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

Radiofarda – When the specter of war is on the rise between two or multiple nations, there are two general ways to deescalate and reduce tensions: use of diplomatic channels and employing a policy of deterrence. The channels of diplomacy are currently closed between the United States and Iran. Even if some diplomatic channels were available, the necessity of deterrence …

Al-Arabia – Iran said it has arrested the person who filmed the footage showing a Ukrainian passenger plane being shot down by a missile, the BBC reported on Tuesday. https://vid.alarabiya.net/2020/01/15/iranplanee24a2d80/iranplanee24a2d80___iranplanee24a2d80_video.mp4 Iran announced on Saturday that its military “unintentionally” shot down the Ukrainian jetliner on January 8, killing all 176 aboard, after the government had repeatedly denied Western accusations that it …

Al-Arabia – Prominent hardline Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda said expelling the UK ambassador would be “the best thing that can happen to him” as otherwise loyal supporters of slain IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani would “chop him to small pieces.” https://vid.alarabiya.net/2020/01/15/irancleric3e23edc8/irancleric3e23edc8___irancleric3e23edc8_video.mp4 Alamolhoda is the leader of Friday prayers in the eastern Shia Muslim holy city of Mashhad. His remarks were …

Iran-HRM – Unprecedented floods have claimed at least four lives and caused severe damages to cities and villages since early January in the impoverished province of Sistan and Baluchestan in south east Iran. The floods have affected 500 villages and 14 towns in the province alone and 20,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed. Director General of Sistan and Baluchestan …

Iran-HRM – Iranian authorities warned protesters not to stage further protests, as  major street demonstrations continue over the shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger airliner. Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s Chief Justice, issued a warning to protesters on Monday, saying “the agents of America and agents of foreign countries” want to use anger over Flight 752 to “compromise” Iran’s security. The protests broke out after …