Stories from Iran

The designation indicates deficiencies in the country's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regimes. Iran has been retained on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist. The report notes that approximately 1,000 Iranian entities register abroad to conduct brokerage activities. Large institutions like BNP Paribas have previously faced US Treasury sanctions involving billions of dollars, with one settlement reaching 8 billion dollars.

Five former senior US officials criticized the Pentagon for failing to provide information regarding a school bombing in Iran. Approximately 20,000 seafarers are currently stuck inside the Persian Gulf due to ongoing maritime blockades and war zone conditions. Crew morale is reported as highly stressed following recent attacks on merchant ships. Relief captains from other countries, such as India, are reportedly unwilling to enter the region to replace current crews. US President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal citing US officials. The plan aims to maintain pressure on the Iranian economy and oil exports by obstructing navigation in Iranian ports. Trump reportedly assessed options such as resuming bombings or exiting the conflict as higher risk than maintaining the current blockade.

The organization Gondahari highlighted the case of 33-year-old fitness coach Ali Rabbar, who was reportedly alive and healthy when arrested at a protest. His death follows a repeated pattern of individuals entering custody and subsequently dying, according to two families.

Iranian authorities have continued to imprison individuals accused of defying the government by owning Starlink devices. A former political prisoner reported that food and medicine levels are low in the prisons. The prisoner stated the regime is taking revenge on people due to feeling powerless and angry following recent attacks. These arrests have occurred over the past weeks. Individuals are being accused of defying the government for owning Starlink devices, communicating with foreign news organizations, or celebrating airstrikes. One musician was arrested following protests in January and his current prison location remains unknown to his family, according to the source. The source noted the individual was only able to make a 15-second phone call to his mother. Access to the internet is reportedly impossible without Starlink in certain areas.

Most political prisoners in Iran are unable to communicate with their families. A musician was arrested following protests in January and is being held in an unknown prison. His family only confirmed he is alive via a 15-second phone call to his mother. There are fears regarding potential execution, according to a close friend. A director of advocacy for the US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran stated that several thousand people from the 50,000 arrested after the January massacres have disappeared into the system. The source noted a repeated pattern of individuals entering custody and failing to emerge. The scale of threats from authorities and state media targeting Iranians both inside and outside the country is described as. Gondahari reported that blackouts and pressure on protesters' families are hindering human rights groups' ability to confirm cases.

Authorities in Tehran are conducting operations targeting currency exchange bureaus. The move comes amid economic difficulties and high inflation in Iran.

A process is being discussed to reduce Iran's ability to rapidly build a weapon by transporting nuclear material out of Iran. The proposal involves placing the material under Russian control for potential downblending for civilian use.

An analysis suggests Iranian maritime tactics, such as targeting ship engines or conducting special forces landings on tankers, are intended to create terror and panic rather than represent true military strength.

A Ukrainian firm has been invited to provide protection for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement was made by Charles III, according to the source. The move follows discussions regarding military readiness and potential maritime blockades.

Iran has lost the ability to transit goods from southern ports due to sanctions, according to a former World Bank advisor. Khorani noted that the situation is not merely due to market volatility but reflects negative expectations regarding the future. Market volatility and a lack of transactions have led to price corrections in the dollar and gold markets. Iran is currently facing severe import and export challenges due to a maritime blockade. There is market speculation regarding the potential entry of US dollars into the country. Economic pressures are driving market expectations toward further dollarization of the economy. This trend is fueled by concerns that imports will become increasingly expensive as the local currency loses value. Citizens are reportedly moving assets into more stable forms to manage economic risks.