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

Radiofarda – A parliamentary motion to officially ban Iranian athletes from competing with their Israeli counterparts has pushed the country to the verge of becoming an outcast at international sports events. Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979 , the country does not recognize Israel and, based on an unwritten law, has prohibited Iranian athletes to …

Radiofarda – The Director-General of Iran’s West Azarbaijan Prisons on May 12 denied reports about an uprising against the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in the city of Orumieh’s central jail. A day earlier, a Kurdish human rights website, Hengaw, had reported that the inmates of the secured ward in Orumieh (Urmia) Central Prison had revolted, protesting the outbreak of …

Radiofarda – Iran’s oil minister said Tuesday that stockpiling gasoline in his country has reached an “unprecedented historic level” due to falling demand. Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, speaking at a meeting of oil industry officials in Tehran, explained that both foreign and domestic demand has fallen as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Sanctions imposed by the United States have also …

Al-Arabia – Iran should not yet reopen mosques at this critical time in its coronavirus epidemic, said Iranian physician Dr. Kamiar Alaei, following the reopening of some mosques in the country. The Iranian government closed mosques in mid-March, but reversed its decision on Tuesday, temporarily opening mosques for the Islamic holy night of Laylat al-Qadr, which commemorates the Quran being revealed …

Iran-HRM – Inmates at the Urmia Prison torched their blankets and set fire to the “secure section” on May 12, to protest over fears of contracting the coronavirus. According to informed sources, 150 prisoners are kept in the section which has the capacity for only 50 prisons. Prisoners are held in crammed conditions with only one restroom and shower for …