Social and Political

RFL/RE – A sudden hike in the price of red meat has triggered widespread public anger in Iran, where the troubled economy has sunk to new lows. The authorities have responded to the criticism by playing down the price hike and cracking down on a Tehran newspaper that ran a story critical of the government.Commodity prices have risen sharply in …

Iranwire – The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence has recently sent a text message to citizens warning them over the Israeli intelligence agency’s “terrorist” activities in the country, social media users reported on February 22. The message claimed that Mossad was exploiting people’s “lack of information and awareness” to offer them cash in return for parking a vehicle at a designated …

Al-Monitor — Days before Russia mounted its invasion of Ukraine, speculation was high that a deal to restore Iran’s nuclear agreement could be within reach.  “We are nearing the end,” Enrique Mora, the European Union coordinator for the nuclear talks, tweeted a year ago today. Russia’s envoy, Mikhail Ulyanov, said that negotiations to revive the landmark pact were “about to cross the finish line.” As key …

Al-Arabia – A rocket attack in Damascus on Sunday that Syria blamed on Israel hit an installation where Iranian officials were meeting to advance programs to develop drone or missile capabilities of Tehran’s allies in Syria, sources told Reuters. Iran has been a major backer of President Bashar al-Assad during Syria’s nearly 12-year conflict. Its support for Damascus and the …

RFL/RE – In late September, Pedram Azarnush was taking part in an anti-regime protest in southwestern Iran when he was shot dead. Nearly five months on, the 17-year-old’s family is still seeking justice. In their attempts to bring the perpetrators to account, the family has endured constant threats and intimidation from the authorities, informed sources told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda.Azarnush is …

RFL/RE – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty President and Chief Executive Office Jamie Fly is one of more than two dozen people and entities to have been added to Iran’s sanctions list in response to new measures taken by the European Union and the United Kingdom against Tehran. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued on February 21 that the sanctions ban those on …

VOA – Germany announced Wednesday it is expelling two Iranian diplomats in response to Iran’s sentencing a German national to death. The move came a day after Iranian authorities announced the sentence for Jamshid Sharmahd, who was convicted of terrorism charges.SEE ALSO:Iran Sentences Detained US-Based Opposition Figure to Death Iran accused Sharmahd, a German Iranian with U.S. residency, of leading …

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – Three men sentenced to death for drug-related charges, were executed in Arak Central Prison. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, three men were executed in Arak Central Prison on February 14. One of the men has been identified as Mostafa Majnouni. The identities of the other two men have not been established at the …

RFL/RE – An Iranian foundation has praised the man who attacked novelist Salman Rushdie last year, leaving him severely injured, and said it will reward him with 1,000 square meters of agricultural land, state TV reported on February 21 through its Telegram channel. Rushdie, 75, lost an eye and the use of one hand following the assault by a 24-year-old …

RFL/RE – Iranian authorities say they have arrested a police officer over the killing of a Kurdish youth in a rare move against security forces who have been leading a brutal crackdown against anti-government protesters. The first official reports on February 18 said Mokhtar Fathi was killed by direct fire from police in the city of Saghez, the hometown of Mahsa Amini, …