By Pooya Stone
On Wednesday morning, August 7, buyers of MG brand vehicles from the Azarbaijan Vehicle Industry Company (AZVICO) held a demonstration in front of Iran’s Judiciary building in Tehran.
Bahrain Suffers Cyber-Attacks by Iranian Hackers
By Jubin Katiraie
Iran has been responsible for a rise in tensions with the West, in particular with the United States and the United Kingdom. Iran seized, and is still detaining, the British-flagged Stena Impero vessel in Iran.
The Trump administration announced that it would be initiating a naval mission in the Gulf waters and in the Strait of Hormuz to safeguard commercial shipping. After some initial hesitation, the United Kingdom is joining the US in its efforts.
US and Saudi Arabia Discuss Maritime Security and Iran Belligerence
By Pooya Stone
It has been reported by the Trump administration that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with regards to the Iran situation, in particular the threat to maritime security in the Gulf.
They spoke on Wednesday and during their phone call they agreed that there is a need for “stronger maritime security” when it comes to the freedom of navigation amid the heightened tensions between Iran and the West.
US Issues Further Warning About Iran’s Belligerence in the Region
By Jubin Katiraie
The Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration in the United States has issued a warning about the threat Iran poses to commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and in particular in the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway that is crucial for a large portion of world commerce.
Iranian Teachers Continue to Protest
By Pooya Stone
Over the past few days, teachers across Iran have been holding protests and calling for the authorities to ensure that their most basic rights are recognised and so that they receive the salaries that they are due.
Earlier this year, a large number of working and retired teachers took to the streets. They protested about the poor working conditions that they are subjected to and they highlighted the poor levels of pay that they have access to.
Iran Executes Members of the Ahvazi Arab Community After Forcing Confessions
By Jubin Katiraie
It has been reported that the Iranian authorities have executed two members of the Ahvazi Arab community. State media has reported that the execution of Ghassem Abdullah and Abdullah Karmollah Chab took place in the Fajr Prison in the city of Dezful in southwest Iran on 4th July.
Owner of Detained British Vessel Expresses Concerns
By Pooya Stone
The owner of the British-flagged vessel that was seized by Iran has described Iran’s actions and continued detention as “unacceptable and unjustifiable”.
On Friday 19th July, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized Stena Impero, claiming initially that the British-flagged vessel had collided with a fishing boat. The IRGC took control of the boat and the 23 crew members that were on board and it remains in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.
Prison Authorities Beat Prisoners in Northwest Iran
By Jubin Katiraie
On Tuesday, August 6, three prisoners in the prison of Urmia, northwest of Iran, were severely beaten following a verbal dispute with one the prison wardens named Mobaseri. The prisoners were identified as political prisoner Zabihollah Rigi and two regular detainees named Hassan Deh-Mard and Mansoor Sediqi.
Iran Human Rights Situation Continues to Deteriorate – Rights Group
By Pooya Stone
In its latest report on the human rights situation in Iran, the Iran Human Rights Monitor organisation has noted a number of specific concerns.
There are of course the ongoing concerns such as the continued use of the death penalty, the torture and mistreatment of prisoners, the treatment of lawyers and human rights defenders, the inhumane treatment of prisoners such as the denial of medical treatment, the use of solitary confinement, and so on, and the lack of freedom regarding religion and faith. The organisation also draws attention to the continued discrimination of women and girls.
Iran: United Kingdom Joins US-Led Mission to Protect Interests in the Gulf
By Jubin Katiraie
Earlier this week, the British government said that it would be joining the naval security mission in the Strait of Hormuz that is being led by the United States.
Towards the end of last month, the United States military initiated efforts to protect commercial shipping interests against Iran in the Persian Gulf. Mark Esper, the US Secretary of Defense, said that the aim of the United States’ air and naval presence is to deter Iran from seizing or threatening to stop any American commercial ships.
