VOA – Iran, largely shunned by western tourists, is making a push to attract visitors from wealthy Gulf Arab states and other nearby countries to boost its sanctions-hit economy. The Islamic republic is also drawing more visitors from Russia and China to its ancient sites that date back to the Persian empire and the fabled Silk Road, industry figures say. …

CHRI – UN Should Call on Islamic Republic to Repeal Compulsory Hijab Law Women and girls in Iran face increased violence, arbitrary arrests and heightened discrimination as the Islamic Republic re-activates its forced-veiling police patrols, said the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) in a statement today. The UN and broader international community should explicitly call for the repeal …

Al-Monitor – Meeting with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog at the White House on Tuesday, President Joe Biden pledged that Iran will never achieve nuclear weapons, noting that the US commitment to Israel’s security is “ironclad.” The president also expressed his love for the State of Israel. “As I told Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu yesterday, America’s commitment to Israel is firm and is …

Al-Monitor – Iran’s top officer said on Tuesday that his country has gained sufficient military prowess to make its foes forego the option of a military strike against the Islamic Republic.   “It’s been years since they have stopped talking about the military option,” said the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, in an interview with Tasnim …

iranhumanrights – Women and girls in Iran face increased violence, arbitrary arrests and heightened discrimination as the Islamic Republic re-activates its forced-veiling police patrols, said the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) in a statement today. The UN and broader international community should explicitly call for the repeal of this repressive, dangerous, and discriminatory law, CHRI stressed. “For the …

hrw.org – According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, an independent news website, judicial authorities summoned 55 lawyers to Branch 2 of the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s office in Bukan, in the Kurdistan province in Iran. According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, the Bukan prosecutor filed a complaint against these lawyers for signing a statement announcing their willingness to …

hrw.org – Women hold signs during a protest against the decision by the Supreme Judicial Council, a body run by Hamas authorities, to allow male guardians–usually referring to fathers or another male relative—to ban unmarried women from traveling out of the Gaza Strip, in front of the council, in Gaza City, Palestine on February 16, 2021. Such restrictions trap women …

Al-Arabia – Iran’s clerical rulers are clamping down on dissent ahead of the anniversary of the death of a young woman in morality police custody, fearing a revival of nationwide protests that rocked the Islamic Republic for months. Journalists, lawyers, activists, human rights advocates and students have been arrested, summoned or faced other measures in a campaign that one activist described as …

RFL/RE – Thousands of Iranians, including active and retired teachers and cultural figures, have added their signatures to an online petition critical of the government and calling for the release of scores of educators who have been imprisoned in recent months for their support of protesters demanding more freedoms. The campaign, initiated by cultural figures across the country, is characterized as a …

Iranwire – The Iranian judiciary has announced the release from prison of two well-connected men who had been convicted in separate corruption cases: Hossein Fereydoun, the brother of former President Hassan Rouhani, and Hadi Razavi, the son-in-law of an ex-minister of labor. Judiciary spokesperson Masoud Setayeshi told a press conference on July 18 that Fereydoun was released on July 13 …