Iran News Digest

Results of Iranian elections

Feb 29th, 2016

Iranian American Forum, February 29, 2016
The “reformists and moderates” have won largely in Tehran in both elections but overall in the country, they get about %37 of seats in Parliament and %22 in Assembly of Experts. However, following the preliminary disqualification of reformist candidates by the Council of Guardians in January, the “reformists” filled their electoral lists with new candidates, many of them well-known conservatives, some with blatant anti-reform positions. Therefore, the real percentage of “reformists” elected to new parliament is lower than the 37 percent



Iran’s Forgotten Prisoners

Feb 14th, 2016

Hamid Yazdan Panah, February 13, 2016
As the world applauds the release of prisoners by Iran, political dissidents within the country continue to suffer unjust persecution, repression and death. The truth surrounding their charges, arrests and the breadth of their continued struggle continues to be lost in the mainstream narrative on Iran.



Iran to continue providing medical aid to Syria and Lebanon

Jan 12th, 2016

Iranian American Forum, Jan. 12, 2016
As the Iranian economy continues to plummet under the weight of the sanctions, with declining oil prices and an ever deepening recession, Iranian Minister of Health traveled to Syria and Lebanon to assure both countries that Iran will continue to supply medicine and medical equipment, build two medical schools and train their medical staff in Iran



Refugees from Iran Denied Safe Haven

Nov 27th, 2015

By Hamid Yazdan Panah, November 27, 2015
Refugees from Iran are being denied passage to western Europe, as new policies unfairly target refugees from specific countries.



Iran: Life of Prisoner of Conscience Alireza Golipour in Danger

Nov 20th, 2015

Hamid Yazdan Panah, Nov. 19, 2015
Golipour, who is currently incarcerated in Evin prison, was arrested based on charges of aiding dissidents and protesters following the 2009 protests in Iran. Golipour was arrested initially 2012, but has yet to receive a formal sentence in regards to his alleged charges.



Hassan Nasrallah: Iranian leaders sacrifice national interests for the sake of Islamic nation

Oct 25th, 2015


Hassan Nasrallah the leader of Hezbollah addressed thousands of followers in Beirut on the occasion of Shiite ceremony Ashura. Hassan Nasrallah the leader of Hezbollah addressed thousands of followers in Beirut on the occasion of Shiite ceremony Ashura. Iranian state Press TV aired the ceremony. Nasrallah criticized the Lebanese political coalition that opposes Hezbollah bullying…



Steinmeir fails in Tehran, Zarif attacks Saudis

Oct 17th, 2015


Today, in a press conference in Tehran, Zarif attacks Saudi Arabia as Frank-Walter Steinmeir tries to mediate between two countries. Analysts see Steinmeir’s travel to Iran a failure.



Time to cash in

Sep 21st, 2015

Hassan Dai, Sep. 21, 2015
Bijan Khajehpour, NIAC’s lobby partner and Trita Parsi’s former boss will participate in oil and Money conference in London to share the podium with an Iranian official from oil ministry and assist him in promoting business opportunities in Iran. Khajehpour and NIAC have been collaborating to oppose sanctions and urge US administration to be more flexible in nuclear talks



Khamenei and IRGC Business Empire Boosted by Iran Deal

Sep 15th, 2015

Hamid Yazdan Panah, Sep. 15, 2015
Khamenei uses the business front known as “Setad” to extend his influence into every corner of the Iranian economy, including: “finance, oil, telecommunications, the production of birth-control pills and even ostrich farming.”



Human Rights Distorted to Support Iran Deal

Aug 12th, 2015

Hamid Yazdan Panah, Aug. 12, 2015
The recent Iran deal has brought much fanfare and celebration, most of which conveniently overlooks the fundamental nature of the Iranian regime. Putting aside the details of the agreement, one claim in particular has consistently been made about the nuclear deal which simply holds no weight. The claim is that the nuclear deal will somehow improve human rights in Iran, and lead to an improvement in Iranian civil society.