THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 9:00 PM
Incidents in Chabahar During Exercise, Regime Denies Military Blunder
Eyewitnesses reported the impact of at least two missiles on the Petrochemical Complex of Makran’s Gem in Chabahar. State officials and media, however, denied the news.
According to the state-run news website Roudad24, citing residents of Chabahar, gunfire and artillery shots were heard in the area on Wednesday, January 10. Some released videos depict the detonation of at least two missiles in the Chabahar sky.
Javad Sepahi, the Governor of Chabahar, dismissed some reports about missile strikes on the Makran’s Gem Petrochemical Complex, attributing the observed smoke in Chabahar’s sky to the naval forces’ exercise by the Revolutionary Guards.
He added, “The armed forces’ exercise in this region has been conducted successfully without any damage.”
Mehr News Agency reported that the activation of the air defense system in the Oman Sea occurred after the exercise conducted by the IRGC, resulting in the incidents witnessed today in Chabahar.
UPDATE: 4:30 PM
‘Explosive’ New Attack Drone Developed by Iran for Russia’s War in Ukraine
The Shahed-107 was described as an “explosive and reconnaissance” unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), possibly fitted with technology to seek out high-value battlefield targets such as British and American multiple-launch rocket systems used by Ukrainian forces.
The source told Sky News that “a few units” of the specially-designed drone may have been offered to Russia in a deal estimated to be worth more than $2m (£1.6m).
This reflects “the significant force design work Iran is engaged in to support Russia’s interests regarding Ukraine“, the source said.
Senior Editor of State-controlled Media Reveals Censorship Challenges
Barmak Bayat, the Senior Editor of the Political Deputy at the state-controlled broadcasting organization, IRIB, exposed the systemic censorship issues within the institution.
Speaking to state TV, Bayat said on January 9, “We face obstacles in conveying the facts to the people. This is the first time I am saying this, and it might come at a cost.”
#Iran News in Brief
Senior Editor at IRIB, unveils systemic censorship issues within the state-controlled media.
Barmak Bayat: "We face obstacles in conveying facts to the people. This is the first time I am saying this, and it might come at a cost. While we were reporting on… pic.twitter.com/G0Rk4axvmI— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 10, 2024
The Senior Editor pointed to a recent incident involving explosions near the burial site of Quds Force slain commander Qasem Soleimani in Kerman. According to Bayat, instead of providing explanations about the explosion incident in Kerman, the regime’s Secretary of the Security Council contacted him, questioning their ongoing news coverage of the bombings. Bayat recounted the interaction, saying, “The Security Council Secretary called, asking why we are engaged in information dissemination. He said let us investigate the matters first. After we conclude, then you can go ahead and inform the public. He did not specify any timing for his efforts. This happened as we had resources on the ground and reporters who were on the scene.”
Bayat’s disclosure highlights the internal struggles encountered by state media as they try to strike a delicate balance between remaining relevant and appealing to viewers while also adhering to directives from the authorities. State media itself has reported and acknowledged that the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) currently holds the lowest level of trust among the Iranian general public.
U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty Warns of Escalating National Security Threats Due to Biden’s Iran Strategy
In a recent appearance on Fox Business, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, expressed grave concerns over the escalating national security threats facing the United States.
On repeated attacks on Americans, Senator Hagerty said, “All of this goes back to Biden’s appeasement of Iran. Iran is behind everything that’s been happening in the Middle East. Do you think the Houthis built those weapons? Iran is using their technology, using their training, and certainly their funding to unleash this war in the Middle East. This wasn’t happening under President [Donald] Trump. The ‘Maximum Pressure Campaign’ was working. We had Iran’s reserves below $7 billion. As soon as Joe Biden came into office, he stopped enforcing sanctions on Iran, now they’re well over $100 billion by our estimates, and they’re using those funds to come in and disrupt the entirety of the Middle East. We’re losing control of the Red Sea—that’s 15 percent of all of our commerce that moves by sea—what we have right now is an unmitigated disaster. This White House needs to wake up, snap back the sanctions, put maximum pressure back on Iran, and stop the source where it lies.”
Iran Needs To Know US Won’t Accept Its Destabilizing Actions
On December 23, the Chem Puto tanker was attacked by Iranian drones in the Indian Ocean. This wasn’t a proxy attack by Iranian-backed terrorist groups such as Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, or Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. It was a direct attack on international shipping carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Following the attack, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said it is “incredibly important that . . . Iran receives an incredibly clear message that this escalation will not be tolerated.” And he was right.
Un Security Council to Vote on a Resolution Demanding Houthi Rebels Stop Attacks on Red Sea Shipping
The Iranian-backed Houthis, who have been engaged in a civil war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government since 2014, have said they launched the attacks with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air-and-ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.
UPDATE: 8:00 AM
Maryam Rajavi Meets Italian Senator Pellegrino, a Member of the Senate EU and Human Rights Committees
On Monday, January 8, 2024, Senator Cinzia Pellegrino, a member of the EU policies committee and the Extraordinary Committee on the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights at the Italian Senate visited and held talks with Maryam Rajavi.
In this meeting, Ms. Pellegrino lauded the role of the Iranian Resistance as a serious and legitimate resistance movement that has been fighting for more than 50 years for the Iranian people’s freedom and particularly for the rights of women. She stated this extensive history and the sacrifices made in your struggle against the dictatorship in Iran provoke immense respect and trust. Such a formidable force is unparalleled elsewhere in the world. Therefore, my colleagues and I in both houses of the Italian parliament defend and advocate for your movement at every opportunity.
Recognizing the democratic plans of the Iranian Resistance and its worldwide support, Ms. Pellegrino said, that many movements tend to confine themselves and gradually lose momentum over time.
Exclusive Report: Taxing Is Taking an Increasing Toll on Tehran Residents
A reporter for the PMOI website in Tehran has prepared a report on social reactions regarding endless taxes. According to the report, government taxes have become very burdensome and painful for the people:
“Currently, everyone buys and sells with a debit card or online. That’s why they don’t have access to cash. If they want to have cash, they have to go to the bank and receive a maximum of 2 million rials in cash (of course, with each bank card, they can separately receive 2 million rials). The government easily deducts fees from both the seller’s and the buyer’s accounts through bank cards and online transactions.
“Even street vendors and those near the subway have card readers with them.
Iranian Psychiatric Association Urges Immediate Action on Surge in Suicides Among Medical Residents
In a recent letter addressed to the Iranian regime’s president Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian Psychiatric Association has highlighted a concerning increase in suicide rates among medical residents, deeming the ongoing trend a potential catalyst for the “collapse of the country’s healthcare system.”
The letter, portions of which were published by the Ham-Mihan newspaper, emphasizes the formation of a committee of specialists vested with the “necessary authority” to intervene urgently and prevent the escalation of this issue into a more widespread crisis.
According to the communication, the prevalence of suicides among young doctors and medical assistants is several times higher than the national average. The association points to a myriad of factors contributing to this alarming phenomenon, many of which are attributed to socioeconomic and occupational conditions.
Nirvana Torbati-Nejad, 16, Is Fined and Sentenced to 10 Months
The clerical regime continues to arrest and imprison freedom-loving rights activists, sentencing them to unjust prison sentences and heavy fines to fill the regime’s pockets. In the past few days, the regime’s courts sentenced Nirvana Torbati-Nejad, 16, Fereshteh Mahdavi, Mahnaz Tarrah, and Mahboubeh Bigdeli.
In the meantime, hunger striker Narges Mansouri is in dire health in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.
The 16-year-old teenager, Nirvana Torbati-Nejad was sentenced and fined.
On Saturday, January 7, Branch 105 of the Criminal Court No. 2 of Gorgan sentenced Nirvana Torbati-Nejad to ten months of imprisonment on charges of membership in a group opposing the regime aiming to disrupt the country’s security.
Iran’s Educational System is Facing a Troubling Decline, Experts Warn
The Iranian educational system, encompassing both universities and schools, finds itself entangled in a multifaceted crisis. The commencement of the 2023-2024 academic year has only intensified apprehensions regarding the trajectory of education in the nation.
The June 2023 revelation of the student’s average grade point map sparked widespread alarm in the media and across social platforms. Users voiced concerns over a pervasive decline in grades, attempting to discern the root causes behind this alarming trend.
According to the map, the estimated average grade point for mathematical and experimental sciences stands at 11.5 and 12.5 (from 20), respectively, while the humanities lag slightly behind. These figures underscore systemic weaknesses within the country’s educational framework contributing to these distressing shifts.
Senior Hezbollah Commander Killed in Israeli Strike on Southern Lebanon
A senior commander of the Iran-backed Hezbollah was killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon.
Citing three security sources, Reuters announced on January 8 that the killed Hezbollah commander is Wissam al-Tawil, the deputy of one of the units of the Radwan forces.
According to these security sources, Tawil and another member of Hezbollah were killed on January 8 after their vehicle was targeted in the village of Majdal Selm in Lebanon.
According to Reuters, one of these security sources described the attack as “very painful,” and another source predicted that “everything will now be set ablaze.”
Ottawa—January 6, 2024: MEK Supporters Invite Their Compatriots to Support the 28th #FreeIranTelethon on January 12-14, 2024
Ottawa, Canada—January 6, 2024: The Iranian community and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in Ottawa are extending invitations to their compatriots through video messages and pictures, urging them to join the 28th #FreeIranTelethon in support of Simay-e-Azadi (INTV) scheduled for January 12-14, 2024.
Toronto, January 6, 2024: MEK Supporters Organize Rally in Solidarity With the Iran Revolution, Supporting #FreeIranTelethon
Additionally, they supported the 28th #FreeIranTelethon in support of Simay-e-Azadi (INTV). It is worth mentioning that the public relations of Simay-e-Azadi (INTV) announced the holding of the 28th National Assistance Program (Telethon) on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, January 12th, 13th, and 14th, 2024.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – January 9, 2023