Iran’s central bank chief blames US-based website for rial’s devaluation

"For the regime, every foreign citizen is a bargaining chip for their demands," Sotoudeh said in an interview with Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera.

She described Sala's arrest as "disgraceful" and demanded her immediate release, stressing, "Journalism is neither a crime nor a bargaining chip."

The case has been likened to that of Swedish EU diplomat who was exchanged in return for a jailed Iranian official imprisoned on charges of war crimes in June.

Last year, five US-Iranians were also exchanged for the release of $5bn in frozen Iranian funds.

Sotoudeh called on the international community to pressure Iran to respect human rights and release all unjustly imprisoned journalists, the exact numbers of which are not known, but around 100 have been arrested in Iran this year alone.

In 2021, Sotoudeh was recognized as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World. Despite her contributions to human rights advocacy, Sotoudeh was imprisoned in Tehran's Evin Prison, where Sala is now being held, and was released on a medical furlough in July 2021.

Recalling the time she spent in the notorious jail, which has held a string of high-profile international detainees such as British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, she said: "I remember the gray walls, the very small space in the room, and the cold. Political prisoners like us were given just one blanket without a pillow or mattress. I couldn’t call home, and when they allowed me this luxury, there was always a guard next to me listening to my conversations."

Her husband Reza Khandan was recently detained in Tehran for his activism and his support of Sotoudeh's campaign against Iran’s mandatory hijab laws.

“The energy crisis in the power sector stems from poor management and misguided policies by the energy ministry. During Ali Akbari’s tenure, instead of addressing infrastructural issues, we have witnessed mismanagement in power plants and blackouts, which has worsened the situation and deepened the energy crisis in the country,” Ali Haddadi, a member of the parliamentary committee on industries and mines, said in an interview with Student News Network (SNN).

“Unfortunately, instead of taking responsibility and being accountable, officials blame others for the problems. This irresponsible approach has caused significant delays in many power plant projects and insufficient investment in the energy sector,” Haddadi added.

He warned that as long as mismanagement continues, the energy crisis will remain unresolved, adding that the public has the right to demand transparency and accountability from the energy ministry.

Half of Iran’s industrial parks have ceased operations due to power outages, according to the employers' representative in the Supreme Labor Council, as the electricity cuts further hamper the economy.

There has also been a widespread closures of schools, universities, and government offices in the country as the government struggles to curb energy consumption amid a worsening winter crisis.

“Naturally, if there is a need for such efforts, they will certainly be undertaken, but no messages were exchanged during this visit,” Araghchi said during a joint press conference with his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, in Tehran on Monday.

“Oman's role in nuclear negotiations is clear, and we have always expressed our gratitude to our Omani friends in this regard, ”he added.

He also reiterated that Tehran continues to exchange necessary messages with Washington through the Swiss Embassy. “At the appropriate time…and if necessary, it will be done through this channel. If needed, our Omani brothers could also assist, but no such actions took place during this trip,” he said.

Al Busaidi, who traveled to Tehran for high-level talks, did not comment on the matter but said that he carries a message from the Sultan of Oman for the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Araghchi also addressed regional issues, emphasizing the need for stability in Syria. "We all seek calm in Syria, the formation of an inclusive government, and an end to the occupation by Israel," he said, referring to what is internationally recognized as the Israeli occupied Golan Heights.

The press conference is part of a string of trips, following meetings in the UAE the day before, and china on Saturday. In Beijing, he held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where, according to a statement by the ministry, they agreed to advance the implementation of the China-Iran Comprehensive Cooperation Plan.

Local rights group Haalvsh, citing a statement by Ansar al-Furqan, reported on Sunday that the group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack took place outside a police headquarters in Bandar Lengeh, a town on the Persian Gulf coast.

While Iranian state media say Captain Mojtaba Shahidi Takhti, the head of Bandar Lengeh police intelligence was the only victim of the attack, a statement by Ansar al-Furqan claims Sohrab Hassan Zadeh, a senior IRGC intelligence member in Hormozgan province, and Bakhtiar Soleimanpour, a delegate from Tehran's central police intelligence unit were also killed in the incident.

Iran International cannot independently verify the militant group's claim.

Captain Javad Chatr-Sahar, the deputy head of Bandar Lengeh police intelligence, was injured in the attack, the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News confirmed on Saturday citing the local governor.

The identity of the suicide bomber has not yet been precisely identified, the deputy security chief of Hormozgan province said on Sunday, but evidence suggests they were affiliated with what he called terrorist groups.

Authorities in Hormozgan province have arrested one individual in connection with the attack, Iran's judiciary's news agency Mizan reported Sunday citing the provincial judiciary chief.

The bomber was positioned on the two police officers' exit route and triggered the explosion with a remote control, the report by Tasnim news agency said.

Security forces promptly arrived at the scene after the incident and confirmed the attacker was also killed, Tasnim added, citing the local governor Foad Moradzadeh.

The attack came days before the anniversary of twin suicide bombings in January this year claimed by Islamic State which killed nearly 100 people at a southeastern Iran memorial for late top IRGC general Qassem Soleimani.

"A vehicle belonging to the Intelligence Organization of Iran's Law Enforcement Command overturned for unknown reasons while on duty on the Ardestan to Na'ein road, near the Noor Complex," Iranian news agency Rokna reported.

"In this incident, General Jalal Sharafat was martyred due to the severity of his injuries and Major Seyyed Mohsen Mirghasemi was injured," the report added.

Sherafat previously served as the head of the Iranian Anti-Narcotics Police's Cyberspace Center at least until 2019, but it is not clear what his position was at the time of his death.