VOA Persian Service

Conflicting Accounts Surround Death in Custody of Iranian Protester

Javad Rouhi was buried in his home region

Iranian Forces Thwart Judiciary Lawyers' Gathering at Parliament

Lawyers were urging the Guardian Council to annul the recent legislation passed by the Iranian parliament that strips the country's bar association of its already limited independence.

Iranian Journalist Summoned for Sharing Photos of Women Dancing Without Hijabs

Javad Heydarian said he was summoned by the Tehran prosecutor's office for images featuring unveiled women dancing at the LidoMa Festival in the Iranian capital

Renowned Iranian Writer, Filmmaker Ebrahim Golestan Dies

The Iranian Directors Guild described him as an intellectual who ‘infused a renewed vitality into Iranian cinema before the new wave;' he was 101

Iran Arrests Activists Before Anniversary of Amini's Death

Several reports emerge of detainment of various civil and labor activists, along with family members of those affected during last year's widespread protests

Iran Political Activist Gets Additional Year in Prison

Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced to an additional year in prison by the judiciary

Closure of Iran's Rajaei-Shahr Prison Confirmed by Judiciary

Iranian Labor Unions Condemn Labor Activist’s Case, Say Charges Fabricated

Two labor unions strongly object to sentencing of Reyhaneh Ansari-Nejad, a retired worker, to four-year prison term

Iranian Parliament Member Criticizes Revival of Morality Police 

Morality police returned to the streets a week ago

Sunni Cleric Voices Support for Women Defying Hijab Rules

Molavi Abdul Hamid says women not wearing a headscarf are “demonstrating civil disobedience”

Iran's Police Chief Calls Mission to Enforce Veiling Laws 'Irreversible'

Iran's morality police return to streets

Family of Jailed German-Iranian Dissident Concerned Over His Condition 

Iran has sentenced Jamshid Sharmahd to death

Iran’s Morality Police Return to the Streets  

The presence of the morality police had largely ceased following the nationwide anti-government protests sparked by the death last year of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody  

German Lawmaker Vows to Work for Release of Jailed Iranian Rapper 

Toomaj Salehi, who was arrested during nationwide protests in 2022, has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison 

Iranian Rapper Sentenced Over Last Year’s Protests

Toomaj Salehi’s songs had denounced Iran's Islamist rulers and the perceived injustices perpetrated against the Iranian people.

Iran Blocks Public Access to Threads App; Raisi’s Account Created

Threads, the latest social media network, was blocked by the Islamic Republic, denying access to the Iranian population, even though an account had already been created for Ebrahim Raisi, Iran's president

German Court Categorizes Islamic Center as ‘Extremist Islamic Organization’

Germany’s Federal Administrative Court has upheld a determination that activities conducted by the Islamic Center in the city of Hamburg, known as the Blue Mosque, are those of an "extremist Islamic organization"

Tehran Looks to Shanghai Alliance to Aid Economy, Reduce Isolation

Analysts say membership likely to deepen relations with Russia and China

Iranian Football Head Promises Women's Entry to Stadiums

Mehdi Taj, head of Iranian Football Federation, renews promise of allowing women into stadiums, claims approval from Supreme National Security Council

No Change in Approach to Iran While US Envoy on Leave

Robert Malley is under investigation, reportedly for his handling of classified material