 RFE/RL Iran Report 3/9/2010 4:59:05 PM A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about Iran. For more stories on Iran, please visit and bookmark our Iran page . |
 Easier Internet Export Rules Please Google Internet giant Google has welcomed a U.S. decision to relax restrictions that have prevented U.S. companies from exporting Internet services and software to Iran, Cuba, and Sudan. More  Lawyer Denies Former President Barred From Leaving Iran The semi-official Fars news agency, which allegedly has ties to the powerful Revolutionary Guard, is quoting an unnamed intelligence official as saying that Mohammad Khatami was barred from leaving the country. But Khatami's lawyer has denied the report. More  Iranian Activists To Be Awarded Human Rights Prize Two activists and representatives of Iran's student movement, Abdollah Momeni and Majid Tavakoli, are this year's recipients of the Homo Homini Award, which is awarded annually by the Czech NGO People in Need "in recognition of a dedication to the promotion of human rights, democracy, and nonviolent solutions to political conflicts." More  Iran's Supreme Leader Tweets About Women's Rights Here is a tweet by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (yes, he's on Twitter, he joined Twitter long before the Dalai Lama) on his views about women and their role in society. It came on March 9, the day after International Women's Day. More  The Blooming Friendship Between Azerbaijan And Israel Although Azerbaijan is a predominantly Shi’ite Muslim country and a majority of ethnic Azeris live in neighboring Iran (a ferocious enemy of Israel), Baku routinely shares intelligence with the Jewish state, buys its arms, and considers it trustworthy in security matters, completely contradicting stereotypes about a “clash of civilizations.” More  Baha'i Activist Says Faithful In Iran Live In 'Constant Fear Of Losing Everything,' Including Their Lives Seven top leaders of the Baha’i faith are on trial in Iran after awaiting their fate in Tehran's notorious Evin prison for almost two years. Iran's Shi'ite religious establishment considers the faith a heretical offshoot of Islam. RFE/RL correspondent Ladan Nekoomaram sat down with Sovaida Ma'ani Ewing, an international lawyer and Baha'i activist and author of the book “Collective Security Within Reach,” to discuss the persecution of Baha’is in Iran. More  After Elections, Iran Remains A Major Player In Iraq Millions Of Iraqis went to the polls in the country's second national poll, to vote for blocs that were less sectarian than in 2005. The question is whether and how Iraq's fragile, young democracy and national unity can take hold and grow strong enough to resist internal pressure and external interference. More  'Shadow' Rights Summit In Geneva As the UN Human Rights Council continues its session, a parallel event is hoping to focus on topics left off the UN body's agenda. The Geneva Summit for Human Rights, Tolerance, and Democracy is bringing together dissidents and activists from places like China, North Korea, Afghanistan, and Iran. More  Former Tehran University Chancellor Charged With 'Waging A War Against God' The former chancellor of Tehran University, Mohammad Maleki, has been charged with “moharebeh” (waging a war against God), a charge that carries the death sentence. More  Some Iranians Disagree With Ahmadinejad’s 9/11 'Fabrication' Claim This photo gallery from 2001 that shows Iranians holding a vigil for 9/11 victims is making the rounds following yesterday’s comments by Iran’s President Mahmud Ahmadinejad that the destruction of the twin towers was a "complicated intelligence scenario and act.” More  Tehran Mayor Likes 'Lost,' Says Ahmadinejad More 'Dynamic' Than Khatami The mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, tells Iran's English-language international broadcaster Press TV that he's a watcher of the Hollywood series "Lost" and "24." ("Lost" is very popular among Iranians.) More  Clerics Say Protesters Not 'Enemies Of God' The list is getting longer of senior clerics who dispute the official claim that protesters are "mohareb," or enemies of God who deserve to die. More  Science Minister Says Antiestablishment Professors Will Be Fired Iranian Science Minister Kamran Daneshjou has said that academics who are not on the same side as the Iranian establishment will be dismissed from universities. More  Christian Priest And Wife Arrested In Iran A Christian priest and his wife have been arrested at their home in the city of Isfahan, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports. More A controversial reporter with the ultraconservative "Kayhan" daily has been praised as Iran's first soft-war hero. More  Clinton To Push Brazil On Iran Sanctions In Brazil on a six-country Latin American tour this week, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has made no secret of the fact that her top priority is to convince the country to drop its opposition to a new round of sanctions against Iran in the UN Security Council. More  Iran Upholds Activist's Death Sentence An Iranian appeal court is reported to have upheld a death sentence against a student over antigovernment protests on the religious holiday of Ashura in late December. More  Staff Of Banned Iranian Newspaper Defiant The opposition website "Rahesabz" has posted a picture of the staff of the reformist "Etemad" daily flashing the "V" sign following the closure of the newspaper on March 1. “Etemad” has been accused of breaching the country’s media laws. More  Afghans, Iranian Win U.S. 'Women Of Courage' Award Two Afghans and an Iranian are among this year's winners of the U.S. government's International Women of Courage Award. More |
