Iran

| IRAN

Amir Mohammad Khaleghi, 19, was stabbed by "muggers" last week near the campus of the University of Tehran, triggering protests against insecurity and university administrators. The government denied rumours that protesters were arrested. To mark the anniversary of Iran’s Islamic revolution, two journalists who had uncovered Mahsa Amini’s killing were pardoned.

by Fady Noun

The new president speaks of a new page in the history of Lebanon and ‘respect for the Constitution’. An appointment welcomed by the international community, including by Tel Aviv and Tehran. A military man to file away the disastrous war between Hezbollah and Israel and the 26 months of institutional vacuum.

| 10/01/2025
| LEBANON

Westerners jailed by the Islamic Republic, who are rightly an international issue, are but a fraction of the more than 8,000 non-Iranians jailed in Iran, 95 per cent of them migrants from Afghanistan. More than 70 Afghans were hanged in 2024. Other countries of origin of prisoners include Pakistan, Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan and India.

| 03/01/2025
| IRAN
by Fady Noun

A climate of relative stability in preparation for the Lebanese Parliament's election of a new head of state on 9 January. A framework that remains fragile, given Hezbollah's determination to reorganise its forces, Iranian influence and the IDF troops still present. Elements that undermine institutions, border security and economic recovery.

| 02/01/2025
| LEBANON - ISRAEL

A long report by Article18, CSW, Open Doors and Middle East Concern raises the issue. The future for migrants is uncertain with abuse and violence potentially waiting for them should they return to Iran. In 2023, 20 per cent of asylum seekers in Georgia came from Iran, 90 per cent fleeing after converting to Christianity.

| 20/12/2024
| IRAN – GEORGIA
by Dario Salvi

​In an exclusive sit down with AsiaNews, Prof. Saad Salloum draws a parallel between the overthrow of the Rais in Iraq and the flight of the Syrian dictator. In both cases it took 13 years for their ouster to ‘drain’ the resources around the leader. Baghdad must ‘take tangible measures to ensure the recovery of the new Syria’ starting with the fight against drugs. Limit the role of Turkey and Iran, set up a reconstruction fund.

| 17/12/2024
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
by Alessandra De Poli

With the end of the Assad regime, there are questions about the possibility of a change of government even in Tehran, which appears increasingly weakened. As Prof. Pejman Abdolmohammadi, professor of Middle East international relations at Trent University, in the new U.S. view of the region, the Houthis and the Shiite militias in Iraq are the next elements of the so-called Iranian "Axis of Resistance" that could be affected

| 14/12/2024
| IRAN
Editor's choices
 
by Santosh Digal
An armed gang shot to death a 44-year-old priest in a village in the Sagaing region. For the Bishops' Conference, he was an innocent victim of the war like countless others. For the Archbishop of Mandalay, Marco Tin Win, “this heartbreaking ...
| 16/02/2025
| MYANMAR
 
by Dario Salvi
The vicar of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem speaks about small stories amid war, an Israeli Jew donating an organ to an Arab in need of a transplant, a wonderful “sign” to behold. Although “Hatred, unfortunately, drops on you,” ...
| 14/02/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
Breaking all records at the Chinese box office, the animated film has enthused online communities, including the “Industrial Party”, which praises technological progress as a means to achieve China's cultural supremacy. With innovative ...
| 11/02/2025
| CHINA
 
The story of Mei Li, who was contemplating suicide: ‘The thing that attracts me most about God is hope’. The story of the little girl who tells her parents tshe is going to the mall but instead takes part in activities in a church and ...
| 09/02/2025
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
 
by Dario Salvi
The parish priest spoke to AsiaNews describing a climate of "impunity" among settler attacks and army closures. At least 10 local families fled to the United States in search of peace and security, not for economic reasons. Israeli forces are forcing ...
| 07/02/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
by Nirmala Carvalho
Released today, “Sanatani: Karma Hi Dharma" is yet another picture that risks fuelling religious tensions. According to Christian activists, the meaning of baptism is misrepresented in the film. Several communities joined the protest, remembering ...
| 07/02/2025
| INDIAN MANDALA
 
by Dario Salvi
The archaeological site north of Nablus linked to the memory of John the Baptist targeted by settlers (and the Israeli army) attacks. The death of a 14-year-old boy hit by a soldier's bullets. Scholar Carla Benelli to AsiaNews: ‘Heritage ...
| 04/02/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
 
by Alessandra De Poli
Myanmar’s military regime has extended the state of emergency again, but its control over the country is faltering as ethnic militias and resistance forces now control 95 cities. Meanwhile, the UN is reporting war crimes, highlighting the imminent ...
| 01/02/2025
| MYANMAR
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”