Sally Hayden

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Sally Hayden

A Dublin-based Iranian woman has called for increased attention to be focused on Iran’s political prisoners, after her brother was removed from the area of the Tehran prison where he was being held and taken to an unknown location. Aida Younesi (31), a software engineer, said her brother Ali (25), was taken from the infamous Evin Prison on Wednesday by men who reportedly said they were bringing him for questioning. Since then, her family has no idea of his whereabouts.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Sally Hayden

Mofida Majthoub is almost a dot in the distance, alone in her mission. She crouches down, her hands moving carefully and deliberately. She wears no protective gear – it would be pointless this close up, she says, and would weigh her down.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Sally Hayden

Iran entered a near total internet blackout on Wednesday as it and Israel continued attacking each other, and questions swirled about whether the US will directly enter the war. US president Donald Trump has been vague about whether he is planning to launch strikes on Iran, something analysts say Israel is very keen for. On Wednesday, Mr Trump was cryptic, telling journalists: “I may do it, I may not do it, nobody knows what I’m going to do.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Sally Hayden

Syrian refugees due to fly to Ireland from Lebanon this week under a resettlement scheme say they have been left homeless and terrified after their flights were cancelled due to the Israel-Iran attacks. “This flight was like a lottery ticket for us in order to start a new life,” said Delivan Hassan Mohammed (37), who was due to leave on Thursday with her husband and 14-year-old daughter.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Sally Hayden

Israel and Iran continued to exchange attacks throughout Sunday, as international leaders called for de-escalation and the death tolls climbed in both countries. At least 406 people have been killed in Iran and 654 wounded, including at least 197 civilians, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. Israel said at least 13 people, including three children, had been killed there since Friday and 390 others wounded.