Holly Dagres

Opinion | Trump Shouldn’t Forget the Iranian People It’s a mistake to leave out human rights when President Trump’s administration sits down with Iran over its nuclear program.

As nuclear talks proceed, the president should recall his past acknowledgement that respect for human rights and democracy is “an integral component of U.S. national security,” write @hdagres.bsky.social, Azadeh Pourzand, and Kelly Shannon in @nytopinion.nytimes.com.

Opinion | It’s a Mistake to Leave Human Rights Out of Iran Talks (Gift Article) President Trump should not forget the Iranian people’s resolve when his administration sits down with Iran over its nuclear program.

Delighted to share a piece I co-authored with @hdagres.bsky.social and Azadeh Pourzand on #Iran published this morning by @nytimes.com

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/o...

Everything you need to know about Oman talks—and more The Iranist for the week of April 11, 2025

Everything you need to know about the US-Iran talks in Oman—and more 👇🏼
open.substack.com/pub/iranist/...

The Story: Trump vs Iran: deal or war? As news unexpectedly emerged that the US and Iran are to hold talks in Oman this weekend, President Trump warned Tehran that it must either cut a deal to cease all nuclear weapons devlopment or fac...

Trump warned Tehran that it must either cut a deal to cease all nuclear weapons development, or face the very real threat of military strikes ⬇️

🎙 The Story podcast
🗣 @hdagres.bsky.social
pod.fo/e/2c58b2

Why Iran’s Supreme Leader Came Around to Nuclear Talks With the U.S.

Senior Iranian officials allegedly told Khamenei:

"Allow Tehran to negotiate with Washington, even directly if necessary, because otherwise the Islamic Republic’s rule could be toppled." www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/w...

Five More Political Prisoners Hanged in Iran as Use of Death Penalty to Crush Dissent Surges Executions Follow Sham Trials and “Confessions” Extracted Under Torture At Least 50 Political Prisoners Now Facing Execution in Iran, Including Three Women April 9, 2025 — At dawn on Tuesday, April 8,...

At least 50 political prisoners are now facing execution in Iran, including three women.

Last year, there were over 900 executions—the highest in 9 years.
iranhumanrights.org/2025/04/five...

Anoosheh and Simon - The Marathon Promise Help Anoosheh and Simon raise money to support Hostage International

The former UK ambassador to Tehran, Simon Shercliff, is running in the London marathon with former Iran hostage Anoosheh Ashoori to raise money for Hostage International.

You can donate 👇🏼
www.justgiving.com/page/anooshe...

Iran's president insists Tehran does not seek a nuclear bomb and dangles US business opportunities Iran’s president again has pledged his nation is “not after a nuclear bomb” ahead of talks between Tehran and the United States.

For context, here's what the Iranian president said: “His excellency has no opposition to investment by American investors in Iran. American investors: Come and invest.”
apnews.com/article/iran...

Now in 2025, those issues remain—and the Islamic Republic has added more reasons for the West to stay away: Namely, hostage-taking, committing crimes against humanity during WLF, and getting into tit-for-tats with a regional country.

The opportunity of 2015 is gone for good.

In 2015, Iran was seen as a goldmine for investment and Iranians were excited to come out of isolation.

But despite Obama admin efforts, some countries were wary due to sanctions and political risk. Others that braved investment realized there was red tape and corruption.

Opinion | Tehran gets a taste of Trump the dealmaker Has the president’s instinct for drama created an opening for a new nuclear agreement?

A Trump administration official said that Steve Witkoff’s team sent messages urging direct talks via Oman.

"If the talks aren’t direct, Witkoff might not go to Oman, the official said."
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Opinion | Iran’s foreign minister: The ball is in America’s court Iran is ready for indirect negotiations with the United States. A solution to the crisis is within reach.

Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi in WaPost op-ed reiterates that talks are "indirect negotiations" and explains logic, but also includes:

1) US needs to agree there's no "military option"
2) Notes Iran didn't violate the JCPOA
3) Iran is open for business
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

There’s a divide between NSC advisor Waltz and Special Envoy Witkoff on how to handle Iran.

Trump wants a “verified nuclear peace agreement,” so he’ll likely make moves at the top level to ensure those handling Iran align with his agenda and sideline the Libya model crowd.

The Islamic Republic needs a deal because of the dire situation on the ground. It needs enough sanctions relief to float for the next 4 years to survive the Trump administration.

President Trump, driven by his desire to secure a deal, may ultimately grant them that lifeline.

Iran 2025: Nuclear crisis awaits Trump Some Trump advisers are pondering the military option.

"Trump advisers privately concede Iran's program is now so far along that [Maximum Pressure] might not be effective. That makes a military option a real possibility. Others close to Trump expect that he'll seek a deal before considering a strike."
www.axios.com/2025/01/06/t...

31 women were executed in Iran during 2024, marking the highest annual number in 17 years, according to Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO). iranwire.com/en/women/137...

Activist Bahar Ghandehari of Middle East Matters spray paints "Free Iran" and "Women, Life, Freedom" on the ex-Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria instagram.com/p/DEaYJv9tqeU/

Tehran-based Gen Z tattoo artist gives her grandmother a tattoo, and she ends up loving it.

This video went viral on IG with 3.4 million views.

Iranian toman is 80,000 now to the US dollar.

I remember when it was 800 when I moved to Iran in 1999.

Iranians can’t live under these circumstances.

Iran set to slash fuel subsidies in sensitive move Iran is due to ease fuel price subsidies, according to documents reviewed by Iran International, in a politically sensitive move likely approved by the country's top leadership which is due to deepen ...

It's almost like they want people to protest...

In November 2019, a triple fuel price hike prompted Iranians to protest. Security forces reportedly killed 1,500 in what became known as "Bloody November."
www.iranintl.com/en/202412239...

Iran’s judiciary chief calls on police, prosecutors to prevent unrest over power outages Iran’s judiciary chief has instructed prosecutors and law enforcement forces to address potential unrest over widespread fuel shortages and power and gas outages.

Iran's judiciary chief directed the attorney general and provincial prosecutors to cooperate with security forces to prevent unrest, "emphasizing that decisive action is needed to maintain stability" during power outages.
www.iranintl.com/en/202412235...

Iran’s Energy Crisis Hits ‘Dire’ Point as Industries Are Forced to Shut Down Although Iran has one of the biggest supplies of natural gas and crude oil in the world, it finds itself in a full blown energy emergency, coming just as it also suffers major geopolitical setbacks.

“The owner of one of the largest manufacturing plants for construction material said… that his business had survived revolution, war and sanctions but that none of those things had been as chaotic and stressful as events of the past week.”
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/w...

Contact in Iran: "We're waiting to see what happens."

Me: "We're waiting to see what you guys do," referring to ordinary Iranians.

Contact in Iran: "We're waiting to see what you guys do [the US] because we can't do it ourselves."

The Iranist | هالی دگرس/Holly Dagres | Substack A weekly newsletter on all things Iran. Click to read The Iranist, by هالی دگرس/Holly Dagres, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

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Iran president pays rare visit to Egypt in latest sign of thawing ties Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to Cairo to attend a summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation.

When then-President Ahmadinejad visited Egypt in 2013, Egyptians were worried about Islamists because the Muslim Brotherhood was in power.

Now, under Sisi, no one bats an eyelash at President Pezeshkian's visit. Very telling... www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Who is the new Syrian leader’s Iran point man? Syria's new ruling Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has appointed a deputy for Iranian affairs known for his jihadist sermons as the group builds ties with Iran's Sunnis in a bid to reduce Tehran's influen...

HTS appointed a deputy for Iranian affairs, Abdulrahman Fattahi—an Iranian-born Sunni cleric and former imam—known for his jihadist sermons.

The group is reportedly trying to build ties with Iran's Sunnis in a bid to reduce Tehran's influence in Syria.
www.iranintl.com/en/202412156...

Hezbollah Chief Says Assad’s Fall Severed Key Supply Line From Iran The loss of the route through Syria is a blow to the Lebanese militia and its most important ally, Tehran.

Even the new secretary general of Hezbollah acknowledged that the group lost its military supply line from Iran through Syria.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...

What happened to Iranian proxies in Syria? Uncertainty remains over whereabouts of Afghan Fatemiyoun and Pakistani Zainebiyoun militias

What happened to the Fatemiyoun and Zainebiyoun Brigades in Syria?

“...reports have indicated that some were flown to Iran along with IRGC forces. Others are said to have crossed into neighboring Iraq or followed fleeing Hezbollah forces into Lebanon.”
www.voanews.com/a/what-happe...

Turkey’s inroads in Syria fuel Iranian accusations of ‘neo-Ottomanism’ The story: The downfall of Iran’s longtime ally Bashar Al-Assad in Syria has put the spotlight on Iranian-Turkish rivalry in the region. Some commentators in Iran accuse Turkey’s president of wanting ...

"Turkey’s backing for Syrian rebels and Erdogan’s remarks about major Syrian cities have led commentators in Iran to argue that the Turkish president is pursuing 'neo-Ottomanism.'"

Seems they missed that Arabs think Tehran has a now crumbling empire...
amwaj.media/media-monito...

Iranians Confront Their Leaders Over Syria Debacle For decades, Iran poured money and military aid into Syria, backing the Assad regime in its ambition to confront Israel. Now many Iranians are openly asking why.

“The Syria debate is happening at all levels of society... but in daily interactions everywhere. [Iranians] are asking: Why did we spend so much money there? What did we achieve? What is our justification now that it’s all gone?”
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/w...