Iran’s Supreme Leader has praised the country’s Basij paramilitary force for its role in the deadly crackdown on anti-regime protesters. Eko Hot Blog reports that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the popular protest movement as “rioters” and “thugs” backed by foreign forces and praised “innocent” Basij fighters for protecting the nation. EDITOR’S PICKS Nigerians Can Now … Read more
In a tree-lined business park in Chiswick, West London, there is a heavy presence of armed police. Black, multi-role armoured vehicles called Jankels are positioned at intervals alongside Met Police armed response vehicles, fully crewed-up with armed officers inside. Eko Hot Blog reports that they are guarding every approach to the plate-glass building that houses … Read more
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on three officials in Iran’s Kurdish region, where dozens of protesters have reportedly been killed in the past week as the Iranian government continues its violent crackdown. Eko Hot Blog reports that the latest tranche of sanctions comes a day after the United Nation’s human rights office sounded … Read more
Two prominent Iranian actresses have been arrested for publicly supporting mass anti-government protests, the country’s state-run media reports. Eko Hot Blog reports that Hengameh Ghaziani and Katayoun Riahi are accused of collusion and acting against Iran’s authorities. EDITOR’S PICKS COVID-19: China Announces New Death, New Cases US: Holiday Parade Turns Sour As Truck Kills Girl … Read more
Iranian security forces have shot dead at least three people in the western province of Kurdistan in the latest deadly protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a rights group said. Eko Hot Blog reports that the country’s clerical leadership under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is facing its biggest challenge since the Islamic Revolution of … Read more
Protesters in Iran have set fire to the ancestral home of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Eko Hot Blog reports Images posted on social media show part of the structure in the city of Khomein being set ablaze. EDITOR’S PICKS US Midterms: Democrat Katie Hobbs Emerges As Arizona Governor US: Trump’s … Read more
Iran has admitted supplying drones to Russia. Eko Hot Blog reports that the Iranian government has acknowledged for the first time that it had sent a limited number of drones to Russia. EDITOR’S PICKS Ukraine Suffers Water, Power Outages After Russia Resumes Strikes On Key Infrastructure ‘Most Dangerous Zone’ — Putin Urges Residents To Evacuate … Read more
Iranians staged new protest actions Thursday in defiance of a crackdown by the authorities as rights groups said an 18-year-old became the latest teen killed in clashes in the northwest. Eko Hot Blog reports that Iran has for over six weeks been gripped by protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, who had been … Read more
Ukrainian military intelligence on Tuesday said Iran is planning to send more than 200 combat drones to Russian forces, including Iran’s new combat drone, the Arash-2. Eko Hot Blog reports that the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, part of the defense ministry, said “a batch of more than 200 combat drones Shahed-136, Mohajer-6 and Arash-2 is … Read more
Russia and Iran are defiant amid UN pressure over drones in Ukraine. EKO HOT BLOG reports that Russia has warned the United Nations against investigating its use of drones in Ukraine, amid accusations the weapons came from Iran and were used in violation of UN arms restrictions on the Middle Eastern country. The United States, … Read more
Eko Hot Blog reports that CNN’s chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour, has recounted how the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, cancelled an interview with her over her refusal to wear a headscarf. In a Twitter thread on Thursday, Amanpour revealed the interview had been behind schedule without Raisi showing up when an aide of his came … Read more
Sullivan added that intelligence received by the US supported the view that Russia’s assault on eastern Ukraine was “coming at a cost to the sustainment of its own weapons” The US and other allies have supplied billions of dollars’ worth of weapons to Ukraine since the invasion in February EDITOR’S PICK Osun 2022: Four Years … Read more
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized the Greek tankers in the Gulf Friday, days after Athens confirmed it would deliver to Washington Iranian oil… It had said it seized the tankers due to violation EDITOR’S PICK After Emerging PDP Presidential Flagbearer, Atiku Meets With Wike, Others PDP Seeks Running Mate For Atiku, Considers Wike, Okowa, Udom –Reports … Read more
Colonel Khodai was a senior member of the elite Quds Force, a shadowy external arm of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) that carries out operations abroad Images from the scene show a bloodied man slumped over in a car with his seatbelt still on EDITOR’S PICK Ukraine War: West Must ‘Prepare For War’, Says Ex-Nato Chief … Read more
…there are concerns that China will use any of such weapons to maintain control over its own citizens – including ethnic minority Uighur Muslims. EKO HOT BLOG reports that the United States government has sanctioned China’s Academy of Military Medical Sciences and 11 affiliated research institutes for using ‘biotechnology’ that ‘controls the brain’s to support … Read more
COVID-19 kills Iran’s ambassador to Yemen EKO HOT BLOG reports that Hassan Irloo, Iran’s top diplomat to Yemen, died on Tuesday after contracting coronavirus, Iranian state TV reported. The death of Ambassador Irloo came after he was recalled from war-torn Yemen for what Iran described as medical treatment. State-run media in Iran said he had … Read more
Iranian Police Crackdown as Protests Over Dry River Turn Violent EKO HOT BLOG reports that protests in Iran turned violent as police clashed with tens of thousands of people who had gathered to demand the restoration of a river that had been diverted to factories by the government. Farmers protested this week along the Zayandeh … Read more
It said Abdolali had first been sentenced to death in December 2015 after “a grossly unfair trial” by a court that “relied on torture-tainted ‘confessions’”… EKO HOT BLOG reports that Iran, on Wednesday, executed a man who was arrested for murder at the age of 17, the judiciary said, despite appeals to spare his life … Read more
Iran, on Saturday, named a man it wants to be arrested in connection with a recent explosion and power outage at its main Natanz nuclear plant. This is coming as talks got underway in Vienna to try to save Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. “Reza Karimi, the perpetrator of this sabotage… has been … Read more
Biden has promised to return to the agreement — but only on the condition that Iran first renew its original commitments The standoff became clearer on Sunday, with Biden digging in his heels and the supreme Iranian leader Ali Khamenei also showing no flexibility United States President Joe Biden has made clear he will not … Read more