Social and Political

Radiofarda – The secretary of Iran’s National Security Council warned Israel on Tuesday of a “firm and appropriate” response aimed at deterring Israeli attacks in Syria, and “teaching a lesson” to “criminal Israeli rulers”.

RFL/RE – U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Iranian-American women’s rights activist and journalist Masih Alinejad on Monday February 4 and thanked her for her bravery.

Radiofarda – A member of Iran’s parliament says Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has decided to take $1.5 billion from the National Development Fund to “reinforce” the defenses of the country.

Radiofarda – A prominent former revolutionary turned opponent of the ruling Islamic establishment in Iran says he will ignore a summons to appear before the Revolutionary Court.

Al-Arabia – Iran dismissed on Tuesday the European Union’s unease about its missile program and rights abuses, calling it “non-constructive”, as Europe seeks to shield Iran from US sanctions while containing its regional policies.

VOA — The U.S.-led coalition fighting against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq Monday denied it faced a head-to-head encounter with the Iran-backed militia known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in the Nineveh province of Iraq.

VOA – Iran has detained another environmentalist who worked for the same Iranian conservation organization as eight activists who went on trial in Tehran last week after spending a year in detention.

VOA – The European Union said on Monday it was gravely concerned by Iran’s ballistic missile launches and tests and called on Tehran to stop activity that deepened mistrust and destabilized the region.

CHRI – Victims Face Social Stigma and Inadequate State Laws and Services

Al-Monitor – When President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May, Iran was expecting the European signatories to the deal to engage in serious efforts to uphold it. Indeed, on the very same day as the US withdrawal, President Hassan Rouhani announced in a televised speech his government’s plans to launch intense, short-term negotiations with …