Environmental Pollution from the Varzeghan Gold Mines

Narges Rezaie / Anadolu Agency / February 19, 2025

Environmental destruction driven by unsustainable resource exploitation.

According to environmental experts in Iran, the extraction of gold through cyanidation has polluted the water and soil resources of the Varzeghan region in East Azerbaijan, and a water structures expert, in an interview with Anadolu, calls it a serious threat to the survival of wildlife.

Teoman Aktan: Systematic Discrimination Prevails in Iran

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, February 18, 2025

Teoman Aktan, political scientist

Political scientist and activist Teoman Aktan, in an interview with Voice of America, analyzed the events that took place on January 26 during the match between Tractor Azerbaijan and Persepolis in Tehran, which remains a topic of heated debate.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Interrupted for Reciting Turkish Poetry

 February 16, 2025

During the closing ceremony of Tabriz Cultural Week, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was interrupted and warned by an official while reciting lines from the famous poem Heydar Baba’ya Salam by Mohammad Hossein Behjat Tabrizi (Shahriar).

Before reciting the poem, Pezeshkian noted that he intended to read two lines from Shahriar’s poetry but mentioned that some officials and ministers in the audience did not understand Turkish, so he would continue his speech in Persian. He then began to recite:

"Tractor" Club Owner: The Federation's Decision Encouraged Those Who Shouted "Racist Chants," We Will Pursue the Issue in FIFA

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, February 15, 2025

The owner of Tabriz's "Tractor Azerbaijan" club, Mohammad Reza Zonouzi.

Despite the Iranian Football Federation’s announcement, the heated debate surrounding the events of the January 26 match between "Tractor Azerbaijan" and "Persepolis" continues.

The owner of the Tractor club, Mohammad Reza Zonouzi, sharply criticized the decision of the Federation’s disciplinary committee. Zonuzi emphasized that the decision was more of an encouragement than a punishment for the Persepolis supporters who shouted "racist chants."

Pezeshkian Proposes Provincial Presidents, Sparking Debate on Iran's Future

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, February 14, 2025

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that he will seek permission from the Supreme Leader to increase the powers of provincial governors. He said, "Each province should have its own president."

Masoud Pezeshkian made these comments on Thursday during a meeting with intellectuals in Bushehr province.

This news, along with a video recording, was shared by Iranian media.

Ilqar Ulusoy: “Tractor” Fans Play a Major Role in Civil Organization

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, February 12, 2025

Ilqar Ulusoy, political activist

Political activist Ilqar Ulusoy discussed the controversy that arose after the racist chants directed at Turks during the January 26 match between "Tractor Azerbaijan" and "Persepolis" in an interview with Voice of America.

East Azerbaijan Lawyers Demand Action Over Racist Chants Targeting Turks in Iranian Football

Hamid Melikoglu, Voice of America, February 8, 2025

"Tractor" fans have previously protested against racist chants being shouted in the stadium, but the issue has still not been resolved.

The Human Rights Commission of the East Azerbaijan Bar Association has issued a statement condemning the racist chants heard during the match between "Tractor" and "Persepolis." The commission denounced such slogans and demanded strict measures against those responsible for these actions.

The statement was published on the Instagram page of the East Azerbaijan Bar Association and the Vokalapress website.

Social Pathologist: The Increase of Racist Chants in Iranian Stadiums is Linked to General Policies

Narges Rezaie / Anadolu Agency - February 5, 2025

The supporters of Tractor Azerbaijan

Following the "racist" chants against Turkish people during the recent match between Persepolis and Tractor teams, which sparked widespread reactions and led to a warning in the Iranian parliament yesterday, Ali Jafari Azar, the representative of Tabriz in the parliament, explicitly criticized the "various forms of rudeness, immorality, disorder, and racial and ethnic insults by some fans and certain officials of the host team and event organizers at Azadi Stadium in Tehran." He added that the matter is being examined from a legal perspective, and discussions about escalating it to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA are underway if domestic authorities and the Iranian Football Federation fail to address it. Anadolu evaluated this issue from a social perspective.

Racist Chants in Iranian Stadiums; Tractor: We Will File a Complaint with FIFA

February 2, 2025 - Omid Shamizi / Anadolu Agency

The tense match between the teams of Persepolis and Tractor in the 17th week of Iran's Premier League was accompanied by numerous controversies and tensions. Even a week after the game, the fallout continues.

Iranian Azerbaijani Turks, especially, have protested the "racist" chants directed at them during the match. The management of Tractor has threatened to escalate the issue to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA if the relevant domestic bodies and the Iran Football Federation fail to address the matter.

Front Line Defenders: Iranian Authorities Must Unconditionally Release Lawyer Mohammadreza Faghihi

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, February 1, 2025

Human Rights Lawyer Mohammadreza Faghihi

The international human rights organization Front Line Defenders has recently issued a statement of support for human rights lawyer Mohammadreza Faghihi, who was sent to Tehran's Evin Prison.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Dublin-based organization called on Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the lawyer.

Mohammadreza Faghihi, originally from Iranian Azerbaijan, was sent to Evin Prison on January 21 to serve a five-year sentence he had previously been convicted of.

Turkish-Language Play 'Sattar Khan: National Hero' Wins Hearts in Tehran and Tabriz

 Ahmad Dursun/Anadolu Agency - January 29, 2025

The Turkish-language theater play Sattar Khan: National Hero was met with widespread acclaim from viewers in both Tehran and Tabriz.

This play highlights the sacrifices of Sattar Khan in the struggle for freedom, as well as the cultural diversity and historical heritage of Iran.

The play was initially performed in Tabriz for 20 days, with 25,000 spectators attending, before being included in the Fajr International Theater Festival in Tehran.

Early Marriages in Iran: East Azerbaijan Ranks Second

Hamid Melikoglu, Voice of America, January 28, 2025

Child Marriage in Iran

Due to the lack of regular official statistics on early marriages since 2023, there is no precise data on the situation in various regions of Iran. However, according to Iranian media reports, early marriages remain a serious problem for families and society in East Azerbaijan.

According to existing statistics, this province ranks second after Razavi Khorasan in terms of underage marriages. The Sistan and Baluchestan region is ranked third.

Tractor Club's Executive Director Calls for Action Against Racist Chants from Iranian Football Federation

Hamid Melikoglu, Voice of America, January 28, 2025

Saeid Mozaffarizadeh, Executive Director of Tractor Club, Demands Action Against Racist Chants from Iranian Football Federation

The Executive Director of Tractor Club, Saeid Mozaffarizadeh, stated in an interview with the club’s official media that the events that occurred during the team’s recent match against Persepolis at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium would be closely monitored.

Mozaffarizadeh emphasized that "there is no justification for racist chants and ethnic insults, and we will not accept any compromises on this matter." He spoke about the club's complaint to the Iranian Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee and the Football League Organization, stressing that "a one- or two-match ban" would not be enough to address the issue, and that the federation "must resolve this problem once and for all and take substantial measures."

The Court Date for Nigar Dabbaghi, Accused of Insulting Iran’s Supreme Leader in Tabriz, Has Been Set

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, January 28, 2025

Nigar Dabbaghi

Nigar Dabbaghi, a young protester who was temporarily released on a 400 million Toman bail after being held in custody for two weeks last November, has been informed that her court hearing will take place on February 19.

This information was shared on the X account of former political prisoner Armita Pavir and human rights platforms.

"Nigar Dabbaghi is very worried about her court session on February 19. Please, let’s be her voice as much as we can. She is only 17 years old," Armita Pavir shared on her X account.

Sina Yousefi: In Iran, Judges Oath to Protect the Foundations of the Islamic Republic, Not to Be Impartial

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, January 27, 2025

Sina Yousefi, Human Rights Lawyer

After the armed attack on January 18 at the Supreme Court building in Tehran, which resulted in the deaths of two senior judges, the special role of hardline, pro-Islamic Republic judges in the Iranian judicial system has been discussed once again.

In an interview with Voice of America, lawyer Sina Yousefi stated that judges in Iran swear an oath not to make impartial and independent decisions but to support the supreme religious leader and protect the foundations of the Islamic Republic.

Turkish Family Wins Legal Battle to Name Their Child 'Manas' in Iran

Hamid Melikoglu, Voice of America, January 26, 2025

Iranian ID card

In Iranian Azerbaijan's Ardabil province, a Turkish family managed to obtain an ID card for their child with the name "Manas" after a 70-day legal struggle. This result came after the family filed a lawsuit against the Germi Civil Registration Office.

The "My Child's Name" campaign's Instagram page shared the court ruling and a photo of the ID card issued with the name "Manas," announcing that the Turkish family's legal battle, which lasted more than two months, had been successful.

After a 5-Month Struggle, a Family in Urmia Successfully Obtains an ID Card for Their Child Named AlpAslan

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, January 25, 2025

Identity Card of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Another family in Iranian Azerbaijan has successfully obtained an ID card for their child named AlpAslan through a legal battle. The Babapur family, living in Urmia, won the legal struggle they began approximately 5 months ago.

The Instagram account "Dan Dergisi" and Southern Azerbaijan Television (Günaz TV) have shared a copy of the ID card issued for AlpAslan Babapur, who was born on August 31 of last year.

On Instagram, a copy of the court ruling in favor of the Babapur family has also been shared.

Iran Calligraphers Association Apologizes to the Turkish Community for “Offensive Text”

  Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, January 24, 2025

Iran Calligraphers Association

The Iran Calligraphers Association has apologized to the Turkish community for an offensive text that was chosen for use in a nationwide exam.

The text, which was sent to various branches of the Calligraphers Association in different provinces for use in the exam, contained derogatory words and phrases directed at Seljuk Turks. The text sparked strong reactions from Turkish artists and media members in Iranian Azerbaijan and other regions.

Censorship and Challenges in Publishing Turkish Literature in Iranian Azerbaijan

Hamid Melikoglu, Voice of America, January 22, 2025

Poet and Translator Saleh Sajjadi (Photo: El Bilimi Official Instagram Page)

Two cultural institutions in Tabriz, "El Bilimi" and "Evdə Al," which are active in the field of book publishing, organized an event to introduce the Azerbaijani publishers "Savalan İgidləri" and "Yaşmaq."

This was shared on the Instagram pages of these institutions in Tabriz. The event featured writer and journalist Alireza Sarrafi, Ammar Ahmadi, the owner of "Savalan İgidləri" publishing house, notable figures in the field of Turkish book publishing such as Alireza Aqdami Baher, Saleh Sajjadi, Reza Hosseini Beqanam, Said Mughanli, the owner of "Yaşmaq" publishing house, and Navid Mohammadi.

During the event, Azerbaijani cultural activists expressed concerns about the rise in book prices, the promotion of reading habits in society, and particularly the challenges related to the publication of Turkish books in Iran.

Babak Bakhtavar: Any Event Leading to the Strengthening of Turkish Identity in Tehran is Viewed as a Threat

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, January 02, 2025

Babak Bakhtavar, Political Activist

After the fall of Assad's regime in Syria, there has been a noticeable increase in writings and statements against Turkey in Iranian media and the Persian-speaking political environment.

Speaking to Voice of America, political activist Babak Bakhtavar stated that any event in the region that leads to the strengthening of Turkish identity is perceived as a threat by Tehran.