THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 9:00 PM CET
Iran Protests at a Glance
Based partially on reporting by PMOI (MEK) Network in Iran
Monday, June 19, 2023 – 8 PM GMT + 1
Anti-regime protests resumed in several Iranian cities on Monday. Merchants at Amin Hozoor market in Tehran went on strike, expressing their discontent with high tax rates and economic issues caused by the regime’s policies.
June 19 – Pishva, Tehran province, #Iran
More footage of protests by creditors of a state-backed financial institution who have lost their investments. The regime's judiciary has yet to take any action to make amends.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/YrZplOUJzv— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 19, 2023
Meanwhile, a group of creditors from a regime-affiliated financial institution in Pishva, Tehran province, gathered to restate their demands. These thousands of creditors have been victims of fraud by regime-run investment firms. Despite claims by regime authorities that they are addressing the issue, no concrete measures have been taken. The protesters chanted, “Release our funds!”
These strikes are happening amidst a backdrop of widespread protests across various sectors of Iranian society. Despite the regime’s attempts to suppress dissent, people continue to take to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction.
On Monday, retirees from the Iranian regime’s telecommunications industry resumed their protests in multiple cities. Among other cities, Bandar Abbas, Bojnurd, Arak, Rasht, Ilam, and Ahvaz witnessed protest rallies.
In Mashhad, retirees from the Razavi Khorasan province telecom company rallied and chanted slogans against regime officials, demanding their resignation due to incompetence.
June 19 — Mashhad, Northeast #Iran
Retirees of the communications company of Razavi Khorasan province hold protest rally as regime's economic policies continue to push their lives into misery.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/Pm9QpioSU2— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 19, 2023
In Ahvaz, retirees from the government telecom company held a rally demanding the implementation of the pension adjustment law. Symbolizing their worsening living conditions caused by the regime’s policies, the protesters placed an empty tablecloth on the ground.
June 19 — Ahvaz, Southwest #Iran
Retirees of the communications company resume their protest rally. They laid an empty tablecloth on the ground, symbolizing their poor living conditions.
"Enough with the tyranny, our tables are empty!"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/4KTlpQQYre— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 19, 2023
UPDATE: 7:30 PM CET
Canada Sanctions Judges of Iran’s Revolutionary Courts for Human Rights Violations
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. This is the 12th package of sanctions imposed by Canada against the Iranian regime since October 2022, and it builds on Canada’s efforts to align with designations announced by the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. Today’s sanctions list 7 individuals for their role in gross and systematic human rights violations in Iran’s criminal justice system, notably Iran’s Revolutionary Courts. As an institution closely tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Intelligence, the Revolutionary Courts are notorious for issuing death sentences and harsh prison terms following sham trials and based on evidence gathered under torture.
The list of those sanctioned includes:
- Morteza Barati, Judge, Esfahan Revolutionary Court
- Hadi Mansouri, Judge, Mashhad Revolutionary Court
- Musa Asif Al Hosseini, Judge, Karaj Revolutionary Court
- Seyed Mahmoud Sadati, Judge, Shiraz Revolutionary Court
- Mehrdad Tahamtan, Shiraz Advisory Judge of the Criminal Court
- Mohammad Moghiseh, Judge, Supreme Court – Tehran Revolutionary Court
- Heidar Asiyabi, Judge, Gorgan Revolutionary Court
UPDATE: 10:30 AM CET
Travel Bans Extended to More Iranian Officials Over Protest Crackdown
The government has announced another 18 Iranian officials are banned from traveling to New Zealand in response to the regime’s crackdown on protesters. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta on Monday announced a third tranche of bans on Iranian officials, saying it was sending a message to Iran that New Zealand would not tolerate the denial of human rights and violent suppression of protests. It brings the total number of banned officials to 55, following earlier bans on 37 Iranians connected to the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died in hospital after being detained for wearing her hijab “improperly”. Her death led to widespread protests in the country. Some of the protesters have been handed the death penalty by Iran courts.
UPDATE: 9:30 AM CET
Floods in Iran Devastate 12 Provinces, Claiming 7 Lives and Leaving 2 Missing
The Iranian regime’s Helal Ahmar [Red Crescent] Organization issued a statement regarding the recent rainfall and floods in 12 provinces of the country. According to the source, the floods in Ardabil Province left seven people killed, while two people are currently missing in the city of Chalus, Mazandaran Province. The organization also warned of the possibility of another destructive flood occurring at any moment and advised people to immediately seek shelter in higher areas.
On Sunday afternoon, June 18, unprecedented flooding hit several cities in the northern part of Ardabil province, including Garmi, Angout, Bileh Savar, and Aslanduz. This resulted in significant damage to residential houses, agricultural lands, and orchards. It has been reported that six individuals were injured due to the heavy rain. The governor of Angout reported on power outages in five villages, and the governor of Bileh Savar stated that the flood has affected 17 villages.
UPDATE: 7:00 AM CET
Message to the Conference Announcing Norway’s Parliamentary Majority Support for the Iranian Resistance and Uprising
The statement by the majority of members of the Parliament of Norway (Storting) presents a realistic and correct policy on Iran, which would respect the desire of the Iranian people and is necessary for peace and security in the region and the world. In Iran, on the one hand, we witness the regime’s continued brutality, and on the other, a significant increase in resistance activities across the country. The religious dictatorship ruling Iran has increased its suppression of the people, with more executions. Since the beginning of May, more than 170 prisoners have been executed including some of the protesters.
In addition, new legislation is underway to suppress women further under the pretext of improper veiling.
Pensioners and Retirees Resume Protests in Iran
Pensioners and retirees of the Iranian regime’s Social Security Organization held protest rallies in several cities on Sunday. Gatherings were reported in the cities of Kermanshah, Ahvaz, Ardabil, Shushtar, and Shush. Protesters were chanting slogans against regime authorities and institutions that have caused the deterioration of their living conditions. In the past few years, retirees across Iran have been protesting to their deteriorating living conditions, especially as the government refuses to adjust their pensions based on the inflation rate and fluctuations in the price of the rial, Iran’s national currency. The price of most basic goods has spiked severalfold while pensioners continue to receive the same stipends as before.
Hackers Strike Iranian Government, Releasing Presidential Documents
A group of hackers working against the Iranian government has struck again, this time with a second trove of documents obtained from the highest levels of the authoritarian regime. Credit for the attack was claimed by the group calling itself “Ghiam ta Sarnegoun”, or “Rise to Overthrow”.
The attack follows a similar episode in early May, when the group defaced the website of Iran’s foreign ministry with messages in support of Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran — a politician-in-exile with backing from many in the West, including in Washington.
Brussels State Secretary Resigns Over Accommodation Costs Iranian Delegation During Brussels Urban Summit
Brussels Secretary of State Pascal Smet (One.Brussels-forward) submitted his resignation on Sunday afternoon over allegations that he used Belgian funds to pay for the accommodation of the Iranian delegation during the Brussels Urban Summit.
Smet was discredited last week over the presence of the mayor of Tehran, Alireza Zakani, at the Brussels Urban Summit, an international event attended by mayors and cities from all over the world. The Brussels secretary of state was accused of putting pressure on the Iranian delegation to obtain visas.
Ten Art University Students Were Arrested by Plainclothes Agents
Plainclothes agents arrested ten Art University students in front of the Bagh-e Melli campus on June 18, 2023, the National Students Council announced. They were apprehended and pushed into an unmarked van without a license plate and moved away from the location. There is no accurate information available about the current situation of these students. In the meantime, the State Security Force and Special Units are stationed in front of the university. The National Students Council has reported that on Saturday morning, June 17, 2023, security guards prevented female students of the University of Art from leaving the dormitories without wearing the maghna’eh, a black cloth covering their head, forehead, chin, and chest.
Iran’s Baluchistan Faces Severe Healthcare Crisis
In Zarabad city, Sistan and Baluchestan province, a mother recently gave birth to twins who displayed alarming symptoms. The family rushed them to Chabahar Hospital, where medical personnel delivered the devastating news that both infants had passed away. However, during the burial preparations, the family made a heart-wrenching discovery: one of the babies was still alive, while the other had tragically perished due to neglect and inadequate care. The grim episode is a depiction of the conditions in Baluchistan, a region grappling with economic, social, and healthcare challenges, and a severe healthcare crisis. Insufficient medical personnel, including specialists, and a scarcity of essential medical equipment are pervasive issues in many areas of Baluchestan.
Copenhagen, Denmark—June 17, 2023: MEK Supporters Held a Rally in Support of the Iran Revolution
Copenhagen, Denmark—June 17, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally and photo exhibition of the Iranian uprising martyrs in solidarity with the Iran Revolution. MEK supporters in Copenhagen condemned the wave of brutal executions in Iran by the religious dictatorship.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – June 18, 2023
