THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 9:00 PM CET
Iran Protests at a Glance
Based partially on reporting by PMOI (MEK) Network in Iran
Saturday, June 17, 2023 – 8 PM GMT + 1
Ongoing protests took place across multiple Iranian cities on Saturday, as the regime intensifies its oppressive tactics and executions in an attempt to quell the uprising that began in September. In Tehran, students from Tehran Art University continued their demonstrations in response to new restrictive measures imposed by the regime.
June 17 – Tehran, #Iran
Footage shows security forces being deployed to Tehran University of Art as students continue their protests to the regime's new restrictions.pic.twitter.com/smujty04Y8— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 17, 2023
According to activists, plainclothes agents forcefully dispersed the student rally and apprehended at least 10 students. The detainees were whisked away in an unmarked van, with special forces present at the scene. In an effort to prevent the protests from spreading, security forces also restricted access to the campus, preventing other students from joining the demonstrations. Videos from around the campus show security forces lined up to counter student protests.
Meanwhile, in Sarableh, Ilam province, local residents gathered outside the governorate to protest the recent arrest of six individuals. Activists report that the detainees were abducted by security forces due to their involvement in political activities. The protesters announced that if the prisoners are not released, a general strike will be held in the city on Monday.
June 17 – Tehran, #Iran
Customers of state-run car manufacturer Iran Khodro gather in protest to the increase in price of the Dena Plus vehicle. pic.twitter.com/O0fu79g4Xh— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 17, 2023
In Tehran, a group of customers of the state-run Iran Khodro car manufacturer organized a rally to voice their dissatisfaction with the company’s pricing and quality policies regarding the Dena Plus vehicle. Customers who had already made down payments for the vehicle are now facing increased prices and diminished quality on their purchases.
Also on Saturday, merchants and business owners in Kermanshah, Western Iran, rallied in front of the governorate protesting the hike in taxes.
Late in the night on Friday, June 16, people in different districts of Iran’s capital took to the rooftops to cry out slogans against the regime’s Supreme Leader Khamenei.
June 17, Kermanshah, Western #Iran
Merchants and business owners rally in front of the governorate in protest to the hike in taxes. pic.twitter.com/iqUtl73a3D— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 17, 2023
UPDATE: 6:30 PM CET
Official Issues Warning of Potential Future Uprisings
On June 16, Mohammadreza Gholamreza Nezami, the Political Deputy of the Minister of Interior and Head of the National Election Headquarters, warned against future developments and the possibility of renewed uprisings.
In an interview with the state-owned Tabarestan network, he stated: “Contrary to the approach emphasized by the esteemed leader, which always stressed not to create a political and electoral atmosphere in the country prematurely, why did his excellency discuss it earlier? Why? He wanted to create readiness. What does that mean?… Are we truly prepared? Have we felt the level of danger that if the month of Muharram and Safar are over… and once we get over September 15, the reopening of universities and schools, and then the anniversary of the riots… we might suddenly get into new battles, and they drag us towards a direction where elections will no longer be our priority. We might become overwhelmed. I don’t know… perhaps we might only think about the streets.”
Jordan Says It Downs Second Drone From Syria This Week
AMMAN, June 16 (Reuters) – The Jordanian army shot down a drone carrying weapons from Syria on Friday, the military said, the second time this week Jordan has downed an unmanned aircraft flying into its territory from neighbouring Syria.
A statement reported by state news agency Petra said the drone was shot down in Jordanian territory and was found to be carrying weapons, without giving further details.
The army said on Tuesday it had downed a drone carrying drugs from Syria. Jordan has blamed pro-Iranian militias, who it says are protected by units within the Syrian army, for smuggling drugs across its borders towards Gulf markets.
UPDATE: 11:00 AM CET
The Republic of Azerbaijan Stopped Issuing Visas for Iranians
The Republic of Azerbaijan has temporarily suspended the issuance of visas for Iranian citizens, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Effective June 23, the decision aims to halt the process of granting airport visas to Iranians at international airports in the country.
As reported by Iranian state media, the Embassy of the Iranian regime in Baku informed Iranians intending to travel by air to the Republic of Azerbaijan, stating that “based on the announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the process of issuing airport visas for citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran at international airports in the Republic of Azerbaijan will be halted from the June 23. Iranians who need entry visas for traveling to the Republic of Azerbaijan can apply for electronic visas through the “Easy Visa” system prior to their trip or visit the diplomatic representations and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan in person to obtain visas in their passports.”
The announcement further states that the land borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan have remained closed for foreign and neighboring travelers since the outbreak of the coronavirus and will continue to be closed until further notice.
Iranian-Backed Militias Face Challenges To Hire Doctors and Nurses in the National Hospital in Al-Mayadeen
Deir Ezzor province: SOHR sources have reported that Iranian-backed militias have accomplished the construction of the national hospital in Al-Mayadeen city, the “capital of Iranian-backed militias in east Syria,” in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. However, the Iranian-backed militias have failed so far to hire medical staff, as doctors and nurses have refused to work in the hospital because of the low salaries offered by those militias. According to SOHR sources, the monthly salary of a male nurse ranges between 60,000 SYP to 70,000 SYP, while the salary of a doctor does not exceed 125,000 SYP. It is worth noting that unknown individuals stole, a few days ago, power cables providing the hospital with electricity.
UPDATE: 9:30 AM CET
Mysoginyst Regume Resorts to AI as New Suppression Method
In a recent wave of oppressive actions by the regime, Ahmadreza Radan, the Commander-in-Chief of State Security Forces, announced on June 15 that a plan to deal with women’s dress code using surveillance cameras is being implemented. He also stated that for identified cases, the first text message serves as an initial warning, while the second text message will lead to legal and law enforcement follow-up.
Radan further mentioned in an interview: “This important matter will also be pursued on the coasts of Mazandaran province, and text messages and in-person warnings will be given. We have also requested the government to increase the coverage level of our cameras to ensure security in all dimensions, and President Raisi has agreed with this.”
Publishing photos of alleged “hijab criminals”, the IRGC-run Fars news agency reported on June 16: “These images were captured in recent days on Valiasr Street in Tehran. Police officers have been capturing images of unveiled women and using artificial intelligence to identify their identities. In some cases, legal cases have been filed and sent to the Judiciary for further action.”
Us Sanctions North Korean Couple Accused of Helping To Procure Equipment for Ballistic Missiles
UPDATE: 8:30 AM CET
Protests Resume in Zahedan Despite Security Measures, Internet Disruption
Brave Baluchis in the restive city of Zahedan, the provincial capital of Sistan & Baluchestan in southeast Iran, took to the streets again on Friday in new anti-regime protests and rejection of any kind of dictatorship in their country. These protests took place despite the regime’s extensive security measures on Thursday and internet restrictions. These rallies are continuing the Iranian people’s uprising against the mullahs’ tyranny as people from all walks of life take to the streets across the country to voice their opposition to the regime. People throughout Iran continue to specifically hold the mullahs’ Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responsible for their miseries, while also condemning the oppressive Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and paramilitary Basij units, alongside other security units that are on the ground suppressing the peaceful demonstrators.
Graham, Menendez, Blumenthal Introduce Iranian Enrichment Monitoring Act of 2023
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) today introduced the Iranian Enrichment Monitoring Act of 2023. The bill would require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to notify Congress within 48 hours if Iran has produced or possesses any amount of highly enriched uranium greater than 60 percent purity. This new 48-hour notification requirement would greatly decrease the amount of time Iran would have to enrich uranium for a nuclear weapon without Congressional awareness.
“In most cases, knowledge is power. This bipartisan legislation requires Congress to be notified within 48 hours if Iran produces or possesses highly enriched uranium, above 60 percent purity,” said Senator Graham. “There is no legitimate civilian purpose for Iran to have uranium enriched to this level – the only reason is for military purposes. This legislation will ensure that Congress is informed in a timely manner of advancements by Iran regarding its desire to build a nuclear weapon. I believe there is tremendous bipartisan support for this idea, and hope it becomes law as soon as possible.”
Leaked Documents Reveal The Truth Behind Tehran’s Nuclear Standoff
Iran regime’s press and media are currently abuzz with speculations surrounding the country’s nuclear project. Various factions within the regime are attempting to present Iran as a formidable power on the cusp of becoming a nuclear state. In a recent speech on June 11, regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei sought to project the regime as possessing the capability to obtain a nuclear bomb, while emphasizing their adherence to religious principles that prohibit the pursuit of such weapons. However, examining the underlying factors that have hindered Khamenei’s ambitions and transformed Iran’s nuclear industry into a significant challenge is crucial. Leaked documents and public news shed light on the current situation and shed some insight into Khamenei’s motivations and obstacles.
Parastoo Moini, an Electrical Engineering Student, Was Expelled From Qazvin University
Parastoo Moini, an electrical engineering student at Qazvin International University, was arrested on February 24, 2020. Security forces broke into their home, brutalized her and her mother, Zahra Safaei, and arrested them. After spending one year in temporary detention, she was sentenced to 5 years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion.”
In May 2020, Ms. Moini, upon her release from solitary confinement, attempted to continue her studies in Qarchak Prison. However, university officials said that she could not study while in prison. As a result, she requested to withdraw from the final exams through the prison’s judicial department. After three years of captivity, torture, and mistreatment in Qarchak and Evin prisons, Parastoo Moini was released from jail on February 9, 2023.
Stockholm and Berlin—June 15-16, 2023: MEK Supporters Held Rallies and Exhibitions in Support of the Iran Revolution
Stockholm and Berlin—June 15-16, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held rallies and exhibitions of the Iranian uprising martyrs in solidarity with the Iran Revolution. MEK supporters in Stockholm and Berlin condemned the wave of brutal executions in Iran by the religious dictatorship.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – June 16, 2023