Head of Iran TV resigns after just 18 months (Arash Karami, Al Monitor)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Abdul Ali Asghari as the new head of Iran’s national television, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). The previous head of IRIB, Mohammad Sarafraz, who resigned abruptly after only 18 months into a five-year assignment, faced numerous controversies and scandals during his short term as IRIB head

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/05/iran-tv-head-resigns-sarafraz-ali-asghari-khamenei.html

Did Rouhani call for North Korea to give up nuclear weapons? (Arash Karami, Al Monitor)

Since the implementation of the nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers in January and the removal of international sanctions, Iran’s old trading partners from Europe and Asia are seeking to re-establish economic ties. The arrival of South Korean President Park Geun-hye in Tehran May 1, the first visit of a South Korean president since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1962, not only held promising prospects for future economic relations, but could possibly have ramifications for each country's relations with North Korea.

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/05/iran-south-north-korea-nuclear-weapons-rouhani.html

Will Saudi block Iranians from hajj this year? (Arash Karami, Al-Monitor)

Tensions between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran are not new, but recent statements by Iranian officials suggest that Saudi Arabia is intentionally delaying meetings between the two countries that would prevent Iranian pilgrims from performing their hajj obligations for the first time in nearly three decades.

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