Aug. 4 – Iran held talks with Belarus to expand the countries’ military cooperation this week.
Military officials discussed holding joint exercises and assigning military experts to join diplomatic missions in both countries’ embassies.
The move to deepen ties with Belarus, is viewed by analysts as part of Tehran’s efforts to build strategic partnerships with states including China, Russia and Venezuela.
The US’s State Department launched an investigation into the suspension of US Iran envoy, Robert Malley.
The State Department’s probe follows an investigation launched by the FBI, examining Malley’s handling of sensitive documents.
Malley, who has been replaced by Deputy Special Envoy Abram Paley, remains on unpaid leave until further notice.
And a bill in Iran’s parliament which contains draconian measures to punish women who fail to wear their hijabs in public could be passed in as little as two months.
The Hijab and Chastity Bill includes tougher prison sentences, large fines and the use of AI to identify forced hijab violators.
The proposed law and a renewed crackdown on women by Iran’s so-called morality police have been criticized by human rights bodies, members of the public and reformist lawmakers in Iran.
