2026/02/16Fresh Crackdown Reported on Iranian Lawyers as More Bar Association Signatories Detained
The Telegram channel “Emtedad” reported a continuing wave of pressure on Iranian attorneys, saying Hadi Sharifzadeh —secretary of the Public Relations Commission of the Fars Region Bar Association —was arrested at his home on 27 Bahman . Emtedad also said Hamid Norouzi , a member of the same bar association, had been detained on 25 Bahman . According to the report, both Sharifzadeh and Norouzi were among the signatories of a statement in which some members called for resignations in protest against the crackdown on protesters in the early days of the “ Iranian National Revolution .” Emtedad added that four signatories of the statement have now been detained, and that Mohammad Hadi Jafarpoor and Mehdi Ansari were released on bail last week.
2026/02/16IRGC Navy Official: U.S. Claims Are “Psychological Warfare,” Says Foreign Warships Are “Within Our Range”
Mohammad Akbarzadeh , political deputy of the IRGC Navy , dismissed recent U.S. statements as “psychological operations,” saying much of the American “media atmosphere and claims” should be analyzed as an effort to create fear, spread despair, and disrupt public calculations —including comments attributed to Donald Trump . He also said foreign naval forces in the region are under “full intelligence oversight” and within the range of Iran’s defensive power, adding that Iran’s armed forces are on full readiness , monitoring movements and not ignoring threats .
2026/02/16Red Cross Chief Meets Iran’s Foreign Minister in Geneva
Iranian media reported that Mirjana Spoljaric Egger , President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) , met with Abbas Araghchi , Iran’s foreign minister, in Geneva . No further details were provided about the agenda or outcomes of the meeting.
2026/02/16Iran MPs Press Araghchi for a Clear Line Against “Abraham Peace” Plan
A group of 51 Iranian lawmakers , led by MP Ahmad Rastineh , urged Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to take an explicit, “revolutionary” stance against the “Abraham Peace” initiative they say was proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump . The lawmakers raised the demand in a formal parliamentary notice, calling for clear public positioning by Iran’s top diplomat on the plan.
2026/02/16Tehran Detention Report: Theater Actor & Stage Designer Fa’ezeh Taheri Arrested
Reports say Fa’ezeh Taheri , an Iranian theater actor and stage designer , was arrested in Tehran in mid-January. IranWire cited received information indicating she was detained on 25 Dey 1404 and transferred to an undisclosed location , with no official details on charges or her current status. A separate report by Iran International listed a different arrest date ( 19 Dey ), highlighting ongoing uncertainty around the timeline and circumstances.
2026/02/16Cage-Bar Vehicles and a Predawn Raid: Mass Arrests Reported in Chenar, Asadabad
Iran International reported that security forces raided the village of Chenar in Asadabad county, Hamedan province , early Monday morning ( 27 Bahman ) and detained hundreds of residents , allegedly using beatings and violence during the arrests. According to information received by the outlet, detainees were paraded through the village in vehicles fitted with cage-like metal bars before being transferred to the local police station. The report says the operation began around 4:30 a.m. , involving dozens of armored vehicles and several minibuses/vans, with four DShK heavy machine guns reportedly positioned on rooftops. Residents gathering outside the station to follow up on detainees allegedly heard shouting and screams from inside. The village had drawn attention during earlier protests for residents carrying the Lion and Sun flag and for slogans first chanted there, Iran International added.
2026/02/16India Seizes 3 U.S.-Sanctioned Tankers Tied to Iran, Tightens Coastal Surveillance
India has seized three U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers — Stellar Ruby , Asphalt Star , and Al Jafzia —and stepped up maritime surveillance to curb illicit trade in its waters, a source told Reuters. New Delhi is aiming to prevent ship-to-ship (STS) transfers in its maritime zone—an evasive method often used to mask the true origin of oil cargoes. According to Reuters’ source, the vessels repeatedly changed identities to evade oversight, and their owners are based outside India . Reuters also noted that OFAC previously sanctioned vessels whose IMO numbers match the ships India seized, and that two of the tankers are linked to Iran (including Al Jafzia carrying Iranian fuel oil to Djibouti in 2025, and Stellar Ruby flagged in Iran), while Asphalt Star largely operated around China. The enforcement push comes as U.S.–India ties improve , with Washington moving toward cutting tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50% under a trade understanding announced earlier this month—though key details, including references to Russian oil, have varied across statements and follow-up frameworks.
2026/02/16Boroujerdi: Iran Negotiates to Avoid Being Labeled as “Refusing”—Nuclear and Missile Capabilities Non-Negotiable
Alaeddin Boroujerdi , a member of Iran’s parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission , said Tehran will engage in talks following Donald Trump’s proposal—along with the reported dispatch of Trump’s son-in-law —so Iran is not accused of dodging negotiations . At the same time, Boroujerdi stressed that preserving Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities is a red line and not up for negotiation . He also warned that if the United States attacks Iran , Tehran would strike U.S. bases in response.
2026/02/16Hana Rights Group Says It Verified Identities of at Least 24 Children Killed in Iran’s “National Revolution”
The Hana Human Rights Organization said it has verified the identities of at least 24 children killed during the “ Iranian National Revolution ,” alleging they died from direct gunfire by state forces following field investigations and multi-source verification . In its report, Hana said the shootings were not isolated incidents but reflected a “systematic and continuous” pattern , with many cases involving strikes to vital areas of the body. The group said the victims include a three-year-old child. Hana argued that the use of military-grade weapons against children constitutes a serious violation of the right to life and obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child , which Iran has joined. The organization added that if the scale and organization of these acts are proven, they could amount to crimes against humanity . The report places responsibility on the governing structure and security institutions of the Islamic Republic and calls on the international community to launch independent, international investigations , pursue accountability for those who ordered and carried out the killings, and preserve evidence for future legal proceedings.
2026/02/16Iran MP: “We’re Not Afraid of War” as Tehran Defends Talks
Mohammadreza Mohseni Sani , a member of Iran’s parliament National Security Commission , said the Islamic Republic entered negotiations to “convince the international community” and—at the insistence of some regional countries —but stressed Tehran “does not fear the outbreak of war,” according to an interview with Rooydad24 . The comments underscore a dual-track messaging: maintaining a diplomatic channel while projecting deterrence and readiness for escalation.
2026/02/16Iran FM Meets Oman’s Foreign Minister in Geneva
Iranian media reported that Abbas Araghchi , Iran’s foreign minister, held talks in Geneva with Badr Albusaidi , Oman’s foreign minister. No further details were provided on the agenda or outcomes of the meeting.
2026/02/16Reza Pahlavi: Feb. 14 Rallies and Bahman 25–26 Night Chants Showed “National Unity”
Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi said the nighttime chants on Bahman 25–26 and the February 14 “ Global Day of Action ” gatherings were a clear display of national unity , praising protesters inside Iran and diaspora crowds abroad. He described demonstrations stretching from Australia and New Zealand to London, Munich, Toronto, Vancouver, Washington, and Los Angeles as an echo of Iran’s “Lion-and-Sun” movement, saying the global turnout strengthened morale inside the country and amplified international attention.
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