Al-Monitor – The Biden administration on Thursday approved a $650 million sale of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles for Saudi Arabia, citing US support for the Gulf kingdom’s self-defense. The missiles “have been instrumental in intercepting the persistent UAS [drone] attacks that have put US forces at risk and threatened the more than 70,000 US citizens in the kingdom,” according to a State …

Al-Arabia – Hundreds of supporters of pro-Iran groups clashed with security forces in Iraq’s capital Friday, expressing their fury over last month’s election result, AFP journalists and a security source said. Demonstrators from groups loyal to the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary network threw projectiles and “blocked… access to the (high-security) Green Zone” on three sides, before they were pushed back by …

RFL/RE – Iran says it has increased its stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium to 25 kilograms, an almost fourfold increase from the level reported in June, as Tehran prepares for negotiations later this month with world powers to preserve a 2015 deal aimed at curbing its nuclear program.“So far we have produced 25 kilograms of 60 percent uranium, which, …

RFL/RE – France says it could still take diplomatic action along with its partners against Iran for its lack of cooperation on nuclear issues, even as the sides have said talks on the matter will resume later this month. On November 4, Paris said it was consulting with its allies over how to respond to Iran’s lack of cooperation with …

Iranwire – In Iran, hardly a day goes by without news of someone being arrested for “illegal activities online.” These types of arrests are hardly new, but they now happen with incredible frequency. Most recently, on November 3, the police chief for Marvdasht, Fars Province, announced the force had arrested a local for “publishing pictures of women wearing inappropriate clothing.” The photos …

Iranwire – The Islamic Republic has summoned senior commanders of the Fatemiyoun Brigade –  a paramilitary army affiliated with the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps whose members are Afghan citizens and Hazara migrants – to Syria after a three-year hiatus to its operations in the country. A group of less than 300 Fatemiyoun fighters is currently in Syria; but, the commander said, …

VOA —Ruhollah Parazideh, a wiry 38-year-old with a thick mustache and hair flecked with gray, was desperate for a job. The father of three in southern Iran walked into a local office of a foundation that helps war veterans and their families, pleading for assistance. Local media reported that Parazideh told officials he would throw himself off their roof if …

Iran-HRM – Political prisoner Mehran Qarebaghi has developed a heart condition in the Prison of Behbahan, in the southwestern Khuzestan Province. Mehran Qarehbaghi is in dire heath conditions.The Intelligence Ministry has filed a news case against political prisoner Mehran Qarebaghi, accusing him of propaganda against the state and in favor of the opposition PMOI/MEK while in prison. Mohammad Hossein Ansarifar …

Iran-HRM – The Revolutionary Court of Tehran, Branch 28, issued a death sentence for Kamran Rezaeifar, 56, charged with Moharebeh, or waging war on God, for supporting the opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Agents of the Intelligence Ministry arrested Kamran Rezaeifar in January 2020. They took Mr. Rezaeifar to wards 240 and 209 of Evin to conduct their interrogations.In order …

HRW – On October 25, lawyer Amir Raesian tweeted that Branch 36 of the Court of Appeals in Tehran upheld the one-year prison sentence his client student activist Zia Nabavi had received. Authorities are punishing Nabavi for his involvement in student organizations and his role in holding a vigil to honor the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. Nabavi was convicted …