Social and Political

PayvandNews – Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, touched upon the protection of cyberspace on social networks and the execution of the ‘smart filtering’ project that has been introduced by Rouhani administration to allow access, albeit restricted, to more social networks that contain explicit content. “At the start of the project, over 5 per cent of the content transmitting through the infrastructure …

RFL/RE – Armenia is looking to increase imports of natural gas from neighboring Iran after the two countries signed an agreement earlier this week. Armenia’s Ministry of Energy, Infrastructure, and Natural Resources reported on November 2 that representatives of Armenia’s Energaimpex company and the National Iranian Gas Export Company signed a document authorizing the purchase of more Iranian natural gas …

RFL/RE – Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the debate between U.S. presidential candidates shows what a “catastrophe” American politics is and warned against further negotiations with Washington. Without mentioning Republican Party candidate Donald Trump or his Democratic Party rival Hillary Clinton, Khamenei said in a speech on November 2 marking the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in …

RFL/RE – Said Mortazavi, Iran’s notorious former chief prosecutor, has been sentenced to receive 135 lashes for charges related to a corruption trial. Mortazavi, who played a major role in sentencing opposition activists from Iran’s Green Movement following the disputed 2009 presidential election, was convicted on November 2 in Tehran of “seizing and wasting public funds” when he headed the …

alarabiya -A large number of Iranian employees, workers, and citizens came together on Tuesday to demonstrate in front of the Iranian parliament, demanding payment of salaries and protesting against corruption. This protest follows Hassan Rowhani’s appointment of three new ministers after sacking the previous ones over corruption charges. The demonstrators demanded that their money embezzled by government-affiliated companies be recovered. …

Al-monitor  — Iranians have long been proud of their ancient history and culture, and they always speak of the Achaemenid Empire (circa 550-330 B.C.) with pride. Since the kings of this empire, and particularly Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great, ruled with benevolence and tolerance, they enjoy a particular affection among Iranians. Darius, in his famous prayer, wished for …

PayvandNews – President Rouhani while noting the various progress his govt. has made in economic and foreign policy arenas, urged finding solutions to raise Iranian youth’s hope for the future of the country. Suicide cartoon by Keyvan Varessi, Iranian daily Ghanoon President Hassan Rouhani attended an open Parliament’s session on Tuesday where MPs would assess the qualifications and then vote …

RFL/RE – Iranian lawmakers on November 1 approved three new ministers, signaling support for changes in the cabinet of President Hassan Rohani seven months before a presidential election. State media reported that Reza Salehi Amiri, Saeed Soltanifar, and Fakhredin Ahmadi Danesh-Ashtiani won votes of confidence to take over the ministries of Islamic guidance and culture, sport and youth affairs, and …

Al-Arabia – An Iranian judiciary official has announced that there are 20 “undeclared suspects” accused of storming and attacking Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad last January. However, “the convictions will be made public soon,” Alkhadi Husseini said. The statement comes after Iranian authorities released in October Hassan Kord Mihin, the mastermind behind the attack on the …

Al-monitor — “He insults me. You are not on the same level as me! You are not my equal! Scream all you want from Iraq! It will not change anything! We will do what we want to do.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan uttered these words Oct. 11 when addressing Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, in the latest round of verbal sparring …