CHRI – As the world marked International Mother Language Day in 2021, non-Persian native languages remained under attack in Iran, where non-Persian-speaking ethnic minorities are subject to state and institutional discrimination and the official teaching of mother languages is restricted and monitored by the Iranian government. “For years, the state has gone to great lengths to equate peaceful activities in …

Iran Human Rights (IHR) – Of three prisoners transferred to the gallows in Adel Abad Prison, one has been executed and two returned to their cells after obtaining last minute extensions in their case. They were all sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder. According to Iran Human Rights, a male prisoner was executed at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz on February 23. The …

Al-Monitor – An Israeli-owned cargo ship suffered at least one explosion while sailing in the Gulf of Oman on Friday in the latest such maritime incident in the Middle East. The vessel, the MV Helios Ray, quickly turned around and headed for port around 1 a.m. morning after departing from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. The …

nationalgeographic.com – In 2001 a flood of archaeological objects began appearing in the antiquities market seemingly out of nowhere. For sale were distinctive pieces of jewelry, weapons, finely crafted ceramics, drinking vessels, and game boards—featuring unusual artistry and magnificent inlays of carnelian and lapis lazuli. These extraordinary pieces featured a complex symbology of animals, both wild and domesticated, depicted fighting …

Al-Arabia – The United Kingdom supports the United States’ response against Iranian-backed groups, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Friday following overnight airstrikes by Washington on Syria. US President Joe Biden had ordered military forces to carry out strikes against Iran-backed in the Middle Eastern country, including Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS). For all the latest headlines follow our …

gallagher.house.gov — Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) today led 42 members of Congress in introducing a resolution opposing efforts to lift sanctions on Iran. The members released the following joint statement after introduction: “Until the Iranian regime has put an end to its nuclear-weapon program and no longer sponsors terrorists, the U.S. must maintain sanctions. Iran took advantage of …

Iranwire – The role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in suppressing recent protests in Sistan and Baluchistan has been very prominent, Baluch activists say. The unrest began on Monday, February 22  after an incident on the Saravan border in which local sources reported that members of the IRGC had opened fire on fuel smugglers. Bloody clashes have continued since then and into today. …

Iranwire – Demonstrations against the killing of Baluch fuel carriers have continued across Sistan and Baluchestan amid a heavy security presence in some cities. Reports have surfaced of clashes between locals and armed officers, and the number of killed and wounded remains unclear. Protests and clashes have been reported in the cities of Zahedan, Saravan and Iranshahr and Mirjavah, the villages …

VOA – U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday directed U.S. military airstrikes in eastern Syria against facilities belonging to what the Pentagon said were Iran-backed militia, in a calibrated response to recent rocket attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq. The strikes appeared to be limited in scope, potentially lowering the risk of escalation. Biden’s decision to strike only in Syria …

(HRW) – Iranian authorities should transparently investigate alleged government security forces’ use of excessive force in Sistan and Baluchistan province on February 22, 2021, Human Rights Watch said today. At least 10 Baluchi people were killed in the Saravan border area near Pakistan, local activists said.The Baluchi Activists Campaign, a website reporting on human rights violations in the area, reported that on …