THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 10:30 PM CET
Amidst High Casualties and Officials’ Negligence, Villagers in Northeast Iran Block Road
Today, on Tuesday, August 22, protesting youth blocked the road from Bajestan to Bardaskan in Khorasan Razavi province for several hours in protest against the unsafe condition of the road.
One of the citizens described the issue as follows, “I am from the village of Ja’farabad myself, and the road is located near the village without any speed bumps or guardrails… Such dangers threaten the villagers, and at least more than 10 of them have lost their lives at the entrances or exits.”
Iran has long grappled with significant road safety challenges and mismanagement of its transportation infrastructure. The country’s roads and highways have faced issues such as inadequate maintenance, outdated road designs, insufficient traffic management systems, and a lack of proper enforcement of traffic regulations. These factors have contributed to a high number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on Iran’s roadways.
Security Forces Killed 17-Year-Old Boy in Southeast Iran
According to reports published on social media networks, the agents of the clerical regime’s Intelligence Directorate in Delgan County opened fire on a 17-year-old Baluch boy and murdered him.
The victim has been identified as “Ehsan Yousefzahi,” 17 years old, son of Morad, and a resident of Mand-e Pa’in village in the vicinity of Delgan County.
It is reported that military forces opened fire on Ehsan and his companion without prior warning, while they were riding a motorcycle. As a result of a gunshot wound, Ehsan lost his life.
UPDATE: 4:30 PM CET
Paris Conference Renews Call to Hold Tehran Accountable for Killing of Democracy Activists
A number of international jurists and political figures including scholars who have led or advised judicial institutions in the United Nations and the European Union, addressed an international conference on Iran’s 1988 massacre of political prisoners.
The conference served to reiterate longstanding calls for a comprehensive, impartial, and independent investigation into what some have described as one of the most egregious cases of crime against humanity since the Second World War that is yet to be investigated.
The participants, including former President of the International Criminal Court Dr. Chile Eboe-Osuji, former Special Adviser on Crimes Against Humanity to the ICC Prosecutor, Prof. Leila Nadya Sadat, and former Judge of UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and judge of UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Prof Wolfgang Schomburg, reiterated longstanding calls for the international community to launch a comprehensive investigation of the massacre and hold its perpetrators legally accountable.
Pentagon Rejects Iranian Claims of ‘Intercept’ Against Us Navy Vessels
The Iranian navy released footage purporting to show fast attack craft harassing U.S. Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, but the U.S. Defense Department says no such intercept occurred and the Iranian claim is “untrue.”
Iranian media first posted the Iranian navy’s footage on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. They claimed the heavily-edited footage showed fast attack vessels “intercepting” the USS Bataan and USS Thomas Hudner on August 17.
“That report is not true. So I don’t know where that’s coming from, but we’ve seen this from them before pushing out, I don’t know if it’s propaganda, but I would say untrue statements, and that just is not accurate,” Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told Fox News Digital in a statement.
UPDATE: 3:00 PM CET
Tuesday Protests in Iran
A group of retirees in the cities of Ilam, Sanandaj, Kermanshah, Karaj, Qazvin, Ahvaz, Poldokhtar, and Shahrekord held protest gatherings on Tuesday, August 22.
More footage of today's protest rally by government retirees of Kermanshah in front of the government retirement fund.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/3lOrp5iLHS
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 22, 2023
August 22—Sanandaj, western #Iran
Government retirees hold protest rally, demanding the regime to implement its own laws that require raising their pensions.
"Down with liars!" protesters are chanting.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/jVsLk7GmwQ— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 22, 2023
News Agency Chief Tries to Explain New Gas Price Hikes
Trying to justify new fuel price hikes, Ali Naderi, the head of the official news agency IRNA, stated, “Once a mistake did happen to the people in the field of gasoline, and this matter cannot be compensated for except through sincere behavior. The people need to be explained that gasoline prices will not remain fixed for the next 10 years.”
He added: “Why do people accept that the price of bottled water reaches its real value? The same principle should be applied to gasoline, and it should be transparently communicated to the people whether this will happen or not.”
“It’s not a dogma that gasoline prices should not change; the fact that a ceiling was set for gasoline consumption should have been initially explained to the people, as it was due to a 60 to 70 percent increase in consumption,” he claimed.
In November 2019, following a significant threefold increase in gas prices in Iran, a widespread uprising erupted, marking a critical moment of public discontent and protest against the economic challenges and grievances faced by the population. Thousands of state buildings and vehicles were burned down and the regime resorted to a bloody crackdown to maintain control, killing at least 1,500 protesters.
Regime’s Crackdown and Internet Disruption Following Arrest of Vocal Dissident’s Father
To intimidate dissent, the clerical regime has resorted to the unjust arrest of Mullah Fathi Mohammad Naghshbandi, the father of Mullah Abdul Ghafoor Naghshbandi, the Friday prayer leader of the Sunnis in Rask and a vocal critic of the regime. Fearing a social backlash and protests by Baluch and Sunni youth, the authoritarian clerical regime has extensively mobilized its oppressive forces in Sistan and Baluchestan province.
Moreover, the clerical dictatorship has also heavily disrupted the internet, especially in cities like Sarbaz and Rask. This move is aimed at preventing the dissemination of any news and hindering people’s communication, thereby thwarting any potential gatherings or protests.
UPDATE: 11:00 AM CET
Nightly Protests in Southeast Iran Following State-run Hostage-taking
On Monday evening, August 21, courageous youth from Shirabad in Zahedan took to the streets and blocked the roads by setting tires on fire in protest against the detention of Molavi Fathei Mohammad Naqshbandi, the father of a dissident religious figure.
Also, the brave youth of Dashtiar, on the route from Pelan to Nobandian, blocked the path by setting tires on fire in protest against the hostage-taking of Molavi Fathei Mohammad Naqshbandi.
Nightly Protest in Western Iran on Monday Evening
On Monday evening, August 21, scammed landowners in Kermanshah organized a protest gathering in Pardis Town to protest the municipality’s decision to transfer public lands to the regime’s Department of Natural Resources.
Iranian Militias Open the Door for Recruitment in Deir Ezzor
Deir Ezzor province: The Iranian militias opened the door for volunteering in several headquarters in Deir Ezzor City for a salary of 70 USDs for each new member either married or single, in addition to a monthly food basket and a free air trip from Deir Ezzor to the capital Damascus. The salary of the new members is equal to that of the Vice President and major officials of the Syrian regime, according to a legislative decree that was issued a few days ago. The Iranian militias work on luring young people in their areas, following the latest events in the region of the escalation between Iranian militias and the International Coalition.
Iranian-Americans Hold Rally in San Francisco
Iranian-American protesters say many of their family and friends who were political prisoners remain under threat by Iran for having witnessed the 1988 massacre and other killings in Iran.
UPDATE: 8:30 AM CET
Maryam Rajavi’s Speech at the Conference, Entitled “Four Decades of Crime Against Humanity and Impunity From Punishment,” on the 35th Anniversary of the 1988 Massacre
A conference in Paris on Monday, August 21, 2023, marked the 35th anniversary of the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in Iran. Entitled, “Four Decades of Crime against Humanity and Impunity from Punishment,” the conference featured some of the most prominent international judges and jurists. Prof. Chile Eboe-Osuji, President of the International Criminal Court of Hague (2021); Prof. Leila Nadya Sadat, Special Adviser on Crimes Against Humanity to the ICC Prosecutor (2012-2023); Prof. Wolfgang Schomburg, Judge of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the Judge of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR); Prof. William A. Schabas, Chair of the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict (2015) and President of the International Association of Genocide (2011); Prof. Vilenas Vadapalas, Judge of the General Court of the European Union (2013); Prof. Valerius M. Ciucă, Judge of the General Court of the European Union (2010);
Iranian Resistance Units: “The Only Solution Is Revolution!”
While Iran’s regime is resorting to different tactics to cause public fear and prevent protests on the anniversary of the 2022 nationwide uprising, Resistance Units are busy keeping the flame of rebellion alit and countering the regime’s apparatus of repression.
Resistance Units are a network of activists associated with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). They have been a driving force for the nationwide uprisings against the regime’s brutal suppression. They are carrying out activities at great risks to their lives and safety.
In the past few days, Resistance Units have carried out various activities across the country. In Gorgan, northern Iran, Resistance Units posted a video, chanting, “The only solution is uprising and revolution, the rest is a mirage!” and “Their excuse is the hijab, the answer is revolution!”
Iranian Regime’s Crackdown on Activists Escalates Ahead of 2022 Nationwide Protests Anniversary
As the anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests in Iran approaches, the regime’s security and law enforcement forces have initiated a wave of mass arrests targeting women, as well as political and social activists, across the country. Reports from various cities indicate that following the series of expulsions, summons, and arrests of students, the focus has shifted to women activists and political figures. On August 16th, a sweeping crackdown on women’s rights activists unfolded in Gilan, resulting in the arrest and undisclosed transfer of several individuals:
- Matin Yazdani, a women’s rights activist and photographer residing in Rasht.
- Forough Saminia, a women’s rights activist, was apprehended by security agents at her residence.
- Yasmin Hashdari, a women’s rights activist and poet living in Anzali, was detained at her home by security personnel.
The New Hijab Bill: Parliamentary Legal Commission Concludes Deliberations
The deliberations on Iran’s new Hijab Bill have concluded within the Legal Commission of the clerical regime’s parliament, as announced by Moussa Ghazanfar Abadi, the commission’s chair. This 70-article bill, titled “Supporting the Family through Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab,” is currently awaiting placement on the parliamentary agenda for open floor discussion, during which the parliament will decide the trial period for the bill’s enforcement. Remarkably, the Legal Commission concluded its deliberations on all 70 articles of the new hijab bill within a mere week, with the initial 39 articles being approved within the first two days. Speculation surrounds the actual content of the new Hijab bill and the extent to which proposed amendments have been adopted. Among the suggested changes is an amendment to Article 1 that would prohibit men’s entry into women’s spaces, including clubs, stadiums, hairdressers, metro wagons, parks, and other forms of public transportation, and vice versa. This means that women would also be prohibited from entering sports stadiums where men are present, as dictated by the new Hijab bill.
Seeking Justice for the Victims of the Massacre of 30,000 Political Prisoners in Iran
In this episode, we will probe into a haunting chapter of history, the 1988 massacre in Iran, which claimed the lives of 30,000 political prisoners. We’ll pay homage to their unwavering courage and explore the quest for justice that continues to this day. The clerical regime aimed to execute anyone with ties to the Iranian Opposition Movement, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI).
It’s a sad reminder of the sacrifices made by brave souls for the ideals of freedom and justice. As we enter the month of August, we’re reminded of the brutal summer of 1988 when the clerical regime in Iran committed an unspeakable atrocity. The goal of this episode is to remember and amplify the voices of those silenced victims who stood their ground for the cause of freedom.
Iran’s Labor Ministry Wrongly Claims Eradicating a Large Part of Absolute Poverty
Sowlat Mortazavi, the Minister of the Minister of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare of the Iranian regime, stated on August 20, “A significant portion of absolute poverty has been eradicated.” This claim is made in June, the Majlis (Parliamentary) Research Center reported that approximately 11 million more people have been added to the country’s poverty-stricken population between 2011 and 2021. According to the Majlis Research Center’s report, the poverty rate in Iran has been on an increasing trend since 2006, and since 2018, more than 30 percent of the Iranian population has become poorer.
Shortly after the release of the Majlis Research Center’s report, Mohsen Pirhadi, a member of the Majlis, also warned about the increase in the population below the poverty line, stating that this population is 28 million people, a statistic that occurred following the rapid growth of inflation, followed by a significant number of people in the country falling below the poverty line. The population of Iran is currently 88 million.
Mashhad Court Addresses the Charges Against Atekeh Rajabi
Today, on Monday, August 21, 2023, a court session was held in Branch 7 of the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad to address the charges against Atekeh Rajabi, a trade union activist and teacher. Atekeh Rajabi, who had previously been dismissed from her job due to her support for the nationwide protests in 2022-2023, has been summoned to the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad for the third time within the past month. The court did not provide the activist teacher, Atekeh Rajabi, with the opportunity and time to review the indictment and did not issue a summons for her presence in the court session. This unlawful procedure by the courts, in dealing with defendants, is not a new phenomenon, and in practice, the judges of these courts have taken on the roles of both the prosecutor and the security apparatus simultaneously.
Munich, Germany, August 19, 2023: Freedom-Loving Iranians Rally, in Support of the MEK Leadership
Munich, Germany—August 19, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally, 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.
Germany, August 19, 2023: Iranian Communities Rallied in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and Heidelberg, in Support of the MEK Leadership
Germany, August 19, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held rallies in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and Heidelberg, 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.
Washington, DC, and Los Angeles: Rallies in Solidarity With the Iran Revolution, Demanding Ashraf-3 Protection—August 18, 2023
Washington, DC, and Los Angeles—August 18, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally outside the US Department of State to call for the protection of Ashraf-3 residents in accordance with the 1951 Geneva Convention and applicable European Human Rights regulations.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – August 21, 2023