Social and Political

Iranwire – The recent spate of mobile phone and wallet thefts in Iran has reached a new level with an assault on Mohammad Ali Abtahi, former chief of staff to President Mohammad Khatami.  Abtahi took to his Instagram page to detail the incident, revealing that motorcyclists with a “polished appearance” and a “high-end motorcycle” attempted to steal his phone.  Abtahi …

Iranwire – The coincidence of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with the Nowruz New Year holiday has led to Iranian authorities implementing a new set of restrictions.  Even before Nowruz began, the Deputy Interior Minister threatened to take action against those who chose not to fast during the holiday despite Islamic law exempting travelers from fasting obligations. Seyed Majid …

VOA – Pakistan said Thursday that it does not need a waiver from U.S. sanctions to build its portion of a pipeline to import natural gas from Iran. “It is a segment of the pipeline which is being built inside Pakistani territory. So, we do not believe that at this point there is room for any discussion or waiver from …

iranintl – European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell once again finds himself embroiled in a diplomatic battle over Iran sanctions, as revealed exclusively by the Wall Street Journal. Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, including Iran-backed Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, France and Germany last month advocated for …

iranintl – Iran may be attempting cyberattacks on US water infrastructure, the Biden administration warned state governors Tuesday, in yet another sign that US deterrence is inadequate to limit the Iranian regime’s aggression beyond its borders. In a letter bearing the names of National Security adviser Jake Sullivan and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Michael Regan asked governors to help the …

iranintl – The prospect of Iranian officials facing criminal charges under human rights law took a big step forward in the current session of the UN’s Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. The two reports presented to the Council mark a watershed for Iran, giving impetus to the ending of impunity and new emphasis on legal accountability for those IR …

Iranwire – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei chose not to travel to Mashhad, as he does every year, to deliver his annual New Year speech due to the coincidence of Ramadan and Nowruz. Instead, he gave his speech during the early hours of the Persian New Year on March 20 at his leadership headquarters in Tehran.  The Supreme Leader’s Nowruz …

Iranwire – Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board has ordered the deportation of Seyed Salman Samani, the former deputy interior minister of Iran, IranWire reports. He arrived in Canada on a visitor visa obtained in Türkiye. However, Canadian authorities questioned him about his past role in the Iranian government upon his arrival. Samani served as the deputy interior minister of Iran …

Iranwire – Iranian border guards have shot and injured two more Kurdish kolbars on the eve of Persian New Year (Nowruz) as violence against the transborder porters continues to surge.  Mehdi Sharifi, 23, from Saqqez, and Suleiman Amini, 28, from Baneh, both sustained gunshot wounds during firing at the Hengejal border crossing on March 19, according to Hengaw Organization for …

Iranwire – As the world welcomed the arrival of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, several American and international officials extended greetings to those who celebrate the thousand-years-old festivities.  President Joe Biden offered his well wishes, saying, “Today, Jill and I send our best wishes to the millions of people around the world celebrating Nowruz – a time of reflection, renewal, …