Al-Arabia – Iran said on Friday the current US administration is also “responsible” for the assassination two years ago of its revered commander Qassem Soleimani, as the Islamic republic started commemorations to mark his death. Former US president Donald Trump sent shock waves through the region on January 3, 2020, with the targeted killing of General Soleimani, who was commander …
Read More »Monthly Archives: December 2021
U.S. Concerned Over Iran’s Rocket Launch, Linking It To Ballistic-Missile Development
RFL/RE – The United States voiced concern on December 30 over Iran’s new space launch, saying such activities use technology that can help further its ballistic-missile program. “The United States remains concerned with Iran’s development of space launch vehicles, which pose a significant proliferation concern,” a State Department spokesperson said after Iran announced it had launched a rocket carrying three …
Read More »Iran sentences two political prisoners to 20 years behind bars
Iran-HRM – Two political prisoners were each sentenced to 10 years in prison and exile by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Mohammad Moghiseh, has sentenced Vahid Bani Amerian and Pouya Ghobadi to a total of 20 years in prison and exile. According to the verdict Vahid Bani Amerian and Pouya …
Read More »Iran’s State Media Claims Rocket Launch For ‘Space Research Mission’
RFL/RE – Iran has launched a rocket carrying three satellites, Iranian state television reported on December 30. It was unclear exactly when the reported launch took place, what kind of launcher was used, or whether any objects had successfully entered Earth’s orbit. Independent satellite images of Iran taken earlier this month seemed to show that a launch was imminent, AP …
Read More »Election Victory of Shiite Cleric Could Break Iran’s Grip on Iraqi Politics, Observers Say
VOA – With Iraq’s October parliamentary election results now ratified, political parties are negotiating the composition of the country’s next government. Observers say they see alliances between different groups changing, not based on ideology but on narrow political interests. The central focus now is on who will become Iraq’s next prime minister as the country struggles over its future direction. …
Read More »Iran Federation Defends Footballer in Row Over ‘Israel Flag’ Jersey
Iran-HRM – Iran’s football federation threw its weight behind former national team captain Mehdi Mahdavikia Wednesday after he faced criticism for wearing a jersey bearing an Israeli flag during a friendly game. “He is one of the greats of Iranian football” and “a symbol of pride for the Islamic Republic of Iran”, secretary-general Hassan Kamranifar said in a statement on …
Read More »Unable to afford rent, Iranians sleep in Tehran buses
Iran-HRM – While rents in Tehran and its suburbs have risen by more than 50 percent, according to the central bank, official reports from the capital suggest that some people are forced to sleep in high-speed buses at nights. According to state-run Tejarat News website, homeless Iranian men have taken to sleeping in Tehran buses for 12-25k tomans (under$1) a …
Read More »Iran bans travelers from four European countries
Al-Monitor – Iran’s national airline banned today travelers coming to Iran via four European countries. IranAir said it will not receive non-Iranian citizen passengers coming from the United Kingdom, France, Norway and Denmark, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported. The ruling refers to travelers coming to Iran via the banned countries — not necessarily citizens of the countries. Iranian citizens are …
Read More »The Takeaway: Iran seeks sanctions assurances as West loses patience
Al-Monitor – Talks over reviving the Iranian nuclear accord resumed in Vienna this week, with Iran demanding the eighth round of negotiations address its sanctions-battered oil industry. Guarantees and verification: Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Monday that verification of sanctions relief remains a top priority for Iran’s negotiating team. “The most important thing for us is to reach a point where we …
Read More »Why wouldn’t Iran build a hospital in Yemen?
Al-Arabia – The sexagenarian Iranian Hasan Irlu, who according to rumors led the militias in Sanaa, was appointed an ambassador to an internationally unrecognized government, despite the protest of the legitimate one, and in violation of all international conventions. The man – an expert in training militias – was assigned in Sanaa months following the killing of Qassem Soleimani near …
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