Iran Unveils Its First Drone-Carrier Warship in Persian Gulf

A striking incident in Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city, has gone viral after a woman was filmed stripping naked and jumping onto a police car in a public protest against the country’s stringent dress code laws for women. The footage, shared widely on social media, depicts her standing defiantly on the police vehicle’s hood and windshield while shouting at armed officers, who hesitated to intervene due to her nakedness, according to Euronews. The protest highlights ongoing resistance to Iran's compulsory hijab laws, which mandate that women dress modestly in public. Despite past incidents of women bravely confronting authority, such as a female removing a cleric's turban at an airport, the situation remains tense. Reports indicate that severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, are imposed on women who defy the dress code. The bold action of the woman has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some labeling her as a symbol of resistance and others questioning her mental state. Amid international scrutiny and criticism, Iran's legislature previously passed a "chastity and hijab" bill imposing stricter penalties, though it is currently on hold following global outcry from activists.

A senior Iranian official indicated on February 5, 2025, that Iran is willing to give the United States another chance at diplomacy following President Donald Trump's reinstatement of his "maximum pressure" campaign on the Islamic Republic. The official, speaking to Reuters, noted that Tehran seeks US action to "rein in Israel" as part of any prospective deal. The remarks come amid ongoing disputes stemming from Trump's controversial statements regarding Gaza, where he proposed a sweeping US-led initiative to reshape the area by resettling Palestinians. The official emphasized that while Iran opposes the displacement of Palestinians, the discussions concerning this issue are distinct from the topic of Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran maintains is peaceful. Earlier, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded to US concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities, stating that these issues should not be seen as complicated or insurmountable. Trump's campaign has focused on significantly reducing Iranian oil exports to hinder nuclear development, a strategy that Tehran has consistently contested.

A report by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) claims that Iran is secretly developing nuclear missiles with the capability to reach Europe, including potential targets such as Greece. The NCRI, an exiled opposition group, states that these missiles are being produced at two facilities disguised as satellite launch sites and are capable of traveling over 3,000 kilometers. According to the NCRI, one key facility identified is the Shahrud missiles site, which is managed by Iran's Organization for Advanced Defense Research and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The group alleges that a nuclear warhead being developed there will be fitted onto a Ghaem-100 missile, which has already undergone at least three test launches disguised as satellite operations. A second facility, reportedly over 43 miles southeast of Semnan, is believed to be developing Simorgh missiles using North Korean designs, with NCRI alleging that parts of this site are concealed underground. Soona Samsami, a representative of the NCRI in the U.S., criticized Tehran for accelerating its nuclear weapon development amidst vulnerability due to international pressure.