Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.

RFL/RE – Iran says the United States is to blame for a delay in continuing talks to finalize a nuclear deal with world powers that is “very much within reach.” Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on April 4 that Tehran “won’t wait forever” after several last-minute snags threatened to derail months of efforts to revive the 2015 agreement, which …

gatestoneinstitute.org – “For China… the Ukrainian crisis provided a unique opportunity to increase its access to Russia’s natural resources, particularly gas, gain contracts for infrastructure projects and new markets for Chinese technology, and turn Russia into a junior partner in the relationship between the two countries.” — Report by the European Council on Foreign Relations, February 2015. In addition to …

Iranwire – On Friday, April 1, UN Human Rights Council renewed the mandate of Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, despite vocal opposition by the Islamic Republic. Rehman has never been allowed to visit Iran and Iranian government representatives have met him on just a handful of occasions outside the country. The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body …

Iranwire – The 2022 World Cup draw on Friday put Iran’s national football team in what was described as the most politically charged group of the contest. Team Melli will be up against England and the USA, as well as the winner of the European playoffs – which could be Ukraine. Iranian football is already deeply politicized, from club ownership …

Iran-HRM – Saeed Afkari, the outspoken brother to executed protester and wrestling champion Navid Afkari wrote his brother Vahid was attacked in prison and has a broken hand, and his family was shot outside prison when they protested. He wrote on his twitter on April 3, that the regime security forces opened fire on his family while they had gone …