Rights group urges recognition of 'gender apartheid' in Iran

"A group is seeking to impeach reformist ministers in the cabinet, including Labor Minister Ahmad Meydari, Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi, and Culture Minister Reza Salehi Amiri," said Abdolreza Sepahvand on Thursday.

Sepahvand criticized the impeachment of the economy minister, saying that "the issue of the exchange rate and the dollar was a deception" and driven by personal motived related to appointments.

He also accused certain political groups of being unwilling to compromise with the government.

Last week, President Masoud Pezeshkian's Economy Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati was impeached by Parliament while Vice President for Strategic Affairs Javad Zarif was forced to resign.

"Any government that makes baseless accusations against the Iranian nation or takes hostile actions against them must be held accountable," Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in a post on X on Thursday.

Baghaei was responding to the UK government's decision to place the Islamic Republic’s intelligence and security establishment on the highest tier of its foreign influence watchlist, citing concerns over Tehran’s political interference.

Under the new designation, Iran and any individuals acting on its behalf will be required to register their activities in the UK or face possible prison sentences of up to five years.

Referring to past British involvement in Iran’s internal affairs, Baghaei added, "You accuse Iran of what you yourselves are skilled at: interfering in the internal affairs of nations! But this is no longer the 19th century."

In his post, he mentioned the 1953 Iranian coup d'état during which Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh was removed from power. The event, historically understood as a US and British-instigated operation, involved the Iranian military and resulted in the consolidation of power by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last monarch of Iran.

The Islamic Republic says the objectives of this action were to safeguard British oil interests in Iran, following the Iranian government's refusal to accede to Western demands regarding oil concessions.

Baghaei accused Britain of trying to distract from its own record. "The UK insists on its irrational and hostile mindset toward Iranians, aiming to cover up its crimes as a supporter of the genocide of the Palestinian people and backer of anti-Iranian terrorism," he said.

"Russia, in negotiations with the United States, also considers Iran's interests," said Abbas Moghtadaei, deputy head of parliament's national security and foreign policy committee. "The Russians have a strategic agreement with us and will take our interests into account."

He dismissed concerns that Iran's interests could be compromised as part of wider US-Russia talks, particularly over Ukraine.

"Iran's position and Ukraine's position on the international stage are completely different," he said.

"Therefore, comparing our country with Ukraine and presenting this analysis that the US and Russia can negotiate about Iran's interests as they bargain about Ukraine's interests, is fundamentally flawed."

Moscow and Tehran have become ever closer in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, during which Iran has been sanctioned by global powers such as the US, UK and EU, for supplying Russia with drones used to target civilian populations in Ukraine.

The two nations, along with China, have carried out multiple military drills since the war began, in addition to signing long-term strategic agreements, which Moghtadaei said has cemented the alliance between the three countries.

"Those who analyze that the US and Russia will trade on Iran's interests the same way they negotiate over Ukraine, do not have a deep understanding of our country and its capabilities," he added.

The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that Russia suggested to the United States that the two powers should hold talks focused on Iran's nuclear program, with Russian media reporting this week that President Vladimir Putin has agreed to mediate nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

Yarrahi was sentenced after performing the protest song Rousarito (Take Off Your Headscarf). He confirmed through his lawyer that the punishment had been carried out and expressed defiance in response, following news that his case had finally been closed.

Writing on X, he said: “He who is unwilling to pay a price for freedom is unworthy of it.” He later added: “You have taken glass to break our stone.”

Renowned actress Taraneh Alidoosti shared a photo of Yarrahi in an Instagram story, writing: “Shame on fanaticism, shame on torture, shame on violence, shame on inhumane laws, and shame on our helplessness.”

Labor activist Esmail Bakhshi called the flogging “a whip striking the entire body of art and all art lovers in this land [Iran]," as hundreds of artists and entertainment stars continue to be victims of the state crackdown on dissent.

The singer gained prominence for his support of the 2022 popular protests, ignited by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody of hijab police.

His case has drawn renewed attention to the targeting of artists in Iran. Other musicians, including Toomaj Salehi and Saman Yasin, were imprisoned for supporting the protests, though both have since been released.

Many high level figures in the likes of sports and entertainment have been given punishments from jail time to travel bans, fines and work bans.

It was not only in Iran that solidarity message flooded the internet. In Canada, Iranian dissident Hamed Esmaeilion wrote: “In praise of those whose weary bodies bear the bloody marks of the whips of criminals and tyrants.”

US-based Singer Dariush Eghbali also reacted, posting Yarrahi’s image alongside a verse from his song: "Neither bullets nor daggers, neither gallows nor prison; Don’t frighten the stars away from the night."

Ahmad Zeidabadi, a Tehran-based commentator with ties to the Reformist camp, criticized the justification behind the sentence, writing: “Woe to that form of religiosity that remains trapped in history and does not modernize itself!”

In contravention of international laws on torture, Iran continues its policy of flogging, which along with death sentences, has increased in the wake of the 2022 uprising, according to rights groups.

During his first meeting with the General Staff Forum on Wednesday, he said, “2025 will be a year of war, focusing on Gaza, Iran, and preserving and deepening achievements in other arenas.”

It comes as the US-brokered ceasefire with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza looks ever more fragile and talk from the US President Donald Trump and Israel’s political and military leaders continues to focus on the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said this week that Iran remains its greatest threat following talks with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

"The Minister of Defense and the Secretary of Defense agreed that Iran is the main threat to the region, and that close cooperation between Israel and the United States should continue with the aim of preventing it from obtaining nuclear weapons," a statement from his office said.

On Saturday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement to say that he has signed a declaration to use emergency authorities to expedite the delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel.

Israel’s new Chief of Staff emphasized the importance of the value of victory in battle, announcing a multi-year plan set to begin in the second half of the year.

Last year, Israel and Iran’s shadow war came to the fore when Tehran launched two direct strikes on the Jewish state, sparking heavy retaliations from Israel, which targeted military and nuclear research facilities, and swathes of the country’s defense systems.

Last month, The Washington Post reported that US intelligence reports pointed to more Israeli strikes on nuclear related sites in Iran while Iran has promised a third strike on Israel.

"Operation True Promise 3 will occur at the right time," IRGC deputy commander Ali Fadavi said last month.

Overnight Wednesday, Donald Trump posted a harsh warning to Iran-backed Hamas, warning that if the remaining hostages are not handed over, there will be “hell to pay”.

"'Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye - You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” he wrote on X.

“Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say. I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed. This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.”