Social and Political

Al-Monitor – Even as it seeks to cut off Iran from the world economy, the Donald Trump administration acknowledged today that it will allow India to continue developing the Iranian port of Chabahar, an alternative South Asian trade route to the congested Suez Canal. The reason, in a word: Afghanistan.

Radiofrada – The head of the Islamic Republic’s judiciary has once again threatened to mercilessly punish corrupt business interests and individuals seeking to gain from Iran’s crippling economic downturn.

Radiofarda – The case of a prominent Iranian teachers’ rights activist who was abducted last month and found October 23 detained against his will in a psychiatric hospital is still shrouded in mystery.

Radiofarda – President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday Turkey would not abide by the renewed U.S. sanctions on Iran’s oil and shipping industries, adding that they were aimed at “unbalancing the world”.

Radiofarda – Iran has been able to sell as much oil as it needs despite U.S. pressure, Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

Al-Arabia – Despite weeklong claims of US President Donald Trump caving in to pressure, Washington has unleashed the full measure of US sanctions against Iran’s regime. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed reporters Friday that, come 12 a.m. ET Monday, all sanctions will return to pre-2015 Iran nuclear deal levers.

Iran-HRM – Unemployment has become so common in Iran that state-run media are broadcasting shocking reports.

Iran-HRM -Women prisoners at Khoy Prison, West Azerbaijan, have been transferred to the prison’s visitation hall, where they have placed under deplorable conditions while being denied fresh air breaks and family visits. The inhuman measure has been taken under the pretext of doing repairs.

RFL/RE – Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman has launched the kingdom’s first nuclear research reactor as part of a plan to diversify the kingdom’s energy mix and acquire nuclear capabilities, state media reported.

Al-Monitor – As Iran sanctions went into effect today following President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear accord, Washington has agreed to grant Iraq a key exemption that would spare it from some of the most damaging effects.