VOA Persian

CENTCOM top commander says no sign of IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz

The commander of the U.S. Central Command known as CENTCOM operating in the Middle East says Iran's Revolutionary Guard naval forces which once had a near constant presence in the strategic Strait of Hormuz have disappeared.

White House official to VOA: Trump keeps ‘all options on the table’ to deny Iran acquiring nuclear weapons

President Donald Trump is keeping “all options on the table” to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a White House official told VOA following reports that the U.S. military has drawn up options for potential new strikes against Iran after the midterm election.

Renowned Iranian Filmmaker Sentenced to Prison, Asset Confiscation

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has sentenced Jafar Panahi, the renowned Iranian director and filmmaker, to five years and one month in prison. The court also ordered the total confiscation of all his property, a two-year ban on social media activity, and a two-year travel ban.

US official to VOA on Iranian regime: 'Unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job

A senior American official has reiterated President Donald Trump's recent threats to resume military action against Iran's Islamic regime if refuses to stop its threatening activities.

Mobile internet tariffs in Iran rise by 40%

In its annual Freedom on the Net 2026 report, U.S.-based nonprofit Freedom House gave Iran just 9 points out of 100, placing it alongside China and Myanmar among the world’s worst countries for internet freedom.

Iran-based news site says Supreme Court upholds death sentence for political prisoner months after granting him reprieve

Emtedad said Branch 2 initially sentenced Fallah to death on the charge of “destruction with the intent of confronting the Islamic government” for causing about $180 in damage to the door of the Rasht judiciary building.

Israeli prime minister tells Mossad, IDF, military intelligence "to overthrow Islamic Republic"

The Israeli leader went on to describe the issue as “a matter of our very existence, because if this regime acquires nuclear bombs, we will no longer exist. If we do not overthrow this regime, it will destroy us,” he said.

Iranian Security Forces Continue Crackdown on Protestors; 38 detained in Qazvin

Iran's intelligence forces are continuing their crackdown on people who took part in the late December 2025 to January 2026 anti-regime protests.    

Paris City Hall unveils banner honoring Iranian Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi

In many of its human rights reports on Iran, the U.S. State Department has cited the arrest and conviction of lawyers who defend political prisoners or support protesters as examples of the pressure exerted by the Islamic Republic on attorneys and human rights defenders.

Popular Iranian band cancels national tour, citing Islamist ban on its female musician performing on stage

Popular Iranian fusion music band Pallett says it has cancelled a national tour because authorities in the Islamic republic barred its female musician from performing on stage.

Iran government spokesperson confirms internet slowdown in the country

An Iranian government spokesperson on Tuesday confirmed a slowdown of internet connectivity in the country, saying "certain government agencies are occasionally compelled to reduce internet connectivity speed."

Iran's security crackdown on currency market Intensifies

In light of the free-fall of Iran's national currency, the regime's security crackdown on traders has intensified.

Open AI says Iranian regime used ChatGPT to create fake articles

Iranian regime agents have used OpenAI’s super intelligence tool to create fake articles criticizing the U.S. war against the terror regime and succeeded in getting them published in international news outlets, the U.S. tech company reported on Thursday, October 8. 

UN Special Rapporteur says families of executed protesters in Iran subject to regime's pressure

The U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran says the consequences of the death penalty in the Islamic Republic are not limited to the person executed, as families face pressure and punishment, as well as restrictions on mourning the dead.

Secretary Bessent weighs in after Iran oil minister resigns

Bessent said the U.S. economic campaign against Iran is delivering results. He pointed to the free-fall of the value of the Iran's national currency, the rial, and the disruption in the transfer of crude oil over the past month.

Iranian doctor and political prisoner Ghareh-Hassanlou in critical condition

Private commemoration held for political prisoners executed in 1980s

Iranian American journalist ends hunger strike

Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi leaves homeland

Prisoner dies in Iranian jail after medical care denied