Social and Political

Radiofarda – As the Iranian budget is submitted to parliament, few expect full clarity and transparency in the budget approval process this year.

Radiofarda – U.S. President Donald Trump in brief remarks at the White House on December 6 said he will never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.

Radiofarda – Some 95 members of Iran’s parliament (Majles), including 22 prominent reformists, have tabled a motion on Sunday December 2 that would tighten Iranian government’s grip on domestic and foreign messaging services. The reformists have been harshly criticized on social media for the move.

Radiofarda – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused “foreign-backed terrorists” for attacks Thursday in the port city of Chabahar that killed two people and wounded around 40 others.

Radiofarda – Iran’s most senior nuclear official expressed hope on December 6 that by the end of the year Europe will deliver on a proposed mechanism to continue trade with Iran and save the nuclear deal.

Reuters – Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd’s chief financial officer was arrested as part of a U.S. investigation of an alleged scheme to use the global banking system to evade U.S. sanctions against Iran, according to people familiar with the probe.

Al-Arabia – At least three people were killed in a bomb attack in Iran’s southeastern port city of Chabahar on Thursday, state TV reported, adding that many others were injured.

IRAN-HRM – This year, Human Rights Day marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being.

RFL/RE – The United Nations is for the first time in two years convening a new round of peace talks in an effort to bring an end to the devastating war in Yemen.

Al-Monitor – Blockchain technologies, especially cryptocurrencies, have become a hot topic in Iran during the past few years, just as in most other countries. Few tangible results have materialized so far, but US officials may have actually done Iran a favor as they have significantly accelerated development of blockchain-based projects. The unilateral reimposition of US sanctions and a local drive for …