Social and Political

Al-Monitor – Foreign states and groups, primarily Iran, have been conducting for the past few years cyber campaigns designed to destabilize Israel and its institutions, with another such offensive exposed on Saturday. The latest campaign involved thousands of fake posts on Instagram revealing personal details of Israeli police officers and was disguised as an attack staged by Israel’s anti-government protesters. One …

Iranintl – Iranian forces bombarded several Kurish regions on Monday, terrorizing residents of nearby villages. France-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) said the heights of Kosalan mountain near the city of Sarvabad in Kordestan province were shelled while IRGC forces were deployed to the region in the latest attacks against Iran’s Kurdish population. Villagers told the rights group that the …

RFL/RE – Eight Iranian teachers have been put on trial at the Islamic Revolutionary Court in the southern city of Shiraz for participating in union protests, part of a plan, the Iranian Teachers’ Union’s Coordination Council says, aimed at pressuring on educators unhappy with working conditions. Ramin Safarnia, a judiciary lawyer, identified the eight protesting teachers on trial as Iraj Rahnama, Mojgan …

Iranwire – Independent businesses in the Kurdish town of Saqqez initiated a coordinated shutdown on Tuesday, in response to modifications in the Aichi cemetery targeting the tomb of Mahsa Amini. Videos recorded on June 13 show a significant number of closed shops in Amini’s hometown. Reports of attempts to desecrate, destroy and remove Mahsa Amini’s tomb, as well as the …

Iranwire – Retired employees of Iran’s telecom company took to the streets on Tuesday, in various cities across Iran, continuing protests that had been started the day before.  The retirees are demanding long-overdue implementation of employment regulations approved in 2010, along with the payment of benefits, wage arrears, and the restoration of supplementary insurance and medical coverage. These demands have …

VOA – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said during a visit to Venezuela on Monday that the two countries have “common interests and we have common enemies.” Raisi, who met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, said Iran and Venezuela want to boost trade from about $3 billion per year to $20 billion a year. Both countries are under heavy U.S. sanctions. …

VOA – Iran on Monday said it has continued indirect negotiations with the United States through the Sultanate of Oman over its nuclear deal and a possible prisoner swap. Iran’s nuclear program has long been the subject of scrutiny from Western powers, resulting in sanctions that have crippled the country’s economy. A 2015 deal granted Tehran much-needed sanctions relief in …

Al-Arabia – Iran and the United States could exchange prisoners soon if Washington shows goodwill, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, a day after Iran’s supreme leader signaled the possibility of reaching a nuclear agreement with the West. “Regarding the issue of exchanging prisoners with America.. negotiations are ongoing through mediators…If the other party shows the same seriousness and goodwill, …

Iranwire – Kian Pirfalak was just nine years old when he was shot and killed, in the back of his father’s car, by the Iranian security services. He was shot on November 16, 2022, and buried two days later. Kian’s father was injured, as well, suffering spinal cord trauma. He was nevertheless summoned by a court for questioning. June 11 would …

Iranwire – Pouya Molaei-Rad, a cousin of Kian Pirfalak’s mother, Mahmonir Molaei, was shot and killed by agents of the Islamic Republic near the cemetery where Kian is laid to rest. The shooting occurred amid threats made against Mahmonir, warning her that if she proceeded with celebrating her son’s 10th birthday, her husband and their younger son would also be …