New York Times: Suffering in an economy dragged down by years of mismanagement and the effects of international sanctions, Iran’s increasingly impoverished middle class voted in huge numbers last summer for President Hassan Rouhani, who promised to reignite growth by restoring ties with the rest of the world.
In Iran, hopes fade for surge in the economy
Iranian opposition leader: Tehran regime is in ‘final stage’ of collapse
Ground Report: In her New Year message, Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the Iranian Resistance said the Persian year of 1393 will be a year of uprisings and a thousand Ashrafs. Last year, the mullahs wanted to destroy the Resistance of the Iranian people, but inevitably drank the chalice of poison of their demise.
Iran bought luxury cars with medical funds
Washington Times: The Iranian parliament’s recent investigation into a scheme to import luxury cars instead of medicine threatens to erode the credibility of a leading pro-Iran lobbying group that has long claimed that economic sanctions are preventing access to medicine in Iran.
Iran building mock-up of an American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
New York Times: ran is building a nonworking mock-up of an American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that United States officials say may be intended to be blown up for propaganda value.
Obama urges Iran to seize opportunity of nuclear talks
AFP: US President Barack Obama in an annual video message marking Nowruz, Iran’s new year celebrations on Thursday, called on the “entire” government in Tehran to seize on nuclear talks with world powers to end Iran’s economic isolation.
Six powers must heed warnings of new UN reports on Iran rights violations
UN Watch: As the EU’s Catherine Ashton concluded what she called “substantive and useful” nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna, world powers need to pay attention to two new UN reports on Iran that document worsening human rights violations, says Geneva-based human rights group UN Watch.
Russia warns West it may change its stance on Iran
AP: Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, according to the Interfax news agency, that Russia didn’t want to use the Iranian nuclear talks to “raise the stakes,” but may have to do so in response to the actions by the United States and the European Union.
Iran fire festival marks end of winter
AP: Iranians jumped over bonfires, threw firecrackers and floated wishing lanterns to celebrate an ancient festival marking the end of the Persian year, ignoring calls by many Islamic clerics to shun a ritual that has officially been denounced as pagan.
US Congress to Obama: Stand tough on Iran
AFP: An overwhelming majority of US lawmakers Tuesday demanded President Barack Obama hold the line on Iran, as a permanent agreement regarding the Islamic republic’s contested nuclear program is under negotiation in Vienna.
Over 2.5 million people from 18 Arab countries condemn Tehran’s meddling in their affairs
PR Newswire: Over 2.5 million citizens from 18 Arab countries signed statements calling for the safety and security of Iranian dissidents in Iraq. The signatories of this statement also strongly condemned Tehran’s meddling in Arab countries’ affairs that have continued non-stop under Rouhani’s presidency.
