Al-Monitor – A top Iranian official lashed out against Instagram this week, saying the popular social media network for photos is responsible for “immorality.” The head of the Islamic Development Organization, Mohammad Qomi, said in the Iranian parliament Sunday that Instagram often takes up 60% to 70% of Iran’s internet bandwidth. He also claimed that 30% of cybercrime and 25% of “immorality” crimes and …

(AP) — Months into Iran’s fight against the coronavirus, doctors and nurses at Tehran’s Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital still don a mask, a disposable hazmat suit and a double layer of latex gloves every day to attempt to contain a pandemic that shows no signs of slowing. The hiss of high-flow oxygen to wheezing patients, the beeps of equipment monitoring vital …

Forbes – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Navy (IRGC-N) announced that it had received 112 new fast attack boats on May 28. Using satellite images, and poring over photographs of a parade that unveiled them, I have been counting and identify what they got. 99 boats, minisubs and flying boats were on static display. The XLUUV was also shown. H I SUTTON …

Radiofarda – The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its latest report says foreign direct investment (FDI) in Iran has dropped by 36.5 percent in 2019 compared with the previous year. Figures published by UNCTAD show foreign investment in Iran was $ 1.5 billion over the past year, the lowest since 2002. That figure was above $ …

Radiofarda – An Iranian regulatory body on Tuesday issued a permit allowing price hikes of up to 25 percent for domestically produced home appliances in a bid to control runaway prices. Fast devaluation of the national currency and higher costs of production have led to soaring prices in every sector. The devaluation is mainly due to U.S. sanctions that have …

Radiofarda – Russia’s ambassador to Tehran referring to an article about his country’s influence in Iran has alleged that “Radio Farda is trying to bruise Iran-Russia relations.” Speaking to reformist daily E’temad in Tehran, which was published on 16 June, Levan Dzhagaryan claimed that the BBC and particularly Radio Farda have been damaging the friendly ties between Tehran and Moscow. …

Radiofarda – The founder and CEO of an Iranian financial services firm has pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions against Iran one month after being arraigned in Minneapolis, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. The U.S. Attorney’s office said that Seyed Sajjad Shahidian, 33, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis to one count of conspiracy to commit offenses …

(Reuters) -The United States would like a face-to-face meeting with Iran to discuss prisoner releases and it wants the U.N. Security Council to impose an indefinite arms embargo on the Islamic Republic, a senior U.S. diplomat said on Tuesday. The two adversaries disagree on many issues, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision two years ago to abandon the 2015 Iran …

Radiofarda – A civil rights activist sentenced to five years in prison for her activism in support of unpaid workers says she was urged to write a letter requesting a pardon from the Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. “I refused. Therefore, I must report to Qarchak Prison next Sunday,” 25-year-old Sepideh Qolyan (Gholian) said Tuesday, June 16, in a …

Radiofarda – The situation of COVID-19 pandemic in Iran appears to be deteriorating with 115 deaths and 2,563 new cases during the past day, amid concerns about the start of a new wave of infections and rumors about the possible resignation of Health Minister Saeed Namaki. Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Lari says this has been the third consecutive day with …