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

Al-Monitor – Iran’s powerful Guardian Council has purged many Reformists from the ranks of would-be candidates for the fast-approaching parliamentary elections, including many incumbents. The council, controlled by hard-liners, vets hopefuls in all Iranian elections with the exception of city and village council polls. Its strict qualification procedures for the Feb. 21 vote have seen 90 current legislators sent out …

Al-Monitor – A number of protesters gathered outside of Iran’s Foreign Ministry building to demand the resignation of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif over an interview with the German publication Der Spiegel in which he discussed negotiations with the United States.  In the interview, Zarif was asked about the possibility of negotiations with the United States following the assassination of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds …

Radiofarda – The head of Iran’s Judiciary has said, “We will soon meet the killers of Qassem Soleimani, but not for talks”, adding that Iran will pursue legal action in international tribunals. Ayatollah Ebrahim Raeesi (Raisi) at a meeting of Iran’s Supreme Judicial Council said that Soleimani’s killing has “aroused the people of the region” and has united them with …

Radiofarda – The Islamic Republic has executed five people in recent days in Iran, international Human Rights Organizations report. Ali Ashouri, a man accused of carrying weapons and drugs, and kept for twelve years behind bars, was hanged on January 6, in Dastgerd, Isfahan, central Iran, says Iran Human Rights Organization (IHRO). Meanwhile, IHRO reports that Javad Aliploo was also …

Radiofarda – Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has rejected bilateral talk with the United States Sunday and said the only channel for negotiations is the multilateral 5+1 framework of the 2015 nuclear agreement signatories. In a tweet Zarif said, “.@realDonaldTrump is still dreaming about a bilateral meeting—to satisfy HIS lust for a “Trump deal”. It’s wishful thinking.” Iran’s top …