Al-Monitor -The Finnish capital, Helsinki, turned into the main center for international diplomacy July 16 by hosting a long-awaited summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, as Iran and Syria topped the agenda of the two presidents’ discussions at the summit, Tehran was trying to adapt its Syrian strategy by sending special envoys to …

Al-Monitor – After the American and Iranian presidents engaged in a war of words, President Hassan Rouhani decided to step back, saying of Trump’s tweets, “There is no need to respond and go back and forth with them.” But then, just as there seemed to be a lull in tensions, Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani addressed President Donald …

Radiofarda – While almost everybody has lined up in Iran’s leadership to join the war of words with President Donald Trump and respond to his all-caps tweet, the Iran’s Foreign Ministry has found a niche to retaliate against the comments of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made on July 22 in a speech to Iranian-Americans in California.

Radiofarda – The change in the Rouhani administration awaited by both critics and supporters appears to have started on July 25 with the replacement of Iran’s central bank governor and news of the Planning and Budget Organization (PBO) chief’s offer to resign.

Radiofrada – The UN’s top court said Thursday it will hold hearings next month in a bitter battle between Iran and the United States, after President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions on the Islamic republic.

Radiofarda – India’s Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) cancelled the purchase of an Iranian oil cargo earlier this month after its insurance company refused to provide coverage for the crude because of U.S. sanctions, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Iran-HRM – The state security forces arrested a number of victims of a major financial scam by a state-affiliated company in Iran, who were demanding reimbursement of their properties.

Iran-HRM – Zanian Ahmadi Niaz a students from the Azad University of Tehran has reportedly been sentenced to eight years in prison by the Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, in connection with his participation in widespread protests that started in December 2017. The student was charged with participation in unlawful assemblies and acting against national security. He was arrested in December 2017, …

Iran-HRM – In his Soroush account — a local messaging application in Iran – Deputy Prosecutor General Abdolsamad Khorramabadi announced that “Telegram will never be unblocked.” (Tabnak state-run Website – Jul. 24, 2018)

Iran-HRM – A prisoner was executed on July 21, at Rasht Central Prison while his 9-year-old son was present at the execution. According to a close source, on the morning of Saturday, July 21, a prisoner identified as Seyyed Morteza Mohammadi was executed on murder charges at Rasht Central Prison.