Social and Political

Al-Arabia – Iran’s nuclear chief on Wednesday dismissed a suggestion that the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi would visit Iran next month but instead invited Grossi to a conference in Tehran in May.Grossi said this week Iran was continuing to enrich uranium well beyond the needs for commercial nuclear use and said he planned to …

iranintl – Top secret intelligence documentation obtained by a hacktivist group reveals Tehran targeted dozens of Iran International TV staff with financial bans and threats to their families amid protests in 2019. The network was aware of the intimidation tactics at the time, but the documents, obtained by Edalat-e Ali (Ali’s Justice) hackers, offer indisputable proof that Iran’s Intelligence Ministry …

iranintl – With only ten days remaining before the March 1 elections in Iran, politicians are still weighing the advantages and disadvantages of participating in the vote amidst broad government electoral manipulations. “Reformists cannot participate in meaningless, non-competitive, unfair, and ineffective elections in governing the country.” This is strategy number 4 of the Iranian Reformist Front’s statement on the 2024 elections. …

iranintl – The hacktivist group Edalat-e Ali has disclosed a major breach in the servers of the Iranian judiciary, boasting access to a vast repository comprising millions of files and a treasure trove of confidential documents. The documents encompass a spectrum of sensitive subjects, ranging from internal deliberations within the National Security Council following the death of Mahsa Amini to efforts …

iranintl – Babak Zanjani, an Iranian oil sales middleman sentenced to death for embezzling the proceeds, may be released, as the judiciary has confirmed that his overseas assets were transferred to the country to settle his debts. Zanjani, a regime insider once hailed as Iran’s wealthiest man, was tasked with exporting oil circumventing international sanctions in the early 2010s when …

Iranwire – Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Owji has said that Israel was behind last week’s attack on Iranian gas pipelines. “This was a plot orchestrated by the Israelis,” Owji told reporters on February 21. “The enemy’s aim was to disrupt domestic gas supplies in major provinces,” he added.  Israeli authorities usually do not comment on overseas operations. Owji initially referred to …

Iranwire – An Iranian man gunned down 12 family members at the weekend to avenge the murder of his sister by their father a decade ago, Iranian media reported.  Etemad newspaper reported on February 20 that the man, identified as 22-year-old Bahram, witnessed his sister’s death at the hands of their father, an event that “sparked deep-seated anger and resentment in …

RFL/RE – The Czech Republic has extradited a man facing charges in the United States for plotting the murder of a prominent critic of Iran’s government. The Czech Justice Ministry said Polad Omarov was handed to representatives of U.S. authorities at Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport on February 21 after the suspect had exhausted all options of appeal. Omarov was arrested …

iranintl – In the annals of Russian history, few figures stand as tall as Alexei Navalny. His name has become synonymous with courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice in the face of oppression. From surviving a poisoning attempt orchestrated by the Kremlin, to boldly returning to Russia despite the risks, Navalny’s journey embodies the spirit of defiance against tyranny. …

iranintl – In a significant shift from his previously conciliatory stance, former President Mohammad Khatami has asserted that the upcoming elections are far from being free, fair, and competitive. According to Jamaran News website, speaking to the leaders of Hambastegi [Solidarity], one of Iran’s smallest Reformist parties, Khatami highlighted widespread dissatisfaction among educated youth, elites, and over 50 percent of …