Stuart Williams

Trump said Iran's leadership 'seriously fractured' but analysts sceptical. While there may be considerable behind-the-scenes debate, available evidence points, for now, to a united wartime front @afp comments by @thomasjuneau @SanamVakil @IranWonk yahoo.com/news/articles/…

Several rights groups inc @HengawO @IranRights_org have said a woman -- Bita Hemmati - was sentenced to death by a Tehran revolutionary court under judge Afshari over the January protests along with 3 men accused in same case straitstimes.com/world/middle-e…

As uncertainty persists over US-Iran talks, Tehran is pulling its Strait of Hormuz 'lever' to the maximum -- a strategy long-threatened but never used before that is not without risk for the Islamic republic sty for @AFP comments by @Alfoneh yahoo.com/news/articles/…

With Starmer under new pressure at home over Mandelson, he finds himself in Paris to co-chair with Macron a video conference that will discuss a hypothetical force for the Strait of Hormuz that could deploy when the Iran war ends - our @afp story yahoo.com/news/articles/…

'Weak and significant weight loss': Iranian Nobel winner Narges Mohammadi, jailed in Zanjan in n. Iran, in a 'critical' condition after suffering a heart attack last month, according to her @nargesfnd foundation - our @afp story france24.com/en/middle-east…

If and when Iran-US talks resume, #Ghalibaf is likely to be centre stage. Our profile of a fiercely ambitious politician who has held key posts for 30 years and may will willing to bend -- but only so much quotes from @IranWonk uk.news.yahoo.com/ghalibaf-ambit…

Key takeaways from @IHRights and @AssoECPM report on executions in #Iran -At least 1,639 executed in 2025, highest since 1989 -Real figure could be 100s higher -Fears Iran resorting to new execution spree in wake of war -Call to put rights/executions 'at heart' of negotiations

Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, the highest number since 1989, NGOs say. The number of executions represented an increase of 68% on the 975 people Iran put to death in 2024 u.afp.com/SEqW

Anti-government protesters once again flooded the streets in several Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, despite a 24-hour internet blackout imposed as part of a deadly crackdown by authorities u.afp.com/SXWG

'No more empty statements:' Iran ex-detainees press Sweden over death row academic france24.com/en/live-news/2…

#UPDATE The leaders of France, Britain, Germany and Poland will make a joint visit to Ukraine on Saturday for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, vowing to ratchet up pressure on Russia until it agrees to a ceasefire. u.afp.com/Sq6D by @ffontemaggi @Stuart_JW

#UPDATE French President Emmanuel Macron told visiting Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa to protect all people in the multi-confessional country, as the former rebel Islamist chief confirmed indirect talks with Israel. u.afp.com/SqAf @ffontemaggi @Stuart_JW @laure_khoury

#UPDATE France prepared to reopen Notre Dame cathedral after a half-decade closure during a ceremony attended by dozens of world leaders celebrating the rebirth of the Paris landmark ravaged by a devastating fire. u.afp.com/5CXo by @Stuart_JW @ADAMPLOW

#UPDATE French lawmakers have voted to oust the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier after just three months in office, a historic move which plunged the country further into political chaos. u.afp.com/5CpN by @Stuart_JW @AnnaSafp

Concern grew Tuesday for an Iranian student arrested after stripping to her underwear in protest at alleged harassment over her dress, with activists worried authorities could confine her in a psychiatric institution u.afp.com/5rLP @Stuart_JW @CcileFeuillatre

The family of Iran-born German citizen Jamshid Sharmahd does not trust anything said by the Iranian government about his fate, his daughter said Tuesday, after the judiciary announced he had died before his death sentence could be implemented @Stuart_JW u.afp.com/5rEW

France's new prime minister Michel Barnier on Tuesday survived a motion of no confidence brought by the left, a first test for his government whose support in parliament is fragile. u.afp.com/5DGi by @SamiAcef @Stuart_JW

#UPDATE France's far right won the first round of pivotal legislative elections, with the centrist forces of President Emmanuel Macron coming in third behind the left after the highest turnout in over four decades, estimates said. u.afp.com/57NU @Stuart_JW @AnnaSafp

#UPDATE President Joe Biden vowed Washington was "standing strong" with Ukraine as France's Emmanuel Macron hosted him on a state visit shadowed by Kyiv's fight against Russia's invasion and the looming US election. u.afp.com/5ebJ by @Stuart_JW @AureliaEndAFP @AnnaSafp

France will transfer Mirage-2000 fighter jets to Ukraine and train their Ukrainian pilots as part of a new military cooperation with Kyiv as it fights the Russian invasion, President Emmanuel Macron announced. u.afp.com/5eeU by @Stuart_JW