Iran’s holy, industrial capital and Shia scholarship hub
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since taking the role after his father’s death in February. State media say talks with the US continue as Tehran hints at potential footage releases; meanwhile, Iran signals conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz as regional conflicts escalate.
Amnesty International has called for halting flogging after a 2024 livestreamed Qom concert led to 74 lashes per performer and looming punishments for the eight others, including the singer Parastoo Ahmadi. The Guardian and BBC report on the court’s ruling, with rights groups warning this reflects broader suppression of women’s rights in Iran.