RFL/RE – Leading Iraqi Shi’ite clerics are calling for the disbandment of powerful Iran-backed Shi’ite militias now that the nation has retaken its second-largest city, Mosul, from the Islamic State extremist group. Muqtada al-Sadr, an anti-American firebrand with a large following among Baghdad’s urban poor, on August 4 called for the disbandment of Hashed al-Shaabi, a paramilitary organization with an …

Al-Arabia – US President Donald Trump discussed increasing cooperation in the ongoing crises in Syria and Iraq in a telephone call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Friday. The two leaders also spoke about “countering Iranian malign influence,” according to a readout of the call provided by the White House. On the issue of Venezuela, Trump and Macron agreed that the regime of President …

CHRI – The sudden transfer of dozens of political prisoners in Rajaee Shahr Prison in Karaj to a high-security ward and the denial of their visitation rights is illegal, according to prominent human rights attorney Mohammad Seifzadeh. “I heard that the transfer happened suddenly,” said Seifzadeh in an interview with the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) on July 31 …

CHRI – Political prisoner Soheil Arabi, serving a seven-year prison sentence for the content of his personal Facebook posts, was moved to solitary confinement in Evin Prison after he started a hunger strike to protest his wife’s detention. “Ms. (Nastaran) Naimi was detained on July 31 [2017] by plainclothes agents who did not show identification, but they appeared to be from …

CHRI – Swedish Embassy Staffers Waited in Courthouse The long-awaited trial of Iranian-born Swedish permanent resident Ahmadreza Djalali, imprisoned in Iran on unspecified charges since April 2016, was cancelled while Djalali and two staffers of the Swedish embassy in Tehran were waiting in the courthouse. “Ahmadreza was taken to the courthouse in the morning, but he was told Judge Salavati was sick and had not …

payvand -Like other countries in the region, Iran faces a severe water crisis due to climate change and poor water management. One of the most visible reminders of this ongoing problem is Lake Urmia. Located in the northwestern corner of Iran, Lake Urmia’s watershed serves an agricultural regionwith a population of 6.4 million people.  Previously one of the largest salt lakes in …

BBC – Two Iranian footballers have been both praised and condemned in their home country after turning out for their Greek club side against Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv. While the Europa League third qualifying round match between Panionios of Athens and Maccabi will probably not last long in the memories of either set of fans, the appearance on the pitch of Iranians Masoud …

PayvandNews – Speculations are rising that Iran’s oil exports to China would rise to the highest levels over the past 11 months in August.  Reuters in a report highlighted speculations that the rise in Iran’s exports to China would follow a recent decision by the Islamic Republic to cut the prices for its heavy crude oil. cartoon by Arvin Crude and …

RFL/RE – Amnesty International has urged European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to use an upcoming visit to Iran to demand that Tehran immediately release all imprisoned human rights activists. The London-based rights watchdog on August 3 called on the European Union to take a tougher stance after the group published a report accusing Iran of a “vicious crackdown” that …

CHRI – In 2015, Iran adopted educational guidelines from the UN 2030 agenda that could substantially improve access to education throughout the country. Two years later, a vicious smear campaign and opposition by the supreme leader has resulted in President Hassan Rouhani scrapping the guidelines. Generations of Iranians stand to lose from the decision.