VOA Persian: Private commemoration held for political prisoners executed in 1980s

The families of political prisoners executed in the 1980s held a commemoration ceremony on Friday. The families of the prisoners wrote a letter to Irans president saying they considered the right to mourning a basic right, but they received no response other than the continued closure of the Khavaran cemeterys doors.

Click here for the full story in Persian.

VOA Kurdish: Iran arrests 4 female Kurdish activists after Women’s Day events

Iranian security forces have arrested four female Kurdish activists in Kurdistan province following International Womens Day celebrations on March 8. The Kurdistan Human Rights Network confirmed the arrests. Rights groups and activists believe these arrests are part of a wider crackdown on Kurdish women.

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VOA Kurdish: Kurdistan opposition parties remain divided after elections

In the sixth round of parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region, some political parties announced they would stay in opposition and not join the new government. However, these parties have not been able to work together or form a united front.

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US: Iran ignoring international concerns about its nuclear program

united nations — The United States warned Wednesday that it will continue to exert maximum pressure on Iran in order to prevent it from achieving a nuclear weapon, as Tehran rejected its offer for new nuclear talks amid growing concerns about its stockpile of enriched uranium.

As reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] Director General, Tehran continues to rapidly accelerate its product...

US sanctions Sweden-based gang with links to Iran

WASHINGTON — The United States on Wednesday announced sanctions against the Foxtrot Network, a Sweden-based gang accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli interests in Europe on behalf of Iran.

Describing Foxtrot as one of Swedens most notorious criminal gangs, the U.S. Treasury and State Departments also placed sanctions on its leader Rawa Majid, with both agencies saying in statements that he had...

Iran's Khamenei rejects idea of nuclear talks with US

DUBAI — Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected the idea of holding negotiations with the United States over a nuclear deal, as a letter arrived from U.S. President Donald Trump calling for such talks.

Trump said last week he had sent a letter to Khamenei proposing nuclear talks but also warning that there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal prevent...

‘I was there to try to kill the journalist,’ gunman tells New York court

A self-described member of a Russian organized crime group told a court on Tuesday that he tried to kill the Iranian American journalist and VOA host Masih Alinejad in New York in 2022.

Khalid Mehdiyev told jurors that he was arrested in July 2022 in his car in Brooklyn while in possession of an AK-47 rifle and a ski mask.

The 27-year-old made the admission in testimony at a trial in New York of his ...

VOA Persian: Nowruz markets in 'hibernation' mode

Reports from various Iranian cities indicate an economic downturn and market recession, with shopkeepers in bazaars lamenting that no business is happening, the markets are in winter hibernation mode, and the usual festive atmosphere of Nowruz, the Persian new year, is absent.

Click here for the full story in Persian.

VOA Persian: Rights groups says man killed by government forces' 'indiscriminate shooting' in Tehran

An indiscriminate shooting by security forces in Tehran resulted in the death of a young man, according to a human rights group.

The Human Rights Activists in Iran said the man, who was allegedly suspected of carrying smuggled goods, was shot by officers while passing through a street.

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VOA Persian: Livelihood protests continue across Iran

As the Iranian Rial continues to depreciate, livelihood protests erupted across Iran on Monday. Telecommunication retirees, nurses, oil industry workers, and a number of recruitment applicants in public sector staged demonstrations, voicing their economic grievances.

The surge in protests comes as the Rial hits a new low, following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneis remarks against negotiations with the Uni...

Talks with US on nuclear program possible if limited in focus, Iran's UN mission says 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Iran would consider negotiations with the U.S. if the aim of the talks was to address concerns regarding any potential militarization of its nuclear program, Irans U.N. mission said Sunday in a post on X. 

The comment came a day after the countrys Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran will not negotiate under U.S. bullying. 

In the post on X the mission sa...

Iran, Russia, China to hold joint military exercises

TEHRAN, IRAN — The navies of Iran, Russia and China will hold military drills off the coast of Iran this week in a bid to boost cooperation, Iranian media reported Sunday.

The three countries, which share a common desire to counter what they characterize as American hegemony, have held similar exercises in the region in recent years.

The drills will begin on Tuesday in the port of Chabahar, locate...

Trump administration ends Iraq's waiver to buy Iranian electricity

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration rescinded a waiver on Saturday that had allowed Iraq to pay Iran for electricity, as part of President Donald Trumps maximum pressure campaign against Tehran, a State Department spokesperson said.

The decision to let Iraqs waiver lapse upon its expiration ensures we do not allow Iran any degree of economic or financial relief, the spokesperson said, adding that Trump...

Iran’s top leader rejects talks with US after Trump makes overture

TEHRAN, IRAN — Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he rejects a U.S. push for talks between the two countries because they would be aimed at imposing restrictions on Iranian missile range and its influence in the region.

Speaking to a group of officials on Saturday, Khamenei did not identify the United States by name but said a bullying government was being persistent in its push for talks...