Activist groups have long accused Iran of carrying out closed-door trials during which defendants are unable to fully defend themselves. Iran’s judiciary chief has repeatedly said that Tehran would increase the speed with which it carried out hangings to fight back against its enemies at home and abroad.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A ceasefire deal to pause the war in Iran appeared to hang by a thread Wednesday after the Islamic Republic closed the Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The White House demanded that the channel be reopened and sought to keep peace talks on track.

Kuwait accused Iran of launching a failed attack earlier this month on an island where China is helping build a port in the Middle East nation.

A 10-day ceasefire has gone into effect in Lebanon, starting at midnight local time on Friday. “I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu,

President Donald Trump on Thursday said peace talks with Iran could resume this weekend as Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire.

President Donald Trump said Iran agreed not to execute eight women after he demanded their release. Talks between the U.S. and Iran in Pakistan are uncertain. Israel and Lebanon are slated to hold a second round of negotiations in Washington,

As the clock ticks down on the ceasefire, Iran says it may not attend fresh talks with the U.S. That's as a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appears to be holding.

Iran and the U.S. face a stalemate in negotiations over ongoing hostilities, with escalating tensions impacting the Middle East and global energy markets. Executions in Iran continue amid internal unrest.

Trump warned the Iran ceasefire is on “life support” as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz deepen and oil prices surge globally. Iran rejected US criticism of its peace proposal, while Washington pushed a UN resolution demanding Tehran halt attacks in the key shipping route,

The leaders of Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire in Israel's fight against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, but Israel vowed to keep troops in southern Lebanon.