An Iranian man whose viral plea for Donald Trump’s help drew millions of views says he was forced to flee the country after being targeted by the Revolutionary Guard, warning from exile that negotiating with Tehran would allow its repression to continue.
Dismay and alarm are spreading among Iranians over reports and images showing Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, or Hashd al-Shaabi, inside Iran, with messages sent to Iran International describing fear, anger and a growing sense of insecurity.
Newly released surveillance footage appears to show repeated strikes hitting a primary school in the southern Iranian city of Minab on the first day of the war, an attack Iranian authorities say killed more than 100 children and teachers.
Residents across Iran report a surge in security measures, nighttime patrols and pro-government rallies that they say are creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation during the ongoing war, according to messages sent to Iran International.
Many Iranians say the year 1404 (which ended on March 20) was among the darkest they remember, yet as Nowruz arrives, its rituals offer a fragile but enduring sense of hope in even the most desperate times.
As Tehran tightens control over wartime information, one of Iran’s most influential citizen journalists has come under renewed pressure: Vahid Online, long anonymous, is now stepping into the open.
Nowruz and the turning of the year have always carried, even in the happiest times, a blend of celebration and sorrow. Remembering the departed is part of welcoming the new year.
The hanging of a 19-year-old wrestler on Thursday intensified concerns over the fate of other detained athletes, with fears growing that more executions could follow in cases linked to protests earlier this year.
Messages sent to Iran International and posts on social media showed a split reaction to Wednesday’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, with some welcoming the hit on state-linked assets and others warning of civilian costs.
Recent history in the Balkans may offer a useful lens for the postwar questions now confronting many ordinary Iranians.
Nowruz is approaching with far less of its usual energy across Iran this year, as many families abandon long-standing New Year preparations while war, economic strain and an atmosphere of uncertainty dampen the festive mood.
Authorities in Tehran have issued sweeping warnings ahead of Iran’s annual fire festival, Chaharshanbeh Suri, framing the centuries-old celebration as a potential flashpoint for unrest during wartime.
Iran has imposed new restrictions on internet access, further limiting VPN connections and reportedly targeting Starlink users, leaving even fewer people able to access global networks.
The appointment of a military adviser by Iran’s new Supreme Leader triggered a wave of ridicule on Iranian social media, with users mocking both the decision and the figure chosen for the role.
Iranians across social media are sharing images of past tragedies tied to state mismanagement, repression and neglect, building a crowdsourced archive under a hashtag in recent days to argue the country’s suffering long predates the current war.
A member of Iran’s women’s national football team staff who sought asylum in Australia along with several of her players is trying to persuade the others not to follow suit but instead return to Iran, informed sources told Iran International.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday questioned whether Iran’s national soccer team should attend the 2026 World Cup, a day after Tehran said it would withdraw from the tournament after being attacked by the United States.
UNESCO has warned that intensifying hostilities are already damaging cultural landmarks in Iran and the broader region, saying it has communicated with all parties to the conflict to coordinate protections for heritage sites.
Within hours of Mojtaba Khamenei being named Iran’s new Supreme Leader, state institutions responded with solemn messages of loyalty while Persian-language social media filled with satire, as many Iranian users reacted with disbelief, political frustration and dark humor.
Iran’s shutdown of international internet access has entered its tenth day, leaving millions cut off from global communication and raising fears the blackout is putting civilians at risk during wartime.
Five members of Iran’s women’s national football team who left the squad while in Australia and sought refuge in the country have been granted humanitarian visas, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said as he met the players, now unveiled.
Why would anyone celebrate bombs falling on their own country? The question was widely asked after videos emerged showing some Iranians cheering strikes on regime targets.