March 15 – The United Kingdom warned Iran that it may trigger a snapback mechanism which would reimpose international sanctions on Iran, to stop it from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Iran’s nuclear program has caused increasing concern in recent months as it has accelerated the enrichment of uranium in its plants to up to 60 percent purity, with 90 percent being the level for weapons grade uranium.
Western states have accused Iran of lying about its intent to use the uranium for peaceful purposes, and have noted that there is no need to enrich the heavy metal to such a high level under any civilian program.
Iran officials arrested female singer Golsa Rahimzamani for uploading video content on Instagram which showed her performing songs, and removed her content from the social media platform. Rahimzamani was later released.
At least two more female singers were also arrested, with officials taking down their social media content, while several others reported being detained and pressured to remove their videos.
The Islamic Republic bans women from singing in public and requires them by law to cover their hair with a veil.
And a member of a Russian organized crime group admitted to trying to kill gender equality campaigner Masih Alinejad, during a trial in New York.
Khalid Mehdiyev is one of three men accused of plotting to kill the White Wednesdays founder. The prosecutor told the court that Iran’s government had offered to pay two of the defendants $500,000 to orchestrate Alinejad’s assassination.
Alinejad is known for publicly criticizing Iran’s regime and its violence against women and girls.
