Iran

| AFGHANISTAN – IRAN

Maryam Marof Arwin, founder of the Purple Saturdays Movement, spoke to AsiaNews about often inhumane conditions of Afghan refugees in Iran, which got worse following Israel’s recent strikes. At least one Afghan has died so far from an airstrike. Women, children, dissidents, and activists risk their lives if repatriated, but even in exile they face hunger, precariousness, and discrimination. For the activist, human rights defenders must promote respect for humanitarian law.


With Xi Jinping's offer of mediation from Astana falling on deaf ears, China is looking with great concern at a possible direct US intervention in Iran. The crisis is highlighting the fragility of the multilateral bodies promoted by Beijing such as SCO and BRICS. Meanwhile, Chinese nationals are being evacuated.

| 18/06/2025
| CHINA – IRAN – ISRAEL

Developed by Iran for 20 years as a deterrent, the "Axis of Resistance" is keeping a low profile in this war. From the Iraqi prime minister to the religious leader al-Sadr, the order is to "silence" the "reckless voices" that want to start a war. At least 20 Muslim and Arab nations sign a statement for a nuclear-free Middle East "without exceptions" (a reference to Israel).

| 18/06/2025
| IRAQ – IRAN – ISRAEL
by Chiara Zappa

From Italy, exiled film director Fariborz Kamkari comments on what is happening in his country. Khamenei has failed to understand that with 7 October 2023 he found himself in a dead-end street. The Pasdaran are at a crossroads, between a military regime that makes peace with the West or mass destruction like with Hamas. Iran has a long history of “stolen democratic revolutions” while it is among Kurds that the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement first emerged.

| 17/06/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST

Four Palestinian women from a family in Tamra are among the people killed by Iranian rockets, members of an extended family engaged in dialogue. Israel’s Arab towns and villages are most exposed because they lack bunkers and safe rooms. Italian Friends of Neve Shalom Wahat al-Salam are outraged that some in Israel “toasted watching rockets fall on Palestinian neighbours”. A group of Israeli and Iranian intellectuals issued a joint appeal for “peace and diplomacy”.

| 16/06/2025
| ISRAEL – IRAN
by Dario Salvi
Even before the start of the Israeli raids and the Iranian reaction, the internet had been down in Gaza City for several days. For the first time since the beginning of the conflict, even the Latin parish of the Holy Family is unable to get news out. There is concern about the humanitarian situation, which remains critical. Fr Ibrahim Faltas: ‘The international community must find a solution to this inhumane situation. Let us continue to pray.’ 

| 14/06/2025
| ISRAEL - IRAN - GAZA
by Dario Salvi

The Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan of the Latins tells AsiaNews of his concern over the escalation in recent hours. The cardinal, who participated in the conclave that elected Pope Francis, was appointed by the Pope precisely to keep alive the Christian “presence” with the task of “integrating, including and being in contact with the nation at its various levels”.

| 13/06/2025
| IRAN - VATICAN
Editor's choices
 
by Alessandra De Poli
On 19 June, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Burmese democratic leader will turn 80 in prison, where she has been held since the military coup in February 2021. Despite her enforced silence, her son Kim Aris tells AsiaNews how his mother ...
| 17/06/2025
| MYANMAR
 
by Dario Salvi
The Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan of the Latins tells AsiaNews of his concern over the escalation in recent hours. The cardinal, who participated in the conclave that elected Pope Francis, was appointed by the Pope precisely to keep alive the Christian ...
| 13/06/2025
| IRAN - VATICAN
 
In Hong Kong, the NGO that reported on spontaneous worker protests and workplace accidents in mainland China has been forced to cease operations. It was founded in 1994 by activist Han Dongfang, who tried to set up an independent trade union in Tiananmen ...
| 13/06/2025
| HONG KONG - CHINA
 
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| 11/06/2025
| CHINA – VATICAN
 
by Alessandra De Poli
New data from the International Labour Organisation and UNICEF indicate a drop of 22 million child workers in four years. However, 138 million children remain trapped in this scourge, particularly in agriculture and the informal economy. Expert Insaf ...
| 11/06/2025
| ASIA
 
by Gregory
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| 07/06/2025
| MYANMAR
 
by Alessandra De Poli
Jomana Solman, project manager for the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre, told AsiaNews that no remains have been found where the Italian priest was abducted in 2013. The organisation continues to work on mass graves in northeastern Syria, but ...
| 05/06/2025
| SYRIA
 
The prime minister ousted by parliament had promoted a New Recovery Policy to make Mongolia independent from the mining industry interests. Despite economic growth and the reduction of public debt, his government has had to face growing criticism, triggered ...
| 04/06/2025
| MONGOLIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”