Iranwire – The dire economic situation in Iran has reached new heights as the country’s currency hit an all-time low against the US dollar.  The currency’s dip comes amid Iran’s increasing isolation and a worsening economic situation triggered by years of sanctions and political instability.  On March 24, the US dollar went past the 610,000-rial mark for the first time …

Iranwire – An Iranian-Baluch fuel carrier was killed on March 21 after the Islamic Republic’s military forces opened fire on a vehicle in the southeastern Mirjaveh city. The victim has been identified as 25-year-old Hamidollah Brahui, according to the Haalvsh human rights organization, which monitors Sistan and Baluchistan. Three others were injured in the firing, but their identities have not …

Iranwire – Yet another kolbars was fatally shot by Iranian border forces in the western Kermanshah province amid a persisting surge in violence against the transborder porters.  Peyman Ahmadi, 35, was killed when armed forces opened fire on a group of kolbars on March 23 at the Nowsud border crossing in northwestern Kermanshah province. The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights …

Iranwire – Intelligence officials of the Islamic Republic have arrested and reportedly assaulted renowned Kurdish singer Hassan Kakai following his performance at a Nowruz ceremony. He was arrested on the evening of March 23 from his residence in Bukan city. Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported that 64-year-old Kakai was taken from his home by authorities and subjected to interrogation …

Iranwire – Iranian MP Amirhossein Bankipour has said on a state TV program that the Islamic Republic is “resolute about penalizing those who do not adhere to the hijab.” “Regarding public spaces and individuals, those who violate hijab norms, whether intentionally or not, will face legal consequences,” he warned on March 24.  In a previous television interview, he proposed deducting …

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – Political prisoners participating in mass hunger strikes against the death penalty in five prisons for the last seven weeks have issued a statement calling for support from “all awake consciences and free people.” According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, political prisoners in Ghezelhesar Prison, Evin Prison, Karaj Penitentiary, Mashhad Central Prison and Khorramabad …

iranintl – In late July 2020, a workshop belonging to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran was deliberately set on fire in the Shadabad area of TehranThe significance of the incident prompted officials to immediately notify Supreme Leader Ali KhameneiThe Iranian government has concealed this information until now, despite its belief that Israel was responsible for the incident, as indicated …

iranintl – After self-congratulatory Norouz messages by top leaders this week, relatively independent media in Tehran published sharp criticism by pundits who sounded dire warnings about the coming year. The fact that in Iran’s government-controlled media landscape the criticisms have been published immediately after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi’s New Year messages, indicates that compared with even …

iranintl – The backlash by Iranians to a US State Department post on Instagram continued Saturday with 80 Iranian-American activists and citizens urging the Secretary of State to have it removed. “It is deeply concerning that the US State Department would endorse and promote an individual with such tainted history and character as a defender of Iranian women,” the signatories …

iranintl – Alireza Khari is not the only political prisoner in Iran who committed suicide under continuous psychological pressure and torture, even after release from prison. Khari, a young protester in his late twenties from Bandar Gaz in northern Iran, ended his life earlier this week. Rights activists say he was repeatedly called in and threatened by the Revolutionary Guards …