Al-Arabia – Iran was strengthening its nuclear arsenal in 2020 by bolstering its weapons production whilst misleading the world by claiming the nature of their activities were peaceful, a new German intelligence report found. Germany’s government security agency, the Bavarian Office for the Protection of the Constitution, issued the report, which has been translated from German by The Washington Free …

RFL/RE – The Iranian government says an investigation has been ordered into the “conspiracy” of leaked audio in which Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) are too influential in diplomacy. President Hassan Rohani ordered the investigation to identify who leaked the “stolen” three-hour-long recording, government spokesman Ali Rabiei told reporters on …

RFL/RE – The United States says boats from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) harassed two U.S. Coast Guard ships in the Persian Gulf early this month, in what the U.S. Navy described as the first such incident in a year. The U.S. Navy said on April 27 that the tense, April 2 encounter resulted in no injuries or damage. …

RFL/RE – Iranian health officials are warning the number of COVID-19 fatalities is expected to climb in the coming weeks as the country recorded its highest single-day death toll from the pandemic. Health Ministry data showed the death toll from the virus increased by 496 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to …

Iranwire – If nothing else, the 42-year history of the Islamic Republic leaves little doubt that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is going to pay heavily for his recent leaked interview. The most important takeaway from this three-hour recorded discussion was his detailed portrayal of the Revolutionary Guards’ total dominance over the government of the Islamic Republic and its impact on …

Iranwire – On Sunday, April 25, President Hassan Rouhani hosted the head of Tehran Stock Exchange at the government’s Economic Coordination Headquarters. The purpose of the meeting was to receive a report on the current, unfavorable situation and float ideas for the stock exchange’s recovery. During the discussion, the Iranian president reiterated what he said was “the government’s principled and …

Shabtabnews – In a twitter statement USCIRF condemned the govt of #Iran for sentencing religious prisoner of conscience Golrokh Iraee to an additional year in prison, a ban on membership in political organizations, & a two-year travel ban on charges of “propaganda against the state.” Today USCIRF condemned the govt of #Iran for sentencing religious prisoner of conscience Golrokh Iraee …

HRW – When the United Nations General Assembly held its annual election for seats on the Human Rights Council last October, five countries in the Asia regional group vied for four open seats, including two of the world’s most notorious rights abusers, Saudi Arabia and China. Member states took notice. In the secret ballot vote, the Saudis lost and the Chinese government …

CHRI —A new policy briefing released today by the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) details the difficulties Iranians have purchasing or using international technology products due to U.S. sanctions, and their increased vulnerability to the Iranian government’s online surveillance and censorship as a result. Without access to international communications tools and services, Iranians must use Iranian-produced products that …

Al-Monitor – Ever since a recording of Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was leaked yesterday, Iranians have been discussing not only the contents but also the possible motivations behind releasing the audio. The audio itself does not reveal anything scandalous or unknown. Zarif, however, does offer his own interpretation of specific events. Zarif accused the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) …