Asghar Farhadi’s The Past has been nominated in five categories for France’s Cesar Awards, while Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani has also been nominated in the female newcomer category for her role in Afghan filmmaker Atiq Rahimi’s Sang-e Sabour. The Cesar Academy announced the 2014 nominees on Friday January 31 in 22 categories. At the […]
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Appointment gives Iranian Parliament link to nuclear talks
Iranian media report that Aaleddin Boroujerdi, the head of parliament’s National Security Commission, has now joined the Nuclear Committee of the Supreme Council of National Security, linking Parliament to the nuclear negotiations. On Thursday, Boroujerdi told the Javan News Agency that the head of Parliament has proposed that he participate as a representative of […]
Official says Iranians living abroad welcome to return
The deputy head of Iranian Parliament’s foreign policy and national security commission welcomes the establishment of a committee for the return of Iranians living abroad, saying: “It would not be acceptable to bar Iranians from visiting their country just because of signing a petition or political statement.” Mansour Haghighatpour said those who “have not […]
Tehran Rejects Obama’s Claim Sanctions Forced Nuclear Talks
Iran says U.S. President Barack Obama’s comments in his State of the Union speech — in which he said sanctions had forced Tehran to the negotiating table on its nuclear program — were “unrealistic and “unconstructive.” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said “the delusion” of sanctions having an impact on Iran’s motivation is based […]
Human Rights Continue to be Violated Under Rouhani
Recent reports published by human rights organizations indicate that human rights conditions in Iran have not changed much since Hassan Rouhani came to office last June. In its annual global report this year, Human Rights Watch for example wrote, “While tens of human rights activists and opposition figures were released from prisons around Iran […]
After a 6-day furlough, Arash Mohammadi returned to prison
Arash Mohammadi, the leftist student activist, who had come on furlough since January 22nd, returned to Tabriz Central Prison on January 28th. According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the authorities of Tabriz Central Prison had first agreed with a 4-day furlough for him which was extended for 2 days […]
A political prisoner got heart attack and transferred to hospital
Mashallah Hae’ri, the old prisoner of Rajaei Shar prison, has been transferred to Day hospital, after a heart attack, while being handcuffed and shackled. According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Mashallah Hae’ri was transferred to prison clinic and then by physician’s medical order, on an emergency form to Imam […]
Congress Backs Off Iran Sanctions After Veto Threat
U.S. President Barack Obama appears to have prevailed, for now, in his campaign to stop Congress from imposing new sanctions against Iran while a diplomatic initiative on Tehran’s nuclear program is under way. Obama announced in his State of the Union address on January 28 that he would veto any legislation imposing fresh sanctions […]
Rohani ally switches jobs in the government
The Iranian president has accepted the resignation of Mohammad Ali Najafi as head of Culture and Tourism Department and appointed him to lead the Economic Coordination Committee. Massod Soltanifar was announced as a replacement for Najafi. Soltanifar had been nominated by Rohani for the Sports and Youth Ministry but he failed to obtain Parliament’s […]
Iran seizes assets of tycoon under investigation
The Iranian judiciary says the assets of detained Iranian tycoon Babak Zanjani have been confiscated. The Mehr News Agency reports that all the assets under Babak Zanjani’s name have been identified and confiscated by order of the prosecutor. Zanjani’s debt to the Ministry of Oil, which is the main issue that prompted his arrest, […]