Radiofarda – German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday she believed the idea of a European naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz would be discussed again at informal meetings of European foreign and defense ministers in Finland later this month. “I think the question of a European mission will be discussed there again because this discussion has not yet …

Radiofarda – A series of various videos published on social media in Iran showing public officials in embarrassing sexual acts have led to controversy. Ali Ahmad Ahmadi former member of parliament and a former governor. Undated The dean of Tehran Teachers’ University on Wednesday said he thinks a professor seen in a video of sexual nature should not continue serving …

Radiofarda – An award-winning Iranian movie superstar has been banned from appearing on the Islamic Republic’s monopolized TV networks, apparently for protesting the arrest of a female photojournalist. Hanieh Tavassoli and several other famous actors have made public statements condemning the detention of Noushin Jafari, who is a photojournalist focusing on movie stars and celebrities. According to social media reports, …

Iran-HRM – Evin Prison’s authorities have banned all outside communications to family and friends of Farangis Mazloumi. Ms. Farangis Mazloumi had telephone calls with her family every Saturday. But unlike the routine process of the last three weeks, this week she was not allowed to make the telephone call. Prison authorities have issued a 300 million toman bail for her …

Iran-HRM – The Iranian regime on August 11, 2019, arrested Hashem Khastar, a teacher’s representative and a number of others who signed a letter asking for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to resign. They had gathered in front of a court in the northeastern city of Mashhad to support another individual who has called on Khamenei to step down and pave …

RFL/RE – The U.S. State Department has condemned the recent sentencing of three Iranian women, including a mother and daughter, to combined prison terms of 55 years for protesting laws that make wearing a hijab compulsory. Yasaman Aryani (left), Monireh Arabshahi (center), and Mojgan Keshavarz have been detained since April. “We condemn the Iranian regime for sentencing Yasaman Aryani, Monireh …

VOA- A newspaper in Gibraltar says the United States has applied to seize an Iranian supertanker that authorities in the British overseas territory were seeking to release from detention. The Gibraltar Chronicle says the development means a last minute application by the U.S. Department of Justice to extend the ship’s detention prompted the Supreme Court to adjourn its decision until …

CHRI – Except for a one-minute phone call from Evin Prison, Iranian-British social anthropologist Kameel Ahmady has had no contact with his family since he was detained on August 11, 2019, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) has learned. The authorities have also refused to tell his family why he was detained. “I was traveling when Kameel was arrested,” …

gatestoneinstitute – “[T]orture is widely used against suspects after their arrest and in the pre-trial phase in order to extract a confession,” in spite of the fact that “Article 38 of the Iranian Constitution bans all forms of torture and forced confessions.” — Latest Annual Report on the Death Penalty in Iran, Iran Human Rights. “In 2014, a man who had …

Radiofarda – The Islamic Republic security agents have arrested at least seven Iranian Baha’is in the past ten days, reports say. While confirming the reports, the Geneva-based Baha’i International Community says it is not yet clear which state-run entity is behind the arrests, or what are the charges against the detainees. At least four Iranian followers of Baha’i faith have …