Social and Political

Iranwire – The United States has reportedly banned 14 Iraqi banks from conducting transactions in dollars in a crackdown on the siphoning of US currency to Iran. The ban was imposed by the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Wall Street Journal reported on July 19, citing U.S. officials. According to the report, the United States …

Iranwire – Iranian’s President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Africa kicked off amid utter confusion last week when his arrival at his first destination, Kenya, was overshadowed by protests over the high cost of living. On July 11, as the media descended on Kenya’s State House for a briefing on Raisi’s visit to the East African state, Hussein Mohamed, State House spokesperson, said …

Iranwire – The powerful Guardian Council has re-elected the 97-year-old Ahmad Jannati as its secretary for another one-year term amid reports suggesting that he suffers ill-health and has difficulties communicating. Council spokesperson Hadi Tahan-Nazeef said on July 19 that Siamak Rahpeyk retained the role of deputy secretary and Tahan-Nazeef himself will remain the spokesperson of the 12-member body. Jannati has …

Iranwire – As temperature rises, you feel a tug of apprehension before stepping out onto the street. You drape a scarf over your head, but as you catch a glimpse of your reflection in the mirror, self-disgust fills you. You summon the courage to toss the scarf around your neck and tell yourself, “Don’t be afraid!” You tuck it into …

RFL/RE – Iran has removed gender justice from the country’s latest development program, sparking an outcry among activists who say the Islamic regime continues to marginalize women’s rights even as widespread unrest over their suppression rocks the country. The vice president for women and family affairs, Ensieh Khazali, said in an interview with the Tehran-based ISNA state news agency on July 18 …

Iranwire – Retirees, teachers and other workers staged protests in at least nine Iranian cities on July 18 to demand union rights and better living conditions amid growing anger over soaring prices. Videos shared on social media show rallies in Ahvaz Shiraz, Hamedan, Alborz, Kermanshah, Yazd, Shiraz, Sanandaj, Ardabil, Karaj and other cities across Iran. Most protesting retirees gathered outside …

Iranwire – The Czech Republic will extradite a Georgian national wanted in the United States over a plot to kill Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad. “I consider the extradition of Polad Omarov to the United States…the correct decision after considering all circumstances,” Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blazek said in a tweet on July 18. Alinejad also took to Twitter to …

CHRI – UN Should Call on Islamic Republic to Repeal Compulsory Hijab Law Women and girls in Iran face increased violence, arbitrary arrests and heightened discrimination as the Islamic Republic re-activates its forced-veiling police patrols, said the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) in a statement today. The UN and broader international community should explicitly call for the repeal …

Al-Monitor – Meeting with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog at the White House on Tuesday, President Joe Biden pledged that Iran will never achieve nuclear weapons, noting that the US commitment to Israel’s security is “ironclad.” The president also expressed his love for the State of Israel. “As I told Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu yesterday, America’s commitment to Israel is firm and is …

Al-Monitor – Iran’s top officer said on Tuesday that his country has gained sufficient military prowess to make its foes forego the option of a military strike against the Islamic Republic.   “It’s been years since they have stopped talking about the military option,” said the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, in an interview with Tasnim …