Iranwire – The family of Iranian human rights activist and Nobel peace prize laureate Narges Mohammadi says she has been handed an additional 15-month prison sentence on charges of spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic while behind bars. https://www.instagram.com/p/C2HUcMDK5cp/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=e35bcde2-f6c5-45e5-b549-d93fd949bd3d&img_index=1 Mohammadi was sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court after a trial that she boycotted, the family said in a statement on …

Iranwire – The US Office of the Special Envoy for Iran has strongly condemned the increasing use of capital punishment by Iranian authorities, saying they often follow “unfair trials and arbitrary detentions.” At least 791 individuals were executed across Iran last year, marking a 33 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) group. …

Iranwire – Two Iranian teachers’ union activists have begun hunger strikes to protest their stiff sentences imposed after unfair trials, Iran’s Teachers’ Union reported on January 14.  Gholamreza Gholami and Iraj Rahnama, two members of the Fars Teachers’ Union board, were arrested on October 5, 2023, at the Shiraz Governorate after requesting a location for a teachers’ protest. In an …

Iranwire – The Islamic Republic judiciary has launched new proceedings against two journalists for posing without the mandatory headscarf upon their release after nearly a year and a half behind bars. Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi were released on January 14 from Tehran’s Evin prison, where they had been held for their coverage of the 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini. …

Iranwire – The Islamic Republic authorities executed at least 14 people at the weekend, activist groups say, raising fresh concerns about the increasing use of capital punishment in the country.  Thirteen people were executed on January 14 in Karaj Central Prison, near Tehran, according to the US-based human rights network HRANA. It said five of those executed, identified as Akbar …

Iranwire – Five bloggers residing in the southern Iranian city of Zarand have been summoned to the local General and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office on charges of “publishing inappropriate videos and images on social media,” according to media reports.  Local prosecutor Reza Yaqoubi said the office had opened a case against the five individuals after receiving information about their activities from …

VOA – The crew of a tanker seized by Iran’s navy this week in a row with the United States are safe, the vessel’s Greek owners said on Sunday. Empire Navigation said in a statement that an associate had contacted Iranian authorities and reported that “all the crew members on board the St. Nikolas are safe and in good health.” …

VOA – Two Iranian journalists who were serving long prison sentences over their coverage of the death of Mahsa Amini have been released on bail pending their appeal, Iranian media reported Sunday. Niloufar Hamedi, who broke the news of Amini’s death while in police custody for wearing her headscarf too loose, and Elaheh Mohammadi, who wrote about Amini’s funeral, were …

Al-Arabia – Iran said on Sunday its security forces killed two “terrorists” who were planning to carry out suicide bombings in the country’s restive southeast. A local security official told state media that the two people were killed in the city of Saravan after being pursued by security forces. The official said that the two individuals were carrying explosives intended …

iranintl – Iran will continue to support the Palestinians and “resistance groups”, President Ebrahim Raisi stated in Tehran on Sunday, emphasizing that compromise is not feasible. “We have repeatedly stated without hesitation that supporting Palestine and resistance groups is on the agenda of the Islamic Republic’s policies,” Raisi stated on Sunday. Raisi’s speech in an Islamic gathering appeared to be the …