THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 8:30 PM
Wednesday Protests in Iran
Today, January 3, nurses from the University of Medical Sciences in Ilam staged protests, adding to the ongoing nationwide demonstrations by healthcare professionals. Their grievances include housing rights, childcare benefits, overtime pay, and nursing tariffs.
January 3—Ilam, western #Iran
Employees of the Ilam Medical Sciences University hold protest rally, reiterating their demands for better work conditions and compensation.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/0OtoOr0JnU— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 3, 2024
Simultaneously, employees of Aghajari Oil and Gas Exploitation Company and the Abuzar platform of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company also rallied, highlighting issues related to working conditions and legal rights.
January 3—Aghajari, southwest #Iran
Employees of the oil and gas company continue their protests rallies as regime authorities ignore their just and legal demands for better job security and wages. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/3E1mKT6o3l— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 3, 2024
UPDATE: 12:30 PM
Soaring Meat Prices and Shortages Gripping Iranian Households
In response to the escalating trend of rising prices and diminishing purchasing power, a member of the Iranian regime’s Parliamentary Agriculture Commission revealed a stark reality, stating, “Red meat has been eliminated from the tables of 35% of households.”
Jalal Mahmoudzadeh attributed the surge in meat and poultry prices to the depletion of strategic reserves of livestock feed, coupled with the escalating cost of soybean meal and the concurrent increase in the price of one-day-old chicks.
These remarks come at a time when media outlets reported on Tuesday, January 2, that chicken has become scarce in Iranian markets amid economic mismanagement and corruption.
The Secretary of the Association of Meat and Protein Packaging Industry in Iran also cited “disruption” in production and the supply chain as a factor behind the scarcity of chicken. Observations from some chain stores, as reported by the state-run “Iran Dideban” website, further substantiate the decline in the availability of packaged meat and chicken. As the economic challenges persist, Iranians find themselves grappling with both soaring prices and shortages in essential food items.
Iran and Its Pawns Are Escalating Across the Mideast To Push Biden Into Full Retreat
And the Houthis’ sponsor, Iran, pointedly sent a warship into the sea on Monday while a top Iranian security official, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, met Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam, praising the terror group’s “brave actions” against “Zionist aggression.”
Meanwhile, US and UK officials are huddling about issuing a formal warning to the Houthis: If they keep up their Red Sea attacks (which already have many companies avoiding the straits through which pass 12%-15% of the world’s shipping), Western forces will retaliate against Houthi bases on land.
UPDATE: 7:00 AM
Iran’s Regime Starts 2024 With Executions, Persecution of Political Prisoners
Parallel to its warmongering in the region, Iran’s regime continues to ratchet up human rights abuses in its prisons, especially against political prisoners. And the beginning of the new year has shown no respite in this trend of barbaric behavior.
On Tuesday, January 2, regime authorities in Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj executed political prisoner Davood Abdollahi. Abdollahi, a Sunni Kurd hailing from Mahabad, had been in prison for 14 years and was executed while being on a hunger strike for six days.
Abdollahi was arrested in 2009 along with six other people in 2009. All seven were tortured to make incriminating confessions and were sentenced to death by the notorious judge Mohammad Moghiseh under trumped up charges of “undermining national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “corruption on Earth.”
Why Iran’s Regime Is Deeply Vested in Keeping the Middle East Insecure
With nearly three months into the war in Gaza, one thing has become increasingly clear: Iran’s regime is playing an important role in keeping the Middle east in chaos.
Many politicians and analysts across the spectrum concur that Iran’s regime has played a pivotal role in creating the crisis.
In a new in-depth report, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) lays out the stake that Tehran has in the war in the Middle East and why any solution for peace in the region must include a firm policy toward the regime.
Plight of 1 Million Children Deprived of Education in Iran
The National Statistics Center of Iran today published its statistics on the number students who are either deprived of education or have dropped out of school.
In the 2022-2023 academic year, 929,798 students in three educational stages have been deprived of education.
In the elementary level, 175,114 students did not go to school, including 96,202 boys and 78,912 girls. In the junior high school level, 98,271 boys and 99,723 girls did not go to school, which makes a total of 197,690. The number of students who did not make it to senior high school level is 556,994, including 295,101 boys and 261,893 girls.
The Iranian Regime’s Warmongering: A Ticking Time Bomb?
Amidst rising geopolitical tensions, the Iranian regime faces mounting challenges and growing international pressure. The recent drone attack on a ship in the Indian Ocean and the formation of a coalition against its proxy forces in the Red Sea have escalated the situation. As the world watches closely, Iranian officials are monitoring reactions and developments with heightened concern. On December 23, 2023, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian addressed the growing unease, stating, “We have made it explicitly clear to the Americans that the groups in question, including those in Yemen, operate based on their own judgment and interests. We have not issued any directives for their actions.”
Iran’s Internet Price Hike Sparks Concerns of Censorship
The recent surge in internet prices in Iran has sparked widespread concern and criticism, with many viewing it as a government strategy to impose indirect restrictions on cyberspace. This move has intensified the ongoing debate over the Iranian regime’s approach to internet censorship, particularly in the context of public protests. Ham Mihan newspaper, in a noteworthy commentary, pointed out that the government’s failure to effectively filter Instagram and its unsuccessful attempts to divert users to Iranian applications have prompted the authorities to resort to economic measures. By raising the price of Internet, the government appears to be aiming to discourage people from accessing online services.
A member of parliament, Lotfollah Siahkoli, denounced the increase in internet prices as unjustifiable. He compared the situation to other countries, highlighting that in Germany, only 1.2% of people’s salaries are spent on internet services. This underscores the disproportionate burden imposed on Iranian citizens.
Amidst General Surge in Executions, Iran Increasingly Focuses on Political Cases
A number of human rights advocacy groups have issued warnings about an apparent increase in the rate of politically motivated executions in Iran, and the potential for more of the same. Numerous prior statements have focused on a general uptick in the country’s already world-leading execution rate, which has resulted in more than 850 death sentences being implemented in 2023 – an eight-year high. And although it is widely understood that that trend was largely motivated by the Iranian regime’s desire to stifle dissent through public intimidation following a nationwide uprising in September 2022, the latest developments suggest that Tehran may be growing bolder with its suppressive tactics.
One of the most recent executions was carried out on a young man on November 21, who was arrested during the protests that broke out in September 2022, in reaction to the killing of Mahsa Amini by “morality police” who objected to the arrangement of her mandatory hijab.
The Destabilizing Impact of Appeasing Iran’s Regime in the Middle East
The recent outbreak of conflict in the Middle East has underscored the critical role played by Iran in the region’s instability. Despite claims of non-involvement, Iran’s support for proxy forces has been instrumental in fueling the ongoing crisis. The events that transpired post-October 7 triggered intense discussions, most of which centered on Iran’s role in the crisis. Initially, Iranian regime officials vehemently defended the attack, hailing it as a significant victory. They later tried to distance themselves from the event, shrugging off any responsibility.
Therefore, to address the crisis comprehensively, most analysts agree that the key lies in addressing its root cause: Iran. However, there is difference on how way to approach the problem. The prevailing crisis in the Middle East can be largely traced back to the West’s policy of appeasement towards Iran. By ignoring the destructive actions of the Iranian regime, the West has unintentionally allowed Iran’s regime to spread terror in the region.
“Iran’s Air Pollution Crisis in 2024: Unveiling Challenges and Contradictions”
In recent announcements, Ali Selajgeh, the head of Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization, sparked hope by proclaiming Tehran’s imminent liberation from air pollution within a decade. However, scrutiny from environmental experts casts doubts on the credibility of this assertion, revealing potential discrepancies in the government’s transparency. Selajgeh’s bold claim lacked substantive scientific backing, leaving ambiguity regarding the precise measures and strategies proposed to achieve a pollution-free Tehran. Meanwhile, international data starkly contradicts this optimism, exposing a doubling trend in Iran’s greenhouse gas emissions over the last 20 years. With an annual carbon dioxide output surpassing 40 million tons under the current administration, concerns intensify regarding the government’s portrayal of the air pollution crisis.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Iranian Resistance Supporters for Their Dedication in 2023
In the face of adversity, a formidable force emerges, transcending borders and weathering the storms of oppression with unwavering determination. The Iranian Resistance, a beacon of hope for those longing for freedom in Iran, owes its strength to the brave and steadfast supporters who stand shoulder to shoulder, defying all odds.
From the scorching heat of Australia to the frosty landscapes of Europe and Canada and the bustling streets of the USA, freedom-loving Iranians and the Iranian Resistance (NCRI and MEK) supporters sacrifice their personal comforts to champion the cause of freedom.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – January 2, 2023