THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 9:00 PM
Deliberate Wildfires Ravage 18 Hectares of Land in Gilan Province, Iran
A series of deliberate wildfires have erupted in nine different counties across Gilan Province, resulting in significant damage to a total of 18 hectares of land. The head of the Crisis Management of the provincial governorate in Gilan has characterized many of these wildfires as arson, orchestrated to expand land ownership by local landowners.
The deliberate destruction of forests not only poses a severe threat to Iran’s diverse ecosystems but also exacerbates environmental challenges such as soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and disruptions to the delicate balance of ecosystems.
Sunday Protests in Iran
In a wave of discontent sweeping through various cities in Iran, retirees from different sectors have taken to the streets today to demand an increase in their pensions, citing the escalating costs of living. The protests have gained momentum as pensioners voice their frustrations over the government’s failure to adjust their pensions in line with the economic challenges faced by citizens.
In the heart of Tehran, the capital of Iran, retirees from the steel industry gathered for a protest rally outside the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, & Social Welfare. The demonstrators, many of whom have dedicated their lives to the steel industry, expressed their discontent with the government’s reluctance to raise their pensions, despite the mounting expenses associated with daily life.
December 24—Tehran, #Iran
Retirees of the steel industry hold protest rally in front of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, & Social Welfare as regime authorities refrain from raising their pensions according to the rising costs of living.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/PNwSiakIZU— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 24, 2023
In the western city of Kermanshah, pensioners from the Social Security Organization and retired military personnel united in a protest rally. The demonstrators highlighted the challenges posed by the rising costs of living, emphasizing the strain on their livelihoods due to the lack of pension adjustments by the authorities.
December 24—Kermanshah, western #Iran
Pensioners of the Social Security Organization and retired military personnel hold protest rally as the costs of living continue to rise and authorities don't raise their pensions.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/fwjFn2BjsP— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 24, 2023
In the northeast city of Mashhad, North Khorasan Province, merchants from the gold bazaar initiated a strike, drawing attention to the economic uncertainties they face. The strike signals the merchants’ dissatisfaction with the current economic climate, as the costs of living surge without a corresponding increase in income.
December 24—Mashhad, northeast #Iran
Merchants of the gold bazaar on strike.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/0NC6Is9IFc— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 24, 2023
In the southwest city of Shush, retirees of the Social Security Organization resumed their weekly protest rally, underscoring the persistent grievances regarding the inadequacy of their pensions. The demonstrators stressed the urgency of addressing their financial concerns as inflation and the cost of living continue to rise.
December 24—Shush, southwest #Iran
Retirees of the Social Security Organization resume their weekly protest rally as the costs of living and inflation continue to rise and the regime does not raise their pensions.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/NuCJEjPhpd— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 24, 2023
In Ahvaz, also in the southwest, retirees from the steel industry rekindled their weekly protest rallies, reiterating their demands for higher pensions in accordance with existing laws. The protesters emphasized that the government must fulfill its obligations and adhere to regulations stipulating periodic adjustments to pension rates.
As the protests unfold across the nation, the Iranian government faces mounting pressure to address the legitimate concerns of its retirees and pensioners, acknowledging the need for comprehensive measures to alleviate the economic hardships faced by its citizens. The pensioners’ collective voice resonates as a call for urgent action in the face of economic challenges that continue to grip the nation.
December 24—Ahvaz, southwest #Iran
Retirees of the steel industry resume weekly protest rallies to reiterate their demands for higher pensions according to the regime's own laws.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/NqF7ttE275— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 24, 2023
Britain Plans To Bomb Iran-Backed Rebels Threatening World Economy
Britain and the United States are crafting covert strategies to combat Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
Britain and the United States are drawing up secret plans to bomb sites in Yemen to stop rebel attacks on Red Sea shipping that threaten the world’s economy.
Most of the world’s attention has been on Israel and Gaza, but concern is growing over the increasing boldness of Houthi strikes on cargo fleets
The move follows three weeks of chaos in the vital maritime gateway to the Suez Canal after the Iranian-backed rebels began to strike commercial shipping transiting the international waters of the Bab al-Mandab strait.
UPDATE: 2:00 PM
Rome Rally Condemns Iran’s Execution Surge, Calls for Global Action
In protest against the increasing wave of executions in Iran, including the recent execution of Samira Sabziyan after 10 years in prison, a demonstration was held on Wednesday, December 20, in front of the Iranian regime’s embassy in Rome, initiated by the human rights organization Hands Off Cain.
During the protest, Italian Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee member
Emanuele Pozzolo and Hands Off Cain co-founder Elisabetta Zamparutti addressed the crowd. Emanuele Pozzolo expressed gratitude for continuous efforts for freedom, participated on behalf of the parliamentary committee Friends of a Free Iran, and conveyed Senator Giulio Terzi’s support.
Manifestazione, oggi pomeriggio, davanti l'Ambasciata del regime di Teheran in seguito all'esecuzione di #SamiraSabzian,ennesima vittima dei mullah sanguinari che opprimono il popolo iraniano da più di quaranta anni.
Ennesima donna costretta a subire soprusi e prevaricazioni di… pic.twitter.com/RNEQifBQbN— Giulio Terzi (@GiulioTerzi) December 20, 2023
Pizzolo stated, “We want to send a significant message from these streets in Rome to those inside that building. They must listen to us, even though the regime in Tehran is afraid, just like all dictators, of the inevitable storm of freedom approaching Iran.”
Elisabetta Zamparutti stated, “We are here to say, ‘Stop the executions!’ With Samira’s execution, the Iranian regime has executed over 820 individuals in the past year, averaging two executions per day. Samira’s execution was particularly disturbing as she was forced into marriage at the age of 15. With Samira’s execution, the total number of women executed this year reached 21. In recent years, the Iranian regime has executed 224 women.”
UPDATE: 10:00 AM
Continuation of Protest Rally by Workers of National Iranian Steel Group in Ahvaz
Today, December 24, the protest rally by workers of the National Iranian Steel Group in Ahvaz continued. The protest rally was in response to the action of the CEO of the National Iranian Steel Group on Saturday, December 23, in announcing the prohibition of entry for 38 workers to the company and the failure to fully implement the job classification plan. After the continuation of the strike, a rally took place in front of the management office, and then a march was held to the Baghai Square.
The Regime Is Preparing to Raise Gasoline Prices
Following the Iranian regime’s greenlight to an increase in gasoline prices, MP Jalal Mahmoudzadeh stated on Saturday, December 23, that the parliament has approved the escalation of energy prices.
He expressed concern that the government might proceed to raise gasoline or other energy prices abruptly. Additionally, he addressed the Raisi government’s budget bill for 1403 (2023-2024), mentioning that a one percent increase in value-added tax would contribute to an increase in inflation rate of around 15%. This inflationary impact is expected to affect various segments of the population, including retirees.
State Broadcaster IRIB Is Iran’s Most Money-Losing Government Entity
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Organization (IRIB) is the most financially detrimental government entity in the country, with a substantial budget but a limited audience. The Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament) has mandated the Organization of Planning and Budget to increase the government’s share in providing funding for IRIB by 43% compared to 2023, and this increase should be considered as the baseline for subsequent annual increases starting from 2024.
Iranian Drone Targets Chemical Tanker in Indian Ocean, Pentagon Reports Seventh Attack
In a startling development, the U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that an Iranian drone launched an attack on a chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean early Saturday morning. The targeted vessel, identified as the motor vessel CHEM PLUTO, is a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker.
The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. local time (6 a.m. GMT), about 200 nautical miles from the coast of India. According to a Pentagon spokesperson speaking to Reuters, the attack involved a one-way drone fired from Iran. “This marks the seventh Iranian attack on commercial shipping since 2021,” stated the Pentagon in an official statement, raising concerns about the escalating maritime tensions in the region.
UK Foreign Minister David Cameron Warns Iran to Halt “Malign’ Activities”
In a statement, UK Foreign Minister David Cameron called on Iran to cease its “malign” activities, emphasizing that such behavior would not be tolerated in the Middle East or the United Kingdom. In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Cameron vowed that Britain would collaborate with its allies to establish a robust set of deterrent measures against Tehran.
“Iran is a thoroughly malign influence in the region and in the world – there’s no doubt about that,” asserted Cameron, sending a stern message to the Iranian regime. The UK Foreign Minister’s stance follows recent revelations by the United States, which presented evidence last week indicating the Iranian regime’s deep involvement in planning Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Microsoft Reports Iranian Cyber-Espionage Group Targeting Defense Companies with Backdoor Malware
In a recent report, the Microsoft Threat Intelligence team has identified a sophisticated cyber-espionage campaign targeting thousands of defense companies. The Iranian group, known as Peach Sandstorm, has been using a newly discovered backdoor malware named FalseFont in its attacks.
Peach Sandstorm, a nation-state threat actor recognized for its focus on organizations in the space and pharmaceutical sectors, is now reportedly expanding its scope to include the Defense Industrial Base sector. This sector comprises over 100,000 defense companies and subcontractors involved in the production of military systems.
The cyber-espionage group has been attempting to deliver FalseFont to individuals within the Defense Industrial Base sector. Once successfully deployed, FalseFont provides the attackers with the capability to remotely access the infected system, execute additional files, and transmit sensitive information to command-and-control servers.
Microsoft has noted that the development and deployment of FalseFont align with Peach Sandstorm’s observed activities over the past year. This suggests that the Iranian group is continuously refining its techniques, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to enhancing its cyber-espionage capabilities.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – December 23, 2023
