Al-Monitor – Images of a controversial administrative order went viral across Iranian social media in recent days, enraging large sections of the country’s religious minorities. The internal document, a letter, announced new regulations at kindergartens operated by Iran’s Rehabilitation Organization. “Recruitment of religious minority members for any position at kindergartens is illegal unless those centers are exclusively hosting children of religious minorities,” the letter states, …

Al-Monitor – In Iran, hard-liners have recently intensified their attacks on former judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani. An unpopular figure among almost all of the political currents, Larijani was in December appointed chairman of the Expediency Council, which is tasked with resolving disputes between the parliament and the Guardian Council. During his tenure as judiciary chief, Larijani tolerated little …

PayvandNews – For many travelers to Iran, staying in or even visiting a centuries-old caravanserai, can be a wide experience; they have an opportunity to feel the past, a time travel back into a forgotten age! 16th-century Zeinodin caravanserai located in Iran’s Yazd province Such roadside inns were originally built in various epochs along ancient caravan routes in the Muslim …

Lausanne, Switzerland, June 3, 2019 – Iran, France and Brazil enjoyed a perfect start with three wins, while Egor Kliuka’s high-scoring performances helped Russia to a 2-1 win-loss record in the first week of the men’s tournament in the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League. On Sunday, Iran completed a sweep of their matches in Jiangmen, following their straight-set win against Germany to …

Radiofarda – Iranian politicians affiliated with various political factions have been speaking against negotiations with the United States in recent days. Some Iranian officials say there could be no talks with the United States until sanctions are lifted. In one of the latest remarks in this regard, Iran’s powerful hardliner Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeesi has said on Monday June 3 …

Radiofarda – The lawyer for a Lebanese man held in Iran since 2015 said Monday that his client will be released in the “next few days.” Majed Dimashkiyeh told The Associated Press that Nizar Zakka’s expected release comes after mediations by top Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Aoun is a close ally of Hezbollah, …

Radio Farda – Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says the Islamic Republic of Iran transfers $700ma year to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Celebrating Jerusalem Day on Sunday, June 2, Netanyahu said: “Every year, Iran’s foreign Ministry transfers over $100m under diplomatic cover, by seemingly innocent means, to Lebanon and from there to Hezbollah.” Speaking at a ceremony in Ammunition Hill in …

Radiofarda – A new report filed by the Islamic Republic Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Trade (MIMT) shows a dramatic drop in Iran’s industrial output in 2018. Based on the Ministry’s 153-page report published on Monday, June 3, the production of various industrial commodities, including TV sets, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, vehicles, petrochemical and aluminum products have significantly dropped. Production Of …

RFL/RE – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Syrian-Russian “military alliance” of using a “cocktail of internationally banned and indiscriminate weapons” in attacks on civilians in northwestern Syria. Since April 26, hundreds of attacks have been carried out every day in areas controlled by anti-government groups in Idlib, Hama, and Aleppo provinces, killing an estimated 200 civilians, including children, …

VOA – Iran has taken new steps against two detained journalists who covered domestic labor unrest and government corruption, sending one to a notorious women’s prison and sentencing another to a two-year jail term. Two human rights groups said Iranian journalist Sepideh Ghaliyan, who covered labor issues in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, was transferred to Qarchak women’s prison near …