THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 2:00 PM
GOP Senator Seeks Olympic Ban On Iran
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to bar Iran from this summer’s Paris Olympics on Wednesday, citing human rights allegations against the country.
Blackburn said Iran’s “evil regime” should not be allowed to compete on the world stage. Iran “systematically victimizes its own citizens, particularly women and girls. Violence permeates every aspect of life for Iranian women,” she wrote in a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach.
“Athletes are not immune from persecution in Iran. In fact, Iran has only one female Olympic medalist, Kimia Alizadeh,” she continued. “This disparity is not due to a lack of talent. Rather, it is a direct result of the oppression and abuse female athletes in Iran face — the very oppression and abuse that forced Alizadeh to later defect.”
Iranian Aircraft Denied Refueling at European Airports Amidst Sanctions
Iranian state media have reported that European airports are refusing to refuel Iranian planes. The state-run news agency Entekhab quoted a spokesperson for IranAir responding to questions about limitations on refueling at airports in European countries: “Due to sanctions issues, we are unable to refuel at European airports. However, our wide-body aircraft operating on this route have the capability to carry fuel for round trips. Airbus wide-body aircraft have the capacity to carry fuel for up to 16 hours of flight. Therefore, we do not face any issues with refueling for these routes. Claims that refueling for these routes poses a risk to the aircraft are uninformed and illogical.”
Additionally, according to Eghtesad-e Iran, an economy-oriented media outlet, Iran’s aviation industry is facing numerous challenges in addition to the fueling issue at European airports. The average age of Iran’s aviation fleet is around 25 years, significantly higher than the global average of 12 years, increasing the risk of aviation accidents.
Moreover, shortages of spare parts have led to some aircraft being grounded. Meanwhile, lack of technical expertise has made Iran’s aviation industry face challenges due to the lack of communication with foreign aircraft manufacturing companies. Lack of investment in this area has also exacerbated these challenges.
Nation States Buying Hacking Tools from Underground Russian Cyber Forums
Nation states have been identified shopping on Russian cybercrime forums for malware they can use to wipe computers of data in hostile hacking attacks.
Russian-speaking hacking forums, including Exploit and XSS, run black markets in tools and services used by cyber criminals intent on making money by hacking computer systems and stealing data.
According to Sergey Shykevich, a threat intelligence expert at cyber security company Check Point Software, nation states are increasingly using underground cybercrime forums to pose as cyber criminals and hackers.
USCIRF Calls for Accountability for Iran’s Crimes Against Humanity
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urges the U.S. government to support a United Nations (UN) Security Council referral to the International Criminal Court following the finding by a panel of UN-appointed experts that Iran’s crackdowns on protests against mandatory hijab and other religious freedom violations amount to crimes against humanity. Last week, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran determined that this repression “intersects with discrimination on the basis of ethnicity and religion.”
UPDATE: 10:30 AM
US Asks Panama to Strip Flags from Iranian Ships Sanctioned by Washington
PANAMA CITY, March 13 (Reuters) – The United States has asked Panama to ban Iranian vessels sanctioned by Washington from using its flag, U.S. State Department special envoy Abram Paley said on Wednesday.
Paley said the request aims to prevent ships from being used for illegal actions such as supporting groups designated as Iranian terrorist organizations with oil sales.
In January 2023, Panama’s maritime authority said it had withdrawn its flag from 136 ships linked to Iran’s state oil company in the last four years. More than 8,000 vessels sailing with its flag.
House GOP Demands John Kerry Discloses Details Of His ‘Shadow Diplomacy’ With Iran During Trump Presidency
House Republicans are demanding former special presidential climate envoy John Kerry disclose details about his “shadow diplomacy” with Iran during the Trump administration — warning that his actions may have violated the federal Logan Act.
Five GOP lawmakers, led by Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida, sent a letter to the State Department on Wednesday saying Kerry, 80, must hand over all records of his “private correspondence” with former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif.
“It is of the utmost importance to ascertain the nature of these communications,” they wrote, according to a copy of the letter exclusively obtained by The Post. “Any discussion of sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump against Iran would present a likely violation of the Logan Act.”
Huizenga, Mast, Luetkemeyer, & Wilson Question Biden Administration on Iran Sanctions Waiver
Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga, Congressman Brian Mast, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, and Congressman Joe Wilson released a letter sent to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the Biden Administration’s sanctions waiver allowing the transfer of Iranian funds from Iraq to Oman and other jurisdictions. Specifically, the Subcommittee Chairmen from the House Financial Services and House Foreign Affairs Committees question how the Biden Administration can continue to grant waivers allowing the Iranian regime easier access to money in the face of the Iranian backed attacks on American troops, international cargo ships, and the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th, 2023.
UPDATE: 7:30 AM
Iran’s Rebellious Youth Celebrate Charshanbe Suri Despite The Regime’s Security Measures
Fearing the resurgence of protests during Iran’s Fire Festival (Charshanbe Suri), the regime and its security forces were on full alert. Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) forces, State Security Forces, Basij units, and Ministry of Intelligence agents were deployed in cities across the country to prevent assemblies, celebrations, and anti-regime activities. However, according to reports from various provinces and cities, from the beginning of the afternoon until late into the night, rebellious youth across Iran turned Charshanbe Suri ceremonies into a manifestation of the people’s hatred for the mullahs’ regime and their desire for regime change.
The PMOI social headquarters inside the country had called for a “Nationwide Fiery Fire Festival Campaign” on February 20, 2024.
US Congress Demands Answers from Administration Regarding Iran Sanctions Policy
In a bold move, members of US Congress have penned a stern letter to Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, and Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, demanding clarification on the Biden Administration’s Iran sanctions policy. The letter, signed by prominent lawmakers including Bill Huizenga, Brian Mast, Blaine Luetkemeyer, and Joe Wilson, highlights growing concerns over recent deadly attacks linked to Iran-backed groups.
The letter, dated March 13, 2024, references the January 28th drone attack by Kata’ib Hezbollah on a U.S. base in Jordan, resulting in the tragic deaths of three American service members and numerous injuries. Additionally, it brings attention to the ongoing destabilizing activities of Iran-backed militias across the Middle East, including missile and drone attacks on shipping and over 160 assaults on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria.
Of particular concern to lawmakers is the apparent inconsistency in the Biden Administration’s handling of Iran sanctions. They point to instances where waivers have been granted, allowing the transfer of billions of dollars from South Korea to Qatar and from Iraq to Oman, despite Iran’s continued support for terrorist organizations.
Iranians Face Soaring Prices Ahead of Nowruz
Iranian state media paints a grim picture of the economic situation on the eve of Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
Reports highlight a significant rise in the cost of essential goods, forcing people to prioritize food and basic items over new clothes. This has also discouraged sellers due to lower demand. ‘Etemad’ newspaper emphasizes the problem, stating, “Ramadan has arrived, but consumer goods are several times more expensive compared to last year.”
Rasoul Shajari, head of the Tehran Cobblers’ Union, reported a 25% drop in demand and a 30% price increase in the shoe market. Similarly, a report from Qazvin by Etelaat newspaper reveals that “unlike previous years, the sweets market has been sluggish since early March due to high inflation. Orders for tea biscuits, a popular Nowruz treat, have plummeted from 40 kg to a mere 5-10 kg per day.”
EU Eyes Iran Sanctions Over Potential Missile Transfer to Russia
The European Union (EU) is poised to impose significant new sanctions on Iran in response to reports that Tehran may be considering supplying ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the ongoing war with Ukraine.
Draft conclusions for an upcoming EU summit next week express deep concern over these reports and call on “third parties” to immediately cease any material support for Russia’s aggression. The text, obtained by Reuters, warns of a “swift and coordinated” response from the EU and its international partners, potentially including new sanctions against Iran.
This potential escalation comes amidst existing tensions between Iran and the West. Notably, France, Germany, and Britain recently extended sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program, a decision influenced in part by concerns about Iranian military cooperation with Russia.
US Targets Iran-Backed Militant Group in Bahrain with Sanctions
The United States Treasury Department announced sanctions on Tuesday against four individuals accused of supporting the Al-Ashtar Brigades, a militant group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US in 2018. The move highlights Washington’s ongoing efforts to counter Iranian regime influence in the Middle East. The Treasury Department, in coordination with Bahrain, blacklisted four individuals linked to the Al-Ashtar Brigades. The group, founded in 2013, aims to overthrow Bahrain’s monarchy and has carried out numerous attacks within the country, according to US intelligence.
Negar Karimian: Another Innocent Woman Arbitrarily Killed By Security Forces
The State Security forces in Aligudarz took the life of another innocent young woman on Saturday morning, March 9, 2024. Negar Karimian was traveling with her family, when the SSF opened fire on their car, wounding her and her father. Negar Karimian, 21, died in a hospital three hours later due to the severity of her injuries.
The State Security Force declared that they had opened fire by mistake. Negar Karimian’s family was returning from the burial of her uncle, traveling from Aligudarz towards Isfahan, where they live. Aligudarz is a city in the western Iranian Lorestan Province.
70% of Iranians Either Below Poverty Line or At Risk of Falling into Poverty
In an interview with the state-run Econegar website Farshad Momeni, an economist and university professor, described the economic situation of the Iranian people as critical.
He pointed out that 30% of the country’s population is below the poverty line, stating that another 40% are on the verge of falling below the poverty line with the current methods of wage determination.
The economist, noting the insistence of employer representatives on considering a 140 million rials (approximately $236) livelihood basket for workers, added: “Since the government, as a major employer, leans towards employers, there is a possibility that this year, like last year, they will have to confront wage determination based on the inflation rate.”
Staggering Price Hikes in Iran
On the eve of the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, the regime’s media report on the relentless increase in the prices of goods, stating that the inflation has led people to prioritize purchasing essential items and food instead of buying new clothes. This has created a discouraging environment for sellers.
The state-run Etemad newspaper reports that “Ramadan has arrived with the prices of consumables for Iftar and Sahur being several times higher than the previous Ramadan.”
Meanwhile, on the eve of the Iranian New Year (March 21), on Wednesday, March 13, Rasoul Shajari, the head of the Tehran Shoemakers Union, announced a 25% decrease in demand and a 30% increase in prices in the shoe market during the New Year’s Eve in Tehran.
Solidarity of Iranian Resistance Supporters in Switzerland with Iranian Youth and People during the Charshanbe Suri Uprising
Switzerland—March 22, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran(PMOI/MEK) gathered to express their solidarity with the brave young men and women of Iran in the Charshanbe Suri uprising across the cities of Iran.
