RFL/RE – The U.S. Justice Department has accused Huawei Technologies of helping Iran track protesters in its latest indictment against the Chinese tech giant as Washington steps up pressure on the world’s largest telecommunications equipment maker. In a new indictment unsealed on February 13, Huawei was also charged with conspiring to steal trade secrets from six U.S. technology companies and …

VOA – Hundreds of missiles, weapons and munitions likely headed from Iran to Houthi militants in Yemen are in U.S. hands, intercepted during an operation earlier this week in the Arabian Sea.  U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the seizure Thursday, four days after sailors with the USS Normandy boarded a dhow in the Arabian Sea and found the secret cache.  According to a CENTCOM …

CHRI – Iranian authorities have transferred a large number of inmates out of Evin Prison in Tehran—notorious for holding political prisoners—to other prisons and implemented further security measures in Evin in preparation for more sudden influxes of detainees like those seen following recent crackdowns on street protests, sources informed the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI). “Evidence points to preparations being made …

Iran Human Rights (IHR) – Two death-row prisoners were hanged at the central prison of Shiraz city, Iran, on February 12. According to HRANA, on the morning of Wednesday, Feb 14, 2020, two-row prisoners were hanged at Shiraz prison. They were identified as Hadi Mahi and Sadegh Akbarpor, co-defendants in a rape-murder case.  They were held around 3 years in prison before …

Al-Monitor – Campaigning for Iran’s 11th parliament officially began today for the Feb. 21 elections. According to Tasnim News Agency, campaigning will last until Feb. 19. The short campaign window and the disqualifications of Reformist and moderate candidates have left the public with many questions as to who is running and under which political faction for the 290-seat assembly. Over the last few administrations, …

Amnesty – On 24 December 2019, Iranian officials subjected human rights defender Narges Mohammadi to ill-treatment during her transfer to Zanjan prison, according to a letter she has written. The transfer was seemingly in reprisal for her activism inside prison in support of families of people killed during protests in November 2019. She is a prisoner of conscience who must …

Radiofarda – A pro-Assad Syrian group on February 11 and 12 launched a publicity campaign to honor Qassem Soleimani in several Italian cities including Rome and Milan by displaying hundreds of posters of the slain Qods Force commander. Iranian news websites have extensively reported the incident and Iran’s state-run television (IRIB) has shown a report by its correspondent in Rome …

Radiofarda – U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo has once again urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to ratify the conditions set by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and respect international laws and regulations against financing terrorism and money laundering. FATF, the Paris-based global financial watchdog issued a four-month deadline in mid-October, giving Tehran a last and final chance to …

Radiofarda – Campaigning for the February 21 parliamentary elections in Iran started on Thursday, February 13. However, there seems to be very little campaign activity in progress, at least on the first day of an election, which seems to attract little public attention. Although there are over 7,000 candidates approved by the watchdogs to run for the parliament (Majles), there …

Al-Arabia- US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned the Senate against adopting a resolution that would curb his ability to wage war against Iran, saying it would send “a very bad signal” and allow Tehran to act with impunity. “It is very important for our Country’s SECURITY that the US Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We …