New Articles
U.S. Report on Religious Freedom in Iran
Iran’s government has continued to imprison, harass and intimidate people based on religious beliefs, according to an annual State Department report on religious freedom released on June 10. At least 90 percent of Iran’s population is Shiite. In 2019, religious minorities, such as Sunni Muslims and…
News Digest: Week of June 8
Updated: May 12, 2020
June 8
Health: Iran’s Ministry of Health reported 173,832 infections and 8,351 deaths from COVID-19. Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour urged citizens to wear masks in public places to stem a second wave of coronavirus infections. "Everybody must wear masks when attending places like…
U.S. Sanctions Iranian Shipping Companies
On June 8, the United States expanded sanctions on Iran’s shipping industry. The Treasury Department blacklisted Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its Shanghai-based subsidiary, E-Sail Shipping Company Ltd, along with more than 100 ships and tankers. “IRISL has repeatedly…
After Swap, U.S.-Iran Comments on Future Deal
President Donald Trump urged Iranian leaders to negotiate a new nuclear deal before the November presidential election. “Don’t wait until after U.S. Election to make the Big deal. I’m going to win. You’ll make a better deal now!” Trump tweeted on June 4. Iran had just released Navy veteran Michael…
In Swap, Iran Frees White, U.S. Releases Taheri
Updated: June 8, 2020
On June 4, Iran released Michael White, an American who had been detained for nearly two years. The U.S. Navy veteran was arrested on unspecified charges in July 2018 while visiting his girlfriend in Iran. In March 2019, White was sentenced to two years in prison for insulting the supreme leader…
U.S. Deports Acquitted Iranian Scientist
On June 2, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced that Sirous Asgari, a scientist who had been imprisoned in the United States, was on a plane back to Iran. “Congratulations to his wife and his esteemed family,” he wrote on Instagram. Dr. Asgari was indicted in 2016 on charges of…
Tehran Exploits U.S. Unrest
Updated: June 16, 2020
Iranian leaders exploited U.S. unrest over the death of George Floyd—an African American killed in police custody in Minneapolis—to criticize the U.S. government. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the U.S. government of racism against African Americans. “If you're dark-skinned walking…
Part 2: COVID-19 Toll on Chemical Weapons Victims
Victims of chemical weapons during Iran’s eight-year war with Iraq have proven to be among the most vulnerable to COVID-19. In April 2020, veterans accounted for 7.5 percent of the 4,500 COVID-19 deaths, or about 337 people, the Islamic Revolution Veterans Association reported. Tens of thousands of…
News Digest: Week of June 1
June 1
Health: Iran’s Ministry of Health reported 154,445 cases and 7,878 deaths from COVID-19. Health Minister Saeed Namaki warned that a second wave of infections could be worse than the first. “The outbreak is not over yet and at any moment it may come back stronger than before,” Namaki said at…
Part 1: COVID-19 Toll on Doctors and Nurses
Iran’s doctors and nurses have made heavy sacrifices in the fight against COVID-19. In the first three months of the pandemic, more than 100 healthcare workers died and some 10,000 had been infected. The death toll could be much higher, since statistics were still being collected from across the…
Parliament Elects Qalibaf as Speaker
Updated: June 1, 2020
On May 28, Iran’s new parliament elected Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a political hardliner and a former Revolutionary Guard, as its new speaker. The former mayor of Tehran, who also ran for the presidency three times, received 230 votes from the 264 lawmakers who attended the session. Qalibaf vowed to …
U.S. Ends Sanctions Waivers for Iran Nuclear Projects
Updated: June 1, 2020
On May 27, the Trump Administration announced that it would end waivers – or exemptions from U.S. sanctions – allowing British, Chinese and Russian companies to work at three Iranian nuclear sites. The work focused on ways to contain or limit Iran’s ability to use its nuclear program to build a…
Iran’s New Parliament Holds First Session
Iran’s new parliament held its opening session on May 27 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers were required to follow health protocols, but many did not practice social distancing or wear masks. The 268 members of parliament who attended the session had all tested negative for the virus,…
Amid U.S. Sanctions, Iran & Venezuela Boost Ties
Updated: June 13, 2022
Iran and Venezuela formed a strategic partnership to circumvent punitive U.S. sanctions imposed on both countries. In October 2019, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani commended Venezuela’s “praiseworthy” resistance to U.S. pressure. “All their [U.S.] conspiracies against us have failed,” Rouhani said…
Report: State Violence Against Protestors in Iran
On May 27, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) released a report documenting Iran’s violent crackdowns on protestors in November 2019 and January 2020. Dozens of victims and witnesses described use of lethal force, massive arrests, due process violations, press censorship and prolonged…
U.S. Fact Sheet on Iran’s “Terrorist Activity” Abroad
On May 22, the State Department issued a fact sheet accusing Iran of waging a “global campaign of terror” that has included up to 360 targeted assassinations, and mass bombing attacks. The fact sheet was released several weeks after senior Turkish and U.S. officials said that Iran appeared to be…
News Digest: Week of May 25
May 25
Health: Iran’s Ministry of Health reported 137,724 cases of COVID-19, including 7,451 deaths. President Rouhani announced the country's fourth phase of COVID-19 containment. “In this stage, we will proceed with diagnosis activities using diagnostic kits and other devices to separate the…
Experts on COVID-19, Oil Crisis and U.S. Tensions
On May 19, three experts discussed the intersection of crises for the Islamic Republic, which was one of the original epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus coincided with economic and political challenges that have created a perfect storm for Tehran. Speakers included:
Robin Wright (…
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Interior Minister for Human Rights Abuses
On May 20, the United States sanctioned nine Iranian officials, including the interior minister, and three entities for human rights abuses. The new measures “send a message of support to the Iranian people that we will continue to support their demands for transparent and accountable governance…
Mosques Reopen for Ramadan Celebrations
Updated: June 3, 2020
On May 12, Iran temporarily reopened all mosques for three days during the holy month of Ramadan. Iranians celebrated the nights of Laylat al-Qadr, which commemorates the Quran being revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. Prayer services were held in mosques, public parks and hospitals. Worshippers were…
Iran’s Schools Begin to Reopen
Updated: June 16, 2020
On May 16, Iran reopened schools in 130 cities with low infection rates after nearly three months of closure due to COVID-19. Students were required to wear masks and gloves during class. But students were not required to return to school. Parents could choose to continue their children’s lessons…
U.S. Sanctions Chinese Firm Connected to Iranian Airline
On May 19, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned a China-based company for providing services to Mahan Air, an Iranian airline blacklisted in 2011 for supporting the elite Qods Force. Mahan Air has transported fighters, weapons, equipment and funds to support the Syrian regime and Iranian proxies across the…
News Digest: Week of May 18
May 18
Health: Iran’s Ministry of Health recorded 122,492 cases, including 7,057 deaths from COVID-19. It was the largest increase in new daily cases since April 5. But government spokesman Ali Rabiei reported that 280 cities and towns had been declared low-risk white zones. He said that Khuzestan…
U.S. Issues Global Maritime Advisory
On May 14, the United States alerted the maritime industry to the deceptive shipping practices used by Iran, North Korea and Syria to evade sanctions. The joint advisory, issued by the State Department, the Treasury Department and the U.S. Coast Guard, also provided “best practices” for shippers…
Pompeo in Israel on Iran
On May 13, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that Iran would “foment terror” while the rest of the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic. Pompeo blasted the Islamic Republic during a visit to Jerusalem, his first trip abroad since he visited Afghanistan in March. “Even during this pandemic…
News Digest: Week of May 11
Updated: May 15, 2020
May 11
Health: Iran’s Ministry of Health reported 109,286 cases of COVID-19, including 6,685 deaths. Police had shut down 1,300 websites and arrested 320 people for spreading rumors about the coronavirus, according to state news agency IRNA.
Health/Aviation: IranAir, the country's flagship…
Part 2: Iran's Wish List of Weapons
Updated: October 21, 2020
The U.N. ban on conventional arms sales to Iran expired on October 18, 2020. It opened the way for Iran to import weapons – including battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, large caliber artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems and spare parts –…
Part 1: History of Arms Embargos on Iran
Updated: October 21, 2020
The international community has long been concerned about Iran’s military arsenal. Since the 1979 revolution, the United States and the United Nations have imposed several embargoes on Tehran’s purchase of conventional weapons. The last U.N. embargo on Iran’s purchase of conventional weapons was…
Iranian Warship Struck by Friendly Fire
Updated: May 15, 2020
On May 11, an Iranian warship mistakenly fired a missile at another Iranian naval vessel, killing at least 19 sailors and wounding 15 others. The accident took place during a military training exercise near the port of Jask in the Gulf of Oman.
The Jamaran, one of Iran’s most advanced…
Pompeo, Zarif on Two Years After JCPOA Pullout
Two years after the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo marked the anniversary by comparing the Islamic Republic to Nazi Germany and calling on the international community “stop the world’s leading state sponsor of anti-Semitism.” In a statement, Pompeo said…