Domestic developments

Another deadly shooting took place at one of the holiest sites in Iran, Shah Chergagh, leaving at least one person dead and several injured. The shrine was the site of a previous shooting late last year in which a gunman walked easily past security guards and killed 15 people. Distrust of the regime is high in Iran and many speculated that both shootings were an inside job with an ulterior motive.

Photograph: ISNA News Agency/AFP/Getty

The regime escalated its crackdown on women leading up to the one year anniversary of the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ protests with the reported arrest of at least 12 female activists. Rights groups said allegations that the women were hostile and working for foreign threats were baseless and a continuation of the harsh crackdown on peaceful protest. The women’s whereabouts are unknown.

A demonstrator makes hand signs at a protest in Tehran on Sept. 19, 2022, after the death of Mahsa Amini. (AFP/Getty Images)

Photograph: Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images

Iranian movie director Saeed Roustaee was imprisoned for six months for the screening of his film ‘Leila’s Brothers’  at the Cannes film festival. The movie is banned in Iran by the regime which strictly controls freedom of expression. Authorities said the movie was illegally entered into the film festival. Prominent directors voiced their support of Roustaee, including Oscar winner Martin Scorsese.

Journalist Nazila Maroofian was arrested for a third time this week, with no reason given by authorities. Maroofian, 23, interviewed Mahsa Amini’s father after her killing in September and had been arrested twice already over the past few months. Journalists who reported on Mahsa Amini’s death were harassed or jailed by the regime which is the world’s biggest jailer of journalists. Journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi remain in prison after also reporting on Mahsa Amini nearly a year after her killing.

Foreign affairs

The USA is pushing the Islamic Republic to stop selling drones to Russia as part of a broader agreement between the two countries. The regime is one of the biggest backers of Russia’s war on Ukraine and has been supplying drones and military parts, as well as helping Russia build up a stockpile.

Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic edged closer this week with a meeting between their foreign ministers in Riyadh. A Chinese-brokered deal earlier this year sought to restore ties between the two, after years of hostility and tension.