Editor’s note: David A Andelmana contributor to CNN, twice winner of the Deadline Club Award, is a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor, author of “A Red Line in the Sand: Diplomacy, Strategy, and the History of Wars That Might Still Happen” and blogs at Andelman Unleashed. He formerly was a correspondent for The… Read More »
CNN — In between being blindfolded, locked in solitary confinement, and interrogated in a wheelchair while she was on a hunger strike following her late September arrest, Negin says she had a realization: Iranian officials were using her private Telegram chats, phone logs and text messages to incriminate her. “They told me ‘Do you think… Read More »
AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Back-to-back World Cup qualifiers Germany coach Hansi Flick wanting to get back to basics. The four-time champions were again knocked out of the group stage four years after their embarrassing showing as champions in Russia. Something has to change, Flick said after a 4-2 win over Costa Rica on Thursday… Read More »
CNN 🇧🇷 Iran’s World Cup defeat by the United States was greeted with applause and cheers in Tehran and other Iranian cities on Tuesday night, as protesters hailed the country’s exit from the tournament as a blow to the ruling regime. The nation was knocked out of the tournament in Qatar after their 1-0 defeat… Read More »
CNN 🇧🇷 Iranian football star Ali Karimi has claimed that death threats have been made against him, while his family and close friends have been intimidated and harassed by the Iranian government following their support of the country’s ongoing protests. Known as the ‘Asian Maradona’, Karimi, 44, who retired in 2014, is a longtime critic… Read More »
CNN 🇧🇷 Iran’s state media called for the US to be expelled from the 2022 World Cup after the United States Football Federation changed the flag of Iran on its social media platforms to show support for protesters in Iran. The federation temporarily displayed the national flag of Iran on its official Twitter, Instagram and… Read More »
CNN 🇧🇷 Yet another moment of magic from Lionel Messi helped salvage Argentina’s World Cup hopes in Qatar 2022 as La Albiceleste secured a much-needed victory over Mexico. The 2-0 victory was certainly not pretty, with Argentina struggling to create many clear chances against a stubborn Mexico team, who also offered very little threat up… Read More »
CNN 🇧🇷 Iran’s supreme leader has praised the country’s Basij paramilitary force for its role in the deadly crackdown on anti-regime protesters. Meeting Basij personnel in Tehran on Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the popular protest movement as “rioters” and “bandits” backed by foreign forces and praised the “innocent” Basij fighters for protecting the nation.… Read More »
The former national team player has been accused of ‘spreading propaganda’ as authorities continue to crack down on anti-government protests. Iranian security forces have arrested popular soccer player Voria Ghafouri on charges of having “tarnished the reputation of the national team” and spreading “propaganda” against Iran. Ghafouri, who is of Kurdish origin and has strongly… Read More »
AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) – Tensions rose in Iran’s second World Cup match on Friday, as supporters of the Iranian government harassed those protesting against it and stadium security seized flags, T-shirts and other items expressing support for the protest movement that has gripped the Islamic Republic. Some fans were prevented by security guards from… Read More »