THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 1:00 PM CET
Persistent Fuel Crisis in Iran Exposes Discrepancies in Official Statements
While official state news agencies are reporting the complete elimination of gasoline queues in Tehran, reports from local accounts paint a different picture, indicating that car queues persist at gasoline pumps and fuel shortages continue at numerous stations across Tehran, including locations like Valiasr North, Terminal West, Saadat Abad, Hakimiyeh, Azadi Town, Sardar Jangal, Shariati, Azadegan, Yasini, Rashid Tehranpars, Apadana, Khoramshahr Street, Sohravardi, and Shire Pasturizeh Street.
This situation has raised concerns about the inadequacy of President Raisi’s policies and their impact on the everyday lives of Iranians. Looking at the current context, there is growing apprehension among the population regarding the rising costs of living and the general state of the economy.
Responding to the mounting pressure, state officials have made attempts to downplay the situation. The regime’s Minister of Petroleum Javad Oji attributed the gasoline queues to rumors spread by opposition media outlets, accusing them of creating a sense of unrest among the people.
“As the Minister of Petroleum, I emphasize once again that the government has no plans for increasing gasoline prices,” Oji stressed.
Meanwhile, Hamidreza Salehi, the head of the Energy Commission at the Chamber of Commerce of the regime, remarked about the government’s scheme regarding gasoline prices, saying, “It’s possible that gasoline prices may experience an increase. In 2019, gasoline prices were tripled, leading to an unfavorable situation in society. This year, a similar event might occur.”
Regarding the suspension of Russia’s gasoline sales to the regime, he stated that we must prepare ourselves for challenging times ahead. It’s possible that our neighboring countries might seek their interests elsewhere.
Protest Rally in Tabriz Against Water Shortages
Residents of Baghmisheh in Tabriz gathered once again on Friday evening, August 18, on Vanak and Vali Pour streets to protest against the water shortages. This protest took place while the CEO of the East Azerbaijan Water and Wastewater Company had expressed satisfaction with resolving the water shortages in Tabriz in a lengthy statement.
UPDATE: 7:30 AM CET
The Iranian Regime Is in a Losing Fight Against Students
Over the past two days, various Telegram channels have reported news about the issuance of various sentences against Iranian students. According to some of these reports, hundreds of students across Iran have been summoned and punished by regime authorities. These news reports indicate that the political and social potential among Iranian society – especially among students and women – in commemorating the anniversary of the 2022 uprising has plunged the regime into an all-around panic. Why is it that one month before the anniversary of the uprising, on the eve of the opening of universities, the regime suddenly summons hundreds of students to the security and disciplinary committees of universities? What are the alleged crimes of the students? Not observing the regime’s dress code, participating in the uprising.
Iran’s Regime Has Spent $50 Billion To Keep Bashar Al-Assad In Power in Syria
A leaked document originating from Iran’s presidential institution has brought to light a previously undisclosed facet of the regime’s involvement in the Syrian civil war. Out of the approximately $50 billion that Iran expended in this protracted conflict, only around $18 billion has been designated for reimbursement. However, these repayments aren’t in the form of direct cash transfers; instead, they manifest as a series of projects and initiatives. Many of these projects raise concerns due to their lack of solid technical and economic justifications, as well as the absence of guarantees for their successful implementation. These confidential documents, revealed by the “Ghiam ta Sarnegouni (uprising until regime overthrow)” group in May of this year, provide insight into the staggering financial commitment Iran has made over a decade in the Syrian civil war, exceeding an astonishing $50 billion. This group has recently released another document that further underscores the challenges in fulfilling Iran’s demands from Syria.
Maryam Abbasi Nikou Accused of “Insulting the Prophet,” Punishable With the Death Penalty
Maryam Abbasi-Nikoo is the mother of Bita Shafii, a student who protested the poisoning of students. On June 26, 2023, security forces raided their home and, upon realizing that Bita was not present, physically assaulted her father and detained her mother, Maryam Abbasi-Nikou, in place of her daughter. Now, after 52 days of uncertainty in prison and being deprived of basic rights, security authorities have brought charges of blasphemy against Maryam Abbasi-Nikou. An informed source, in conversation with the Iran Human Rights Monitor, said, “Maryam Abbasi-Nikoo is a resident of Shahin Shahr, Isfahan. On June 26, 2023, security forces arrested her at 11 p.m. by raiding her home. They told her family that they were taking her for a simple questioning session, and she would return home tomorrow.” According to the source, “Apparently, after searching her mobile phone, she was transferred to Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan, and her case is currently being handled by the third branch of Shahin Shahr’s interrogations office.” The source adds, “Based on the information we have obtained about the case, Maryam’s main charge is ‘insulting the Prophet’ due to her activities in the online space.”
Meat Prices Have Spiked And Chicken Is Scarce In Iran
According to a report by the regime’s Etemad newspaper, per capita consumption of red meat has decreased from 13 kilograms in 1390 (2011) to 3 kilograms in 1401 (2022). Similarly, the price of chicken per kilogram has increased from 250,000 rials (approximately $0.5) in 2011 to 1,200,000 rials (approximately $2.4) in 2023. Etemad newspaper attributed this phenomenon to the substitution of low-quality goods and stated that with the increase in prices, the resources available to poor families are diminishing. According to the latest reports, the inflation of red meat has reached 86 percent and the inflation rate for chicken has reached 82 percent, resulting in smaller portions on people’s tables.
MEK Supporters Rallies in Copenhagen and Berlin, Supporting the MEK Leadership and Against the Mullahs’ Regime—August 17, 2023
August 17, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held rallies in Copenhagen and Berlin, and demanded the trial of Ali Khamenei (Supreme leader of the mullahs’ regime) and the mass murderer Ebrahim Raisi for crimes against humanity, in an international court. They expressed strong support for the MEK leadership.
Zurich—August 15, 2023: MEK Supporters Held a Photo Exhibition in Support of the Iran Revolution
Zurich, Switzerland—August 15, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a photo exhibition of the Iranian uprising’s martyrs in solidarity with the Iran Revolution. They also expressed their strong support for the MEK leadership.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – August 18, 2023