https://www.rferl.org Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is an international news organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:31:48 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL Consumers in Iran report they are struggling to afford a staple foodstuff: bread. One listener to RFE/RL's Radio Farda calls prices "horrific," while a baker explains he is trying to shield his customers from his own rocketing expenses for rent and utilities. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-bread-inflation-consumer-price-war-us-israel/33789622.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-bread-inflation-consumer-price-war-us-israel/33789622.html Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:31:56 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosEconomyThe Rundown Stories The doubling of bread prices in Iran is yet another indicator of the deteriorating state of the economy as ordinary Iranians describe cutting meat, skipping meals out, and struggling to buy their children toys. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-bread-economy-poor-us-war/33788675.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-bread-economy-poor-us-war/33788675.html Fri, 26 Jun 2026 01:00:23 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Headline Iran sentenced singer Parastoo Ahmadi to 74 lashes for singing a song while not wearing a hijab, but the punishment may only make women’s voices harder to silence, according to a fellow performer. Hana Kamkar, an Iranian singer now in exile, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that women and girls continue to sing in Iran despite bans on solo singing, a dress code, and years of pressure. She says Ahmadi’s virtual concert without a head scarf was an act of defiance that amplified Iranians' struggles on a global platform. https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-singer-lashes-reaction/33787034.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-singer-lashes-reaction/33787034.html Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:05:33 +0200 VideosIranVideo ArchiveThe Rundown Stories Iran and the United States cited progress in talks toward reaching a final peace deal, though comments from both sides highlighted the fragile state of negotiations. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-progress-peace-deal-trump-rubio/33786485.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-progress-peace-deal-trump-rubio/33786485.html Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:48:49 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown Stories Iranian authorities have sentenced singer Parastoo Ahmadi to a punishment of 74 lashes for performing in a YouTube video that has racked up 2.9 million views over the last two years. Ahmadi sang the well-known patriotic song From The Blood Of The Youth to an empty theater space in 2024 with the help of eight musicians and crew. They have also been sentenced to flogging, a travel ban, and a prohibition on any "artistic activities" for the next two years. Ahmadi was accused of "offending public decency" after she performed without a hijab, the head covering mandated by Iranian morality police. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-singer-sentence-flogging-morality-police-ban-women-life-freedom-hijab-concert-youtube/33783873.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-singer-sentence-flogging-morality-police-ban-women-life-freedom-hijab-concert-youtube/33783873.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:26:54 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories The first shipments of Iranian crude oil in two months have departed the Strait of Hormuz, according to ship-monitoring firm TankerTrackers.com. This comes just days before senior Iranian and US officials are expected to sign a preliminary agreement in Switzerland aimed at ending the war. Using satellite imagery and shipping data, TankerTrackers said it had verified Iran's first crude oil exports since a US naval blockade was imposed two months ago. https://www.rferl.org/a/first-iranian-crude-exports-in-two-months-leave-hormuz/33783096.html https://www.rferl.org/a/first-iranian-crude-exports-in-two-months-leave-hormuz/33783096.html Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:50:33 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideos Iranians say they have been warned by security officials not to speak to US-funded Persian-language media, such as RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, amid a crackdown in which the Iranian authorities say they have charged increasing numbers with espionage for “cooperation with the enemy.” https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-fear-crackdown-protests-dissent-media/33781430.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-fear-crackdown-protests-dissent-media/33781430.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:32:46 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East US President Donald Trump said that a deal between Washington and Tehran is scheduled to be signed on June 14 and that the key Strait of Hormuz would reopen "to all" immediately afterward, despite conflicting signals from Tehran. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-peace-deal-conflicting-reports-fragile-cease-fire/33779736.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-peace-deal-conflicting-reports-fragile-cease-fire/33779736.html Sat, 13 Jun 2026 16:15:33 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Headline The United States and Iran have traded strikes for a second consecutive day as tensions escalate in the Middle East. US Central Command released video late on June 10 of new strikes targeting Iranian military sites. Iran responded by attacking US allies in the Persian Gulf region. Several homes were damaged in Bahrain after debris fell from intercepted Iranian drones. Despite the escalation, both sides said talks to reach a peace deal are still continuing. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-strikes-hormuz-bahrain-kuwait-ship-india-ceasefire-talks/33778308.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-strikes-hormuz-bahrain-kuwait-ship-india-ceasefire-talks/33778308.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:52:09 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideos Iran launched ballistic missiles at northern Israel on June 7, describing the attack as retaliation for Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Israel responded with a "large-scale strike" on Iran's strategic defense systems. US President Donald Trump urged both sides to avoid further escalation. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-israel-exchange-fresh-strikes/33775841.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-israel-exchange-fresh-strikes/33775841.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:55:51 +0200 IranMiddle East More than three months into Iran's conflict with the United States and Israel, Iranians inside the country say they are increasingly desperate about meeting basic needs. Some say they're down to one meal a day, meat is rare, and household appliances are sold off to pay utility bills that have tripled. Some Iranians have sent voice messages to RFE/RL's Radio Farda recounting the deepening economic hardship amid a tense cease-fire with the United States and Israel. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-economy-crisis-inflation-us-israel-war-unemployment-internet-irgc/33772766.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-economy-crisis-inflation-us-israel-war-unemployment-internet-irgc/33772766.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:06:01 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories Kuwait's Civil Aviation Authority released images of an Iranian drone attack on the country's international airport that took place on June 3. Kuwait says one person was killed and more than 60 were injured in the attack. https://www.rferl.org/a/kuwait-iran-drone-airport-attack/33772477.html https://www.rferl.org/a/kuwait-iran-drone-airport-attack/33772477.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:06:53 +0200 VideosIranVideo ArchiveThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East Two more men have been executed in Iran in connection with the January protests with human rights groups condemning growing repression in the country. Iran's judiciary announced on June 1 that the men were hanged after being convicted of attacking a mosque. More than 40 people have now been executed in Iran since the start of the war with the United States and Israel. An Iranian man was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for simply shooting video of protests that first erupted in December 2025 over economic hardship. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-execution-protest-prisoners-human-rights-video-sentence/33770259.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-execution-protest-prisoners-human-rights-video-sentence/33770259.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:42:38 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosHuman Rights The shaky video of the incident recalled the famous "Tank Man" protester on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, who single-handedly defied an armored column during pro-democracy protests in 1989 that were subsequently crushed by tanks. https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-tehran-tiananmen-moment/33770299.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-tehran-tiananmen-moment/33770299.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:03:37 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown Headline Internet access in Iran has been partially restored after the government shut down communications at the start of the US-Israeli bombing campaign in late February. Iranians told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that they had been unable to check on their loved ones' safety during months of deadly air strikes. Even as the total blackout ended on May 27, Iranians inside and outside the country described slow connections and difficulty reaching friends and family. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-internet-restored-blackout/33767726.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-internet-restored-blackout/33767726.html Thu, 28 May 2026 19:10:53 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideos After 88 days of a near-total Internet blackout, Iranians are slowly reconnecting, but to the same heavily censored, regulated network they had before. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-internet-restrictions-shutdown/33766824.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-internet-restrictions-shutdown/33766824.html Wed, 27 May 2026 16:34:32 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Headline Iranian monarchist groups are voicing anger over reports that FIFA intends to ban the so-called Lion and Sun flag, often carried as a symbol of resistance to the theocratic rule that took over the country in 1979. Called a "political" symbol by the soccer association and thus not officially allowed at matches, the Lion and Sun is still likely to be flown at World Cup matches, its defiant proponents say. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-opposition-flag-fifa-world-cup/33761265.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-opposition-flag-fifa-world-cup/33761265.html Thu, 21 May 2026 00:46:37 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveThe Rundown Stories The world soccer governing body FIFA reportedly plans to again prohibit fans from displaying Iran's pre-revolutionary flag at the 2026 World Cup, renewing a controversy that shadowed the tournament in Qatar four years ago. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-fifa-lion-sun-flag-ban-world-cup/33761122.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-fifa-lion-sun-flag-ban-world-cup/33761122.html Wed, 20 May 2026 17:13:23 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories The public spectacle of hundreds of couples marrying in Tehran surrounded by armored vehicles and antiaircraft guns on May 18 demonstrates a new level of patriotic messaging from the country amid a fragile cease-fire with the US and Israel. The Iranian regime's "Janfada," or self-sacrifice, program has also involved organized displays of children and women learning to assemble assault rifles while the conflict drags into its third month. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-tehran-us-israel-war-wedding-irgc-janfada-self-sacrifice-ceasefire/33760330.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-tehran-us-israel-war-wedding-irgc-janfada-self-sacrifice-ceasefire/33760330.html Tue, 19 May 2026 17:31:37 +0200 IranVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories An armed Iranian state TV presenter fired at a United Arab Emirates flag during a broadcast amid signs of growing public militarization in Iran. It came as US President Donald Trump issued threats of renewed attacks on Iran if it didn't reach a deal to end the nearly three-month-long conflict. https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-tv-presenter-fires-gun-at-uae-flag/33759595.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-tv-presenter-fires-gun-at-uae-flag/33759595.html Mon, 18 May 2026 18:49:01 +0200 Iran