(2020-03-17). Iran's supreme leader issues fatwa banning 'unnecessary travel' as coronavirus death toll mounts. rt.com 
The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has made a religious ruling that prohibits "unnecessary travel" in the country in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19. Iran's death toll from the outbreak is nearing 1,000. | The fatwa urges citizens to respect the orders of the health authorities and to refrain from traveling across the country without a valid reason. The supreme leader has final say on all state affairs and the decree published on Tuesday is a rare move on his part. | Iranian authorities called upon the citizenry to avoid traveling, closing major Shia Muslim holy sites on Monday in a bid t…
(2020-03-17). To Help Stem Coronavirus, Lift Sanctions on Iran. counterpunch.org 
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is far from the first proof of how intertwined we are as a global community. The climate crisis and the refugee crisis have long been glaring examples that the wars or CO2 emissions on one continent risk the lives and well-being of people on another continent. What coronavirus is providing, however,
(2020-03-17). Iran has now temporarily sent home 85,000 inmates over coronavirus fears. rt.com 
Iran's effort to free up overcrowded prisons from non-critical inmates has seen 85,000 people going home for leave. The measure is meant to prevent an outbreak of coronavirus in the penitentiary system. | "Some 50% of those released are security-related prisoners… Also in the jails we have taken precautionary measures to confront the outbreak," judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said, as cited by Reuters. | The number of people granted furlough has increased by 15,000 compared to last week. The Middle Eastern country reported 14,991 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 infection as of Monday, with the deat…
(2020-03-17). "Defender-Europe 20" War Games, COVID-19 and NATO's Disjointed Flight Forward. Computer Simulations of Nuclear War. globalresearch.ca Presently NATO is in the initial stages of military operations called Defender-Europe 20. The 40,000 soldier strong war game exercise includes roughly 20,000 American troops and accompanying weaponry. This witnesses the largest deployment of US personnel in Europe since 1983 …
(2020-03-17). Iran's death toll from coronavirus climbs to 988. yenisafak.com Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus has increased to 988, with 135 new deaths in the past 24 hours, a health ministry spokesman told state TV on Tuesday."The death toll is 988 … with 1,178 new infected people in the past 24 hours, now the total number of infected cases is 16,169 across the country," said Kianush Jahanpur, adding that 5,389 people infected with the virus have recovered.
(2020-03-17). Chegam à Europa do vírus, os bombardeiros USA de ataque nuclear. globalresearch.ca Devido ao Coronavírus, a American Airlines e outras companhias aéreas dos EUA cancelaram muitos voos para a Europa. No entanto, existe uma "companhia" USA que, vice-versa, os aumentou: a US Air Force. | Há poucos dias, "instalou, na Europa, uma task …
(2020-03-17). Nell'Europa del virus arrivano i bombardieri USA da attacco nucleare. globalresearch.ca A causa del Coronavirus le American Airlines e altre compagnie aeree statunitensi hanno cancellato molti voli per l'Europa. C'è perà≤ una ´compagnia ª Usa che, viceversa, li ha aumentati: la US Air Force. | In questi giorni essa ha ´dispiegato in Europa …
(2020-03-17). How can the US support Iran's response to the coronavirus and bolster diplomacy? iranian.com As Tehran is scrambling to contain the rapid spread of the coronavirus in Iran, Mark Fitzpatrick explains why the United States should facilitate the humanitarian assistance Iran needs to address its current public health crisis. The United States' policy toward Iran is stuck in a rut. Government officials know well that the maximum pressure campaign …
(2020-03-17). Iran calls on Europe to defy US sanctions amid COVID-19 outbreak. iranian.com Iran's foreign minister has called on London and the European Union to defy Washington's anti-Iran sanctions amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. In a Monday phone conversation with his British counterpart Dominic Raab, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denounced the US' illegal and unilateral sanctions against Iran as an obstacle to the battle …
(2020-03-16). Sanctions cripple Iran's coronavirus response; country pleads for U.S. to lift them. peoplesworld.org 
Iran's ability to fight the coronavirus is being "severely hampered" by crippling U.S. sanctions, according to the government there. President Hassan Rouhani pleaded with world leaders to press President Donald Trump to lift trade restrictions to save lives. Rouhani said he had written letters in desperation asking the international community not to comply with the …
(2020-03-16). Why sanctions against Iran and Venezuela during a pandemic are cruel. mronline.org 
In the midst of a pandemic, one would expect all countries to collaborate; that a humanitarian crisis of this magnitude would provide ample opportunity to end (or suspend) inhumane economic sanctions. Is this not the time for the imperialist bloc, led by the U.S., to end the sanctions against Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, and a series […] |
(2020-03-16). The Bush Administration's Secret Biowarfare Agenda. globalresearch.ca First published in July 2008 | When it comes to observing US and international laws, treaties and norms, the Bush administration is a serial offender. Since 2001, it's: | — spurned efforts for nuclear disarmament to advance its weapons program and retain …
(2020-03-16). Senior Iranian Cleric Reported Dead After Coronavirus Infection. telesurenglish.net Ayatollah Seyed Hashem Bathaee, a member of the Iranian Assembly of Experts, died on Monday after contracting the novel coronavirus, Tasnim news agency reported. | RELATED: | The cleric, 78, died at a hospital in central Qom city where the first cases of novel coronavirus in Iran were detected on Feb. 19. | At least 25 Iranian officials have so far been infected with the virus. | The Assembly of Experts is a high-ranking leg…
(2020-03-16). Venezuela Initiates Social Quarantine to Contain COVID-19. telesurenglish.net A social quarantine began in Venezuela on Monday in seven states to contain the spread of the new coronavirus in the country, Bolivarian Republic's authorities said. | RELATED: | "From 5 a.m. local time, school and work activities were suspended in the states of La Guaira, Miranda, Cojedes, Zulia, Apure, and Táchira, as well as in the Capital District, where Caracas is located," Vice President Delcy Rodríguez reported. | Foo…
(2020-03-16). Iranian Hails New UK Stance on Arrested Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe & Repayment Of Debt. iranian.com Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who possesses both British and Iranian passports, has been under arrest in Iran since April 2016 over allegations that she plotted against the government, claims that she has consistently denied. She was sentenced to five years in an Iranian jail. The Iranian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hamid Baeidinejad, welcomed a new approach …
(2020-03-16). Iran Tests 10 Million People for Coronavirus — Report. iranian.com With nearly 14,000 confirmed cases and more than 800 deaths, Iran has been one of the countries hardest hit by COVID-19. The country's medical response to the crisis has been complicated by crippling US sanctions, which have led to shortages of basic medical equipment, including protective facemasks. Iran's health authorities have screened over 10 million …
(2020-03-16). China Calls US Sanctions against Iran 'Immoral' amid Virus Epidemic. iranian.com China on Monday called on the US to remove its sanctions against Iran, saying that the embargoes will hamper the country's response to the coronavirus outbreak. The unilateral US sanctions will further hamper Iran's efforts in combating the virus while it's already struggling to cope with the crisis, Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry …
(2020-03-15). Iran may impose partial lockdown to contain coronavirus and will provide cash handouts, loans. iranian.com Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has given his initial approval for imposing a partial lockdown on areas in nearly a dozen provinces in the country to help curb a coronavirus outbreak that has affected thousands of people. Rouhani described as "good" a proposal by Health Minister Saeed Namaki to implement a "movement control scheme" in 11 …
(2020-03-14). Coronavirus death toll reaches 611 in Iran. iranian.com The head of the Public Relations and Information Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education said on Saturday that 12,729 people have so far been infected with the deadly coronavirus in Iran, 611 of whom have died while 4,339 have recovered. Kianoush Jahanpour said that 1,365 other people have been diagnosed with coronavirus …
(2020-03-14). Qatar flight carrying medical aid arrives in Iran. iranian.com A Qatari airplane carrying government medical and health aid from Doha has arrived in Tehran. Iran Air will also provide its third flight to Qatar on Friday to bring home Iranian passengers stranded in Qatar due to coronavirus fears. In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Iran Air flights to Qatar were suspended. Due to …
(2020-03-13). Latest U.S. Military Strikes Are as Reckless as they are Cruel. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — March 12, 2020 — In response to reports that the U.S. has carried out five airstrikes on Iranian-backed militia sites in Iraq, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement: "At a time of one of the greatest global challenges of our lifetimes, it is shocking that the Trump …
(2020-03-13). Amid the Worse Public Crisis in Decades, Trump Admin Finds the Time and Money to Bomb Iraq. mintpressnews.com While the government has found plenty of money to carry out wars around the globe (the Trump administration increased the military budget to $934 billion), when it comes to policies protecting public health, money is always apparently lacking.
(2020-03-13). To Help Stem Spread of Coronavirus, Trump Must Lift Sanctions on Iran. mintpressnews.com 
US Sanctions, according to Human Rights Watch, have not only been devastating to Iranian civilians, but they have also crippled the country's ability to effectively deal with the coronavirus.
(2020-03-13). US Moves Patriot Missiles To Iraq. Outraged Baghdad Warns of "Consequences" After Airstrikes. iranian.com With coronavirus pandemic dominating the world's attention, it's easy to forget that the US is essentially in a state of war with Iran, just Thursday night conducting a major aerial bombing campaign against multiple Iran-backed militia targets across southern Iraq. In response to prior rocket attacks on Camp Taji which killed two Americans on Wednesday the Pentagon …
(2020-03-13). Iran appreciates Japan's $23.5 million medical aid. iranian.com The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tokyo appreciated Japan's move to donate $ 23.5 million of medical aid to Iran to combat the spread of coronavirus in the country. The all-out fight against the COVID-19 virus requires global solidarity, the Iranian embassy in Tokyo said in a twitte message on Friday, stressing the …
(2020-03-13). Zarif calls for removal of all U.S. sanctions in fight against COVID-19. iranian.com Iranian FM Zarif, sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urging the need to lift all U.S. sanctions on Iran, which are impeding the country's combat against coronavirus. Zarif in this letter, copies of which were sent to the heads of international organizations and FMs of all states, touched upon the need for the removal of all …
(2020-03-12). Headlines for March 12, 2020. democracynow.org World Health Organization Declares Coronavirus Pandemic, Top Italian Health Official Among 827 Coronavirus Dead as Italy Faces "Darkest Hour", Iran Condemns U.S. Sanctions as "Medical Terrorism" as Coronavirus Death Toll Hits 429, President Trump Announces Europe Travel Ban in Error-Laden Oval Office Speech, U.S. Labs Face Shortage of Supplies Needed to Test for Coronavirus, Sen. Lamar Alexander Blocks Quick Passage of Paid Sick Leave Bill, School Closures from Coronavirus Affecting Over 1 Million K-12 Students Nationwide, Bernie Sanders Promises to Question Biden Over Progressive Policies at Next Debate, Joe Bid…
(2020-03-12). Russia Hands to Iran Coronavirus Diagnostic Systems Designed for 50,000 Tests — Watchdog. iranian.com Iran has received from Russia coronavirus diagnostic systems designed for 50,000 tests, Russian consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said. "Due to the deteriorating epidemiological situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran because of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, Rospotrebnadzor provided free of charge test systems for laboratory diagnosis of the new coronavirus infection in …
(2020-03-12). Iran deploys S-300 missiles at Fordow nuclear facility — report. iranian.com Iran has deployed a Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system at its Fordow uranium enrichment facility, the country's state media have reported, as cited by Reuters. "Our main priority is to protect Iran's nuclear facilities under any circumstances," Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC) air defense force, told state …
(2020-03-12). Iran Applies for $5 Billion Loan from IMF to Battle Coronavirus. iranian.com The Governor of the Central Bank of Iran said he has asked the International Monetary Fund for a $5 billion loan that would help the country deal with the outbreak of COVID-19, saying the IMF's response will be a litmus test for claims about relief aid for containing the disease. In a post on his …
(2020-03-11). Congress Sends Bipartisan Bill to Trump Rebuking Iran War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — March 11, 2020 — In response to the House passing the bipartisan bill — S.J.Res.68 — that would thwart President Trump from going to war with Iran and end any current hostilities, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "Both chambers and …
(2020-03-11). Iran: BBC and other broadcast journalists harassed; families threatened — UN experts. news.un.org Threats, unlawful surveillance and harassment by the authorities, are just some of the concerns facing journalists in Iran, prompting a group of independent UN human rights experts on Wednesday, to once again sound the alarm.
(2020-03-10). Prisons Worldwide Face Coronavirus Crisis: Overcrowding, Lack of Sanitation & Labor at Slave Wages. democracynow.org 
As Italy went on lockdown, nearly 30 prisons across the country broke into riots Sunday and Monday after visitation rights were suspended in response to the outbreak. In a prison in southern Italy, a riot left at least six incarcerated people dead and caused 50 people to escape. Prisoners have reportedly lit fires, charged guards and even escaped at multiple facilities. This comes as the United Nations confirmed that coronavirus had reached Iran's prisons, as the number of cases there continues to soar. Iran has temporarily freed some 70,000 prisoners in response to the coronavirus. And concerns are growing about…
(2020-03-10). Headlines for March 10, 2020. democracynow.org Coronavirus Death Toll Tops 4,000 with Over 113,000 Confirmed Infections as Italy Goes into Nationwide Lockdown, Six States Head to Polls as Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden Battle for 352 Delegates , Women Strike in Mexico, Take to Streets in Chile and Argentina to Demand Equality and an End to Violence, U.S. Begins Afghan Troop Withdrawal Amid Political Leadership Crisis | , New Reports Find Boeing at Fault for Fatal Crashes of Boeing 737 MAX Jets, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Puerto Rican Revolutionary, Dies at 89 | , 2020 Izzy Awards Honor Journalist Matt Taibbi, News Inside and The Center for Investigative Journalism…
(2020-03-10). Why nuclear power must remain outlawed in Australia. greenleft.org.au 
(2020-02-13). Senate Reclaims War Powers to Thwart Iran War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — February 13, 2020 — In response to the Senate passing the bipartisan bill — S.J.Res.68 — that would thwart President Trump from going to war with Iran and end any current hostilities, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "It's about time …
(2020-02-08). US Deploys 'Mini-Nukes' in Deplorable Threat to World Peace. theantimedia.com These so-called "mini-nukes" represent—despite the diminutive-sounding name—an increased risk of nuclear war.
(2020-02-05). Trump Says War With Iran Was "Closer Than You Thought" Last Month. theantimedia.com Trump told reporters that the U.S. came "closer than you thought" to war with Iran last month.
(2020-01-31). House Votes to Rein in Trump's Iran War Powers While Ending Endless Wars. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — January 30, 2020 — In response to two high-profile war powers votes on the House floor today, Peace Action released the following statement: "Our nation's endless wars are on autopilot, with Trump fitfully grabbing the steering wheel until his attention wanders somewhere else. Today's votes are a step toward Congress reclaiming its …
(2020-01-10). Gregory Shupak on Iran Assassination, Brett Hartl on Biodiversity Loss. fair.org 
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(2020-01-08). In the ongoing crisis, Congress must rein in Trump's war powers. peaceaction.org As we feared, President Trump's reckless assassination of Iran's Gen. Soleimani resulted in escalation — direct Iranian missile attacks on two military bases in Iraq. It's painful to watch more violence in a country that has already suffered far too much from endless war. All parties in the US/Iran conflict must cease military action and …
(2019-11-07). Take Action — Some actual, SANE legislation. peaceaction.org Trump has plans to spend nearly $2 TRILLION over the next 30 years on unneeded and unnecessary nuclear weapons and delivery systems. This makes no sense. This is insane. That's nearly $100 million wasted every day for thirty years on weapons we are supposed to be getting rid of. To put that amount in perspective, …
(2019-09-25). Take Action to Avoid War with Iran. peaceaction.org photo credit Dear Groundswell Readers, We have to keep pushing Congress this week if we want to avoid war with Iran. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said recently that the U.K. might join a U.S.-led military effort in the Gulf. When other nations step up to join the "coalition of the willing" it's often a bad sign. …
(2019-07-18). Diplomacy Instead of a Disaster in Iran. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — July 18, 2019 — In response to reports of the U.S. shooting down an Iranian drone, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "Because of the Trump administration's policy of maximum provocation towards Iran, America stands on the precipice of another blunderous …
(2019-06-28). Most Senators Oppose War with Iran Without Congressional Approval. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 28, 2019 — In response to the Senate voting 50-40 in favor of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to block funding for military action against Iran without congressional approval, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "Because …