Iran’s military kicked off its annual drill in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, state TV reported on December 30.
Iranian protesters staged fresh demonstrations in several cities to mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for 10 protesters killed by security forces in unrest triggered by the death in September of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody.
Iran has summoned the Italian ambassador to protest what it called "interventionist" policies, the Foreign Ministry said late on December 29, a day after Rome called in Tehran's envoy over its harsh response to nationwide protests.
Iranian lawyer Saeed Sheikh has been sentenced to three years in prison as the government continues to crack down on lawyers while suppressing nationwide protests that began three months ago.