In the footage, a sizable audience applauds as a lady raises a pair of scissors to her hair while showing no sign of wearing a headscarf. She chops off her ponytail and raises her fist in the air as the sea of people, many of whom are guys, yell. It was a potent display of defiance on Tuesday night in Kerman, Iran, where women are required to cover their heads in public. It was just one of numerous... 

Human rights groups fear that the number of people executed in Iran could double this year after reports of a spike in secret hangings at a large prison in the city of Mashad. Iran already executes more people per capita than any country in the world. Credible information from former inmates indicates that “numerous” undeclared executions have taken place in Vakilabad Prison over the past...