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UPDATE: 10:00 PM
Canada to Ban Funding for Research Linked to Foreign Universities, Labs That Pose Risk to National Security
OTTAWA — Canada is banning federal funding for research done in affiliation with, or with funding from, more than 100 Chinese, Iranian, and Russian universities and labs that it deems a risk to national security.
The policy unveiled Tuesday applies to research in areas deemed to be “sensitive” to national security, and is expected to apply to “tens of thousands” of research grant applications, according to government officials. The announcement includes two lists: one of the banned entities, and one of the sensitive research areas, which include advanced energy, weapons, artificial intelligence, robotics, and life science technology.
Concerns Rise as Reports Show Increase in Suicides among Medical Residents
In its issue today, a Tehran-based newspaper once again addresses the concerning issue of the prevalence of “suicides” among medical professionals. According to the report in “Etemad” newspaper, quoting Babak Shekrachi, the Deputy for Educational and Research Affairs of the Medical Council, in the past 10 months, 16 medical residents have tragically taken their own lives.
The newspaper highlights that, as reported by Shokrachi, three cases occurred in the past week, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The report underscores that, from the beginning of the current Iranian year, approximately 14 instances of “premature deaths” or at least “suspected suicides” have been reported among medical residents or physicians undergoing their internship.
“Etemad” draws attention to a study on the health status of medical residents, noting, “23% of medical residents have experienced severe to extremely severe depression.”
Moreover, it is stated that around 25% of individuals have had “severe” to “extremely severe” anxiety, and nearly 34% of them have reported “severe” to “extremely severe” stress, according to the disclosed information.
Wednesday Protests in Iran
Amidst growing economic challenges, reserve teachers and bakers in Tehran took to the streets to voice their grievances, demanding fair treatment and better working conditions.
In a demonstration held in front of the education ministry, reserve teachers passionately protested against the regime’s failure to pay their wages and the absence of job security. Despite dedicating over a decade to educating the nation’s youth, these educators find themselves without basic employment rights and a secure job status. The rally aimed to draw attention to their plight, emphasizing the need for a definitive contract status to ensure stability in their professional lives.
The demonstration extended to the health ministry, where reserve teachers continued to voice their concerns. The protest shed light on the challenges faced by these educators, who play a crucial role in the education system but struggle for recognition and fair treatment.
More footage of today's protest rally by reserve teachers in front of the health ministry. Despite having taught for more than 10 years, they still lack basic rights and job security and don't have definitive contract status.#IranProtests #Iranpic.twitter.com/rpJilM1xs1
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 17, 2024
Simultaneously, bakers gathered in front of the governorate to protest the reduction of flour rations, a move that directly impacted their livelihoods. The bakers expressed their frustration with the diminished access to essential resources needed for bread production, a staple in Iranian households. The reduction in flour rations has raised concerns about potential implications on the availability and affordability of bread for the local population.
January 17—Tehran, #Iran
Bakers rally in front of the governorate, protesting the reduction of flour rations.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/7UuqDLv3Gj— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 17, 2024
Terrorist Designation of the Houthis
The Department of State today is announcing the designation of Ansarallah, commonly referred to as the Houthis, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group, effective 30 days from today.
Since November, the Houthis have launched unprecedented attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as military forces positioned in the area to defend the safety and security of commercial shipping. These attacks against international shipping have endangered mariners, disrupted the free flow of commerce, and interfered with navigational rights and freedoms. This designation seeks to promote accountability for the group’s terrorist activities. If the Houthis cease their attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the United States will reevaluate this designation.
Pakistan Recalls Ambassador to Iran After Air Strike That Killed 2 Children
Pakistan recalled its ambassador to Tehran on Wednesday, a day after Iran launched airstrikes on Pakistan that it claimed targeted bases for a militant Sunni separatist group. Islamabad angrily denounced the attack as a “blatant violation” of its airspace and said it killed two children.
Tuesday’s strike on Pakistan’s restive southwestern Baluchistan province imperiled diplomatic relations between the two neighbours, but both sides appeared wary of provoking the other. Iran and nuclear-armed Pakistan have long regarded each other with suspicion over militant attacks.
The attack also threatened to further ignite violence in a Middle East unsettled by Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Iran launched strikes late Monday in Iraq and Syria over an Islamic State group-claimed suicide bombing that killed over 90 people earlier this month.
UPDATE: 11:30 AM
Airbus Cancels Delivery of 100 Aircraft to Iran
Iran’s national carrier, Iran Air, is no longer expecting nearly 100 aircraft from Airbus as they have reportedly been omitted from the manufacturer’s order backlog. The development is allegedly indicated in the European aircraft maker’s year-end figures, Simple Flying reports.
The aircraft has been listed in Airbus’ order books for over five years. However, the latest change reportedly pushed the number of the company’s order cancellations to over 220.
The orders reportedly needed approval from the US government due to the technology onboard the planes. Some officials contended that Iran could use the aircraft to transport weapons and troops. Although Airbus is based outside of the US, the company still needed approval from the US Treasury Department to deliver aircraft to Iran because at least 10 percent of the materials used to develop its planes are American-made.
U.S. Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen for a Third Time
The United States carried out a new military strike against Houthi ballistic missiles in Yemen on Tuesday, the U.S. military said, but the latest salvo against the Iran-backed group left the White House grappling with how to stop a battle-hardened foe from disrupting shipping lanes critical for global trade.
The strikes on Tuesday, the third overall against the group since a U.S.-led air and naval barrage hit dozens of targets last week, destroyed four missiles that the Pentagon’s Central Command said posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels and Navy ships traveling through the Red Sea and nearby waters.
Germany Inches Towards Shipping-Defense Mission for the Red Sea
After much prodding from domestic business interests, the German government has announced that it will join a naval mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea, which has been substantially disrupted by attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebel forces. At a political reception Sunday, Bundestag defense committee chair Maria-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann said that the mission would involve EU member states’ frigates providing defensive cover for merchant shipping. The initiative would be under an EU mandate and would involve other nations’ vessels as well.
“This is an attack on the free economy and it must be countered,” said Strack-Zimmerman.
Any German involvement could be weeks away. The German air defense frigate Hessen is said to be preparing to depart on February 1, according to Welt am Sonntag – and that would be conditional on parliamentary approval.
Davos 2024: Nuclear Watchdog Chief Says Iran Is ‘Galloping Ahead’ With Uranium Enrichment
Iran is “galloping ahead” with its uranium enrichment programme and continues to put up barriers to inspections, the head of the global nuclear watchdog has said.
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stressed that Tehran must abide by the nuclear proliferation treaty it signed up to.
“Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state which is enriching uranium at this very, very high level – very close to weapons grade,” he told The National.
“I’m not saying they have a nuclear weapon, I’m saying this is sensitive. And when you’re doing that … you abide by the rules,” he said.
US to Relist Yemen’s Houthis as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, AP Sources Say
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is expected to soon announce plans to redesignate Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen as specially designated global terrorists, according to two people familiar with the White House decision and a U.S. official.
The move comes as the Houthis have launched dozens of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The group says it has attacked the ships in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
The three people familiar with the decision were not authorized to comment and requested anonymity to discuss the matter ahead of the expected formal announcement.
UPDATE: 7:30 AM
Iran’s IRGC Launches Missiles At Northern Iraq
In a statement, the Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile attack on Erbil, Iraq, stating that the objective was to “destroy espionage headquarters” and “target anti-Iranian groups.” Al-Hadath reported, citing security sources, that Iranian regime missiles fell near the U.S. consulate in Erbil.
Following the confirmation of the missile attacks by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on positions in Erbil, Iraq, Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, condemned the attack and offered condolences to the families of the victims.
Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, also referred to some claims made regarding the targeting of U.S. positions by the Revolutionary Guards missiles, stating that the United States has tracked the missile attacks by the Guards in northern Iraq and northern Syria and confirmed that no American personnel or facilities were targeted in these attacks.
Iranian Regime and Hezbollah Linked to Ecuador’s Escalating Violence
In recent years, Ecuador has experienced an alarming surge in violent crime, with the fingerprints of international narcotics cartels leaving a lasting mark. Authorities and experts now point to the involvement of the Iranian regime and its infamous militant group Hezbollah in the escalation of violence in the region.
The turmoil reached a critical point on January 9, as Ecuador’s new president, 36-year-old Daniel Noboa, declared an “internal armed conflict” against 22 narcotics gangs believed to be destabilizing the state. This declaration followed a successful ruse by the gangs, leading to the escape of two major kingpins from prison.
Increase in Long-Term Air Pollution-Related Deaths in Iran
In a recent announcement, Abbas Shahsoni, the head of the Air Health Department at the Ministry of Health, revealed that the number of deaths attributed to long-term exposure to air pollution in individuals over 30 years old was 26,307 in the past year. This marks a 26% increase compared to the year 1400 in the Iranian calendar. Shahsoni added that this figure accounts for 13.9% of the total deaths in the country.
The semi-official news agency ISNA quoted Shahsoni as saying, “The total number of deaths attributed to long-term exposure to PM 2.5 particulate matter in individuals over 30 years old has been reported as an average of 26,307, which is more than a 26% increase compared to the year 2021.”
Fatemeh Mousavi, Mother of 2, Faces Charges in Court
The second session of the trial of Fatemeh Mousavi was held by Branch 103 of the Public Court of Tehran in Kahrizak on Monday, January 15, 2024. Fatemeh Mousavi, 30, is married with two children and resides in Tehran.
She was arrested by security forces in Tehran on June 25, 2023, and ultimately released on bail on July 31, 2023. She is charged with disseminating “propaganda against the state,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” “insulting the leader” of the mullahs’ regime, and “setting fire to and damaging public property.
Stains, France—January 15, 2024: MEK Supporters Organized an Exhibition in Solidarity With the Iran Revolution
Stains, France—January 15, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a photo exhibition and set up a book table to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution. Stains, situated in the northern suburbs of Paris, served as the backdrop for this exhibition.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – January 16, 2023
