March 18, 2020 – npr – Iran has released tens of thousands of prisoners because of the coronavirus outbreak. NPR’s Steve Inskeep talks to Babak Namazi, whose brother is still detained.
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Iran Releases 85,000 Prisoners But Not Siamak Namazi
Where Is Iran’s Supreme Leader?
Senior leaders are sick with the coronavirus.
MARCH 17, 2020-Atlantic – Last week, I proposed that Iran’s coronavirus problem is much greater than commonly acknowledged, and that the true number of cases is perhaps hundreds of times greater than the official number. More signs of uncontrolled infection have emerged, and I fear I was optimistic.
COVID-19: Iran warns that ‘millions’ could be killed
The death toll in Iran saw another 13% increase Tuesday.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | March 17, 2020- The Mercury News- By Nasser Karimi and John Gambrell | Associated Press
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran issued its most dire warning yet Tuesday about the new coronavirus ravaging the country, suggesting “millions” could die in the Islamic Republic if people keep traveling and ignore health guidance.
A state TV journalist who also is a medical doctor gave the warning only hours after hard-line Shiite faithful on Monday night pushed their way into the courtyards of two major shrines that were finally closed due to the virus. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a religious ruling prohibiting “unnecessary” travel.
The US Kills Iran’s Most Dangerous General – What Happens Now?
A Kashmiri Shiite muslim holds a picture of Iranian military General Qassem Soleimani as he marches
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Jan 3, 2020 – Forbes – Daniel Markind – General Qassem Soleimani, the Commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC), was killed by a United States drone strike this morning in Baghdad. Soleimani was the second most powerful man in Iran, behind only Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In some ways, he may have been the most powerful.
US denounces Iran rights abuses, imposes sanctions on judges
December 19, 2019 – Associated Press – By MATTHEW LEE
WASHINGTON — The United States is imposing sanction s on additional senior Iranian officials for human rights abuses as the Trump administration increases its “maximum pressure campaign” on the Tehran government.
UN says it has evidence that Iran was ‘shooting to kill’ protesters
Iranian protesters block a road during a demonstration against an increase in gasoline prices in the central city of Shiraz on November 16, 2019.
Iran says security forces may act against gas price protests 01:57
December 7, 2019 (CNN)The United Nations said Friday that it has video evidence appearing to show Iranian security forces “shooting to kill” protesters during Iran’s latest wave of demonstrations.
In a statement on Friday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said she was alarmed by “the continuing lack of transparency about casualties and the treatment of thousands of detainees” during the recent protests in Iran.
Could Iran’s Revolution Unravel Over a Four-Cent Price Hike?
Protests erupted throughout Iran in November, over an increase in gas prices, and the regime responded with deadly force. Photograph from Middle East Images / Redux
December 6, 2019 -The New Yorker – By Robin Wright
In mid-November, in a surprise overnight announcement, the revolutionary regime in Iran hiked the price of gasoline. By standards anywhere else in the world, it is still pitifully cheap. A litre of gas increased from eight cents to twelve cents—or to fifty cents per gallon—for the first fifteen gallons each month.
Voices from Iran: Protesters describe unrest and crackdown
A fire breaks out during a demonstration in Tehran against an increase in petrol prices © AFP via Getty Images
Details start to emerge as information blackout is finally lifted
Dec.06.2019 –FINANCIAL TIMES – Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran – Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found here.
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Iran’s Protests Are Not Just About Gas Prices
A protester in Shiraz, November 2019Middle East Images / Redux
Repression Won’t Solve the Deeper Problems Bringing Iranians to the Streets
December 5, 2019 -Foreign Affairs -By Mohammad Ali Kadivar, Saber Khani, and Abolfazl Sotoudeh
A wave of protest swept across Iran last week. The government had abruptly hiked gas prices in order to offset its budget deficit at a time of high inflation and negative economic growth. Angry protesters clashed with security forces, set government buildings and banks on fire, and blocked roads. The government responded with an iron fist, killing more than 200 protesters, arresting thousands, and shutting down the Internet across the country for about a week.
U.S. says Iranian forces may have killed more than 1,000 protesters
People walk near a bank in Tehran that was burned down during protests last month. (Wana News Agency/Via Reuters)
Dec. 5, 2019 – Washington Post – By Carol Morello and Missy Ryan A State Department official said Thursday that 1,000 or more protesters may have been killed during weeks of unrest in Iran and that the United States has received video that shows troops firing machine guns mounted on trucks at protesters in one incident.
