Category: News & Analysis

Vast majority of Iranians want a secular government, poll reveals

Story by Melanie Swan Iran begins first election campaign since 2022 mass protests An Iranian government secret opinion poll has revealed that 73 per cent of those participated said they support secularism Almost three-quarters of Iranians want a secular government […]

Iran marks the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution as tensions grip the wider Middle East

Iran marked Sunday the 45th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution amid tensions gripping the wider Middle East over Israel’s continued war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Thousands of Iranians marched through major streets and squares decorated with flags, balloons and banners with […]

Avoid Iran, Sweden warns, as two nationals now held

Sweden has urged all its citizens not to travel to Iran, where a second Swedish national was recently arrested, in addition to the detained diplomat Johan Floderus. “In view of the security situation, the [Swedish] ministry for foreign affairs advises […]

Dozens killed in blaze at drug rehab centre in Iran

Investigation under way after 32 people reported to have died in fire in Langarud, north of Tehran Local media in Iran say 32 people have died in a fire at a drug rehabilitation centre in the north of the country, up from […]

Iran sentences 2 journalists for reporting Mahsa Amini’s death in “morality police” custody

Story by Via AP news wire A court in Iran sentenced two female journalists to up to seven years in prison for “collaborating” with the United States government among other charges, local reports said. Both have been imprisoned for over a year following their […]

Iranian dissident Taghi Rahmani: ‘Narges Mohammadi receiving the Nobel Peace Prize is a setback for the Iranian regime’

The husband of the activist who won the Nobel Prize argues that this award boosts the struggle of the Iranian women who participated in protests against the Islamic Republic TRINIDAD DEIROS BRONTE Iranian Narges Mohammadi, 51, who won the Nobel Peace […]

The Iranian women paying price for reporting on Mahsa Amini

Iranian authorities have since the death of Mahsa Amini systematically persecuted the journalists, often young women, who helped expose the case and magnify its resonance in and outside Iran, campaign groups say. Amini, 22, an Iranian of Kurdish origin, died […]

Sanctions Against Iran Have Made the Country’s Rich Richer and Its Poor Poorer

BYESFANDYAR BATMANGHELIDJ ZEP KALB Iran has been subjected to extensive sanctions for the better part of the last decade. The sanctions were meant to target the country’s elite; instead, they have hurt the poor most and enabled the richest households to […]

Iran protests, death of Mahsa Amini: NZ MPs confront Iranian ambassador Reza Nazar Ahari in fiery meeting

Iranian-born MP Golriz Ghahraman confronted the Iranian ambassador with images of Mahsa Amini and protesters killed since her death in an at times heated meeting at Parliament about the Islamic Republic’s response to the protests and executions that have drawn […]

Iran proposes new hijab law ahead of Mahsa Amini protests anniversary

Draft law sets out range of proposals such as longer prison terms, AI surveillance and crackdown for hijab violation Authorities in Iran are considering a new harsh law forcing hijab-wearing, which experts fear would enshrine unprecedentedly extreme punitive measures into […]