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

Iranwire – Politics and sports appear to have collided, squandering the chances for a rare opportunity of wrestling diplomacy between Iran and the United States. Athletes from the two countries, which haven’t had diplomatic relations for more than four decades, were supposed to square off in a wrestling match in Arlington, Texas, on February 12. But Iran’s Wrestling Federation announced …

Iranwire – “These people were treated like prisoners of war. Because they called them ‘rioters’ instead of protesters, it gave them the prerogative to do whatever they wanted with innocent people.” So said Witness 407, a former judicial official who heard from colleagues in Iran about the events of November 2019. He was speaking via videolink in London on Friday at …

Iranwire – Mehdi Mahdavikia, who was meant to be the new head coach of Iran’s Omid national team, an under-23 team and technical director of the Iranian Football Federation, has resigned under a barrage of negative press by Fars News Agency. According to Tabnak news agency, Mahdavikia, in response to an invitation received from the World Football Federation, has announced …

VOA – The Biden administration on Friday restored some sanctions relief to Iran’s civil nuclear program as talks aimed at salvaging the languishing 2015 nuclear deal enter a critical phase. As U.S. negotiators head back to Vienna for what could be a make-or-break session, Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed several sanctions waivers related to Iran’s civilian nuclear activities. The …

VOA – Iran is not serious about wanting a prisoner exchange with the United States and instead appears to be seeking money as part of any deal to release four Americans labeled by the U.S. as hostages of Tehran, according to informed sources. U.S. and Iranian officials have been trying to negotiate a potential rare exchange of prisoners since last …