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UPDATE: 8:30 PM CET
Protests in Iran Cast Shadow over Ashura Commemoration
Preachers across the country raised the Iranian people’s living concerns, accusing the authorities of “indifference and neglect.” In the city of Yazd, the third stronghold of the conservatives in the country after the cities of Qom and Mashhad, a controversial video spread on social media, of a group of young people during a religious demonstration for the Ashura ceremony, chanting a song that begins with the phrase: “Stop it, tyrant, for the blood (…) is boiling.”
UPDATE: 6:30 PM CET
Security Forces Kill Father of Three in Southern Iran
In a shocking incident in the city of Izeh, Farid Saeedi, a father of three, was tragically killed by gunfire from agents of the clerical regime. The shooting by security forces carried out without any prior warning, has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of civilians in the region. According to reports, the incident is suspected to be linked to the ongoing efforts by the regime to suppress any signs of dissent, especially in the lead-up to the anniversary of the nationwide uprising. The security forces have been on high alert, setting up checkpoints and conducting inspections on entry and exit routes within the city. Aerial surveillance using drones has also been employed to monitor the situation closely.
Joint Statement on Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2023
The Governments of Australia and the United States of America released the following statement on the occasion of the 33rd Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN).
They strongly condemned ongoing human rights violations and abuses in Iran, including the persecution of women and girls, aggressive suppression of civil society and discriminatory treatment of ethnic and religious minorities.
They expressed a shared commitment to standing with the people of Iran and Afghanistan, particularly women and girls.
The principals denounced Iran’s destabilising behaviour, including its wrongful detention of foreign and dual nationals and targeting, intimidation, and harassment of dissidents overseas, its nuclear-related expansions, the proliferation of ballistic missiles, support for armed proxies, and threats to shipping and freedom of navigation in the Gulf. They also condemned Iran’s provision of drones to Russia for use in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
UPDATE: 11:30 AM CET
Former Iranian Regime’s Ambassador Lashes Out at Italy Over Maryam Rajavi’s Parliament Invitation
In a recent development, the former Iranian regime’s ambassador to Italy, Abolfazl Zohrehvand, has vehemently criticized Italy for its members of Parliament extending an invitation to Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), to address its parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee in early July. While revealing the regime’s ignorance of democratic institutions, this move by the Iranian regime’s diplomat is a stark manifestation of their deep-seated fear and apprehension towards the Iranian Resistance.
He told the state-run news agency IMNA on July 26, “In my opinion, the Italians made this strategic mistake for two reasons. First, the relevant sections of our embassy should work more effectively and justify their actions. The second point is that the Italian government is a right-wing government, and currently, the Prime Minister of Italy is a woman. There has been significant activity in Italy concerning women’s issues. Due to the lack of sufficient knowledge about Iran and the negligence that has taken place, the MEK has easily infiltrated the Italian parliament and paved the way for this incident.”
Calling on the regime’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intensify its demonization efforts against the MEK, he added, “Today, it is essential for the interaction of domestic media with the Italian press to increase, and the consequences of cooperation with the MEK should be announced as a warning to the government of that country. Summoning the Italian ambassador was the right move and should have been carried out, regardless of how deterrent it may be. Iran had strong economic relations with Italy in the past, which it lacks now. This is a crucial factor in the diplomatic relations between the two countries. If there is negligence in this matter, everything will be centered around political and media discussions, and in light of these issues, the enemy will take advantage of this vacuum, leading to incidents such as the Italian parliament’s support for the MEK. In this regard, the state needs to take a more serious approach in the field of media diplomacy and engage in discussions with the Italian Foreign Ministry and relevant departments to prevent such opportunistic moves by enemies.”
Condoning Pursuit of Drug Dealers Working With “Hezbollah” and Iranian Militias
UPDATE: 9:00 AM CET
Why Iran’s 1988 Massacre Is a Crime Against Humanity
In the investigation of the 1988 massacre and the reports of prisoners being relocated with gross violations of human rights, such as “physical and psychological torture” using various inhumane methods, as well as “systematic execution and crimes” against prisoners, we encounter two characteristics of crimes against humanity. In the ethical teachings of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas, natural rights are synonymous with justice, and the violation of these rights is considered a crime. International law, which is derived from these teachings, asserts that in any crime, anywhere in the world, it is humanity that is harmed. In other words, crimes have global implications. Based on this understanding, international criminal courts were established in Nuremberg, Tokyo, Rwanda, and Yugoslavia to prosecute crimes against humanity.
What Are the Factors Contributing to Iran’s Economic Decline?
In recent years, Iran’s regime has experienced a significant decline in its rank in world trade. This drop can be attributed to several factors. Discussing the economic issues of this regime is challenging, as those involved in the system are aware that the economy is governed by a complex web of rules and laws under the control of the regime’s supreme leader. Classical statistical methods are insufficient to estimate, explain, and analyze the regime’s economy due to the lack of transparency. Economic statistics in Iran are selectively published, only highlighting fake and baseless successes. Other statistics are kept hidden, leading to a lack of comprehensive data. The regime’s economy relies heavily on oil revenues, which have been subject to volatility due to the regime’s adventurous policies. Fluctuations in oil prices directly impact the country’s economic indicators.
The Inhuman Sentence of 74 Lashes Carried Out for Laleh Vahhabi
Ms. Laleh Vahhabi, 35, was arrested by security forces in Talish during the protests in February 2023. The Talish General and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office sentenced Ms. Laleh Vahhabi to one year of imprisonment and 74 lashes. There is no information available on the details of the case and accusations leveled against Ms. Vahhabi. Ms. Marzieh Mohebi, a lawyer presently abroad, tweeted that the Mashhad court issued a ruling and declared confiscation of her property Mubah (permissible). The charges of this lawyer are not clear. Ms. Marzieh Mohebi announced by publishing a tweet the issuance of a strange verdict by the Article 49 Court of Mashhad.
Reyhaneh Ansarinejad, A Labor Activist, Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison
The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Reyhaneh Ansarinejad, a labor activist, to 4 years of imprisonment and social deprivation. According to Razieh Zaidi, Ms. Ansarinejad’s lawyer, the 15th branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court recently issued a verdict sentencing Ms. Reyhaneh Ansarinejad to 4 years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against the security of the state.” The court has informed Reyhaneh Anasarinejad of the verdict and additional punishments, banning her membership in parties, groups, political organizations, activities in cyberspace, media, and press, and leaving the country for two years. The trial of Reyhaneh Ansarinejad was held on July 17, 2023, at branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.
Zurich—July 28, 2023: MEK Supporters Held a Photo Exhibition in Support of the Iran Revolution
Zurich, Switzerland—July 28, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a photo exhibition of the Iranian uprising’s martyrs in solidarity with the Iran Revolution.
Oslo—July 28, 2023: MEK Supporters Held a Rally in Support of the Iran Revolution
Oslo, Norway—July 28, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally in front of the Norwegian Parliament in solidarity with the Iran Revolution.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – July 29, 2023