Daily News – 2026-08-23

The 184th issue of the Peace Line monthly magazine has been published. This magazine addresses peace-related topics. The new issue is now available to readers.

Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh said after Esteghlal's victory over Sepahan that the players have the biggest share of the success. He explained the benching of Alireza Koushki and emphasized the importance of discipline for the team. He also stated that despite the closed transfer window, he believes in his players.

Mohsen Rezaei threatened to build an atomic bomb. There was also discussion about a 200,000 toman dollar and a split in the leadership. This topic was raised in the audio version of Titraval with Niusha Saremi.

Siamak Mirzaei, Asghar Akbarzadeh, and Ali Vasaghi, three Turk activists, have been detained in Ardabil prison for over 57 days. They remain in judicial uncertainty, and two of them have been deprived of proper medical care. These activists are held in separate wards alongside prisoners accused of drug-related crimes.

Javad Nekounam, head coach of Tractor, expressed his sadness over the ban on spectators and said the decision was made earlier. He emphasized that the team is playing well despite missing two top offensive players. Nekounam also stated that the team's focus is on overall league success and not on breaking records.

A trial session was held for a man accused of killing his mother with an honor motive in Tehran's criminal court. The session is for addressing the murder charge. The court is reviewing the case.

Mike Johnson, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, stated that he expects the war with Iran to soon enter a new phase and for US allies to help end the war. He also said that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons has been the goal of all US administrations for the past 50 years. Johnson added that oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz continues and that Iranians cannot be trusted.

A group of employees of the University of Wilayat company in Iranshahr, workers of Sahel Seyed company in Konarak, and railway line guards in Iranshahr reported their wage and insurance arrears.

Roya Sabat, a Bahá'í prisoner in Adelabad prison in Shiraz, has been deprived of medical services and medical leave despite injuries to her back and neck. Her blood oxygen level dropped to 70 percent on August 7, but necessary medical actions were not taken. Prison authorities have not approved her medical leave.

Arzoo Karimi stated that even before the complete removal of preferential currency for medicine, prices of some imported medicines have multiplied and domestic medicines have increased up to 100%. Weak insurance systems and months-long debts to pharmacies, along with monopolies by quasi-governmental institutions, have directly transferred treatment costs to patients.

Esteghlal football team defeated Sepahan 2-1 in the third week of the Iranian Premier League. Yaser Asani and Esmail Gholizadeh scored for Esteghlal. Esteghlal is at the top of the table with 9 points.

Scott Bassett, the US Treasury Secretary, will announce new sanctions against the Islamic Republic on Monday. The Trump administration is also trying to take control of the Strait of Hormuz from the Islamic Republic. The US now conducts 80% of the traffic through Hormuz via a dark route.

Younes Yousefzahi from Nehbandan has been held in Ardakan prison for over six months without a clear status. His situation remains uncertain. This issue was reported by Harana News Agency.

The dollar price has surpassed 200,000 tomans. Donald Trump's administration is announcing the toughest sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Mohsen Rezaei mentioned the possibility of nuclear weapon development and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States Central Command announced that American forces have forced 70 commercial ships to change course by August 23 as part of the maritime blockade of Iran. They have also disabled three ships and inspected two others. This information was released along with an image of the USS John Finn destroyer in the Arabian Sea.

Sina Khalili won the gold medal at the World Junior Freestyle Wrestling Championship in Bratislava by defeating Kerimov from Azerbaijan. He had previously defeated opponents from Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and the USA.

Esmaeil Saghab Esfahani, deputy head of government, spoke about the early days of the war, mentioning a government meeting discussing artificial intelligence when a potential attack was announced. Pezeshkian responded indifferently to the threat. Saghab Esfahani also highlighted the unity of government members during the war.

Babak Dadbakhsh, a political prisoner in Ardabil prison, started a hunger strike on September 1, 2026. He began the strike in protest of the lack of attention to his demands and legal situation. This news was reported by the HRANA news agency.

Majid Ibn al-Reza stated that during the 40-day war, the production of defense products in the Islamic Republic did not stop and even grew two to several times in some areas. He also mentioned that capabilities improved during operations and that the Islamic Republic obtained extensive intelligence and technological findings from the enemy. Ibn al-Reza described the recent war as one of the most unprecedented wars in history.

Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that Israel is not seeking to escalate tensions with Ankara but will not accept any threats. Media reported that Azerbaijan is working behind the scenes to reduce tensions between Israel and Turkey. The former head of Mossad's counterterrorism division said the chance of direct military conflict is almost zero.

CNN reported that the Islamic Republic of Iran has increased pressure on women to comply with mandatory hijab while military tensions have eased. The government avoids direct street repression and instead uses ambiguous legal tools and economic pressures. Civil disobedience by women against mandatory hijab continues.

Mahbubeh Shabani, a political prisoner, was transferred to ward six of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on the third day of her hunger strike. She has been deprived of visitation and phone communication. Shabani started the hunger strike in protest of poor prison conditions and the uncertain status of her legal case.

The National Security and Foreign Policy Commission approved an article allowing the Islamic Republic to charge fees for maritime, environmental, fueling, insurance, and safety services. These fees will be collected from ships authorized to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in rials or any other currency. The commission spokesperson announced this news.

The dollar price has surpassed 200,000 tomans. Pezeshkian stated that the country is in a full-scale war situation. Mohsen Rezaei threatened that regional countries cooperating with the US would be targeted.

The prosecutor of Mashhad announced the establishment of special branches in the city's prosecutor's office to handle cases related to "promoting nudity and immorality." Individuals deliberately involved in such activities will be prosecuted under specific legal articles. Judicial support for enforcers of moral codes has also been emphasized.

Mostafa Rostami called for serious enforcement of the law in universities by officials of the Ministry of Science and Ministry of Health. He said addressing violations benefits students, universities, and society. He also emphasized that leaving violations unaddressed harms the university environment.

The UK Maritime Trade Center has declared the security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz as severe. The center reported monitoring commercial ships and pressure to change their routes by the IRGC. Commercial traffic has decreased in the area, and the risk of floating mines continues.

The Khatoun Bam women's football team topped Group E in the 2026-2027 AFC Women's Champions League qualifiers by defeating Al-Ittihad Jordan 3-1. With 7 points, the team qualified for the group stage. The group stage will be held from October 31 to November 7, 2026.

Iranians residing in the UK gathered on Sunday, 1 Shahrivar, in Leeds. The gathering was in protest against the executions by the Islamic Republic. Videos of this protest have been sent to Iran International.

Atousa Jafari, a 27-year-old woman from Sanandaj, was killed by her ex-husband with knife wounds. The suspect fled the scene after the incident. The suspect has not been arrested yet.

Matteo Salvini stated that Italy will not accept illegal migrants deported from Germany as long as German rescue ships continue transferring migrants to Italian ports. Italy has rejected about 80,000 requests to take back refugees in the past year due to full capacity. This issue was reported by Ali Hassanpour.

The head of the Veterinary Organization stated that pet shops operating without the organization's license are illegal. Current licenses are issued by unrelated unions. Pet shops are not allowed to sell food, medicine, and supplements for pets; these must be handled by veterinary pharmacies.

A citizen sent a video showing a wall inscription in Mehrshahr, Karaj, written in English: "We love you Bibi." He says that conservative groups did not understand the message and did not erase it.

Forough Kanaani said the Islamic Republic views imposing hijab as a symbol of its authority and tries to maintain this mechanism. During the war, optional hijab was used as a tool to show unity. She warned that if the Islamic Republic remains, the confrontations regarding optional hijab could become more severe.

The mother of the late Mohsen Abbasi announced her ascent to Mount Damavand in a video. She honored her son during the climb and paid tribute to him. Mohsen Abbasi was killed at the age of 21 during protests in Najafabad.

The Iraqi government is considering a proposal to organize the types and quantities of weapons and register the locations of armed groups instead of handing over weapons. Tehran agrees with this proposal, and armed groups will suspend their activities for two years. Washington still insists on the actual delivery of weapons.

The UK government announced that last month's cyberattack on a power plant did not pose a threat to the national electricity grid. The small power plant was offline for four days due to hackers linked to the Islamic Republic. Further details have not been released for security reasons.

Hassan Mansour, an economist, said that people and the market are concerned about the economic consequences of US pressures. He emphasized that reduced oil revenues cause difficulties in securing currency for imports. Additionally, exchange rate fluctuations are more influenced by US sanctions and pressures than by central bank policies.

Iranians living in Japan held a protest against the Islamic Republic in Tokyo on Sunday, the 23rd of August. Videos of this protest were received by Iran International. The protest took place in the city of Tokyo.

A cafe belonging to Babak Zanjani has been opened. At the same time, images of closures of cafes and ordinary businesses are being shared. Users have raised questions about favoritism and discrimination in dealing with businesses.

Hossein Mohibi, spokesperson for the IRGC, stated that Iran maintains economic interactions near the US and bypasses it. He added that the US has started an economic war against Iran, which is an implicit admission of the enemy's military defeat. He also said Iran has plans to counter the economic war and there is no economic concern.

The price of the dollar in Iran's free market surpassed 198,000 tomans, and the Imam coin reached 217 million tomans. The British pound also exceeded 270,000 tomans. This price surge occurred one day before the announcement of a new US sanctions plan.

Manchester City has reached an agreement with Lille to sign Ayoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder. The transfer is valued at 95 million euros as a base fee with an additional 5 million euros in potential bonuses. Bouaddi has signed a contract with Manchester City until 2031.

The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company stated that the use of methanol as an oxygenate in fuel is a recognized practice and not outside national standards. The company added that methanol is used to improve combustion and increase octane number. Earlier, the head of the automakers' association warned about the dangers of gasoline containing 35% methanol.

Iranians living in Spain gathered in Barcelona on Sunday, 23 August. They demanded European support for regime change in Iran. Videos of the gathering were sent to Iran International.

Babak Zanjani has opened the 'Sourint' cafe and pastry shop in West Tehran after returning to business. He has plans in various fields including an airline company and cryptocurrency. Zanjani was previously convicted of embezzlement and his death sentence was changed to imprisonment.

The prosecutor of Hamedan announced the formation of 266 legal cases and the closure of 84 business units in the first five months of the current year. These actions were taken to protect public morality and address disturbances. Additionally, 775 legal warnings were issued, and some social media activists received warnings.

Majid Ibn al-Reza, Acting Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic, said about Donald Trump's post on Truth Social that described the Strait of Hormuz as part of US territory that Trump 'talks too much'. He also said regarding the US naval blockade and economic war against the Islamic Republic that Iran relies on Iranian youth and Iranian knowledge and will overcome these conditions.

A group of retirees in Shush marched on Sunday, September 1, protesting their livelihood problems. They chanted slogans such as "Only on the streets can we get our rights." This video was published by Iran International.

Naser Atabati, head of Tehran's judiciary, stated at his introduction ceremony that behaviors harming citizens' mental health will be addressed and they will not allow disruption of psychological peace. He emphasized fighting corruption and pursuing important cases. Utilizing social activists and media to promote culture of tolerance and reconciliation is also planned.

The sister of the late Ahmad Khosravani shared an old message from her brother about his sports achievements. She wrote about his tragic fate, saying his share of talent and effort was only a bullet. She also criticized the Islamic Republic government, stating that talents became victims of this regime.

A citizen sent a video showing contaminated drinking water in the piping of Somesara city. The video was provided to Iran International. The issue indicates water quality problems in the area.

The head of the Economic Security Police announced the seizure of 997 Starlink satellite internet devices and their accessories in the first four months of this year. Additionally, 163 people have been arrested in connection with these devices. Fifteen vehicles have also been impounded.

The value of the US dollar in Iran reached 200,000 tomans. The British pound surpassed 272,000 tomans and the euro approached 234,000 tomans. Additionally, the price of each new design gold coin exceeded 218 million tomans.

A citizen reported in a video to Iran International that Mihan ice cream has become smaller and more expensive within a week. This report is from Sunday, the first of Shahrivar. Changes in the size and price of Mihan ice cream have been observed.

Some Iran International viewers believe that US sanctions will not necessarily change the behavior of the Islamic Republic. They say the Islamic Republic has managed to pass the costs of sanctions to society and circumvent them. This issue was discussed in an interview with Mehdi Tajik.

Mohammad Reza Aref spoke about the increase in gasoline prices, expressing hope that any decision made will be good news. He emphasized that if people are not ready or oppose it, the decision will not be implemented. He also stated that reforms will be carried out step by step with public opinion.

Oded Ayalon, former head of Mossad's counterterrorism unit, considers the chance of direct conflict between Turkey and Israel almost zero. He states that a war with Israel could jeopardize Erdogan's multi-year plan to expand Turkey's influence. In a military confrontation, Turkey has a larger army, while Israel has advantages in air force and missile defense.

Arash Azarmi stated that the dollar has surged to around 200,000 tomans. This has occurred while oil and non-oil revenues have decreased and currency return channels have been limited. Continuing this situation may lead to higher prices and increased pressure on people's livelihoods.

The mother of Moein Abbaspour spoke in a video about the pain of losing her son and expressed hope to convey his oppressed voice to the world. Moein Abbaspour was shot by officers near Golshahr Hospital in Karaj on the evening of January 8, 2026, and died.

Jose Mourinho was dissatisfied with Trent Alexander-Arnold's performance in his first official game as Real Madrid coach and reacted strongly to a bad pass. Alexander-Arnold played about 10 minutes in the match, and Mourinho has requested a new right-back signing. He also intends to try Alexander-Arnold in a midfield position.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, described the US economic war as a repetitive film that Iran is familiar with. He called this war the usual bullying seen in US policies.

Mohammad Abdozadeh, head of the Syndicate of Human Drug Industry Owners, stated that pharmacies have over 8 trillion rials in bounced checks. These checks are related to the last link in the drug supply chain. This indicates financial problems in the pharmacy sector.

The mother of Setareh Rafiee appeared at her daughter's grave in a video shared on social media. She said she brought flowers for her daughter. Setareh Rafiee was killed on January 9, 2026, in Tehran.

Some audiences believe that increased US sanctions will not change the behavior of the Islamic Republic and will put more pressure on people's lives. Some have called for sanctions to focus on the assets of officials and their associates abroad. These views were expressed in an interview with Baharan Azadi.

Kamyar Malaki, a Bahá'í student of architecture at Birjand Azad University, was expelled due to his Bahá'í faith. He was barred from continuing his studies citing "lack of public qualification." This issue was reported by the HRANA news agency.

Erling Haaland, Manchester City's striker, has cut his long hair. This change happened before the match between Manchester City and Bournemouth in the Premier League. Haaland hopes to start the new Premier League season successfully with his new look.

A group of citizens living abroad commemorated the birthday of Sattar Beheshti by sending videos. Sattar Beheshti was a blogger who was killed on November 4, 2012, due to his writings. The commemoration took place on August 23.

Abulfazl Salari, secretary of the Information Council of Khorasan Razavi Environmental Protection, denied images of a dinosaur-like creature in the deserts of Binalud as fake and AI-generated. He emphasized that dinosaurs went extinct millions of years ago. The spread of such images causes public confusion.

Ahmad Bakhshaish Ardestani said the US cannot maintain the blockade for a long time and will abandon it if it proves ineffective. He added that the blockade may harm Iran's economy but economic collapse is unlikely. Changes in the Supreme National Security Council have been made to break the blockade.

Ruhollah Rahimpour stated that intensified sanctions and continued naval blockade could push the Islamic Republic into a 'life and death' situation. He emphasized that economic pressure might simultaneously lead to the risk of external conflict and a new wave of internal protests.

A group of car voucher holders protested on Saturday, August 22, in front of Pars Khodro company's office due to not receiving their cars. This protest was reported based on videos received by Iran International. The protesters demanded the delivery of their vehicles.

Hossein Shanbehzadeh, a political prisoner in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to one year of imprisonment. The sentence was issued on charges of disturbing public opinion through spreading falsehoods. The new case relates to the release of an audio file from inside the prison.

On the evening of Saturday, August 22, effigies of Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump were hanged in Tehran's Enghelab Square. This symbolic act was carried out by supporters of the Islamic Republic. The purpose was to express opposition to the policies of the US and Israel.

The football teams Esteghlal and Sepahan will face each other in the third week of the Premier League on the afternoon of Sunday, 1 Shahrivar 1405, at Ghal'eh Hasan Khan Stadium. The match will be held on Sunday afternoon. A poll about the match result is available on Iran International Sports' Instagram page.

Ismail Baqaei, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the visit of Asim Munir, the commander of the Pakistan Army, to Tehran on Monday. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and support Pakistan's efforts for peace and security in the region. This move is part of Pakistan's continued peaceful initiatives.

A group of Iranians living in the US held a car caravan protest in San Jose, California on Saturday, August 22. They protested against the Islamic Republic and carried Lion and Sun flags. This event was reported by Iran International.

Elnaz Rekabi reacted to Farzaneh Fasihi's removal from the Iranian national athletics team, emphasizing freedom. Farzaneh Fasihi stated she has been under security pressures and was prevented from registering for the World Championships. Despite threats, she said she continues her efforts.

The price of the US dollar in Iran's open market reached 197,500 tomans, setting a new record. The British pound surpassed 269,000 tomans and the euro approached 230,000 tomans. The price of a new design gold coin reached 214 million tomans.

The monthly report for Mordad 1405 highlights human rights violations in Iran. It mentions executions without fair trials, suppression of freedom of expression, violence against women, and labor rights violations. The number of violations across the country is alarming.

Luiz Hamariren, head of the youth branch of the Swedish Christian Democratic Party, said at a gathering of Iranians in Stockholm that the party demands the closure of the Islamic Republic's embassy in Stockholm. He added that the world must act to support the Iranian people and their freedom. The gathering involved discussions and slogans about regime change.

The Esteghlal and Sepahan clubs released a joint poster for their match. The game will take place on Sunday, August 23, 2026, during the third week of the Premier League. The match has been titled "Superclasico."

Reza Goharzad, a journalist and political analyst, said the criticism by Kayhan newspaper of remarks by Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, describing them as "signals of weakness and passivity to the enemy," reflects a division within the Islamic Republic over continuing confrontation or moving toward negotiations. He added that increased US pressure on China could force Beijing to pressure Tehran to return to talks.

The New York Post reported that ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has nearly quadrupled in the past two weeks. This increase coincides with US efforts to create a safe shipping route near Omani waters.

Hossein Ghazian referred to the Iran International survey results where over 92% of participants expressed reluctance toward marriage or having children. He noted that concern and uncertainty about the future is a significant point in the survey. This issue has also appeared in previous reputable surveys.

The execution of Majid Adineh, a detained protester from December 2025, has been carried out. He was accused of cooperating with Israel and the United States against national security. He was arrested on the evening of January 9, 2026, in Mohammadshahr, Karaj.

Kayhan newspaper criticized statements by Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, calling them signals of weakness to the enemy. The paper described the dichotomies of "war-negotiation" and "livelihood-missile" as fabricated and emphasized that the solution to economic problems is effort and prudence. Kayhan added that overcoming the current situation must be through dignity and prudence, not passivity and compromise.

The Iran Chamber of Commerce Research Center reported that the 12-day war, the Dey uprising and internet shutdown, and the 40-day war have delivered three heavy shocks to Iran's labor market. A significant number of jobs have been lost, and many medium-sized businesses have become small enterprises. This trend indicates a gradual decline in jobs and increased pressure on people's livelihoods.

Reuters reported that Iran's economy is under severe sanctions pressure, and new US sanctions could increase this pressure. These measures are significant due to their potential impact on Iran's main trading partners, especially China, which buys over 80% of Iran's exported oil. Reuters also assessed that Iran still possesses sufficient missile and drone capabilities to disrupt oil tanker traffic and attack regional rivals.

The Chilean Foreign Ministry announced that the activity of its embassy in Tehran will end on the 31st of August. The decision was made due to organizational review and to ensure the security of diplomats. After the embassy closure, consular services will be provided through the Chilean consulate in Ankara.

Mohsen Rezaei stated that any country cooperating with the US to impose economic restrictions on Iran will be considered an enemy and targeted. He also threatened that if the new US plan is implemented, Iran will not allow any oil to leave the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. These remarks were made in response to the new US sanctions.

Donald Trump reshared a tweet by Mark Tyson about escorting over a thousand ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The New York Post reported that the US has been assisting ships in passing through the strait since May. CNN stated that the operation mostly involved guiding ships rather than a conventional military escort.

Hackers affiliated with the Islamic Republic disrupted a UK power plant for four days last month. The power plant was relatively small and the disruption did not affect the wider electricity network. This incident coincided with cyberattacks on US water infrastructure.

Donald Trump, by posting on Truth Social, emphasized the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz with American forces escort. He reposted a piece by American commentator Marc Thiessen, which pointed to statistics of over 1,000 ships exiting the Strait of Hormuz with American forces escort.

Dozens of young people aged 18 to 25 have been arrested in Khuzestan on charges of espionage and connections with Israel. Some were sentenced to heavy prison terms in brief court sessions. Journalist Roghieh Rezaei says the government is using the wartime atmosphere to intensify internal repression.

The football teams Duhok and Talaba, coached by Yahya Golmohammadi and Alireza Mansourian, drew 3-3 in the second week of the Iraqi league. Duhok reached 2 points and Talaba earned their first point of the season.

Bayern Munich defeated Dortmund 2-1 to win the German Supercup for the twelfth time. The match was held at Signal Iduna Park, with goals from Braun and Ulises for Bayern. Since last season, the cup has been named the Franz Beckenbauer Cup.

Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Donald Trump is seeking to launch a new economic war and Iran will hold him even more accountable than the Sacred Defense. Citing a Financial Times report, he said the US waged this economic war against itself and Trump's policies have placed a heavy debt burden on the American people and its allies, pushing the 30-year US bond yield to its highest level in the 21st century.

Washington Free Beacon reported that out of 209 journalists killed in Gaza, 120 had connections with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. This data was recorded by the Committee to Protect Journalists. The report was prepared by Ashkan Safaei from Iran International.