Iran
Iran rejects petrol price hike report after leaked document sparks confusion
The Iranian government denied reports that it planned to raise petrol prices, after a state-affiliated media outlet published and quickly deleted what appeared to be an official document approving such a move.
TEHRAN BLOG: The illusion of hijab law abolishment in Iran
Thousands of Iranian women are doing away with the mandatory hijab, but the rules (and enforcement) are still murky.
Iran's foreign minister calls for return to diplomacy after missile accusations
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 7 of attempting to manufacture an "imaginary threat" from Iran.
Turkey’s Halkbank takes stock market hit as US Supreme Court chucks out Iran sanctions-busting appeal
Lender argued that as state bank it has sovereign immunity from 2019 indictment.
Iran to begin cloud seeding operations from mid-November
Iran plans to deploy a fleet of five aircraft targeting the Lake Urmia and Zayandeh Rud basins and Khorasan Razavi province to boost rainfall by 15-20%.
Iran acquits French-German national of espionage charges
Iran's Hormozgan judiciary acquits German national Lennart Monterlos of espionage charges after arrest during 12-day war with Israel, though prosecutor retains right to appeal the Revolutionary Court's verdict.
Tehran Friday prayers speaker says Iran will plough Tel Aviv and Haifa
Iran's temporary Friday prayer leader rejects international pressure to halt uranium enrichment, saying it is "better to die".
Water scarcity forces a rethink of Tehran's dominance
Iran is fast running out of water fast and the country's president wants to move the capital immediately.
Iran's central bank plans major currency intervention as rial tanks
Iran's Central Bank plans major currency supply intervention in Tehran and Dubai unofficial markets next week to reduce dollar rate from current IRR1.175mn level.
Oman halts Iranian water imports after two deaths from ‘contaminated’ bottles
Oman bans all Iranian bottled water imports after two deaths from contaminated Uranus Star brand, with authorities withdrawing products from markets following poisoning.
Afghanistan grinds to a halt as Taliban cuts off internet
fghanistan telecom firms confirm nationwide internet shutdown ordered by leadership as UN warns blackout threatens earthquake relief efforts and pushes 43mn people offline indefinitely.
Iran's population is ageing at an alarming rate
Once a young, vibrant nation, Iran is greying into oblivion after a demographic shift of startling velocity.
Ukraine's receipt of Israeli missiles part of Israel's greater geopolitical plot
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that his country received a Patriot air defence system from Israel
Iran confirms 120 deportees from US will return within two days
Iran's foreign ministry confirms 120 nationals will return from US within two days via Qatar, pledging consular support whilst emphasising respect for international migrant rights.
EU and UK reimpose nuclear sanctions on Iran following snapback mechanism activation
UN Security Council reimoses all nuclear sanctions on Iran following E3 snapback activation after Tehran accumulated enriched uranium 48 times JCPoA limit and refused to restore IAEA monitoring access.
Lavrov pushes Russian agenda, networks with the Global South at UNGA
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov used the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York to lambaste the West and continue building up the growing Global South community that is aligning with the BRICS-led alternative pole
China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran push back on Trump ambitions in or near Afghanistan
Trump’s administration has been exploring options for keeping a military footprint in Afghanistan - a move that Russia has already said would have catasrophic consequences.
Iranian rial hits record low against US dollar
Iranian rial hits record low of IRR1,085,000 to the US dollar as currency crisis deepens amid international sanctions and economic pressures, severely impacting purchasing power for 85mn Iranians.
Afghan deportations risk bolstering ISIS-K ranks
According to UN data, more than 2.6mn Afghans have returned since January, many of them after decades abroad. Analysts caution that the abrupt influx risks creating conditions that extremist groups can exploit.
Trump administration intensifies pressure on Iraq to cut ties with Iran
The US has ramped up a series of behind-the-scenes pressure tactics on Iraq aimed at reducing Iranian influence across key sectors.