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

Al-Monitor – “Esteghlal or Persepolis?” and “blue or red?” are two questions tens of millions of Iranians have asked and answered over the years to determine which side they stand behind in a seemingly perennial rivalry between Iran’s two most popular soccer clubs. Now, the two may be sold to the private sector, as approved on Dec. 16 by a Cabinet meeting …

Radiofarda – Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has written to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet about Iran’s treatment of journalists, highlighting their frequent arrests and then denial of fair trial and proper medical attention.

Radiofarda – Germany is to ban flights in and out of the country by Iran’s Mahan Air, which is under U.S. sanctions over allegations it ferries troops and supplies into Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad, a newspaper reported on Friday.

Radiofarda – Popular preachers known as maddahs have large and devoted followings in Iran, where they play an important role in Shi’a Islam. But observers interviewed by RFE/RL’s Radio Farda say that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has mobilized maddahs and their gatherings for political goals.

RFL/RE – Iran’s Foreign Ministry says the presence of U.S. troops in Syria has been “illogical and a source of tension” from the very start, in its first official reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria.