THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 8:30 PM
Treasury Targets Qods Force, Houthi, and Hizballah Finance and Trade Facilitators
WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning six entities, one individual, and two tankers that are based or registered in Liberia, India, Vietnam, Lebanon, and Kuwait that have engaged in facilitating commodity shipments and financial transactions for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), the Houthis, and Hizballah. This action, the sixth round of sanctions targeting the network of Iran-based, IRGC-QF-backed Houthi financial facilitator Sa’id al-Jamal since December 2023, represents yet another step in a concerted campaign to disrupt IRGC-QF finances and its support to terrorist proxies such as the Houthis.
“Treasury remains resolute in our commitment to deploy our tools against those who seek to fund the illicit activities of the IRGC-QF and its destabilizing proxy groups,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “The United States will continue to take action to disrupt the abuse of international energy markets to facilitate terrorist activities.”
UPDATE: 2:00 PM
About 50 People Killed And Injured In “Unknown” Aerial Bombardment On Deir Ezzor
Deir Ezzor province: SOHR reported a new rise in the death toll from the “unknown” aerial bombardment on Deir Ezzor, after midnight on Monday-Tuesday, as the number of the killed increased to 13; 12 non-Syrians of IRGC and the militias loyal to it, including a leader, and one of Syrian nationality.
While the number of the injured increased to 36, 26 were from Iranian-backed militias, and ten civilians were injured in the vicinity of the villa, while the rest were injured in the targeted locations and areas in Deir Ezzor and Al-Bokamal city and its countryside, east of Deir Ezzor.
After midnight, unknown warplanes targeted Abd Al-Moneim Shehab villa, which the Iranian Revolutionary Guard militia uses as a communications headquarters in Al-Vilat neighborhood in Deir Ezzor city, a headquarters near Al-Abbas area and two locations in Al-Bokamal near the Syrian-Iraqi border in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. Also, explosions were heard in the vicinity of Al-Mayadeen.
Floods Devastate Yazd Province: Two Lives Lost, Roads Closed, and Power Outages Reported
In the past 48 hours, heavy rainfall in Yazd province, central Iran, has triggered flooding in various areas, including villages in Taft County. According to reports from the regime’s official news agency IRNA, the downpour led to a tragic incident where a vehicle overturned in the floodwaters, claiming the lives of two individuals.
The effects of the flooding were felt beyond Yazd, with the old Khorramabad-Poldokhtar Road closed due to a landslide in the Mallaoui area. Furthermore, the Shiraz-Kazeroon Road became impassable as floods swept through, while cities like Ahvaz and Kuhdasht in Lorestan province experienced inundation. Kermanshah, too, witnessed a snowy blanket covering its landscape.
In the Rudehen district of Damavand County, flooding damaged electrical infrastructure, resulting in power outages in some villages. The situation escalated on Monday, March 25, as floods hit mountainous regions in Yazd province, leading to a fatal incident in Taft where a vehicle submerged in water claimed two lives.
Additionally, Yasuj, the capital of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, faced heavy rainfall causing floods, river overflow, and street waterlogging. These floods also inflicted damage on residential homes, buildings, and technical facilities in Yasuj, leading to power disruptions in various areas.
UPDATE: 9:30 AM
The Iranian Regime’s Nowruz Gift to Workers Is Lower Wages And Declining Purchasing Power
On March 19, on the last day of the Persian year 1402, Iran’s regime announced the minimum wage and basic salary for workers for the year 1403. With this announcement, poverty and destitution once again cast a shadow over millions of workers’ families, making their holiday and New Year celebrations gloomy and dark. It is a well-known tactic of the regime to postpone the determination of the minimum wage to the last day of the year and the Nowruz holidays to deprive workers of any opportunity for protest. Last year as well, the minimum wage was announced at 3 a.m. on March 20, 2023.
On March 19, the official IRNA News Agency wrote, “The announced figure indicates a 35% increase in the base salary and only a 22% increase in salaries for other levels.”
Iranian Journalists Under Pressure: A Year of Arrests, Sentences, and Job Insecurity (IFJ Report 2023)
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) issued its annual report on press freedom in Iran, painting a concerning picture of the ongoing repression faced by journalists in 2023. The report details a systematic targeting of media workers, including arrests, imprisonment, job losses, and the closure of publications. These actions, the IFJ argues, are part of a long-standing pattern of government restrictions on media freedom in Iran, fostering a climate of fear and self-censorship.
The report reveals a significant rise in arrests and summons of journalists in 2023. The IFJ documented at least 27 journalists being arrested, often without clear charges or warrants. These arrests are frequently followed by detention and interrogation, creating a chilling effect on investigative journalism and critical reporting. Additionally, another 27 journalists were summoned for questioning by authorities, raising concerns about potential intimidation tactics and pressure to self-censor.
Iran’s Soaring Inflation and Currency Woes: A Deeper Look
A recent report by Donya-e Eqtesad paints a concerning picture of Iran’s inflation. While official figures claim an average inflation rate of 40.7% in 2023, the reality for ordinary Iranians is far harsher. Essential goods like red meat, chicken, and fish saw price hikes of a staggering 86%. Food and beverages, a crucial expense for every household, inflated by 52%, significantly outpacing the general inflation rate. Even fruits, often seen as a more affordable option, witnessed a 48% increase, highlighting the widespread nature of price rises.
The report further emphasizes the discrepancy between official statistics and people’s lived experiences. Clothing, another basic necessity, inflated by 47%. This disconnect between government pronouncements and the true cost of living fuels frustration and hardship for Iranian citizens.
Iranian Hacking Group’s Phishing Campaign Uses Legitimate Software
In a recent wave of cyberattacks targeting Israeli organizations, a state-affiliated Iranian hacking group known as MuddyWater (also tracked as Mango Sandstorm or TA450) has been employing a cunning tactic. Between March 7th and 11th, 2024, MuddyWater launched a phishing campaign designed to infiltrate Israeli businesses across the manufacturing, technology, and information security sectors. Their strategy? To exploit the trust associated with legitimate software.
The attack method relied on manipulating users’ perceptions. MuddyWater sent emails with seemingly harmless PDF attachments. However, embedded within these documents were malicious links. Clicking on these links triggered the download of a ZIP archive containing an installer file. This seemingly innocuous installer, upon execution, deployed the Atera Agent – a genuine Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) solution. Once installed, the Atera Agent granted MuddyWater unauthorized access to the compromised system, potentially enabling it to steal sensitive data, deploy further malware, or disrupt critical operations.
Iranian Workers’ Monthly $136 Wages Can’t Cover $500 Expenses
The lives of a significant portion of the Iranian population are marked by uncertainty, largely because the Iranian economy is severely impacted by the dollar. The minimum cost of living is estimated at $500, yet workers’ wages stand at merely $136. (considering the exchange rate as 614,000 rial per USD)
A report from the state-run Tejarat News website has highlighted that since 2017, the minimum wage for an Iranian worker has seen an unprecedented decline in comparison to the dollar, currently set at $136.
If the dollar price remains around 610,000 rials in 2024, the wage will only be $6 higher than it was last year. However, experts predict that under the current economic conditions in Iran, and barring any political or economic shocks, the average dollar price could reach 700,000 rials this year.
Denmark, March 24, 2024: MEK Supporters in Copenhagen Celebrate Nowruz, Supporting the Resistance Units for a Free Iran
Copenhagen, Denmark—March 24, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) extend their heartfelt congratulations to the Iranian people, political prisoners, and the Resistance Units on Nowruz and the Iranian New Year.