Iraq's Prime Minister and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince have facilitated the safe return of Iran's ambassador to Yemen, Hassan Irloo, to Tehran. This development follows direct communication between the two leaders. The repatriation comes amid stalled Iran-Saudi talks, which are expected to resume soon in Baghdad, delayed due to Iraq's government formation process.

Iraq's October 10 parliamentary elections marked a significant point in the country's political evolution, driven by youth-led demonstrations seeking peaceful change. Despite the new electoral law and commission, voter turnout was low, indicating widespread societal dissatisfaction. The elections resulted in 40% of votes for winners and 60% for non-winners, raising concerns about political stability and the potential for future demonstrations and violence.

Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate backed by prominent figures like Mohammad Javad Zarif and Mohammad Khatami, leads the polls in Iran's June 28 presidential election. Despite his support, significant challenges remain due to the supreme leader's extensive control and the disillusionment of Iranian society with past reformist efforts. The political landscape, dominated by hard-line elements and the IRGC, complicates Pezeshkian's prospects for meaningful change. The article highlights the historical context of reformist struggles, societal dissatisfaction, and the potential implications of Pezeshkian's candidacy in a turbulent political environment.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf faces increasing political pressure amid allegations of corruption. A leaked audio tape from a secret meeting between former IRGC chief commander Mohammad Ali (Aziz) Jafari and his deputy Sadeq Zolqadrnia has brought renewed attention to these allegations, particularly during Qalibaf's tenure as mayor of Tehran from 2005 to 2017.

Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance issued a letter to state media emphasizing the importance of good neighborliness, particularly with Arab countries, and instructed media to avoid insulting or making controversial statements against neighboring countries' leaders. This directive comes as talks in Vienna to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are set to resume.

Senior Israeli government ministers are reportedly debating their response to an Iranian attack involving over 300 missiles and drones. RFE/RL's Radio Farda listeners called for restraint from both sides, while a Harvard professor of international relations suggested that Israel is unlikely to respond immediately.

The article discusses the heightened tensions between Iran and Israel following an Israeli airstrike on April 1, 2024, which killed senior members of the IRGC Quds Force. Despite Iran's vows for revenge, the article argues that Iran lacks the military capabilities and global support to respond directly to Israel. Instead, Iran relies on proxy groups to engage in asymmetric warfare. The article highlights Iran's internal challenges, including economic downturn and social dissatisfaction, which further limit its ability to engage in a direct conflict with Israel. The piece concludes that while Iran will likely respond in some capacity, it cannot provide an effective and equivalent response to Israel's actions.

Iranian political activist Sasan Niknafs has died while imprisoned, with activists attributing his death to neglect of his health by the authorities. Judiciary officials have refuted these allegations. This incident adds to the existing claims of mistreatment in Iran's prisons and could pose a significant challenge to Ebrahim Raisi, the hardline chief justice and leading candidate in the upcoming presidential elections. The news of Niknafs' death was first reported by his lawyer, Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has concluded a two-day visit to Iraq, emphasizing the importance of Baghdad and Erbil in regional dynamics. The visit is also seen as a gesture of Iran's readiness to engage with Saudi Arabia, with upcoming talks scheduled in Baghdad between Saudi and Iranian representatives. During his stay, Zarif met with Iraq's top officials including President Barham Salih, House Speaker Mohammad Al-Halbousi, and Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, as reported by Iraq's INA news agency on April 26.

The article discusses the rise of Instagram's popularity in Iran during the COVID-19 lockdown, as traditional media's influence wanes. Despite government censorship, Instagram remains one of the few accessible social networks in Iran, where people can express themselves more freely. The article highlights the controversy surrounding explicit content in Instagram livestreams by Iranian celebrities such as Amir Tataloo and Sasha Sobhani, which has led to debates about societal norms and the potential for Instagram to be banned like other social networks. It also touches on the legal and societal repercussions for celebrities living abroad who push the boundaries of Iran's conservative culture. The piece concludes with insights from Iranian journalists and TV presenters on the need for media literacy and proper education for the younger generation in the face of such content.