SBS – Organ donation in many countries, including Australia, is altruistic – meaning donors are not paid for their organs. But waiting lists are often long. In a unique system, Iran operates a commercial donor scheme for kidney patients. While critics say this can lead to exploitation, waiting lists for kidneys in Iran are almost non-existent. Without Iran’s kidney program, dialysis …

RFL/RE – Iranian media reported that police have shut down more than 800 clothing stores across the country for selling “unconventional and inappropriate” attire — believed to mean Western-style outfits and women’s clothing that doesn’t meet strict Islamic requirements. The reports on September 5 said the raids took place over a 10-day span after authorities first sent official warnings to …

Al-monitor  — A war is going on in the Islamic Republic. The war of whistle-blowing was launched by hard-liners who disclosed the pay slips of some managers appointed by the administration of moderate President Hassan Rouhani. These leaks, were used to damage Rouhani’s approval rating and instill the sense that Rouhani has reneged on his electoral promise of fighting corruption. …

Iranhr.net – An unidentified 22-year-old prisoner was hanged on murder charges in Ardabil Central Prison. The death sentence for an unidentified 22-year-old prisoner, who was charged with the murder of a physician, was reportedly carried out at Ardabil Central Prison on the morning of Saturday September 3. Iranian state-run news agency Mizan confirmed the execution, quoting Nasser Atabati, Ardabil’s public …

Iranhumanrights.org – Labor activists Jafar Azimzadeh and Shapour Ehsani-Rad have been put on trial for allegedly inciting workers to strike. The first day of their trial was held on August 29, 2016 at Branch 101 of the Second Criminal Court in the city of Saveh, 76 miles southwest of Tehran. “This case doesn’t have any legal foundation,” an informed source …

PayvandNews – Japan has agreed to boost investment in Iran following a visit by a senior Japanese official to Tehran, the Kyodo news agency has reported. Iranian officials have called on Japan to move faster on rolling out a credit package worth $10 billion. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Saturday met his Japanese counterpart Kentaro Sonoura in Tehran …

VOA – Britain and Iran have named their respective ambassadors for the first time since 2011 as relations between the two countries continue to improve. British officials on Monday named Nicholas Hopton as ambassador to Tehran, upgrading his diplomatic role. He had previously been serving in a lower position at the British Embassy in Tehran. Hopton also previously served as …

Reuters – Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei renewed criticism of Saudi Arabia over how it runs the haj after a crush last year killed hundreds of pilgrims, and suggested Muslim countries think about ending Riyadh’s control of the annual pilgrimage. “Because of these (Saudi) rulers’ oppressive behaviour towards God’s guests (pilgrims), the world of Islam must fundamentally reconsider the …

RFL/RE – Prominent student activist and women’s rights advocate Bahareh Hedayat has been released in Iran after spending more than six years in jail, her husband says. Amin Ahmadian,announced Hedayat’s release in a post on Instagram where he said he couldn’t believe that she was finally free. Hedayat was among scores of activists, intellectuals, and reformist figures who were arrested …

HRANA News Agency – Some survivors and families of political prisoners who were executed in summer 1988, gathered in Khavaran cemetery for the 28th anniversary of this massacre and commemorated their beloved family members and friends by laying flowers and singing songs. Security forces asked them to leave after a while. According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency …