THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 10:30 AM
Iran’s Nuclear Expansion Remains a Threat to the Middle East
That question looms over the volatility in the Middle East, particularly after the tit-for-tat attacks last month by Israel and Iran, which ended after an Israeli airstrike damaged an S-300 system, used by Iran to protect its nuclear sites.
Last week, Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, traveled to Iran to meet with senior officials. Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade and barred Grossi from its centrifuge plant under construction deep underground in Natanz. After the trip, he told reporters that Iranian officials are ready to engage in “concrete measures” that appear to be based on a deal hashed out last year that expanded cooperation and monitoring. But he gave few specifics.
UPDATE: 8:30 AM
Behind The Scenes of Tax Exemptions in Iran
In recent months, the issue of tax exemptions has become a focal point of contention within the Iranian regime. President Ebrahim Raisi’s 2024 budget includes a plan to raise approximately 2,500 trillion rials through the issuance of government bonds. However, a significant member of the Majlis (parliament), Ali Khezrian, has pointed out the limitations and controversies surrounding this strategy. “Given that over 2,500 trillion rials of the 2024 budget is to be funded through government bonds, 350 trillion rials were issued last week. However, dear colleagues, in the capital market, the amount of purchases was zero,” he stated. Alongside the issuance of bonds, the debate on tax exemptions has evolved into a serious challenge for the government.
Khezrian highlighted the discrepancies in tax exemptions. “These exemptions should be applied only to the extent that the effective tax rate does not fall below 15%. Dear colleagues, gentlemen, and ladies, with the current report from the Economic Commission, at least 400 trillion rials of government revenue is being eliminated,” he said.
The Direct Role Of Iran’s Regime In The Destructive Floods
Destructive floods, which since early spring of this year have affected at least 23 provinces of Iran, from Sistan and Baluchestan to Azerbaijan, and from Khuzestan to Isfahan and Semnan, reached northeastern parts of the country, including Khorasan and the major city of Mashhad, this week. The shocking reports and images released from these floods depict a situation that almost every year, especially in the spring season, recurs in various regions and cities of Iran, affecting millions of people either directly or indirectly, exacerbating existing wounds.
Government officials, following their usual pattern, do their best to either deny or downplay the severity of the disasters and damages. Even in the recent flood, the crisis manager of Mashhad city, in an unbelievably audacious manner, claimed in an interview published in several government-affiliated media outlets: “There is no flood, it’s just minor waterlogging.”
Two Women Executed Today in Iran; Parvin Moussavi and Fatemeh Abdullahi
Two women were executed this morning in Iran. They have been identified as Parvin Moussavi and Fatemeh Abdullahi.
A 27-year-old woman was hanged at dawn this morning, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in the Central Prison of Neishapur, in the eastern Razavi Khorasan province.
Her name was Fatemeh Abdullahi and she had been arrested and sentenced to death three years ago for murdering her abusive husband.
At the same time, the death penalties for at least five prisoners were carried out early this morning, Saturday, May 18, at the Central Prison of Urmia, in the northwestern province of W. Azerbaijan. A woman named Parvin Moussavi, 53, was among the victims.
Women on Death Row: Parvin Mousavi and Iran’s Harsh Justice System
The execution of Parvin Mousavi, a 53-year-old prisoner from Maragheh, was carried out in Urmia Central Prison despite her suffering from cancer and enduring fatal cancerous wounds. Parvin Mousaviو a mother of two grown-up children, was hanged in Urmia prison in northwestern Iran along with five men convicted in various drug-related cases
Simultaneously, as the corps of Parvin Mousavi and the other executed prisoners were handed over, a group of people gathered in front of Urmia Central Prison.
Parvin Mousavi, a 53-year-old prisoner in Urmia Central Prison who had been sentenced to death for drug-related charges, was executed in the early hours of May 10, 2024.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – May 18, 2024