Iran must not trade a turban for a crown – why 'Baby Shah' is not the answer

Puzzles Horoscopes Express Rated Shop Paper Newsletters Login Register Your Account Newsletters Bookmarks Sign OutUkUs 19°C Find us on FacebookFollow us on WhatsApp Follow us on TwitterFind us on Instagram Find us on Youtube Search HOME News Politics Royal Showbiz & TV Sport Finance Travel Life & Style Comment UK World Politics Royal US Weather Science History Weird Nature InYourArea HomeNewsWorld Iran must not trade a turban for a crown – why 'Baby Shah' is not the answerIranians face a nightmarish existence and they deserve the freedom that we enjoy here in the West. By Paul Baldwin 15:45, Fri, Jul 4, 2025 | UPDATED: 15:45, Fri, Jul 4, 2025 Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments OPINION

Some of my contacts who helped me research this article would face execution were they based in Iran, thanks to a new “espionage” bill passed unanimously a few days ago by Iran’s supine, theocratic, sick joke of a parliament in the wake of the Israeli micro-war . As part of this new law, “espionage” and collaboration with Israel, the US, or other hostile states such the UK are now classified as ridiculously mediaeval-sounding “corruption on Earth” - a charge that automatically carries the death penalty.

The bill also criminalises sharing images or videos with foreign media and producing content that authorities claim threatens national security or public morale, with penalties ranging from lengthy prison sentences to execution. The current so-called ceasefire, which many hoped might be a trigger for regime change from the streets, has in fact sparked a spree of state-sponsored killings and torture on a scale rarely seen, even in Iran.