Iranian economy

IRAN AFFAIRS: Iran’s campaign of executions is part of a wider attempt to reverse the defiance of January, dismantle protest networks, and reassert control over society.

“They understand, as we do, who Trump is, that nothing he says should be taken seriously in any case and under any circumstances," Zisser explained.

While the size and scope of the survey is unclear, Bathaei admitted that around 60% of Iranians are not hopeful that the social conditions will improve in the future.

Many Iranian activists have speculated that the hair came from some of the protesters killed during the January demonstrations, but hair smuggling was already a problem in Iran.

The dispute has emerged as one of the central obstacles preventing progress toward a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, which would be just the first step.

The US is pushing for firm, up-front commitments on Iran's part for the future of its nuclear program, the mediators said, while Iran is focused on relief from the US's sanctions and asset freezes.

Much like his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khamenei has seemingly pushed for an increase in marriage and birth rates across the Islamic Republic.

Businesses across Iran have begun laying off workers as the country’s economy struggles under the combined pressure of war-related disruptions, sanctions, and infrastructure damage.

“The leadership has gotten more radical, determined, and increasingly confident they can outlast US political will and sustain domestic repression to check any resistance,” one US official said.

“I was 15 when I started blogging with a fake name, Sarah Shams,” she told The Jerusalem Post last week while visiting Israel. “Sarah was my aunt’s name, and Shams was an Arab lady who sang on TV.