Social and Political

Iranwire – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is set to visit Moscow on December 7 for talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as the two countries strengthen economic and military ties in the face of Western sanctions. “I can confirm. There will be Russian-Iranian negotiations on December 7,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on December 5 when asked about …

Iranwire – An Iranian female LGBTQ+ activist arrived safely in an undisclosed country after her release from prison on bail following the cancellation of her death sentence. Zahra Sedighi-Hamedani, known as Sareh, “expresses her gratitude to all LGBT+ activists who accompanied her on this difficult journey to freedom.” the Germany-based Iranian LGBTQ+ rights group 6Rang said in a statement on December 1. …

VOA – U.S. forces killed five Iran-backed militants as they prepared to launch a drone attack in Iraq, as the number of attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria rose to 76 since mid-October. Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Monday that U.S. forces saw the militants Sunday as they were beginning to launch an attack drone …

iranintl – After Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed that two IRGC officers were killed in an Israeli attack in Syria, Tehran vows revenge. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said Monday that the IRGC forces were in Syria “on an advisory mission,” threatening that “No action against the interests and security of Iran, as well as our advisory forces in Syria, will …

iranintl – The Islamic Republic is using Iranian students abroad, including those on government scholarships, to pursue its Islamist agenda. University students living in the diaspora or studying abroad are utilized as an asset to promote Shiite Islamism in Western democracies and recruited to transfer information and know-how to the um-ul-Qora (Islamic motherland). Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed Ahmad Vaezi to oversee the …

iranintl – A delegation of Sudanese officials has visited Iran on a mission to purchase Iranian-made drones, as a UN arms trade embargo expired in October. Informed sources disclosed to Iran International that the delegation’s primary objective was to acquire knowledge on the operation and utilization of the drones, which have been seen to be used in the likes of …

RFL/RE – Iran will respond to attacks on its interests in Syria, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on December 4 when asked about the killing by Israel of two Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) members in Syria last week. “No action against Iran’s interests and our advisory forces in Syria will go unanswered,” Kanaani said. Two IRGC members who …

Iranwire – A quarter a century ago, in the fall of 1998, a series of murders rocked Iranian society. Iran was then already in a state of agitation and political fever. A year and a half before, reformist Mohammad Khatami had been elected president in an unexpected upset. Considering Khatami’s moderate program, many Iranians hoped his election could be the …

Iranwire – Iranian security forces have arrested two Kurdish Sunni clerics in the northwestern district of Bukan, as the country’s Shia rulers continue their crackdown on Sunni clerics in Iran.  The arrests of Hassan Amini, the Friday prayer leader of the village of Malaler, and Mohiuddin Mohammadzadeh, the Friday prayer leader of Nobar village, were reported by the Kurdpa News …

Iranwire – Turkish authorities have arrested Amir Tataloo, one of Iran’s most famous musicians and singers, Iranian media report.  The semiofficial ILNA news agency reported that Amirhossein Maqsoodlou, better known as Amir Tataloo, was apprehended on the evening of December 2 following a complaint filed by the Iran’s Consulate in Istanbul. The tattoo-covered artist is reportedly accused of “obscene behavior” …