Social and Political

Al-Monitor – After the American and Iranian presidents engaged in a war of words, President Hassan Rouhani decided to step back, saying of Trump’s tweets, “There is no need to respond and go back and forth with them.” But then, just as there seemed to be a lull in tensions, Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani addressed President Donald …

Radiofarda – While almost everybody has lined up in Iran’s leadership to join the war of words with President Donald Trump and respond to his all-caps tweet, the Iran’s Foreign Ministry has found a niche to retaliate against the comments of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made on July 22 in a speech to Iranian-Americans in California.

Radiofarda – The change in the Rouhani administration awaited by both critics and supporters appears to have started on July 25 with the replacement of Iran’s central bank governor and news of the Planning and Budget Organization (PBO) chief’s offer to resign.

Radiofrada – The UN’s top court said Thursday it will hold hearings next month in a bitter battle between Iran and the United States, after President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions on the Islamic republic.

Radiofarda – India’s Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) cancelled the purchase of an Iranian oil cargo earlier this month after its insurance company refused to provide coverage for the crude because of U.S. sanctions, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Iran-HRM – The state security forces arrested a number of victims of a major financial scam by a state-affiliated company in Iran, who were demanding reimbursement of their properties.

Iran-HRM – In his Soroush account — a local messaging application in Iran – Deputy Prosecutor General Abdolsamad Khorramabadi announced that “Telegram will never be unblocked.” (Tabnak state-run Website – Jul. 24, 2018)

Al-Monitor – The Donald Trump administration is moving to increase pressure on Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan by appointing an Iran expert to head the US Consulate in Erbil. The move comes as armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups have intensified their attacks on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions in western Iran.

Al-Monitor – Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said July 25 that his country will soon witness what he called a “great show of internal unity,” with national figures coming together to fight off economic pressures.

PayvandNews- A top Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander in Iran says his forces are ready to confront U.S. forces should President Donald Trump act on his warning that Tehran will “suffer consequences” if it threatens the United States.