THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 9:30 PM
Monday Protests in Iran
In a morning demonstration today, coal miners from the Tazreh subsidiary of the Alborz East Coal Company gathered in protest against the unmet promises of the management regarding an increase in wages. The management of the Alborz East Coal Company had assured the workers that alongside December salaries, a raise in wages for all workers would be implemented. However, workers discovered yesterday, upon receiving their December wages, that the promised wage increase had not been fulfilled.
January 8—Kermanshah, western #Iran
Disabled people hold protest rally in front of the provincial offices of the Welfare Organization, demanding the implementation of the law that requires the government to provide the basic needs of disabled people who can't work.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/LzJ3l28RaR— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 8, 2024
Employees of Arkan-e-Salas (Third Axis) staged a demonstration in front of the National Iranian South Oil Company today, demanding the realization of their various demands, including the implementation of the “Oil Card” system, job classification plan review, and fair taxation of salaries.
Workers from Delta, the contractor responsible for desalination at the Negin Makran Petrochemical site in Chabahar, initiated a strike in protest of the non-payment of their delayed wages by the employer. Despite being aware of the workers’ living difficulties, the employer has taken no action to address the situation.
In Shahedshahr, a ceremony was held to mark the fourth anniversary of the tragic downing of the Ukrainian plane PS752 by the Revolutionary Guards. Families of the victims gathered in protest, condemning the criminal actions of the Guards and demanding justice for the lives lost.
January 8—Shahedshahr, northern #Iran
Families of the victims of flight #PS752, shot down by the IRGC, gather to commemorate the victims and call for justice.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/JVy04QzvRa— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 8, 2024
In Ahvaz, southwest Iran, contract workers from the National Iranian South Oil Company staged a protest rally in front of the company’s headquarters, emphasizing their demands for higher wages and other essential needs. The series of demonstrations across different sectors underscores the growing discontent among Iranian workers, calling attention to issues ranging from wage disparities to unmet promises.
January 8—Ahvaz, southwest #Iran
Contract workers of the National Iranian South Oil Company hold protest rally in front of the company's headquarters to reiterate their demands for higher wages and other basic needs.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/fYQOnCnpVD— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) January 8, 2024
UPDATE: 1:00 PM
Airstrikes Target Truck of Iranian-Backed Militias Near Al-Bokamal
Deir Ezzor province: SOHR sources have reported that two Iranian-backed non-Syrian militiamen sustained serious injuries in airstrikes by a drone believed to be of US forces.
The attack targeted at least one refrigerated truck belonging to Iranian-backed militias carrying weapons and ammunition on the road between Al-Ghabrah and Al-Hamadan airbase in Al-Bokamal countryside in eastern Deir Ezzor. It is worth noting that the drone targeted the truck shortly after the truck crossed into Syria from Iraq.
The injured militiamen were taken to the hospital, while Iranian-backed militiamen have been put on high alert in the region.
99.7% of Tehran Citizens Suffer from Depression, State-run Report Shows
A recent report by the Tehran Planning and Studies Center has revealed that 99.7 percent of the residents of Iran’s capital, Tehran, are suffering from depression. This report, which is based on the urban vitality index, shows that the quality of life in Tehran has failed for the second consecutive year in 2023.
According to the state-run Dideban-e-Iran, residents of districts 11, 20, 16, 12, and 19 have the lowest average ranking for urban vitality compared to other districts in Tehran. The urban vitality index reflects the level of mental well-being. In total, 80.8 percent of Tehranis have reported low vitality. 18.9 percent have reported moderate vitality and only 0.3 percent have reported high vitality.
The Tehran Planning and Studies Center report lists the invisible consequences of ‘land use change’ and ‘lack of recreational and public spaces’ in the capital as among the main factors of citizens’ depression. While refusing to mention the state of constant protests in various parts of the city, the report also warned that this collective depression will pave the way for an increase and intensification of crime, delinquency, and various social ills as well as public discontent.
Building Collapse in Southern Tehran Claims One Life and Leaves Two Injured
The state-run media reported today that a three-story building in southern Tehran collapsed, resulting in casualties. The spokesperson for the Tehran Fire Department confirmed the collapse of the three-story building in southern Tehran, stating that the incident has so far led to one fatality and two injuries.
Jalal Maleki added that at 11:18 AM local time, an incident of building collapse was reported in a residential complex in Valiasr Town. He explained that adjacent to the old three-story building, a property had excavated a pit measuring one to 1.5 meters in depth and 200 square meters in area. Suddenly, the western side of the building collapsed while residents were inside.
Maleki further explained that in the initial moments of being on the scene, emergency responders successfully rescued two women, aged 70 and 34, alive from the rubble. Shortly afterward, a 40-year-old woman was also extricated from the debris; unfortunately, her death was confirmed by emergency personnel. The spokesperson for the Tehran Fire Department concluded by stating that the statistics regarding those trapped are contradictory and inconclusive at this time.
The dire state of buildings in south Tehran poses a grave threat to the lives of its residents, particularly in the event of an earthquake. These structures, often constructed without proper adherence to building codes and regulations, are plagued by structural defects and substandard materials, leaving them vulnerable to collapse when tremors strike. Recent incidents of building collapse in the region have served as stark reminders of the precarious situation.
How Wikipedia Is Being Changed To Downgrade Iranian Human Rights Atrocities
Wikipedia entries have been changed to downgrade Iranian human rights atrocities and other abuses, The Times has learned, raising concerns that agents or supporters are using the site to manipulate publicly available information about the hostile regime.
Information has also been changed to discredit Iranian dissident groups, while government publications have been presented as impartial news sources on the free online encyclopedia.
In one case, key details were removed about the Iranian regime’s mass executions. The fact that current senior officials in the regime were involved in the 1988 death commissions, in which thousands of political prisoners were killed, was also deleted.
UPDATE: 7:30 AM
Raisi’s Lies About Reducing Unemployment Rates in Iran
During his presidential election campaign, Ebrahim Raisi made promises that were clearly unworkable, from building a few million homes to creating a million jobs a year. A few months ago, his minister of labor claimed to have created more than 1.97 million jobs in the last two years.
The Iranian regime’s baselessness and fabricated statistics are no secret. At the time that the labor minister made such claims, the ILNA news agency called the statistics provided by the minister “unrealistic” and wrote that experts have repeatedly emphasized that the government manipulates indicators or shifts the basis of time for its benefit.
According to Tasnim News Agency on January 1, 2024, the October report of the Statistical Center of Iran, the country’s unemployed population was announced to be 2.043 million people, of which 875,000 are graduates of the country’s universities and constitute 42.8% of the total unemployed population.
Neighboring Countries Exploit Gas Reserves Amidst Iran’s Poor Resource Management
Iran’s neighbors are capitalizing on its lack of comprehensive development and investment plans to take advantage of its gas fields.
According to Ardeshir Dadres, President of the Iran CNG Association, Russia is preventing Iran from extracting gas from eight wells in the Sardar Jangal gas field located in the Caspian Sea. Dadres attributes the critical imbalance in gas production and development over the next decade to insufficient investment.
He emphasizes that in order to overcome this imbalance, Iran needs to spend $60 billion in the next decade to maintain production in South Pars and develop other gas fields. If the current situation persists, the country will face a 400 million cubic meter shortfall in gas production and consumption.
Prices of Basic Goods Continue to Soar in Iran
The Iranian regime’s media outlets have reported an increase in the price of livestock in recent days. They announced that the price of each kilogram of sheep in the Tehran market ranges between 2.450 to 2.60 million rials (approximately $4.8 to 5), and the price of live calves has exceeded 2.2 million rials.
The minimum monthly wage of workers reaches 80 million rials (approximately $157). On January 6, the price of each kilogram of lamb leg has reached 6.6 million rials (approximately $13), sheep’s shoulder is priced at 7.5 million rials (approximately $14.7), lamb fat at 3.46 million rials (approximately $6.8), and lamb stew meat at 9 million rials (approximately $17.6).
Paris—January 6, 2024: MEK Supporters Organized an Exhibition in Solidarity With the Iran Revolution
Paris, France—January 6, 2024: On the fourth consecutive day, freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a photo exhibition and book table in solidarity with the Iranian Revolution.
Amsterdam—January 6, 2024: MEK Supporters Invite Their Compatriots to Support the 28th #FreeIranTelethon on January 12-14, 2024
Amsterdam, The Netherlands—January 6, 2024: Iranian community and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in the Netherlands 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.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – January 7, 2023
