Social and Political

Al-Arabia – Hundreds of supporters of pro-Iran groups clashed with security forces in Iraq’s capital Friday, expressing their fury over last month’s election result, AFP journalists and a security source said. Demonstrators from groups loyal to the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary network threw projectiles and “blocked… access to the (high-security) Green Zone” on three sides, before they were pushed back by …

RFL/RE – Iran says it has increased its stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium to 25 kilograms, an almost fourfold increase from the level reported in June, as Tehran prepares for negotiations later this month with world powers to preserve a 2015 deal aimed at curbing its nuclear program.“So far we have produced 25 kilograms of 60 percent uranium, which, …

RFL/RE – France says it could still take diplomatic action along with its partners against Iran for its lack of cooperation on nuclear issues, even as the sides have said talks on the matter will resume later this month. On November 4, Paris said it was consulting with its allies over how to respond to Iran’s lack of cooperation with …

Iranwire – In Iran, hardly a day goes by without news of someone being arrested for “illegal activities online.” These types of arrests are hardly new, but they now happen with incredible frequency. Most recently, on November 3, the police chief for Marvdasht, Fars Province, announced the force had arrested a local for “publishing pictures of women wearing inappropriate clothing.” The photos …

Iranwire – The Islamic Republic has summoned senior commanders of the Fatemiyoun Brigade –  a paramilitary army affiliated with the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps whose members are Afghan citizens and Hazara migrants – to Syria after a three-year hiatus to its operations in the country. A group of less than 300 Fatemiyoun fighters is currently in Syria; but, the commander said, …

VOA —Ruhollah Parazideh, a wiry 38-year-old with a thick mustache and hair flecked with gray, was desperate for a job. The father of three in southern Iran walked into a local office of a foundation that helps war veterans and their families, pleading for assistance. Local media reported that Parazideh told officials he would throw himself off their roof if …

HRW – On October 25, lawyer Amir Raesian tweeted that Branch 36 of the Court of Appeals in Tehran upheld the one-year prison sentence his client student activist Zia Nabavi had received. Authorities are punishing Nabavi for his involvement in student organizations and his role in holding a vigil to honor the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. Nabavi was convicted …

Al-monitor – A state-organized rally marking the 42nd anniversary of the takeover of the “den of espionage,” a turning point in US-Iran relations that set off a decadeslong cycle of escalation between the two sides, took place Nov. 4 in an area outside the former US Embassy premises in Tehran. The nationwide event was characterized by typical US flag-burning scenes and “Death to America” …

Al-Arabia – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned Western governments Thursday he would accept no “excessive demands” in nuclear talks set to resume later this month after a five-month gap. Diplomats on Wednesday finally announced the November 29 start date for renewed negotiations after a protracted delay since the June election of Raisi. “We will not walk away from the negotiating …

RFL/RE – A self-described hacking group calling itself Edalat-e Ali (Ali’s Justice) has leaked confidential documents to RFE/RL’s Radio Farda that appear to reveal the plight of prisoners at Evin prison, Iran’s most notorious facility. According to the prison documents, hunger strikes by prisoners and the publication of open letters by inmates is considered “criminal” behavior. In one document, a former official …