Social and Political

Al-Arabia – The US said on Thursday that five Americans who were unjustly detained by Iran had been released from prison and placed on house arrest. “While this is an encouraging step, these US citizens – Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, Emad Shargi, and two Americans who at this time wish to remain private – should have never been detained in …

Iranwire – When a Tehran official said on August 10 that university classes might be held online for the first 10 days of the next academic year to reduce the traffic load in the capital, Iranians discerned another reason for the plan. Over the past weeks, officials of the Islamic Republic have warned against a resurgence of widespread protests around …

Iranwire – The German domestic intelligence agency has warned critics of the Iranian leadership living in Germany about the threat of cyberespionage against them.  Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) on August 10 warned Iranian dissidents that they might be targeted by the Charming Kitten online espionage group. Charming Kitten works by building trust with victims …

Iranwire – Earlier this month, Iran’s government invoked “unprecedented” summer heat when it ordered a two-day nationwide shutdown to protect public health and conserve energy amid temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. The move came as the country, despite sitting on the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves, faces acute shortages of electricity. The Tehran Electricity Distribution Company announced on August 9 it had …

Iranwire – The Iranian government is widening its clampdown on public, commercial and tourist venues allegedly failing to comply with the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code for women. A bookstore, a clothing shop and a popular amusement park were among the businesses forced to close in recent days for failing to enforce mandatory hijab rules for women. On August 9, the …

Iranwire – It has been almost a year since the murder of Mahsa Amini in the custody of morality police and the outbreak of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, the biggest anti-government movement in Iran since the 1979 revolution. To put down this formidable wave of protests, the Islamic Republic has resorted to actions that, for all practical purposes, have …

Iranwire – Amin Bazrgar, a renowned Iranian wrestler, went missing in August 2021, a day after he took to Instagram to protest the September 2020 execution of another wrestler, Navid Afkari. “Our silence is a betrayal,” Bazrgar wrote. In September last year, security forces told Barzgar’s family that several of his bones were discovered in a mountain in Shiraz province.  …

Iranwire – Canada has imposed sanctions on Ali Akbar Ahmadian, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and six other Iranian individuals accused of involvement in activities “that gravely threaten international peace and security or that constitute gross and systemic violations of human rights in Iran.” “Today’s sanctions send a clear message to the Iranian regime that Canada will not …

Iran-HRM – The longest-held political prisoners by the names of Saeed Massouri, Afshin Baymani, Hamzeh Savari Lofteh, and Motalleb Ahmadian were recently transferred from Gohardasht (aka Rajaii Shahr) Prison to Evin Prison, without adhering to the principle of separating crimes in this prison. These prisoners were moved to the ward with strict security measures on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, with …

Al-Monitor – In a message of defiance and apparent preparedness for escalation, Iran warned on Monday that it could capture American vessels after the Pentagon beefed up its presence in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.   “The Islamic Republic is capable of reciprocating any mischief by the Americans … including through seizure of their vessels in reciprocation,” said Brig. Gen. Ramezan …