http://www.rferl.org/archive/Persian_Letters/latest/2098/2098.html A blog bringing you the latest trends and topics from the Iranian blogosphere http://www.rferl.org/img/rssLogo_RFERL.gif http://www.rferl.org/archive/Persian_Letters/latest/2098/2098.html en-US Copyright 2010 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Tue, 21 May 2013 14:58:01 +0000 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL The spokesman for Iran's Guardians Council -- the oversight body that vets all the country's election candidates -- has said that physically weak candidates will not be allowed to run. The comments appear to be a reference to the age of 78-year-old presidential hopeful Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who is considered a challenge to Iran’s establishment. http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-rafsanjani-allowed-run/24992070.html http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-rafsanjani-allowed-run/24992070.html Mon, 20 May 2013 19:10:36 +0000 Iran Golnaz Esfandiari Conservative lawmaker Ali Motahari has criticized recent comments by hard-line cleric Ahmad Jannati suggesting what kind of car Iran's next president should -- or shouldn't -- drive. http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-president-election-rafsanjani-jannati/24990834.html http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-president-election-rafsanjani-jannati/24990834.html Sun, 19 May 2013 16:11:19 +0000 Persian Letters http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-president-election-rafsanjani-jannati/24990834.html#relatedInfoContainer On May 17, hard-line cleric Ahmad Jannati, the chairman of the powerful Guardians Council that vets all election candidates, said without naming Rafsanjani that the country's next president should lead a simple life. He added that such a man (for female candidates appear to be excluded) shouldn't ride around in a Mercedes. http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-president-election-rafsanjani-mercedes/24989872.html http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-president-election-rafsanjani-mercedes/24989872.html Sat, 18 May 2013 09:17:10 +0000 Persian Letters http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-president-election-rafsanjani-mercedes/24989872.html#relatedInfoContainer Two starkly different accounts by one of Iran’s leading presidential hopefuls of his role in state crackdowns have emerged online. So is Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf a hard-liner or a moderate? http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-qalibaf-crackdown-accounts/24989062.html http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-qalibaf-crackdown-accounts/24989062.html Fri, 17 May 2013 11:19:51 +0000 Iran Golnaz Esfandiari In recent days, photos of the cars used by Iranian presidential contenders Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and and Said Jalili have been posted side by side on a number of hard-line pro-establishment websites. http://www.rferl.org/content/persian-letters-rafsanjani-jalili-presidential-contenders-cars/24986191.html http://www.rferl.org/content/persian-letters-rafsanjani-jalili-presidential-contenders-cars/24986191.html Tue, 14 May 2013 18:40:08 +0000 Persian Letters http://www.rferl.org/content/persian-letters-rafsanjani-jalili-presidential-contenders-cars/24986191.html#relatedInfoContainer Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has entered the race for the country’s presidency. The move challenges plans by the Iranian establishment to ensure a loyalist wins next month's polls. http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-rafsanjani-candidacy-khamenei/24985662.html http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-rafsanjani-candidacy-khamenei/24985662.html Tue, 14 May 2013 11:36:36 +0000 Iran Golnaz Esfandiari Prominent Iranian union leader Mansur Osanlu, who recently fled that country, has told RFE/RL that death threats from inside government security circles drove him out of Iran. http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-labor-activist-osanlu-osanlou-threats/24981928.html http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-labor-activist-osanlu-osanlou-threats/24981928.html Fri, 10 May 2013 05:42:54 +0000 Persian Letters Golnaz Esfandiari The registration period for potential candidates for Iran's June 14 presidential vote is under way in Iran. As the nominations are entered, Iran observers will be trying to determine who might be suitable for the country's supreme leader, who has the last say in all state affairs in the Islamic republic. http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-supreme-presidential-candidate/24981420.html http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-supreme-presidential-candidate/24981420.html Thu, 09 May 2013 13:19:59 +0000 Iran Golnaz Esfandiari As Iran's presidential election campaign officially kicks off, the country's already factionalized media is becoming increasingly polarized. RFE/RL looks at the escalating media war in the Islamic republic. http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-election-media-war/24978233.html http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-election-media-war/24978233.html Mon, 06 May 2013 13:39:12 +0000 Iran Golnaz Esfandiari Ahead of Iran's presidential vote, some dissatisfied Iranians are grappling with whether to participate in the election or stay away from the ballot boxes. http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-election-president-/24975986.html http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-election-president-/24975986.html Fri, 03 May 2013 13:12:29 +0000 Iran Golnaz Esfandiari The Basij force of Iran's Revolutionary Guard has said in a statement posted by Iranian news outlets that several of its websites have come under cyberattack. http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-persian-letters-basij-cyberattack/24974198.html http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-persian-letters-basij-cyberattack/24974198.html Wed, 01 May 2013 17:10:35 +0000 Persian Letters http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-persian-letters-basij-cyberattack/24974198.html#relatedInfoContainer Well-known Iranian human rights activist Kouhyar Goudarzi recently fled Iran. He tells RFE/RL about the pressures that contributed to his decision to finally leave his homeland. http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-activist-goudarzi-flees/24968084.html http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-activist-goudarzi-flees/24968084.html Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:07:37 +0000 Persian Letters http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-activist-goudarzi-flees/24968084.html#relatedInfoContainer