Social and Political

Radiofarda – Iran’s envoy to London said on Wednesday the oil cargo of tanker Adrian Darya 1 was sold at sea to a private company, denying Tehran had broken assurances it had given over the vessel, but he insisted EU’s Syria sanctions did not apply to Tehran.“At (the) meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, it was emphasised that British authorities’ …

Al-Arabia – The couple detained in Iran’s latest arrests of foreigners visiting the county have been named as their families called for their release on Thursday. Travel blogger Jolie King, an Australian-British national, and her Australian boyfriend Mark Firkin were arrested 10 weeks ago for allegedly flying a drone without a license. King’s and Firkin’s relatives have appealed for their …

Al-Arabia – US President Donald Trump on Wednesday left open the possibility the United States could ease sanctions on Iran, adding he believes Iran wants to strike a deal with Washington on its nuclear program. “We’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about the possibility the United States would ease up on its “maximum …

RFL/RE – FIFA will visit Iran to review preparations for allowing women to attend men’s soccer games, a spokesman for the world soccer governing body told Reuters and AFP on September 11. Sahar Khodayari died after setting herself on fire. The announcement of FIFA’s visit, expected in the next two weeks, follows the death of a 29-year-old woman who set …

Al-Monitor – US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Twitter that he removed his national security adviser John Bolton caught many by surprise in Iran. As with most Iranian reactions to developments in US politics, the official response has been cautious. Still, excitement could be read between the lines. President Hassan Rouhani addressed Bolton’s removal by advising the US government to “come to the understanding that warmongering and warmongers do not …

Radiofarda – Iraqi Shiite politician Muqtada al-Sadr was in Iran and met Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the religious Ashura mourning gathering on September 10. It is not clear if he is still in the country. Official photos released show the maverick cleric sitting next to Khamenei, flanked by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Qods force commander Qassem Soleimani. Sadr, who emerged …

Radiofarda – The Australian government has confirmed reports that two British-Australian women and an Australian man have been detained in Iran and that the families of the three are receiving assistance.Citing privacy concerns, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade didn’t provide additional information.However, several Australian and British media reports said the three have been behind bars in Iran for …

Radiofarda – The Iranian Judiciary has condemned several labor activist during recent weeks to unusually long-term imprisonment and up to 148 lashes. Esmail Bakhshi who represents Haft Tappeh Sugar Mill workers has been sentenced to 14 years in jail and 74 lashes, while civil rights activist Sepideh Qolian was sentenced to over 19 years in jail and several others received sentences of …

Radiofarda – Defiant Iran has renamed three more of its tankers to skip the U.S. sanctions, and sell oil clandestinely, Kpler a data intelligence firm told Radio Farda. The Islamic Republic had earlier changed the name of its supertanker, Grace 1, to Adrian Darya, to sidestep a U.S. warrant to seize the vessel. According to Kpler, to avoid sanctions, vessels …

Al-Arabia – Iran said on Wednesday the firing of John Bolton as US national security adviser will not push Tehran to reconsider talks with the United States. “The departure of US National Security Adviser John Bolton from President Donald Trump’s administration will not push Iran to reconsider talking with the US,” state news agency IRNA quoted Tehran’s United Nations envoy …