Social and Political

Iranwire – The Iranian news website Entekhab published the complete text of the “Chastity and Hijab” bill, sparking heated debate among the public about personal liberties, women’s rights and the extent of government control. The bill, which was presented to parliament on May 24 by the government of Ebrahim Raisi, outlines severe penalties for women who violate mandatory headscarf rules. …

Iranwire – The number of executions in the Islamic Republic of Iran has been surging relentlessly. According to the United Nations’ Human Rights Office, on average over 10 people have been put to death each week in Iran since the beginning of 2023. “At this rate, Iran is worryingly on the same track as last year when around 580 people were reportedly …

Iranwire – A British charity run by a representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shut its doors on May 24, after the charity regulator tried to take control and media investigations exposed hate speech among its speakers. A notice posted on the Islamic Centre of England’s (ICE) closed gates said, “It is with great sadness that we have to inform our Congregation & Community that …

Iranwire – Authorities in the French capital have renamed a garden after a young Iranian woman whose death in police custody in September last year sparked months-long anti-government protests. “In tribute to this Iranian Kurdish student who died at the age of 22 after being arrested by police for having worn her hijab improperly, the Jardin Villemin was renamed “Jardin …

VOA – Iran on Thursday unveiled a new liquid-fueled ballistic missile. State media said the missile has a range of 2,000 kilometers with a 1,500-kilogram warhead. State television showed what it said was a successful test launch of the missile. Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani said the missile could be readied for launch in a short period of time. …

CHRI – Islamic Republic Is Severely Violating International Laws Governing Death Penalty  Protesters Hanged After Sham Trials, Minorities Targeted for Capital Punishment May 24, 2023 — In a letter delivered to 75 governments around the world today, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) called on world leaders to radically increase pressure on the Islamic Republic to cease the …

Al-Monitor – The Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, will travel to Iran on Sunday, his first visit to Tehran since coming to power in 2020, Omani state media reported. The sultan will stay in Iran for two days upon the invitation of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. His delegation will include Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, …

Al-Monitor – A Tel Aviv-based cybersecurity firm said on Tuesday that several Israeli companies sustained a cyberattack that was likely orchestrated by Iran. ClearSky Cyber Security said that at least eight Israeli websites were targeted in a “watering hole attack.” This occurs when the actor infects a website that a specific group uses. The firm said the attack was “highly likely …

Iranwire – The US State Department has rejected Iranian claims that two women journalists facing the death penalty in Iran for covering the events surrounding Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody had collaborated with the United States. “We reject those charges. They are obviously not true,” spokesman Matthew Miller said on May 23, hours after the Iranian authorities announced that the …

Iranwire – In response to the execution of three protesters — Saleh Mir-Hashemi, Majid Kazemi and Saeed Yaqoubi — on May 19, outraged Iranians flooded the streets of several cities. The protests spread to prisons as well. According to a report received by IranWire, a group of woman political prisoners staged a protest in the courtyard of Tehran’s Evin Prison on May 20. Meanwhile, six …