Iranians of all political stripes complain of a dead-end economy. Some blame U.S. sanctions while others fault government mismanagement and corruption.

Mahsa Amini's death after an alleged violation of Iran's strict dress code sparked months of protests. Now, Tehran's streets are crowded with women with uncovered hair: an act of bravery and dissent.

Following protests and crackdowns over the past five months, authorities held events to mark the 1979 Revolution this week. They show Iranians have mixed feelings about their nation.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Iran's foreign minister about free expression, Americans being held prisoner in his country and the future of the Iran nuclear deal.

In an interview with NPR in Tehran, Iran's foreign minister dismisses the protests that have spread in the wake of Mahsa Amini's death, saying "nothing important had happened."

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in Tehran.

Founded by refugee musicians, a music institute in Southern Turkey tries to revive forgotten Syrian classics and integrate Turkish and Syrian cultures with music the two have shared for centuries.

Syrian refugees found refuge in southern Turkey, even building businesses that help the local economy. But now the political winds are shifting, and many feel they're no longer welcome.

While the West has cut off much of its business with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, NATO member Turkey has increased its trade with Russia for political and economic reasons.

The U.N.-brokered deal to ship Ukrainian grain exports was set to expire on Saturday and will now continue for at least another 120 days.

Turkey, a NATO ally, has positioned itself as a neutral player in the Ukraine war — as being pro-Ukrainian without being anti-Russian.

After helping shore up the deal to allow grain shipments out of Ukraine, Turkey continues to ride the middle road in the war there, as a leading government official explains.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast on Istiklal Avenue. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed that the nation will not bow to terrorism.

At the heart of the Ukraine grain export deal is a complex inspection process involving Turkey and the U.N. NPR recently joined a team of inspectors aboard a ship carrying grain in the Marmara sea.

A look at the inspection of a ship transporting Ukraine's grain supply shows the complexities of the deal helping stabilize global food prices.

Russia, which had suspended participation over the weekend, says the grain deal is back on after assurances that shipping corridors would not be used for military purposes.

Countries are scrambling to salvage a deal allowing Ukraine to export grain, after Russia said it pulled out indefinitely, a decision that risks worsening global hunger.

Russia has threatened to pull out of the Black Sea Grain initiative - a move that threatens to have a profound impact on global food prices.

Leaders are condemning Moscow for triggering a new wave of fears about global hunger and rampant inflation with its decision to suspend participation in a U.N.-brokered grain agreement.

Antalya is a longtime Russian tourist destination that's become a refuge for those who don't want to fight in the war. But things are getting more complicated for Russians in Turkey.