOW !THE IRAN /SAUDI conflict may boil over onto a war VERY SOON!.saudi Arabia is itching for a war with Iran given its failed policies in Iraq and Syria as rightly put forward by an Iranian official.

    ReplyDelete
  51. AnonymousJanuary 16, 2016 at 6:46 AM

    Now it will be the end of most of sanctions. Mr. Uskowi do you think that would be a great opportunity to start business in Iran? :)

    ReplyDelete
  52. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2016 at 6:44 AM

    Everyday I wish I could click on Uskowi. Simply Irreplaceable!

    ReplyDelete
  53. AnonymousMarch 7, 2016 at 5:11 AM

    Interesting comments.
    The developments of ME is yet another step towards the inevitable formation needed for the ultimate.

    What Saudi A. is concerned, a division into 3 separate states ( Shia, wahabi and religious centers a la Vatican )the latter administered from an International body like the FIFA...
    The fact that they (Saudis) threw themselves into all the conflicts with all they had has opened the bets and materialised Irans regional political literature.

    In 10 years we shall witness what we witnessed in Iraq and as mentioned with it a gigantic stride towards the ultimate formation for the Kingdom of Jerusalem and it's liberation. it's Karma. .it's fate...it's history repeating itself

    Whatever the case. ..long live Iran and all Iranians across the globe

    Dariush A . London

    ReplyDelete
  54. AnonymousApril 12, 2016 at 9:23 PM

    Still, I visit from time to time, just because...

    ReplyDelete
  55. AnonymousApril 16, 2017 at 4:42 AM

    This place closed?? I had no idea.. I used to visit time to time and found it a unique resource even if I didn't always agree with some writers views. All the best Nader Uskowi. Also hope your health improves Mark.

    ReplyDelete
  56. AnonymousMarch 11, 2021 at 9:09 AM

    Just thought of this site again, brother from Bosnia... thank you...

    ReplyDelete