iranintl – Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, IRGC, “is a menace to the world,” the US State Department spokesperson told reporters on Thursday, when asked about European efforts to designate it as a terrorist organization. Vedant Patel was asked during the daily briefing about reports that Germany and other EU countries are trying to persuade the European Union to designate the IRGC …

iranintl – UN experts are warning of transnational violence, threats, and intimidation by Iranian authorities and their proxies targeting the Persian language news service Iran International and its journalists. “We are deeply alarmed that death threats and intimidation against Iran International staff escalated into the violent stabbing of journalist Pouria Zeraati outside his home in London on 29 March 2024,” the …

iranintl – The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected an appeal from the victims families of passengers who died aboard an airliner shot down by Iran, who are trying to enforce a $107- million judgement against Tehran. The victims families asked the courts to seize Iranian state property and bank assets held on Canadian soil to cover millions of dollars in …

iranintl – A pro-Palestinian social media campaign using an image with the text ‘All Eyes on Rafah’ has raised huge controversy among Iranians. Those who oppose the campaign have launched their own ‘All Eyes on Iran’ version. The AI generated image of tents in a camp of displaced Gazan Palestinians arranged to read ‘All Eyes on Rafah’ turns the spotlight …

Iranwire – The United Nations General Assembly faced criticism on Thursday for its tribute to late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19.  The session began with a minute’s silence, followed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres offering condolences to the families of the victims and the Iranian people.  “I wish to assure that the …

Iranwire – Sama Amoushahi, a resident of Isfahan who was detained last year, has been arrested again by the Iranian security forces.  According to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Amoushahi was taken from her home during a raid by security forces in the early hours of Saturday, May 25. She has since been transferred to an unknown location. Amoushahi, …

Iranwire – Iranian authorities arrested two members of the Baha’i religious minority in northern Rasht on Tuesday.  Nazila Khanipour and her son, Vesal Heravi, were apprehended during a raid on their home and workplace by Intelligence Department forces, according to reports. The arrests come amidst a documented increase in pressure on the Baha’i community in Iran. Both Khanipour and Heravi were reportedly …

RFL/RE – Eleven women’s rights activists cumulatively sentenced to more than 60 years in prison have lost their appeal, a lawyer for one of the campaigners said on May 29. Ramin Safarnia said an appeals court in the northern city of Rasht on May 28 had upheld the preliminary verdicts handed to each activist. He vowed to take the case to the …

VOA – A former speaker of Iran’s parliament registered Friday as a possible candidate in the Islamic Republic’s June 28 presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. Ali Larijani is the first high-profile candidate to register for the contest. He and other serious contenders against Raisi …

VOA – Sweden’s domestic security agency accused Iran on Thursday of using gangs in the country to target Israeli or Jewish interests. Daniel Stenling, head of counterintelligence at the Swedish Security Service, made the accusations at a news conference. “It is very much about planning and attempts to carry out attacks against Israeli and Jewish interests, goals and activities in …