Meeting of nations that celebrate Nowruz in Tehran

Washington, 26 August (IranVNC)—The second three-day meeting of nations that celebrate the Nowruz holiday began on Monday in Tehran.

Iran again warns its missiles are capable of hitting Israel

Washington, 27 August (IranVNC)—The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps [IRGC], Mohammad Ali Jafari, warned Israel today that Iranian missiles and Iran’s allies in the region would strike the Jewish state if Iran was attacked.

Grand Ayatollah slams Ahmadinejad performance

Washington, 27 August (IranVNC)—Grand Ayatollah Asadollah Bayat-Zanjani, considered a source of emulation by Shiite Muslims, has criticized the performance of Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and called on those who criticize Ahmadinejad’s government to unite ahead of next year’s presidential elections.

Iran overestimates Central Bank’s account by $125 billion

Washington, 27 August (IranVNC)—The head of Iran’s Central Bank yesterday said that the Iranian government overestimated the amount of capital that state-run banks had to offer in services, such as loans and mortgages, by 120 trillion tomans [about 125 billion dollars].

Iran launches new submarine line, appoints military chiefs

Washington, 25 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s military officials announced yesterday that that the Islamic Republic had launched production of a new line of semi-heavy submarines, named “Qaem”, in order to “maintain security in the Strait of Hormoz” in the Persian Gulf.

Landmine kills two children, wounds five individuals

Washington, 25 August (IranVNC)—A landmine explosion in the western Iranian town of Sar-Pol Zahab, located near Iran’s border with Iraq, killed two children and wounded five other people, Jomhoury-e Eslami Newpaper reported yesterday.

Iran ministry refuses performance license to music group

Washington, 25 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Kamkar music group, among that country’s most famous ensembles, who perform traditional music dressed in traditional Kurdish Garb, announced yesterday that Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has so far refused to issue a license to the group for a planned concert in the southern city of Shiraz.

Juvenile offender hanged in Iran

Washington, 26 August (IranVNC)—Iran executed this morning 18-year-old Behnam Zare, a juvenile offender who was convicted of murdering his friend at the age of 15, the Human Rights Activists in Iran website reports.

Young girl in Iran dies from cholera

Washington, 26 August (IranVNC)—A nine-year-old Afghan girl afflicted with cholera died this morning in a hospital in southwestern Tehran, hours before the head of an Iranian health organization called on officials from Iran’s health ministry to be more diligent in combating the disease in the capital city.

Number of drug addicts in Iran 1.2 million – police chief

Washington, 26 August (IranVNC)—Iran is home to approximately 1.2 million drug addicts, nearly half of whom have undergone treatment programs, the head of Iran’s police, Commander Isma’il Ahmadi Moqaddem, said today.

Fire in Iran’s largest natural park continues

Washington, 24 August (IranVNC)—The second fire in Golestan Forest in northern Iran, which began on Saturday continued today. Environmental officials in Iran said the condition of Golestan National Park, the largest natural park in Iran, was “critical”.

Two students sentenced to jail, three others arrested

Washington, August 24 (IranVNC)—Two university students, Sabbah Nasri and Hedayat Ghazali, today were sentenced to two years imprisonment for “unlawful assembly” and participation in student protests, Kargozaran Newspaper reports.

Kurdish political prisoners to start hunger strike

Washington, 24 August (IranVNC)—In a communiqué that was published on Sunday, thirteen Kurdish political prisoners in Iran’s prisons said that they would begin a hunger strike on Monday in order to obtain their demands.

Court upholds 4-year jail ruling for women’s rights activist

Washington, 24 August (IranVNC)—An appeals court today upheld a ruling sentencing to four years in prison a women’s rights activist in the predominantly Kurdish city of Mahabad in Iran’s West Azarbayjan Province.

Iran bans sale of greens and salads in Qom and Karaj

Washington, August 24 (IranVNC)—Iran’s health authorities announced today that in order to prevent the spread of cholera, the selling of greens and salads has been banned in the cities of Qom and Karaj.

Iran hangs Tabriz man after 19 years in jail

Washington, 25 August (IranVNC)—A man convicted of the rape and murder of his sister-in-law 19 years ago was hanged today in prison in Iran’s northwestern city of Tabriz, the conservative E'temaad daily reports.

Iran offers contracts to develop Caspian Sea oil fields

Washington, 25 August (IranVNC)—The Iranian government is for the first time considering offering production sharing contracts to develop its Caspian Sea oilfields, in an effort to attract foreign investors, a report from the National Iranian Oil Company [NIOC] said today, according to PressTV.

Lawyer of juvenile offender asks Judiciary to stop execution

Washington, 25 August (IranVNC)—The lawyer of a 27-year-old juvenile offender on death row near the central city of Esfahan has asked Iran’s Judiciary to call off his client’s execution, saying his he was not mentally stable when he committed the crime ten years ago.

Iran military official: Potential conflict with US “natural”

Washington, 25 August (IranVNC)—The deputy head of Iran’s Armed Forces Central Command, General Mohammad-Baqer Zolqadr yesterday said that regional powers were incapable of confronting Iran militarily, adding it was “natural” that Iran could face a future conflict only with a global power such as the United States.

Iran says it will launch telecommunications satellite “very soon”

Washington, 24 August (IranVNC)—Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced yesterday that Iran will send a telecommunications satellite into space “very soon” using missile technology that the West fears will be used to launch nuclear weapons.

Iran: preliminary work underway for new nuclear power plant

Washington, 24 August (IranVNC)—Iran said today that it has selected the site and started preliminary design work on a new nuclear power plant in the country’s southwest, the official IRNA news agency reports.

Iran's Supreme Leader voices support for Ahmadinejad’s second term

Washington, 24 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei suggested indirectly yesterday that he would support a second term for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during a meeting between the two and the president’s cabinet.

Iran’s police confiscate “narcotics-carrying goats” – report

Washington, 21 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s law enforcement officer in charge of combating narcotics said yesterday that Iranian police had confiscated 39 goats carrying roughly 94 kilograms of narcotics.

Rafsanjani calls for return to knowledge-based leadership

Washington, 22 August (IranVNC)—In today’s Friday Prayer sermon at the University of Tehran, Ayatollah Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani called for a return to sound planning in Iran’s infrastructure to deal with its on-going structural and infrastructural shortcomings, saying that such plans cannot be made on a “day-to-day basis”.

Iran’s Bank Mellat says it is skirting US bank sanctions

Washington, 22 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s third-largest state-owned bank, Bank Mellat, is working more closely with small- and medium-size banks that have less exposure in order to get around US economic sanctions, the bank’s managing director told the Financial Times in a report published today.

Freedom Movement Party questions Iran president’s credentials

Washington, 22 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s religious-nationalist Freedom Movement Party [Nehzat-e Azadi – a liberal-described party] yesterday, in a letter to the speaker of the eighth Majlis [parliament], requested that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s “lack of qualification” be reviewed by the Majlis.

Iranian taekwondo player wins gold medal

Washington, 22 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Hadi Saei earned Iran’s first gold medal in the 2008 Olympic games by defeating Italy’s Mauro Sarmiento in the men’s 80-kg class Taekwondo competition. The win is Saei’s second Olympic gold medal, as he won the 68-kg class in Taekwondo at Athens in 2004.

Russia: Iran nuclear issue “difficult and complicated”

Washington, 22 August (IranVNC)—The situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program is “difficult and complicated”, but Iran is still not cooperating as it should with the international community, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview published today in al-Hayat daily.

Iran imposes travel ban on actress over Hollywood role

Washington, 20 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s government has banned an actress from leaving the country for playing a role in a Hollywood movie without seeking permission from Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported yesterday.

Iran’s traffic police chief gives automakers an ultimatum

Washington, 20 August (IranVNC)—The head of Iran’s traffic police, Mohammad Royanian, has said that he considers the low safety standards of some automobiles a factor in the high number of car accidents in that country. In an unprecedented move, he accused domestic auto manufacturers of neglecting safety standards in their products without naming them.

Iran minister calls for gender segregated universities

Washington, 20 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s minister of science, research and innovation on Wednesday emphasized again that it is necessary to implement a plan to segregate universities by gender, calling it “a common request among female university students.”

Iran to send astronaut to space in 10 years

Washington, 20 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s space agency officials announced today that Iran plans to send an astronaut into space within the next 10 years.

Security forces detain two more Tabriz University students

Washington, 21 August (IranVNC)—Yesterday morning, two students activists of Tabriz University [northwestern Iran] were detained following a raid on their houses by security forces a week earlier, when some of their personal belongings were confiscated.

Iran wins bronze medal at Olympics

Washington, 19 August (IranVNC)–Iran clinched its first medal at the 2008 Olympics Games in Beijing today, when Morad Mohammadi came in third place on the first day of the freestyle wrestling competition.

Judiciary warns students over “creating political crisis”

Washington, 19 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Prosecutor-General today warned Iran’s university students against “creating political criss” and threatened that those who do not comply would be confronted by the Judiciary.

Iran “not surprised” by US reaction to rocket launch

Washington, 20 August (IranVNC)—Iran said today that it was not surprised by the US reaction to its test of a rocket capable of carrying a satellite, which a US Defense official yesterday called a “dramatic failure”.

Iran: IAEA talks “constructive”

Washington, 20 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA], Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said today that talks with the deputy head of the IAEA, Ollie Heinonen, during his visit in Tehran had been constructive.

Two drug traffickers hanged in Tehran prison

Washington, 20 August (IranVNC)—Two convicted drug traffickers were hanged in the Qezel Hesar prison in Tehran yesterday, the latest in a wave of executions in Iran, the state-run Iran Newspaper reports.

Iranian senior clerics attack minister for comments on Israel

Washington, 20 August (IranVNC)—Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Nuri-Hamadani, one of Iran’s senior clergymen, who is a Source of Emulation [Persian: marja’-e taqlid], said today that Vice-President Rahim Mashaei, who said recently that Iran was a friend of “the people of Israel and America” was not “worthy” of holding a governmental post.

Iran oil revenue for last year was 81 billion dollars

Washington, 18 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Central Bank announced on Monday that Iran’s oil revenue last year was 81 billion dollars, and that Iran imported more than 56 billion dollars in goods.

Judiciary says Education Ministry to decide on Kordan credentials

Juvenile offender executed in Iran

Washington, 19 August (IranVNC)—Reza Hejazi was executed today in Iran’s central city of Esfahan, hours after it was announced that the 20-year-old’s execution had been postponed.

Iran’s Grand Ayatollah condemns VP Mashaei’s Israel remarks

Washington, 19 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi, considered a leading spiritual guide by Shiite Muslims, said yesterday that Israel and its people were opposed to Islam and Muslims.

Iran firms to designate eight new nuclear sites

Washington, 19 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) signed contracts with six Iranian companies today, giving them 13 months to find suitable locations for the construction of future nuclear plants, the official IRNA news agency reports.

Iran sentences juvenile offender to death

Washington, 19 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Judiciary approved the death sentence for a juvenile offender who was convicted for a murder he allegedly committed while under the age of 18, Kargozaran Newspaper reports today.

IAEA number two in Iran for nuclear talks

Washington, 18 August (IranVNC)—International Atomic Energy Agnecy Deputy Director Ollie Heinonen arrived in Tehran today for a second round of talks with Iranian officials, his second visit to Iran this month, the official IRNA news agency reports.

Four die of cholera in Iran – Health Ministry

Washington, 18 August (IranVNC)—Iranian health officials announced yesterday that four individuals have died of cholera in Iran, and that there have been 73 recognized cases of cholera in the country.

Student on death row hospitalized

Washington, 18 August (IranVNC)—Habibollah Latifi, a Kurdish student at the University of Ilam who has been sentenced to death, was transferred from the central prison in Sanandaj to Towhid Hospital in the same northwestern city, the Human Rights Activists in Iran [HRAI] website reports.

Juvenile offender awaits execution in Iran’s Kurdistan Province

Washington, 18 August (IranVNC)—The death sentence against a Kurdish-Iranian youth, who was 17 when he was convicted of murder, today was upheld by Iran’s court of appeals. He awaits imminent execution in a prison in Mahabad in Iran’s Kurdistan Province.

Iran tries to lure German firms with “guarantees”

Washington, 18 August (IranVNC)—In an effort to compensate for capital flight from Iran over its controversial nuclear program, Iran’s government is offering German firms “guarantees” on their investments.

GCC states denounce Iran over offices on disputed island

Washington, 18 August (IranVNC)— Persian Gulf states criticized Iran on Saturday for establishing two maritime offices on the contested island of Abu Musa, two days after the United Arab Emirates [UAE] protested against the move.

Iran says launches satellite carrier into space

Washington, 17 August (IranVNC)—Iran today launched a rocket capable of carrying a satellite into space, Iranian media report.

Armed clashes leave four dead

Washington, 14 August (IranVNC)—Iranian government sources announced today that three members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran [KDPI], which is outlawed in Iran, and one Iranian border guard were killed in an armed clash near the northwest borders of Iran.

“Cell phone Police” crack down on users

Washington, 14 August (IranVNC)—Iranian security agents have been assigned to vet mobile phones in use by people in public places and on streets to make sure they are not being used for “immoral purposes,” according to Iranian press reports.

Davoud Ahmadinejad’s departure confirmed as resignation

Washington, 14 August (IranVNC)—Davoud Ahmadinejad’s departure from the post of Special Inspector to the President of the Islamic Republic, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was confirmed today by his replacement, Abdolreza Sheikholeslam, the president’s Chief of Staff.

Iran’s youth unemployment rates according to economic website

Washington, 15 August (IranVNC) — According to the website Sarmayeh [The Capital], Iran’s overall unemployment rate is 9.6 percent, but this number is double among the young population.

Iran court sentences woman to lashing for adultery

Washington, 15 (IranVNC)—An appeals court in Iran found a woman guilty of adultery and sentenced her to 100 lashes, the human rights group Amnesty International reports.

Friday prayer leader rails against Israel's “ineffective threats”

Washington, 15 August (IranVNC)—Tehran’s provisional Friday prayer leader warned today that Iran had grown accustomed to Israel's “old and ineffective” threats and that Israelis would have to contend with the psychological consequences of any conflict with Iran.

Iran bans weekly Hamshahri-ye Javan

Washington, 13 August (IranVNC)—Hamshahri-ye Javan [The Young Citizen], the weekly supplemental to the conservative Hamshahri Newspaper, was banned today on charges of “publishing unethical items” after it printed a report entitled, “Love and adolescents: Self-interest in new loves”.

University official fired over sexual harassment row

Washington, 13 August (IranVNC)—Hasan Madadi, the former cultural deputy for student affairs at Zanjan University, was formally fired from his position today by a special university prosecutor.

Three juvenile offenders in Iran face imminent execution

Washington, 14 August (IranVNC)—Three juvenile offenders in Iran are facing imminent execution, the Human Rights Activists in Iran website reports today. All three of the young men are being held in Rajai Prison in the northern city of Karaj.

Iran hangs man in southeastern Zahedan

Washington, 14 August (IranVNC)—Iran today hanged a man convicted of rape in the southeastern province of Sistan-va-Baluchistan, the Fars News Agency reported.

Ahmadinejad's new verbal attack on Israel

Washington, 14 August (IranVNC) – Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinjead unleashed a new verbal attack on Israel on Wednesday, before his two-day visit to Turkey – a close ally of Israel.

One student arrested, another summoned to court in Iran

Washington, 14 August (IranVNC)—Amir Mardani, a student activist and a senior mechanical engineering student at Tabriz University, was arrested yesterday, the Advar News website reports.

University student sentenced to death in northwestern Iran

Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—Iran has sentenced to death 26-year-old Habib-Allah Latifi, a student at the University of Ilam, for “support of anti-Islamic Republic combatant groups”, Latifi’s lawyer was informed today.

Another member of Zanjan U. student association arrested

Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—Surena Hashemi, a student activist and member of Zanjan University’s Islamic Students Association, was summoned to appear before a court yesterday and arrested on the charge of “disturbing public opinion.”

Seminary student jailed for marching in protest

Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—A special court for clergy today sentenced Alireza Jahanshahi, a seminary student, to 23 months and 15 days in prison, 30,000 Tomans fine [approximately $32], and three years exile from his birthplace, the central Iranian town of Sirjan, on charges of “disrupting public opinion”, the semi-official Fars News Agency reports.

Iran presidential advisor defends polygamy as “divine law”

Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s presidential advisor for women’s affairs, Ms. Zohreh Tabibzadeh-Nuri, has described polygamy as a “divine law” and criticized institutions and individuals who have opposed a new family protection bill, which facilitates plural marriages.

Iran blocks Alef news site over revelations about new minister

Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s special prosecutor for government employees today blocked the news website Alef, close to the so-called pro-change principle-ist [Osulgarayan-e Tahavol-khah] faction of Iran’s Majlis [parliament] without giving a specific reason.

Ahmadinejad says West has “backed down” on nuclear dossier

Washington, 13 August (IranVNC)—Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today that Western powers have backed down on their earlier stance on Iran’s nuclear program, as they are now demanding only a freeze to the installation of new uranium enriching centrifuges.

Majlis deputies call on president to “confront” vice president

Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—Iranian Vice President for Cultural Heritage and Tourism Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei will attend a special Majlis [parliament] session tomorrow to reply to “questions, ambiguities and criticism” on recent comments he made, the semi-official ISNA news agency reports.

National Geographic magazine “proud” of Iran story

Washington, 13 August (IranVNC)—The National Geographic magazine is “proud” of a story on Iran that it published on the cover of its August issue, and does not know why the Islamic Republic banned its import into Iran.

Dismissal or resignation of Ahmadinejad’s brother as his inspector

Washington, 13 August (IranVNC) — Davoud Ahmadinejad, the brother of Iran’s president, and the special inspector of the office of the presidency, was replaced today with Abolreza Sheikholeslam, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s chief of staff.

Women’s groups call for action against pending family law

Washington, 11 August (IranVNC)—In a statement published yesterday, several of Iran’s women’s rights organizations called on other organizations and notable personalities to “join a coalition to stop the Majlis [parliament] from passing a new family protection law” which the statement calls an “anti-family law.”

Majlis to investigate doctorate degree claim by new minister

Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Majlis [parliament] speaker, Ali Larijani, today in an official ruling, ordered the Majlis Education and Research Commission to examine the academic credentials of the newly-appointed Interior Minister, and to report back to the Majlis.

Iran’s Health Ministry: 35 confirmed cholera cases

Washington, 11 August (IranVNC)—Health officials in Iran confirmed today a recurrence of cholera in Iran, and announced that 35 cases of cholera have been identified until now.

Iran executes four men in Sistan-va-Baluchistan Province

Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reports today that Iran hanged four men in Zahedan prison in the country’s southeastern province of Sistan-va-Baluchistan, contradicting an earlier report by state-run television that ONLY three men were executed.

Iran’s Khamenei says sanctions “benefit” Iran

Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—Days after Western countries announced plans to seek further sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today said that sanctions and threats against Tehran would eventually “benefit” the Islamic Republic.

Former President Rafsanjani criticizes state economic policies

Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—The head of Iran’s top arbitration body, the Expediency Council, Ayatollah Akbar Rafsanjani, yesterday criticized the economic policies of the country’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, likening the government to a “big employer” that has failed to carry out planned privatization programs.

Majlis to question Vice President

Washington, 12 August (IranVNC)—Iranian Vice President for Cultural Heritage and Tourism Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei will attend a special Majlis [parliament] session tomorrow to reply to “questions, ambiguities and criticism” on recent comments he made, the semi-official ISNA news agency reports.

Iran accuses “some Western embassies” of wiretapping

Washington, 10 June (IranVNC)—Iran’s Minister of Intelligence Gholm-Hossein Mohseni-Ejeie yesterday accused “some Western embassies” in Tehran of attempting to eavesdrop on the phone conversations of Iranian officials. Ejeie, who did not name any of the embassies, said Iran’s security police had neutralized these efforts.

Iran’s Central Bank examines reforming currency

Washington, 10 August (IranVNC)—The head of Iran’s Central Bank, Tahmasb Mazaheri yesterday announced that his government is considering a plan to change Iran’s monetary denominations to combat high inflation, which the Central Bank has put at 21.5% annually.

Iranian-Arab writer sentenced to five years in prison

Washington, 10 August (IranVNC)—Yousef Bani-Taraf, an Iranian writer who has published more than 20 works in Persian and Arabic, was sentenced to five years in prison yesterday on charges of “colluding to disrupt national security”, the semi-official ISNA news agency reports.

Four workers sentenced to lashes, jail for May Day events

Washington, 10 August (IranVNC)—A court in the predominantly Kurdish city of Sanandaj in Western Iran yesterday convicted four labor activists of “disrupting public order” and sentenced them to lashes and prison for participating in May Day rallies.

Former Majlis deputy barred from leaving Iran

Washington, 10 August (IranVNC)—A former Majlis [parliament] deputy and member of Alumni Association of Iran’s largest student organization, The Office for Fostering Unity [Advar Tahkim-e Vahdat] Ali-Akbar Mousavi Khoeini was prevented from leaving the country last Thursday and his passport was confiscated by authorities, Amir Kabir University of Tehran’s student newsletter [AutNews] reported today.

IranAir grounds 48 domestic flights due to technical difficulties

Washington, 10 August (IranVNC)—Iran Airtour, a subsidiary of Iran’s national airline, announced yesterday that it has grounded 48 domestic flights due to technical difficulties, the head of Iran’s Civil Air organization said yesterday.

Iran’s Lake Orumiyeh risks “disappearing” – Majlis deputy

Washington, 10 August (IranVNC)—Javad Jahangirzadeh, the Majlis [parliament] representative of the city of Orumiyeh – the capital city of Iran’s West Azarbayjan Province – today presented a report on Lake Orumiyeh in which he warned that it was in the process of disappearing.

Iran to establish girls’ only universities

Washington, 10 August (IranVNC)—Dr. Mehdi Zahedi, Iran’s Minister of Science and Higher Education, announced in an interview to Mehr News Agency today that the Iranian government supports the establishment of women’s universities throughout the country.

Iran hangs three in southeastern city of Zahedan

Washington, 11 August (IranVNC)—Iran hanged three alleged drug traffickers in the southeastern city of Zahedan, the state-run IRIB television’s website reports. According to an AFP count, today’s hangings bring the total number of those executed in Iran to 166 this year.

“No record” of Iran minister’s Oxford degree

Washington, 11 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s newly-appointed interior minister, Ali Kordan, never received a degree from Oxford University, the university told IranVNC today.

Ahmadinejad: Iran will press on with nuclear program

Washington, 11 August (IranVNC)—Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today that his country would continue on its nuclear path, despite calls by Western powers for tighter sanctions against Tehran.

Iranian media threatened over new minister’s disputed qualifications

Washington, 10 August (IranVNC)—The Interior Ministry of the Islamic Republic of Iran has confirmed that Ali Kordan, the new interior minister of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government, does possess evidence proving that he has an honourary doctorate, and the ministry has threatened to prosecute any Iranian media expressing doubts about this issue.

Four sentenced to death in Iran say confession was forced

Washington, 10 August (IranVNC)—Four men sentenced to death in northwestern Iran’s East Azarbayjan Province, including a 17-year-old, say their confessions were forced following days of detainment, the Etemad Melli Newspaper reported yesterday.

Iran Court upholds 8-year jail ruling for political activist

Washington, 8 August (IranVNC)—An Iranian appeals court today upheld a ruling sentencing political activist, Abbas Khorsandi, to eight years in prison.

Installation of 400 cameras in crime infected areas of Tehran

Washington, 7 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s police announced today that the installation of 400 cameras in crime infested areas of Tehran began.

Iran HIV organization receives UN special recognition

Washington, 8 August (IranVNC)—An Iranian organization in the northeastern city of Mashhad was one among five community organizations world-wide selected for recognition yesterday at the 17th International AIDS Conference of the United Nations in Mexico City.

Student arrests at Zanjan University continue

Washington, 8 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Security Forces on Wednesday arrested the Secretary of the Islamic Students’ Association of Zanjan University, Bahram Vahedi, at his residence in Tabriz.

Concert of Iranian-American female guitarist cancelled

Washington, 6 August (IranVNC)—The general manager of Kerman Province’s Office of Islamic Guidance cancelled today the permission for the concert of female Iranian-American guitarist, Lili Afshari’s, which was scheduled to take place next week.

Lawyers of political detainees, dervishes, subpoenaed

Washington, 6 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Judiciary today arrested Farshid Yadollahi and Omid Behrouzi, two defense attorneys for Gonabadi dervishes, along with a number of their clients, and moved them to Shiraz’s Adel-Abad Prison.

No honorary doctorate given to new minister – Oxford U.

Washington, 7 August (IranVNC)—Oxford University yesterday rejected the claim of Iran’s newly confirmed Minister, Ali Kordan, that it had granted him an Honorary Doctorate from the Law Faculty of that academic institution.

Larijani: U.S. office in Tehran “sly effort”

Washington, August 7, (IranVNC)—Iran’s Majlis [parliament] Speaker Ali Larijani warned yesterday that Iran faces internal and external “soft, hard and cultural threats,” the semi-official ISNA news agency reports.

Journalist’s day marked in Iran today

Washington, 7 August (IranVNC)—As Iranian media marked Journalist’s Day today, a new civil rights campaign, “STOP!” was started yesterday in order to bring to a halt the execution of more journalists and civil rights activists, particularly those of ethnic Kurdish and Baluch origins.

Iran hangs three in central city of Qom

Washington, 7 August (IranVNC)—Iran hanged three men today in the central city of Qom, the conservative Kayhan Newspaper reports, bringing the number of executions in that country to at least 190, according to an Amnesty International count.

Sunni rebel leader seeks dialogue with Iran government

Washington, 7 August (IranVNC)—The leader of a Sunni Muslim rebel group, Jondollah, which is responsible for several attacks in Iran’s southwestern region, said today his groups is willing to negotiate with the government and give up its weapons in order to become a legitimate political party.

Editor of reformist paper resigns over colleagues' “mistakes”

Washington, 7 August (IranVNC)—The editor-in-chief of Iran’s reformist E’temad-e Melli newspaper has announced that he plans to resign over “mistakes” made by his colleagues, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported yesterday.

Ebadi denies report that daughter converted to Baha’i faith

Washington, 7 August (IranVNC)—Nobel prize laureate Shirin Ebadi today denied an earlier report that her daughter had converted from Islam to the outlawed Baha’i Faith last year, saying the accusation was a result of Ebadi’s defense work with Baha’is.

Two political activists to be executed

Washington, 5 August (IranVNC)—The warrants for the execution of two convicts in the predominantly Kurdish city of Sanandaj in western Iran today were issued and confirmed.

Author and poet arrested in Orumiyeh in Iran

Washington, 5 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Judiciary sentenced today Ebrahim Rashidi, an Azari author, poet and engineer to five months imprisonment and moved him to the Orumiyeh Prison.

Human rights defender arrested in Iran - website

Washington, August 6 (IranVNC)—Mohammad Mehdi Habibi, a member of the group, Human Rights Activists in Iran, and a student activist at Isfahan’s Mohajer College, was arrested at his residence earlier today, the group reports on its website.

Iran halts death by stoning sentences

Washington, 5 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Judiciary Spokesperson Ali Reza Jamshidi announced today that the Islamic Republic would place a moratorium on death by stoning sentences, pending a review of individual cases.

Iran delivers letter, but no response to 5+1 demands

Washington, 5 August (IranVNC)—Iranian officials say Tehran has delivered a message to EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana. But they say that the message was not a response to a P5+1 “freeze-for-freeze” offer.

Iran to offer ten oil and gas projects for international bidding

Washington, 4 August (IranVNC)—National Iranian Oil Company, NIOC, announced today that it will put ten projects up for bids by late March of 2009.

Mottaki backs Sudan president against ICC genocide charges

Washington, 4 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki today again protested the request by the International Criminal Court [ICC] to issue a warrant for the arrest of Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir.

People’s protest stops public lashing in Iran

Washington, 4 August (IranVNC)—Residents of Anar, in Iran’s southeastern Kerman Province, forced security forces to stop carrying out a public lashing of two offenders midway through.

Majlis approves appointment of three new ministers

Washington, 5 August (IranVNC)—Iran’s parliament [Majlis] today approved all three ministerial candidates nominated by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Prison sentence for pro-Ahmadinejad website manager

Washington, 3 August (IranVNC)–The former manager of a conservative news website that belongs to Fatemeh Rajabi, the wife of Government Spokesperson Gholam-Hossein Elham, has been arrested and sentenced to three months and one day imprisonment.

Arrest warrant for the secretary of Iran’s Freedom Movement Party

Washington, 3 August (IranVNC)–An arrest warrant has been issued for Dr. Ebrahim Yazdi, the Secretary-General of Iran’s Freedom Movement Party [Nehzat-e Azadi-ye Iran].

Revolution Court tries four women’s rights defenders

Washington, 3 August (IranVNC)—Tehran’s Revolution Court convened its first session in the trial of Parvin Ardalan, Jelveh Javaheri, Maryam Hosseinkhah and Nahid Keshavarz on Saturday. The four women’s rights defenders and member of the One Million Signatures Campaign for gender equality are charged with “acts against national security” through conducting a propaganda campaign against the Islamic Republic’s system.

Court sentences key member of student association to prison

Washington, 3 August (IranVNC)—Branch 28 of Iran’s Revolution Court has sentenced Ali Azizi, a member of the central committee of the Office for Fostering Unity—Iran’s largest student association—to three years in Prison, Amir Kabir University newsletter, Autnews, reported yesterday.

Iran hails successful test of “incomparable” naval weapon

Washington, 4 August (IranVNC)—The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps [IRGC], Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said today that Iran has successfully tested a new, Iranian-made naval weapon with a range of over 300 kilometers.

Iran to begin fingerprinting US, British, French visitors

Washington, 4 August (IranVNC)—Iran this week will begin fingerprinting American, French and some British visitors as they enter the country through Tehran’s international Khomeini Airport, in a move of “reciprocation”.

Iran IRGC commander calls for greater Basij freedom

Washington, 4 August (IranVNC)—The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps [IRGC], Brigadier-General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said today that the Basij voluntary force should have even greater freedom of activities on Iran’s campuses.

Two executed in Iran’s Sistan-va-Baluchistan Province – report

Washington, 4 August (IranVNC)—The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran [ICHRI] reports today that 28-year-old social activist Yaghoub Mehrnehad was executed in the southeastern city of Zahedan. Another individual, Abdolnasser Taheri-Sadr, was also hanged today in the same city, reports the Tabnak News website.

AIDS researchers accused of trying to overthrow government

Student leaders accused of ties with groups abroad

Washington, 3 August (IranVNC) – Judge Hassan Haddad, Security Affairs Deputy Prosecutor for the General and Revolution Court of Tehran, accused two arrested members of Iran’s biggest student association, Office for Fostering Unity [Tahkim-e Vahdat], Mohammad Hashemi and Bahareh Hedayat, of having ties with anti-revolution groups abroad.

Reporters Without Borders slams Iran for media censorship

Washington, 1 August (IranVNC)—The Paris-based press freedom group, Reporters Without Borders [RSF], has condemned Iran for the recent sentencing to jail of an online journalist as well as the closure of the conservative Entekhab news website, which it says is part of a trend of mounting censorship in the run-up to Iran’s 2009 presidential elections.

Rights group protests wave of student arrests

Washington, 1 August (IranVNC)—The Iran-based rights group, Society for Defending Prisoner Rights [SDPR], protested the recent wave of arrests of university students and activists in Iran in a statement released yesterday.

Iran prayer leaders praise mass executions

Washington, 1 August (IranVNC)—Following international outrage at Iran’s mass execution of 29 prisoners at Tehran’s Evin Prison earlier this week, Tehran’s provisional Friday prayer leader, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, today called the move “a very good” one during his Friday sermon at Tehran University.

Mottaki dismisses two-week Geneva deadline

Washington, 31 July (IranVNC)—Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said today that no deadline was set by major powers during talks earlier this month in Geneva for Iran to respond to an incentives proposal for suspension of uranium enrichment.

Muslim American band’s concert cancelled hours before show

Washington, 30 July (IranVNC)—Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance today revoked the permit for the Muslim American musical group, Debu, two hours before their concert was scheduled to begin.

Syrian, Algerian presidents to meet Ahmadinejad

Washington, 30 July (IranVNC)—Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will travel to Tehran next week to meet with his Iranian counterpart, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the semi-official Fars News Agency reports today.

Iran arrests 16 Christian converts

Washington, 30 July (IranVNC)—The Christian Persian-language News Network yesterday reported that Iran’s security forces on 26 July arrested 16 Iranian Christians who had converted from Islam, in Malekshahr, on the outskirts of Iran’s central city of Esfahan.

Ahmadinejad calls for unity against UN “bias”

Washington, 29 July (IranVNC)—At the opening of the 15th meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement [NAM] countries in Tehran today, Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for unity today among these countries as an alternative to the “bias” of the United Nations Security Council, which he sees as favoring Western powers.

Five activists summoned to court in northern Iran

Washington, 28 July (IranVNC)—The Revolution Court of Maraqeh, a city in Iran’s northern province of East Azarbayjan, summoned today five activists from the Hoviyat-talab [recognition seekers] group for their participation in a demonstration in May 2006. The group is known for wanting official recognition of Azari-Iranians.

Iran FM seeks non-aligned group support in Security Council bid

Washington, 27 July (IranVNC )—Iran’s Foreign Minister today called on members of the Non-Aligned Movement [NAM] to back Iran’s bid to become a non-permanent member on the United Nations Security Council next year, the official IRNA news agency reports.

Iran reiterates that no deadline was set at Geneva talks

Washington, 27 July (IranVNC)—Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Hassan Qashqavi, told reporters today that major powers made no mention of suspending uranium enrichment or deadlines for an Iranian response to the P5+1 incentives offer at nuclear talks earlier this month.

Women banned from first 3 rows of Tehran’s Vahdat Hall

Washington, 27 July (IranVNC)—From now on, women wearing only manteaux [long overcoats] and headscarves will not be permitted to sit in seats in the three first rows of Tehran’s Vahdat Hall, formerly known as Rudaki Hall, when attending music concerts and other programs held there.

Iran arrests Kurdish journalist after protest in Mahabad

Washington, 27 July (IranVNC)—Saman Rasoulpour, Iranian journalist and member of the executive committee of the Organization for the Defense of Human Rights in Kurdistan [ODHRK], was arrested today in the predominantly Kurdish city of Mahabad in Iran’s northwest.

Ahmadinejad: Change in US approach would bring positive Iranian response

Washington, 28 July (IranVNC)—In an interview on US television today, Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said Iran would react positively if the U.S. were to change its approach in dealing with Tehran and its controversial uranium enrichment program, MSNBC reports.

Journalist jailed in Iran over “lies”

Washington, 28 July (IranVNC)—The former head of an Iranian news agency has been fined and sentenced to jail by an Iranian court for publishing lies, reports Iran’s semi-official news agency, ISNA.

Sunni militant group says two more Iran policemen killed – TV

Washington, 27 July (IranVNC)—The Sunni militant group, Jondollah, based in Iran’s southeastern Sistan-va-Baluchistan Province, told the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya satellite television network today that it has executed two more Iranian policemen from a group of 16 men it had taken hostage on 12 June.

Iran executes 30 people today in Tehran

Washington, 27 July (IranVNC)—The prosecutor general of Tehran, Saeed Mortazavi, reported that the execution of 30 individual was carried out today in Tehran’s Evin Prison.

Iran court upholds eight-year jail sentence for activist

Washington, 24 July (IranVNC)—Tehran’s Revolution Court today upheld the eight-year jail sentence handed down to political activist Abbas Khorsandi by Tehran court’s First Branch on 16 March for his role in an outlawed political party.

Explosion in Tehran of arms convoy en route to Lebanon, reports says

Washington, 25 July (IranVNC)—A mysterious explosion in south Tehran last week was that of an Iranian arms convoy, which was en route to deliver military equipment to a Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, reports the London Daily Telegraph today.

Rafsanjani rejects 5+1 deadline

Washington, 25 July (IranVNC)—Ayatollah Ali Hashemi Rafsanjani, the head of the Expediency Council, rejected today the deadline for responding to the offer by P5+1 to resolve the long-standing dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.

Khatami ally warns against re-election of Ahmadinejad

Washington, 24 July (IranVNC)—A close ally of Iran’s former reformist President Mohammad Khatami yesterday criticized the record of current hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s and warned against re-electing him to office in next year’s presidential elections.

Iran says Writers’ Association is “illegal”

Washington, 24 July (IranVNC)—Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance yesterday announced as illegal the activities of the “Iranian Writers’ Association” and said that this forty-year old organization “does not exist”.

Police prevents fans from commemorating dissident poet

Washington, 24 July (IranVNC)—Iran’s security forces prevented the fans of Ahmad Shamloo, a most prominent contemporary Iranian poet from celebrating his eighth death anniversary on Wednesday. The event had been organized by the Iranian Writers Association, a prominent independent professional entity banned by the Islamic government.

Striking workers set ablaze part of Alborz factory near Tehran

Washington, July 23 (IranVNC)—About 600 workers of the Alborz rubber manufacturing factory near Tehran set part of the factory on fire on Wednesday. The workers have been on strike for the past 13 days protesting against the non-payment of their back-pays.

Iran arrests father of 1988 mass executions victim ahead of memorial services

Washington, 23 July (IranVNC)—Iran’s security forces today arrested the father of a political prisoner who was executed in the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners, an Iran-based rights group reports.

Champion Iranian weightlifter ends career

Washington, 24 July (IranVNC)—Iranian gold medal-winning weightlifter Hossein Rezazadeh said yesterday that he will not compete in next month’s summer Olympic Games in Beijing and that he is ending his 15-year hallmark career.

Iran bans evening edition of Hamshahri newspaper

Washington, 24 July (IranVNC)—Iran today temporarily closed the evening edition of the conservative Hamshahri newspaper for attempting to disrupt the economy, the official IRNA news agency reports.

Iran stays executions of two juvenile offenders amid international pressure

Washington, 23 July (IranVNC)—Iran today stayed the execution of Mohammad Fada’i and Behnud Shoja’i, two juvenile offenders who were set to be hanged today in Tehran’s Evin Prison, an Iran-based human rights group reports.

Zanjan University deputy head released from jail

Washington, 23 July (IranVNC)—The vice-dean of Iran’s Zanjan University, who last month was arrested for the alleged sexual harassment of a female student, has been released from Tehran’s Evin Prison, Amir Kabir University of Tehran’s student newsletter [AUT News] reports.

Tabriz University student journal stops publication

Washington, 22 July (IranVNC)—The monthly student journal, “Sattar Khan” [name of an Azerbaijani man who was a key figure of the constitutional movement of 1905-1909], published by the university of Tabriz, which focused on the social and environmental problems of Azarbayjan, northwestern Iran, has been closed down, apparently after publishing a special report on the student protests of May this year in the province, reports Amir Kabir University of Tehran’s student newsletter, AUT News.

Iran: Police bans display of pets in public in Khorasan Province

Washington, 22 July (IranVNC)—The police force of the holy city of Mashhad, Khorasan Province, announced today that in implementing a plan which prohibits people from being seen in public with their house pets “such as dogs, cats and monkeys”, they will be searching private vehicles and will refer any offending owners of such animals to the courts for further action.

Ahmadinejad nominates new ministers

Washington, 24 July (IranVNC)—President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad nominated on Wednesday the acting ministers of economy, the interior, and labor.

AFP chief expelled from Iran

Washington, 22 July (IranVNC)—Iranian authorities have expelled Agence France Presse’s deputy bureau chief in Tehran, Stuart Williams, for undisclosed reasons. Williams is required to leave the Islamic Republic within the coming days, reports AFP.

Iran hangs three for rape in southern Bushehr city

Washington, 22 July (IranVNC)—Iran this morning hanged three convicted rapists in the southern port city of Bushehr, Fars News Agency reports.

Lawyer says illiterate women among those awaiting stoning in Iran

Washington, 22 July (IranVNC)—The London-based Guardian newspaper reported yesterday that a number of a group of eight women, who have been sentenced to death by stoning in Iran, are illiterate and did not understand their interrogators or the charges against them.

Iran says discovered new oil field in Khuzestan Province

Washington, 22 July (IranVNC)—Iran’s oil minister today announced the discovery of a new oil field with potential for up to 500 million barrels of oil, in the southwestern Khuzestan Province.

Iran foreign minister objects to British premier’s warning

Washington, 22 July (IranVNC)—Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottakit today objected to comments made yesterday by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in which he said Tehran faced further sanctions over its nuclear program.

Guards Corps forces begin military exercises in northern province

Washington, 22 July (IranVNC)—More than 90 battalions from Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps [IRGC] have begun a one-month military exercise in the northern province of Ardabil, code-named “Labeyk ya Hoseyn”, the Hayat News Agency reports today.

Ahmadinejad backs Sudan against ICC genocide charges

Washington, 21 July (IranVNC)—Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday described as “ugly” a move by the International Criminal Court [ICC] to indict Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on charges of genocide, which he said was an attempt by western countries to divide Sudan into pieces.

Iran Olympians barred from tattoos, interviews with foreign media

Washington, 21 July (IranVNC)—A senior Iranian athletics official today warned Iran’s summer Olympic participants that they would be barred from competition if they have tattoos, and advised the athletes to avoid interviews with non-Iranian media.

Iran: Court sentences three to have fingers amputated for “robbery”

Washington, 22 July (IranVNC)— A court in Karaj, Tehran Province, today sentenced three men to amputation of four fingers from their right hand in accordance with Sharia law.

Workers from two Iranian factories on strike

Washington, 22 July (IranVNC)—More than 200 workers from the Pars Carpet Factory in Iran’s northwestern city of Qazvin went on strike today, protesting against the non-payment of their wages in the past several months, Etemad-e Melli Newspaper reports.

Meeting to discuss Caspian legal regime postponed

Washington, 21 July (IranVNC)—The Iranian embassy in the Republic of Azerbaijan confirmed on Monday that a meeting to decide the legal regime of Caspian Sea legal regime has been postponed.

Iran’s reformist party demands transparency over Geneva talks

Washington, 21 July (IranVNC)—In a statement released on Monday, Islamic Iran Participation Front [IIPF], Iran’s leading religious reformist party which supports former President Mohammad Khatami, demanded that the authorities release the details of the meeting between Saeed Jalili, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany [P5+1].

Iran basketball team concludes Olympic training in Utah

Washington, 21 July (IranVNC)—The Iranian national basketball team, which will next month in Beijing make its first Olympic appearance since 1948, will play in their last summer league game in Utah tonight.

Iran student groups protest recent arrests of classmates

Washington, 21 July (IranVNC)—Thirty-four university Islamic societies from across Iran today issued a joint statement protesting the recent wave of student arrests and pressures brought upon student activists.

Iran, Turkey discuss regional, nuclear issues

Washington, 20 July (IranVNC)—Returning from Geneva where he discussed Iran’s nuclear program with six major powers yesterday, Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, stopped in Istanbul today for talks with Turkey’s foreign minister, Ali Babacan.

Two members of IRGC killed in armed clashes with rebels in northeast Iran

Washington, 20 July (IranVNC)—Two members of the Iranian Revolution Guards Corps [IRGC] were killed today in clashes with PJAK [Party of Free Life of Kurdistan] rebels in northwestern Iran, the Fars News Agency reports today.

Iran Majlis bill “fatal blow” to freedom of expression – rights group

Washington, 20 July (IranVNC)—The Tehran-based rights group headed by Nobel peace prize winner Shirin Ebadi today criticized a Majlis bill that would extend the death penalty to bloggers and website editors who are said to “disrupt the society’s psychological security”.

Bootak Weekly shut down for criticizing provincial governor

Washington, 21 July (IranVNC)—The deputy prosecuting attorney of Ilam Province in western Iran shutdown the local Bootak Weekly on Sunday.

Iranian official clarifies stance on “friendship” with Israeli people

Washington, 20 July (IranVNC)—A senior Iranian government official yesterday sparked widespread commentary when he said Iran was a “friend” of the people of Israel, but he quickly explained his statement to the media.

Iran nuclear talks end in stalemate, Tehran faces new deadline

Washington, 20 July (IranVNC)— Talks between EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, and Iran’s nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, on Tehran’s nuclear program yesterday ended in a stalemate when Tehran gave no reply to international demands.

Nine awaiting stoning sentences in Iran – lawyers

Washington, 20 July (IranVNC)—At least eight women and one man have been sentenced to death by stoning in Iran despite a moratorium on the practice, the lawyers defending them said today.

Iran: Juvenile offender faces imminent execution – rights group

Washington, 20 July (IranVNC)—An Iranian juvenile offender who was sentenced to death for a crime he allegedly committed at the age of 17 is facing imminent execution, according to a statement by The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

Iran hopeful for “constructive” nuclear talks

Washington, 18 July (IranVNC)—Saeed Jalili, Iran’s nuclear negotiator today expressed optimism for talks with EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, on his country’s contested nuclear program.

Mottaki arrives in Damascus; nuclear issue may be on the table

Washington, 17 July (IranVNC) – Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in Damascus on Thursday for talks with President Bashar al-Assad and other officials that will likely cover Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.

News of US presence in talks “retreat” – Iran’s media

Washington, 17 July (IranVNC)—Iran’s conservative and state-run media have hailed as a “success” for Iran a US decision to send one of its most senior diplomats to attend talks in Geneva over Iran’s nuclear program. The country’s reformist and moderate newspapers have not yet commented on the news.

Iran Court accuses two leading students of "acting against national security"

Washington, 16 July (IranVNC)— Two prominent members of Iran’s largest student organization, Tahkim-e Vahdat [The Office for Fostering Unity] who were arrested on Sunday 13 June, were taken to the First Branch of the Revolution Court on Tuesday, where they were officially charged with “acting against national security”.

Iran arrests two AIDS researchers

Washington, 16 July (IranVNC)—Two Iranian physicians, who are brothers and who spearheaded activities battling the AIDS epidemic in Iran and the Middle East, were arrested on 3 Tir [23 June] by Iranian security officers, reports Amir Kabir University student newsletter [AUT News] today.

Three political activists arrested in northwestern Iran

Washington, 15 July (IranVNC)—Iran arrested three political activists today in the Kurdish-populated city of Baneh, in Iran’s northwestern Kurdistan Province, on charges of “encouraging public strikes” to mark the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Abdol-rahman Qassemlou, the former head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran [KDPI].

Provincial court upholds minor offender death sentence

Washington, 15 July (IranVNC)—The General Court of Iran’s northern city of Rasht has sentenced to death a 31-year-old woman who has been in prison since she was 13 years old on charges of murder, Etemaad Newspaper reports.

Iran back’s Sudan against genocide charges

Washington, 15 July (IranVNC) - Iran has joined Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah in supporting Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court [ICC] for alleged war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

Iran open to negotiations but will not back away from “undeniable rights” – Ahmadinejad

Washington, 15 July (IranVNC) —President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday that his country was open to talks with all other governments except Israel, in an effort to resolve its diplomatic and nuclear standoff with the West.

Iran: Bail for women’s rights defender set at 100,000 dollars

Washington, July 14 (IranVNC)—The Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran set a bail of 100 million tomans, roughly 100,000 dollars, for the temporary release of Mahbubeh Karami, who was detained on 13 June outside Tehran’s Mellat Park, which had been the scene of a demonstration on that day, in protest against revelations of financial corruption among high ranking officials of the system.

Court sentences teacher to death

Washington, 14 July (IranVNC)—The Revolution Court of the city of Sanandaj has sentenced to death Anvar Hussein Panahi, a teacher who was detained last autumn in the city of Dehgalan in Kurdistan Province. He was accused of collaborating with counter-revolution groups against the Revolution.

Iran: Police to detain improperly veiled female drivers, passengers

Washington, 15 July (IranVNC)—The Iranian police announced on Monday that female drivers and passengers who are not wearing their hejab [Islamic dress code] properly, will be detained for two months.

Hundreds of workers strike in Alborz Tire Factory

Washington, 15 July (IranVNC)—More than 1200 workers of Alborz tire manufacturing factory near Tehran resumed their strike on Sunday in protest against the non-payment of their wages for the last few months.

Ahmadinejad says Khamenei aide has no say on nuclear issue

Washington, 14 July (IranVNC)—Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday rebuffed comments made earlier this month by a top advisor to the country’s Supreme Leader on the country’s disputed nuclear program, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported.

US, West “provocative” toward Iran nuclear dossier – Kuwait MP

Washington, 14 July (IranVNC)—Kuwait’s parliament speaker has criticized the way the United States and Western countries are dealing with Iran’s disputed nuclear program as “provocative”.

Iran welcomes establishment of U.S. Interests Section in Tehran

Washington, 14 July (IranVNC)–Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said in a press conference in Tehran yesterday that he welcomes the idea of US diplomatic presence in Iran under the rubric of “U.S. Interests Section in Iran”, and added that Iran would be willing to negotiate with the U.S. “if that serves the interests of the Iranian nation.”

Afghanistan, Syria warn against any attacks on Iran

Washington, 14 July (IranVNC)—Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai said today that he opposes the use of his country’s territory as a springboard to attack Iran.

Court upholds death sentence against three Iranian-Kurdish rights activists

Washington, 13 July (IranVNC)— Iran’s Supreme Court, the highest legal authority in Iran upheld the death sentence for 3 Kurdish human rights activists named Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heydarian and Farhad Vakili.

Spokesman Hosseini appointed deputy foreign minister

Mohammad-Ali Hosseini, the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, has been named as deputy Foreign minister for legal and international affairs, according to the official Iranian news agency, IRNA, quoting a statement by the Foreign Ministry.

Some 500 Iranian journalist protest the closure of their union

Washington, 13 July (IranVNC)—On Sunday, more than 500 Iranian journalists protested in an open letter the dissolution of Iran’s Association of Journalists.

Two student activists arrested on “counter-revolutionary” charges

Washington, 13 July (IranVNC)—This morning Iran’s security forces arrested two prominent members of the central council of the largest student organization, Tahkim-e Vahdat – the Office for Fostering Unity – in Iran, on charges of having contacts with “counter-revolutionary groups” abroad, Iran’s official news agency, IRNA reports.