Social and Political

RFL/RE – U.S. air strikes that killed several members of a pro-Iranian militia group in Iraq have heightened tensions in the region, with Baghdad denouncing the attack as an aggression against the country and Tehran warning President Donald Trump against taking “dangerous actions.” The United States says the overnight strikes were in retaliation for a March 11 rocket attack on …

RFL/RE — Officials in Afghanistan’s western province of Herat are bracing for a rise in coronavirus infections, as thousands of Afghans return from neighboring Iran every day. The provincial Public Health Department told RFE/RL on March 12 that nearly 10,000 Afghans had entered Herat from Iran the previous day alone. That’s a twofold increase from March 9, when local officials …

VOA – U.S. warplanes soaring through the skies of Iraq hit a series of sites belonging to an Iranian-backed militia, exacting revenge for a deadly attack on American and coalition troops just 24 hours earlier. The airstrikes late Thursday and early Friday targeted five weapon storage facilities belonging to Kataib Hezbollah, blamed for a rocket attack on an Iraqi military …

Amnesty – The UN Human Rights Council adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review on the Islamic Republic of Iran on 12 March 2020 during its 43rd session. This is Amnesty International’s statement on the outcome prior to the adoption of the report of the review. View report in English DOWNLOAD PDF

CHRI – In addition to renowned filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, three members of the Iranian Writers Association (IWA)—Baktash Abtin, Reza Khandan Mahabadi and Keyvan Bajan—have been summoned to prison as other inmates are being reportedly released to prevent more COVID-19 outbreaks, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) has learned. “I’m sure it upsets them very much that I made a new film …

Al-Monitor – As of March 12, Pakistan had reported just 21 coronavirus cases of the new coronavirus, but the country’s shared border and trade activity with Iran has officials concerned as a number of the Pakistanis who have been infected had traveled to Iran. Iran reported March 12 that its official number of COVID-19 cases had jumped by 1,075 over 24 hours to reach 10,075, …

Radiofarda – Iran’s Revolutionary Guard affiliated Fars News Agency on March 21 published a list of senior officials and politicians who have tested positive or died from coronavirus (COVID-19). First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri is included among those who have tested positive and in isolation. Es’haq Jahangiri, Iran’s First Vice-President Jahangiri had not been seen in public for several days …

Shabtabnews – On March 11th, IOPHR wrote and open letter to Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles, (Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy & Vice-President of the European Commission), regarding the Iranian Government’s struggles dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran. In the letter IOPHR warns the EU that the Iranian ruling government does not seem to pay …

Radiofarda – For the first time since 1962 Iran has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for emergency funding to help it fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which has infected more than 10,000 people and claimed hundreds of lives so far. In a tweet on Thursday Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran’s Central Bank has requested immediate access to funding …

Radiofarda – Speaking in Washington at House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday the U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Iran sanctions do not prohibit humanitarian contributions to ease coronavirus pressure on Iran. Britain, France and Germany offered Iran a package of material and financial support to combat the rapid spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 3 and pledged 5 million euros …