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

VOA – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has denied remarks attributed to its president by Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, about U.S. sanctions impeding flood relief assistance. In an interview with Radio Farda, Ignatius Ivlev-Yorke, public relation officer of ICRC said that the president of the organization Peter Maurer never mentioned any specific country when he spoke …

Al-Monitor – As Iran returns to business after the Nowruz holidays, lawmakers are resuming discussions on a controversial draft motion that has the potential to alter parliamentary politics. The proposed bill, which was first brought to the floor by 120 parliamentarians last November, calls for parliamentary elections to be held at provincial levels. At present, constituencies commonly cover towns and cities. …

Al-Monitor – As non-stop heavy downpours continued to wreak havoc upon Iran, the country’s supreme leader expressed gratitude to the nation for Iranians’ “mobilized efforts” and “spirit of solidarity” in their cooperation with the government-led relief process. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was addressing Iran’s political elite as well as ambassadors from Muslim countries in the capital Tehran March 3, in a traditional speech for …

Radiofarda – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told high-ranking civilian officials and military commanders Tuesday evening, April 2, that they should have anticipated damage caused by floods and prepared for it. He said rivers and dams should have been dredged before the floods, construction in the vicinity of rivers should have been banned and cutting of trees should have …

Radiofarda – A day after Iran’s foreign minister called U.S. sanctions an impediment to getting aid to flood victims, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday blamed Iran for the level of devastation from major floods, and said Washington was ready to help. Pompeo issued a statement in implicit response to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who on …