iran

Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018.
ICHHTO / B. Sedighi

UN cultural agency chief meets with Iran ambassador amid current tensions

6 January 2020
Culture and Education

The current tensions across the Middle East and Gulf region and their potential implications for cultural heritage sites were the focus of a meeting on Monday between the head of the UN’s cultural agency, UNESCO, and a senior diplomat from Iran. 

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the media at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

Stop escalation, urges UN chief, as geopolitical tensions reach ‘highest level this century’

6 January 2020
Peace and Security

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to de-escalate geopolitical tensions on Monday, which he described as being “at their highest level this century” as the new decade dawns.

The Swords of Qādisiyyah, which mark the entrance to the Great Celebrations square in Baghdad, Iraq.
Tarek Khouri

UN chief calls for de-escalation across Gulf region after killing of top Iranian General in US airstrike 

3 January 2020
Peace and Security

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the latest escalation in tension across the Gulf region, following the killing of a top Iranian General in Iraq, in an airstrike carried out by the United States. 

Secretary-General António Guterres (right) has an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome.
UN Photo/Rein Skullerud

Friday’s Daily Brief: Pope Francis, Lesotho, Iran, world corruption

20 December 2019
Peace and Security

Our top stories for Friday include: Pope Francis receives the UN chief in Rome, Lesotho famine threat, concern for jailed Iranian protestors, and strengthened global action to prevent corruption. 

Shiraz, Iran at night. The UN human rights office is strongly condemning the execution of at least 28 prisoners since mid-December 2020, including people from minority groups..
UNsplash/Ali Barzegarahmadi

UN independent experts ‘deeply disturbed’ by alleged mistreatment of detained Iranian protesters

20 December 2019
Human Rights

Sixteen independent UN human rights experts called on Friday for the release of arbitrarily detained protesters in Iran who have allegedly been abused while in custody.

Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, briefs the members of the UN Security Council.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Iran and US both undermining nuclear deal says UN political affairs chief

19 December 2019
Peace and Security

Both Iran and the United States have been putting strain on the groundbreaking 2015 deal to monitor Iran’s nuclear programme, which remains a “cornerstone of international peace and security”, said the UN’s political affairs chief on Thursday.

UNMISS’ Chinese contingent (CHNBATT) Patrols the Weapons Free Zone in South Sudan.
UNMISS

Friday's Daily Brief: Peacekeeping performance, Iranians' rights, Syria, Australia, Haiti updates, Greta Thunberg at COP25

6 December 2019
Human Rights

A recap of the top stories: UN evaluates peacekeeping performance; civilians under greater attack in northeast Syria; UN rights chief on Iranian protester clampdown; ending medical evacuation for refugees to Australia; food crisis widens in Haiti; and Greta Thunberg speaks out in Madrid at climate conference.

Deyr Gachin Caravansary in Iran. The UN is alarmed over alleged rights violations and deaths resulting from recent protests in the country.
Unspalsh/Mohamad Babayan

UN rights chief ‘extremely concerned’ over deadly crackdown on protesters in Iran

6 December 2019
Human Rights

In the wake of recent protests in Iran, the top United Nations human rights official expressed alarm on Friday over multiple human rights violations which have reportedly taken place across the country.

A view of Tehran, Iran, 11 December 1997
UN Photo/Milton Grant

Independent rights experts sound alarm at Iran protest crackdown, internet blackout

22 November 2019
Human Rights

Reports of killed and maimed demonstrators, and a continuing nationwide internet shutdown in Iran’s now week-long protests are of “grave concern”, and the Government and authorities must ensure rights of expression and opinion are protected, a UN group of independent experts said on Friday.

Community members listen as Peacekeepers from the UN mission in Mali, MINUSMA, conduct a justice and reconciliation meeting in the central Mopti region.
MINUSMA/Gema Cortes

Tuesday’s Daily Brief: Israeli settlements, Sahel crisis, Iran protests, reconciliation for peace, World Toilet Day

19 November 2019
Human Rights

A recap of Tuesday’s stories in brief: UN ‘regret’ over US settlements reversal; Almost daily attacks plunge Sahel into ‘three-country crisis’;  live ammunition reportedly used against Iranian protesters; reconciliation helps ‘repair fractures’, promote peace; call for poorest countries to take leading role in their own development agendas; and World Toilet Day.