Social and Political

iranintl – US lawmakers have been lining up to offer solidarity and support to Iranian Americans on the anniversary of the killing of Mahsa Amini and the nationwide protests. Amini, 22, was arrested in Tehran because the police felt her hair wasn’t covered properly. She was hit on the head in custody and died in hospital on 16 September 2022. …

RFL/RE – Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib has issued a stark warning to Persian-language media outlets operating outside of Iran, saying that support from other countries will not deter Tehran from “aggressive” actions against them. Repeating similar threats made earlier by the Information Ministry, Khatib said during a television appearance that media outlets such as the London-based Iran International news channel are …

Iranwire – Siamak Namazi was among five dual American Iranian citizens who flew out of Tehran and landed in Qatar on September 18 in a swap for five Iranians held in the United States. In a statement issued on Namazi’s behalf after the plane carrying the group arrived in Doha, the 51-year-old former prisoner decried the Islamic Republic’s “vile path …

VOA – A group of Americans freed after years of detention in Iran arrived Tuesday in Washington as part of a deal that included the release of five Iranians charged or convicted of crimes in the United States. The Americans were greeted by loved ones who cheered and rushed to embrace them as they walked off the plane in the …

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – Kurdish protester Osman Maameh has been incommunicado for 10 months after being shot with pellet bullets and arrested in Bukan. His family believe he was killed under torture. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, Osman Maameh, a 55-year-old protester from Bukan was arrested by security forces on Salmandan Street in Bukan on 18 …

Al-Monitor — World leaders are descending on New York for the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA) summit. Here are the top Middle East stories to watch during the week of diplomatic speed-dating and heads-of-state speeches. Several Middle Eastern leaders and prime ministers will be attending the UNGA in person this year, while others have sent foreign ministers to lead the delegations. …

Al-Monitor — Iran has freed five Americans as part of a prisoner exchange between the two longtime adversaries that also saw Tehran gain limited access to $6 billion in frozen funds. “Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home,” President Joe Biden said in a statement, which thanked the governments of Qatar, Oman, Switzerland and South Korea …

iranintl – Iran’s Intelligence Minister has reiterated threats against Iran International media network “wherever and whenever deemed necessary.” During a television program on state television, Esmail Khatib said the Iranian government would take action against the network throughout the globe, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic would not refrain from invasive measures against the workers of the channel.  He stated, “Support …

iranintl – Almost one year since his death, the family of Ali Seyedi still mourns their young hero who died at the hands of Iranian regime’s security forces. The clashes between several young female protesters and the plainclothes security agents in the city of Parand near Tehran were what prompted Ali to rush into their defense. Alas, little he knew …

RFL/RE – Gunmen opened fire on a group of paramilitary forces in southern Iran, killing one of them and wounding another three, state media reported on September 17. Local media did not give a motive for the September 16 attack, which occurred on the anniversary of the death while in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini and the outbreak of …