In the latest instalment of AsiaNews' reportage in the Vicariate of Northern Arabia, Fr Paulraj Devaraj shares his testimony. A “multicultural” community looks on with concern at regional tensions, from Gaza to Iran. There is “greater sensitivity” among the faithful, many of whom have “family and friends affected by the war”. The parish alone is the “centre” of activities, with numerous pastoral challenges.

Since gaining independence from the USSR, Iran has been one of Turkmenistan's few foreign policy partners, with which it shares almost 1,000 kilometres of border. During Raisi's presidency, new cooperation agreements were signed, particularly in the energy sector. Fears of a possible exodus of the two million ethnic Turkmen living in the northern region of the country.

At least seven victims from the Armenian and Chaldean communities. In addition, three were injured and one imprisoned. Among the dead was the young Ejmin Masihi. In an open letter, Article 18 activists condemn the ‘brutal repression’ carried out by the ‘Tehran regime’.

Alert in Lebanon over the wave of protests in the Islamic Republic. Institutional leaders and the population are closely following developments. Aoun's appeal to the Shiite movement: ‘From the logic of force to the force of logic’. Phase 2 of the disarmament plan is underway, while Israeli bombing continues.

Iran claims that the situation is relatively calm, but reports about protests are still coming from the country. Some estimates put the death toll as high as 12,000, while Iranian authorities report around 2,000 deaths. Speaking to AsiaNews, a Jordanian scholar notes that Iran’s crisis is not just a domestic problem related to the economy and society, but touches the entire Middle East and reflects the collapse of Iran’s allies.

The authorities have cut off the internet throughout the country to obscure the demonstrations. Khamenei threatens those who “devastate the streets” to “please” Trump. In reality, discontent is much more deeply rooted and widespread, due to an increasingly devastating economic crisis. And alongside pro-rights and freedom slogans, monarchist nostalgia is also trying to make its way.