responsiblestatecraft – The U.S. is removing Patriot anti-missile systems from Saudi Arabia as part of a broader drawdown of its military capacity placed there to counter Iran. While the military characterized the move as part of a planned withdrawal that reflects the view that Iran now poses less of a threat, the news has prompted debate over the timing of the decision. …

PayvandNews – Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, also known as Sara Khadem, who had announced her retirement from Iran national chess team, has returned to the national team. On January 12, Khadem had published a photo on her Instagram account and said she has retired from national team. Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, aka Sara Khadem Khadem is an Iranian chess player who holds the titles …

Radiofarda – The body of Ali Ajami, an Iranian human rights activist, was discovered in McGovern Lake at Hermann Park, Houston, Texas, on Wednesday. The cause of death remains unknown. Houston Police on Wednesday started an investigation into the death of a deceased male found in a pond at Hermann Park but said no other information was available yet. Iranian …

Radiofarda – An official of Iran’s International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES) on Friday said the 5.1 earthquake which also shook the Capital Tehran is not related to Mount Damavand Volcano in the same area. “This quake is not related to volcanic activity. The Masha seismic fault [apparent source of the quake on Friday] which is the closest …

RFL/RE – An earthquake shook Iran’s capital early on May 8, killing at least one person and causing some residents fearful of aftershocks to leave their homes for the safety of the streets. The U.S. Geological Survey said that the shallow 4.6 magnitude quake hit at 00:48 am local time near the city of Damavand, about 55 kilometers east of …

Radiofarda – The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei says a “surge in production is doable” for a nation that launches satellites into space. He was referring to his slogan of the year, “surge in production” and the recent controversial launch of a military satellite into orbit. “The wisdom and intelligence that can build such a satellite and …

RFL/RE – In a new report on Thursday, the Statistical Center of Iran (SCI) announced that the inflation rate in the 12-month period ending March 20, 2020 in for foodstuff, drinking water, beverages and tobacco products passed the 42 percent mark. The new overall inflation rate is up from 34 to 37 percent in comparison with the previous year for …

CHRI – Scholar Kylie Moore-Gilbert Kept in Bathroom-Like Temporary Holding Cell Since 2018 May 7, 2020 – A British-Australian academic held in isolation in Iran since September 2018, Kylie Moore-Gilbert, has repeatedly attempted suicide and could be in extreme danger, according to information received by the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI). “Kylie’s cries for help are so loud and …

Al-Monitor – Iran urged its citizens to take social distancing “more seriously” on Friday as it announced more than 1,500 new cases of coronavirus infection in the Middle East’s hardest-hit country. Since reporting its first cases in mid-February, the Islamic republic has struggled to contain the spread of the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease. Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour …

atlanticcouncil.org – The Iran-China bilateral relationship has been gaining strategic significance for more than a decade and the coronavirus pandemic appears to have solidified this trend. While US President Donald Trump is offering medical supplies while refusing to lift sanctions on financial transactions with Iran, the Chinese are airlifting supplies and medical personnel to Tehran. A recent social media spat …