Social and Political

RFL/RE – The United States and three European allies have threatened Iran with another resolution at the UN nuclear watchdog’s board demanding action on issues such as explaining uranium traces found at undeclared sites, but left open whether or when they might follow through. The warning delivered by Britain, France, and Germany — the so-called E3 — and the United …

RFL/RE – The White House on September 13 defended a U.S.-Iran prisoner swap deal that has drawn criticism from Republicans, saying Iran gets no U.S. sanctions relief from the deal. The United States on September 11 waived sanctions to allow the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar, a step needed to carry out a …

Iranwire – Iranian security forces are inspecting vehicles entering and leaving the western Kurdish city of Saqqez as part of increased security measures ahead of the September 16 anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. Metal rods fitted with spikes pointing upward have been placed behind concrete blocks at the entrance points of Amini’s hometown.  The Iranian authorities, fearing a flare up …

Iranwire – The Iranian government says it has summoned the Australian chargé d’affaires to protest what it described as an “interventionist statement” and a new round of sanctions against the Islamic Republic. In a statement issued on September 13, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Penny Wong, announced that her country was imposing financial sanctions and travel bans on “four individuals …

Iranwire – A criminal complaint was filed with Paris prosecutors on September 14 against an Iranian minister and the top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its elite Quds force for “death threats and justifying terrorism.” The case against Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami and Quds force head Esmail Qaani refers to public threats …

Iranwire – Military forces and police officers have reportedly been deployed in Tehran and other Iranian cities ahead of the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, as residents complained about the widespread disruption of internet services.  According to a reporter from Shargh newspaper, the presence of armed military personnel has significantly increased in the main streets of several cities across …

VOA – The U.S. House overwhelmingly approved measures Tuesday targeting Iran for its human rights record and placing restrictions on the country’s ability to import or export its expanding arsenal of weapons. The measures would impose a series of sanctions on Iran’s supreme leader, president and other individuals as Washington seeks to further punish the Islamic Republic ahead of the …

iranintl – While many expect a dull Iranian election in March, some anticipate a notable showdown: Hardliner President Ebrahim Raisi against his predecessor, Hassan Rouhani. The competition, however, does not take place in the parliamentary election, but in the simultaneously held Assembly of Experts where 88 clerics will be elected to a body most likely to determine Supreme Leader Ali …

Iranwire – It has been a year since Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the morality police. Since then, at least 537 people, including 71 children and teenagers, have been killed by the repressive forces of the Islamic Republic. Tens of thousands of people have tasted prison life and torture. Senior officials of the Islamic Republic have used the …

Iranwire – Jafar Ebrahimi, a dedicated teacher and member of the Iranian Teachers’ Union, was transferred on September 3 from Tehran’s Evin prison to Ghezelhesar prison in Karaj, near Tehran, alongside several other political prisoners. Prior to this transfer, he was suffering multiple ailments that posed a significant threat to his health.  This report sheds light on the plight of …