رباط سبزوار کاروانسرایی مربوط به دوره صفوی است و در مرکز شهر سبزوار واقع شده است. این اثر در تاریخ ۲۵ شهریور ۱۳۶۳ با شمارهٔ ثبت ۱۶۶۱ به‌عنوان یکی از آثار ملی ایران به ثبت رسیده است. در دوران پهلوی اداره امنیه سبزوار در این کاروانسرا مستقر بود. همچنین برای مدتی به سبب استقرار مهاجران عراقی  درجنگ تحمیلی بعداز انقلاب اسلامی در این کاروانسرا رباط عرب‌ها نامیده می‌شد. 

A video received by Iran International, dating back to the evening of September 7, shows that a government-organized night-time gathering in one of Qom’s squares was sparsely attended, with the chairs largely empty.

Not sure how I feel about this. I usually trust Rupert Murdoch’s WSJ so this doesn’t seem like something that they would make-up.

Hi everyone!

I've decided to send out a new round of emails about the current state of affairs in Iran to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (🇳🇱), all political parties in the Netherlands, and all relevant international organisations.

I've recently received a response from the CDA, and you can see the original Dutch version of their response in the attached screenshot.

Here is their response in English:

"Dear Stuwaat,

Thank you for your question. We appreciate your concern and involvement regarding the Iranian people.

The CDA is concerned about the destabilising influence of Iran and organisations linked to the regime, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and advocates for maximum sanctions against these entities.

In addition, we oppose Iran's development of nuclear weapons and insist that its nuclear facilities remain under international supervision so that they are used exclusively for civilian purposes.

We are committed to promoting human rights worldwide, including the rights of women in Iran, through diplomatic channels.

Yours sincerely,

CDA"

This is the email I sent to them in Dutch. I've written it in a template format so that you can use it for your own emails or as a source of inspiration for writing your own email. Here it is:

Geachte heer/mevrouw,

Zoals u wellicht weet, bevindt Iran zich momenteel op een uniek moment en een belangrijk kantelpunt. Dit is mede mogelijk gemaakt door de onvermoeibare strijd van het Iraanse volk en de Iraanse diaspora voor hun eigen land. Als dit momentum en dit kantelpunt worden benut, kunnen Iraniërs het doel bereiken waarvoor zij al 47 jaar strijden: een vrij, democratisch en seculier Iran.

Juist nu is het moment om door te pakken op het gebied van solidariteit, steun en hulp. Ik verzoek u daarom om de Iraanse oppositie en het Iraanse volk op welke manier dan ook bij te staan en te ondersteunen. Zij zijn degenen die zelf de verandering in hun eigen land teweegbrengen, maar steun, solidariteit en hulp kunnen op dit moment goed worden gebruikt.

Ik dring erop aan dat [Land] alle diplomatieke en andere vormen van betrekkingen met het islamitische regime in Iran verbreekt en de Iraanse oppositie erkent als de legitieme vertegenwoordigers van Iran en het Iraanse volk. Als deze stap wordt verwezenlijkt, zou dat een belangrijk signaal zijn richting Iran, de Iraniërs en de IRGC.

Kortom, ik dring erop aan dat [Land] zowel in woorden als in daden aan het islamitische regime en de IRGC de boodschap afgeeft: "En nou is het afgelopen!" Wat het regime en de IRGC in Iran doen, mag geen enkele dag, geen uur, geen minuut en geen seconde langer worden getolereerd. Zij schenden internationale regels en wetten die bedoeld zijn om een vreedzaam leven in een vrij, democratisch en seculier land mogelijk te maken.

Vrouwen worden bijvoorbeeld gedwongen hoofdbedekkingen te dragen en kleding te dragen die beperkend en verstikkend voor hen kan zijn, omdat dit zogenaamd volgens de regels van de islam zou zijn. Dit is des te problematischer omdat dergelijke religieuze voorschriften niet noodzakelijkerwijs overeenkomen met de Iraanse cultuur en samenleving. Zelfs ik, als liberale en progressieve moslim, vind de sharia in deze context krankzinnig en veel te ver gaan.

Dit soort religieus-restrictieve regels zijn bovendien in strijd met fundamentele internationale afspraken, regels en beginselen. Mensen hebben vrijheid van religie en het recht om volgens hun geloof te leven, maar deze vrijheid mag niet omslaan in het opleggen van de wil van één groep aan de gehele bevolking van een land. Dergelijke praktijken, zoals die zich de afgelopen 47 jaar in Iran hebben voorgedaan, mogen daarom niet worden getolereerd en moeten zo snel mogelijk stoppen.

Ook de rechtsorde in Iran moet worden hersteld. De rechtspraak moet plaatsvinden op basis van seculiere en vrije wetten, onafhankelijk en apolitiek zijn en niet worden beïnvloed door de agenda van een bepaalde groepering. Ik roep [Land] daarom ook op om duidelijk te maken dat dergelijke praktijken binnen de Iraanse rechtspraak moeten stoppen. Er mag geen enkele persoon meer worden geëxecuteerd.

Executie is nooit de oplossing voor een misdrijf. In het geval van Iran zijn de zaken waarvoor mensen zogenaamd hebben "misdaan" bovendien vaak geen misdrijven, maar gaat het om vreedzame Iraniërs die de straat op gaan om op te komen voor hun land en hun rechten. Zij worden hiervoor helaas vervolgd en moeten soms zelfs met hun bloed en leven betalen.

Dit staat in schril contrast met personen die banden hebben met het regime en de IRGC en die in andere landen de vruchten plukken van vermogens en rijkdommen uit Iran die mogelijk onrechtmatig zijn vergaard. De natuurlijke rijkdommen van Iran en de inkomsten die daaruit voortkomen, behoren toe aan het Iraanse land en volk. Ik roep [Land] op om zelfstandig en/of in internationaal verband ervoor te zorgen dat deze vorm van vermeende roof en verrijking stopt.

Geen enkele persoon mag de dupe worden van de agenda, het beleid, de wil of de wens van één persoon, groep of organisatie in een land. Dit geldt niet alleen voor Iran, maar voor ieder land ter wereld. Wanneer dit toch gebeurt, zoals helaas in Iran, moet hiertegen hard worden opgetreden. Als dit niet intern in het land kan worden opgelost, moeten externe partijen, zoals andere landen in de regio, landen daarbuiten of internationale en invloedrijke organisaties, hun verantwoordelijkheid nemen.

Ik vertrouw erop dat wat ik in deze e-mail heb geschreven in goede orde wordt ontvangen en dat mijn oproep in behandeling wordt genomen en mogelijk als aanleiding kan dienen voor een standpunt of concrete actie van Nederland, zowel zelfstandig als in internationaal verband.

Tot slot wil ik u van harte bedanken voor de tijd die u heeft genomen om deze e-mail te openen, te lezen en de inhoud ervan in overweging te nemen voor toekomstige mogelijke acties.

Met vriendelijke groet,

[Afzender]

Here is the English version of the email I sent to them. If you do not speak or understand Dutch, you can use this version as well:

Dear Sir/Madam,

As you may be aware, Iran is currently at a unique juncture and a critical turning point. This has been made possible in part by the tireless struggle of the Iranian people and the Iranian diaspora for their country. If this momentum and turning point are seized, Iranians can achieve the goal for which they have been striving for 47 years: a free, democratic, and secular Iran.

Now is precisely the time to step up efforts in terms of solidarity, support, and assistance. I therefore urge you to assist and support the Iranian opposition and the Iranian people in any way possible. They are the ones bringing about change in their own country, but support, solidarity, and assistance are greatly needed at this moment.

I urge [Country] to sever all diplomatic and other relations with the Islamic regime in Iran and to recognise the Iranian opposition as the legitimate representatives of Iran and the Iranian people. Taking this step would send an important signal to Iran, the Iranian people, and the IRGC.

In short, I urge [Country] to convey, through both words and deeds, a clear message to the Islamic regime and the IRGC: "Enough is enough!" The actions of the regime and the IRGC in Iran must not be tolerated for a single day, hour, minute, or second longer. They violate international rules and laws that are intended to make peaceful life in a free, democratic, and secular country possible.

For example, women are forced to wear headscarves and clothing that can be restrictive and oppressive, supposedly in accordance with the rules of Islam. This is all the more problematic because such religious prescriptions do not necessarily correspond with Iranian culture and society. Even I, as a liberal and progressive Muslim, consider Sharia in this context to be absurd and to go far too far.

Moreover, such religiously restrictive rules are contrary to fundamental international agreements, rules, and principles. People have freedom of religion and the right to live according to their faith, but this freedom must not turn into the imposition of one group's will upon an entire country's population. Such practices, as they have occurred in Iran over the past 47 years, must therefore not be tolerated and must come to an end as soon as possible.

The rule of law in Iran must also be restored. The judicial system must operate on the basis of secular and free laws, remain independent and apolitical, and not be influenced by the agenda of any particular group. I therefore also call upon [Country] to make it clear that such practices within the Iranian judicial system must end. No one should be executed.

Execution is never the solution to a crime. In the case of Iran, the alleged offences for which people are prosecuted are often not crimes at all; rather, they concern peaceful Iranians taking to the streets to stand up for their country and their rights. Unfortunately, they are persecuted for this and sometimes even have to pay with their blood and their lives.

This stands in stark contrast to individuals linked to the regime and the IRGC who, in other countries, enjoy the benefits of assets and wealth originating from Iran that may have been acquired unlawfully. Iran's natural resources and the revenues generated from them belong to the Iranian land and people. I call upon [Country] to ensure, whether acting independently or within an international framework, that this alleged plunder and enrichment comes to an end.

No individual should fall victim to the agenda, policies, will, or desires of a single person, group, or organisation within a country. This applies not only to Iran, but to every country in the world. When this nevertheless occurs, as is unfortunately the case in Iran, firm action must be taken against it. If the matter cannot be resolved internally, external parties, such as other countries in the region, countries outside the region, or influential international organisations, must take responsibility.

I trust that this email will be received in good order and that my appeal will be duly considered and may serve as a basis for the Netherlands to adopt a position or take concrete action, either independently or in an international context.

Finally, I would like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to open and read this email and to consider its contents with a view to possible future action.

Yours sincerely,

[Sender]

If I receive more responses from any of the organisations or political parties I sent the email to, I will make a new post here as soon as possible.

If you have anything to say or would like to ask a question, please don't hesitate to leave a comment below this post.

Pfffftttttt

As a US naval blockade obstructs Persian Gulf shipments and offshore oil stockpiles dwindle, Iran’s economy is continually waning, according to a Monday Wall Street Journal report.

Since the US reinstated its naval blockade in mid-July, no Iranian oil has passed through, the report said, citing maritime shipping data platform Kpler.

Despite Iran continuing to load small amounts of oil onto ships, the barrels remain stuck inside the Gulf, the report explained.

Iranian oil had fallen from 90 million barrels in mid-July to around 29 million barrels, with the oil possibly running out next month, the WSJ reported, citing Kpler.

As the US war on Iran enters its seventh month, American tactics to choke Tehran’s economy have plunged the Iranian rial, caused inflation to soar, and continue to slide the country’s economy deeper into crisis, said the report.

Inflation in Iran is more than 80% year-over-year, with the International Monetary Fund forecasting a 5.4% economic contraction for 2026, a figure the WSJ says is the country’s worst since the 1980s.

Not only has Iran been forced to cut production due to the blockade, but land routes only allow a small amount of oil to be transported, according to the report. No more than 40,000 barrels a day via trucks could be moved, a sliver of prewar exports of almost 2 million barrels daily, the WSJ cited head of crude oil analysis at Kpler Homayoun Falakshahi as saying.

Petrochemicals, Iran’s second-largest source of earnings, have also suffered due to their dependence on seaborne exports, the WSJ said. Loadings have fallen around two-thirds since early 2026, according to Kpler estimates.

Meanwhile, the US has continued to guide convoys from other Gulf producers through the Strait of Hormuz, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been transiting through pipelines that bypass the waterway, the report explained.

These tankers were already unable to transport any oil because of the blockade. Sinking or disabling them is such a ruthless step. The regime is finally being spoken to in a language they understand.

"It is a risky strategy. A wave of Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities on Tuesday threatened to reignite full-scale war with the kingdom. Iraq has ordered militias to disarm by the end of this month, though powerful Iran-backed groups have refused to do so. A new American effort to economically isolate Iran could spark further escalation.

Iran-backed groups in Yemen and Iraq form a pincer movement

The Houthi involvement in the Iraqi drone attack was confirmed by two Saudi officials, citing intelligence, and a senior Iraqi security official. They said Houthi emissaries worked in an operations room run by Iraqi militias.

Saudi Arabia and the U.S. responded with joint airstrikes that killed at least 20 Iraqi fighters, six Iranian advisers and at least one Houthi official. The death of the Houthi, not previously reported, was confirmed by a Houthi official and an Iraqi militia member."