Australia granted permanent residency to Hanieh Safavi, the daughter of Iranian Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, a sanctioned adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a former senior figure in the Revolutionary Guards, despite repeated warnings to the government, The Australian reported on Wednesday.
Safavi arrived on a student visa in 2024 and later obtained a skilled independent visa. She is now registered as a provisional psychologist in Australia.
Her residency has drawn criticism from members of the Iranian diaspora and opposition lawmakers. Liberal Senator Dave Sharma wrote to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke that it was “concerning and potentially alarming that the daughter of a senior IRGC commander, on the Australian sanctions list, appears to be residing in Australia.”
An Iranian-Australian activist also wrote to authorities, saying: “(Ms Safavi) left her IRGC commander father behind and came to live freely in Australia. This is the injustice I cannot remain silent about.” He added that the issue was about ensuring the visa system “applies the same rigorous standards to everyone.”
A government spokesperson said all visa applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and must satisfy all criteria before approval.
Satellite images reviewed by Reuters show Iran has taken steps to repair and fortify several nuclear and military sites that were struck in last year’s conflict with Israel and the United States.
At the sensitive Parchin military complex southeast of Tehran, imagery indicates Iran has built a concrete structure over a newly constructed facility and covered it with soil. Analysts from the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said the work appeared aimed at shielding the site, identified as Taleghan 2, from potential airstrikes.
At the Isfahan nuclear complex, which was bombed by the United States during last year’s fighting, images show that tunnel entrances have been backfilled with soil. Analysts said burying the entrances could make future airstrikes less effective and complicate any ground operation.
Near the Natanz enrichment site, satellite imagery shows ongoing efforts to strengthen tunnel entrances under a nearby mountain, with heavy equipment and construction activity visible.
Images also indicate repair work at missile bases near Shiraz and Qom that were damaged in previous strikes, including reconstruction of buildings and new roofing.
The activity comes as Washington seeks a negotiated deal with Tehran over its nuclear program while warning that military options remain on the table if diplomacy fails.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi held a phone call on Wednesday with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the latest developments in indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, state media reported.
Araghchi thanked Grossi for attending the Geneva talks and said Iran was focused on drafting a coherent initial framework to guide future discussions.
Grossi gave a positive assessment of the latest round of talks and said the agency was ready to provide support and cooperation in shaping a negotiating framework, according to the report.
The United States will deter Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons “one way or the other,” US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump “believes firmly we cannot have a nuclear-armed Iran,” Wright told reporters in Paris on the sidelines of meetings at the International Energy Agency.
“They’ve been very clear about what they would do with nuclear weapons. It’s entirely unacceptable,” Wright said. “So one way or the other, we are going to deter Iran’s march towards a nuclear weapon.”
His remarks came a day after US and Iranian officials held talks in Geneva aimed at averting possible US military intervention over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran said the talks produced agreement on “guiding principles” for a deal, while US Vice President JD Vance said Tehran had not yet acknowledged all of Washington’s red lines.
A student said not attending classes during 40th-day memorials for those killed in the January protests was “the least we can do,” in comments to Iran International.
“Our absence from class is nothing compared to thousands who gave their lives for freedom. This is the least we can do,” the student said.
“As long as all this effort and blood has not led to results, none of us feels well. We pretend we are fine so life can go on, but in reality we are waiting every moment for news that lets us breathe and know our lives are not in danger,” the student added.
Referring to the arrest and execution of some doctors and medical staff, the student said: “When I see doctors being arrested or executed, how can I study with motivation to become a doctor? In today’s Iran, falling in love, studying and protesting seem to mean death.”
Iran’s teachers’ union has said a Wednesday strike to honor students and teachers killed in the protests led to school closures in several cities.