By Hamid Yazdan Panah, April 27, 2015

Much has been made about the supposed benefits of the Iran nuclear deal. One of the most audacious claims has been that the nuclear deal would result in an improvement in the human rights situation inside the country. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact if the last past few weeks are any indication, Iran may very well set a new record for executions committed in the past decade. To make matters worse, the issue is being completely swept under the rug, despite claims that a nuclear deal would give the West “leverage” to promote human rights.

Hamid Yazdanpanah, March 4 2014
The regime needs the public execution as a ritual of state power and control against an increasingly discontented populace. The public execution is not meant to restore the balance of justice, but to display the “dissymmetry between the subject who has dared to violate the law and the all-powerful” regime.

Iranian-American Forum, Nov 11 2013
Rouhani and Zarif appeal to Iranian-Americans to join the Iran lobby and help regime’s diplomacy by combating the “Zionist lobby” AIPAC. Government experts assert that past efforts to lure Iranians have failed because they oppose the regime and will not join the lobby. A group of advisors tell President that the Iran lobby should count on regime’s traditional allies, the American oil lobby and anti-war groups.

Hassan Dai, 11.4. 2013
As the Supreme Leader and his hard-line proxies continue anti-US campaign, oil minister harshly criticized them for not grasping the reality and shouting empty slogans. Zangeneh told that Iran’s catastrophic economic situation and lack of funding made President Rouhani cry

Kayvan Kabolli, Nov 3, 2013
Khamenei’s new speech at the gathering of Iranian students in Tehran on Sunday raises more questions about his real intentions on nuclear negotiation with p5+1. On the surface, he is supporting the negotiation team led by Zarif and tries to curb the hard-liners’ campaign against governments

Kayvan Kaboli, Oct 31, 2013
To commemorate the anniversary of the attack on the US Embassy in Iran, a statement was issued in Iran by a newly born organization called “the committee for the safeguard of Iranian interests”. It calls for declaring this coming Friday as international day of “Conquering American Spy Nets Day”,…

Hassan Dai, October 31, 2013
The growing disenchantment with Rouhani has reached unprecedented levels with the closure of Bahar newspaper and the insults and attack on Mousavi’s daughters. The media and online reaction reveals the reformists’ anger and disappointment at Rouhani’s passivity and inaction.

Kayvan Kaboli, Oct 30, 2013
The head of the judiciary Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani has publicly defended Bahar newspaper ban. Bahar was accused of publishing an article insulting Muslim religious beliefs last week, according to hardliners. Bahar was close to reformists and Hassan Rouhani, the new regime’s elected president.

Hamid Yazdan Panah , 20 October 2013
Lost in the media coverage of Iran’s nuclear program and its President’s charm offensive is the grim human rights situation faced by Iranians, particularly those who dare to defy the regime. 250 people have been executed since Rouhani took office two months ago.