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UPDATE: 8:00 AM
Scheme to Transfer Money to Iran Results in Guilty Pleas
Muzzamil Zaidi, 40, and Asim Mujtaba Naqvi, 40, both of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty today for their roles in an illicit scheme to transfer tens of thousands of dollars from the United States to Iran, including for the benefit of Ayatollah Ali Husseini Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to court documents, in December 2018, Zaidi received permission to collect khums – a religious tax on wealth – on behalf of several Imams. Between December 2018 and December 2019, Zaidi and Naqvi collected payments of this tax, as well as donations purportedly to help victims of the ongoing civil war in Yemen, from individuals in the United States.
Zaidi and Naqvi arranged for the funds to be exported from the United States to Iran and to be received by the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran. Zaidi and Naqvi enlisted friends, family members, and other associates to carry the cash out of the United States, in amounts less than $10,000 in order to avoid law enforcement scrutiny. One transfer of dollars to Iran involved a group of 25 travelers going on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq, and the subsequent transport of U.S. dollars hand-carried by those travelers to Iran. Both Zaidi and Naqvi were arrested in Houston on Aug. 18, 2020, as a result of this scheme.
USCIRF Calls for Stronger U.S. Action to Address Iran’s “Systematic, Ongoing, and Egregious” Violations of Religious Freedom
In its 2024 Annual Report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urged the U.S. government to take a more assertive stance in addressing Iran’s “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
The report, released on May 1, 2024, marks the 25th anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), which established USCIRF as an independent, bipartisan federal commission tasked with monitoring the status of religious freedom globally and advising the U.S. government on related policies.
A key recommendation in the USCIRF report is for the U.S. to designate Iran as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) – a label reserved for nations that engage in or tolerate “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
This entity urged the U.S. government to impose sanctions on institutions and officials of the clerical regime who are involved in violating religious freedoms and to prevent their entry into the United States.
UPDATE: 7:30 AM
Conference At the Municipality of The 5th District of Paris: Solidarity With the Iranian Resistance
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s speech: “I would like to extend my gratitude to Mayor Florence Berthout for hosting this exhibition in solidarity with the Iranian Resistance. Given that tomorrow is International Workers’ Day, first, I would like to salute the workers and laborers in Iran who struggle against the religious dictatorship in Iran despite their living conditions under the “death line.” Here, at the 5th District Municipality of Paris, the freedom-loving French have not forgotten them. They support them with the historical motto of their nation: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. I also want to express my appreciation to all those who have gathered here to show their support for our shared values of republicanism and democracy, especially the principles of equality and the separation of religion and state. This is particularly important as the religious dictatorship in Iran has escalated repression and executions, with numerous prisoners currently on death row.”
Message on International Workers’ Day
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s speech: “Workers and laborers of Iran, Industrialists, oil workers, miners, farmers, nurses, construction workers, project workers, drivers, peddlers, porters, fuel carriers, weightlifters, carpet weavers, rice farmers, unofficial taxi drivers, motor couriers, and all those oppressed by unstable jobs!
“To our exasperated brothers and sisters, who bear the burden of accumulated anger and dissatisfaction within Iranian society, and who are preparing for an uprising to overthrow the regime. Happy International Workers’ Day! It is a day to reaffirm workers’ commitment to overturn the structures of oppression, exploitation, and the tyranny of religious dictatorship.
“International Workers’ Day in Iran is not defined by countless pains, including very low wages, homelessness, permanent job insecurity, lack of insurance, treatment, and medicine, and half-starved children. Instead, it is celebrated for the remarkable achievements and honors of the Iranian working class: the honor of active and combative participation in Iran’s uprisings, the courage of enduring incarceration in Khamenei’s prisons alongside countless prisoners from the 2022 uprising, the sacrifice of many martyrs in this noble cause, and the valor of fighting in the ranks of the Resistance Units.”
Workers, Retirees in Iran Mark International Workers Day with Protest Rallies
As the world marks International Workers Day, the conditions of the working class in Iran is deteriorating by the day. From retirees to active workers, people from different segments of society are facing declining purchasing power and wages that can’t cover basic needs.
To this end, people from different walks of life came to the streets on Workers Day to protest the deteriorating economic conditions, growing repression, and the regime’s disregard for their needs.
In Kermanshah, retired teachers and pensioners of the Social Security Organization held a protest rally to reiterate their demands on Labor Day. In addition to demanding higher pensions according to the regime’s own laws, they also condemned the growing wave of repression by the regime.
April 2024 Report: Iran Women Defeat Repressive Hijab Campaign
In April, a new wave of crackdowns on women in Iran emerged under the pretext of enforcing mandatory hijab regulations. The reappearance of Guidance Patrols on the streets, coupled with the brutal arrest and beating of women, sparked protests even from factions within the regime. This escalation of repression followed statements by the mullahs’ supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, on April 3rd and 10th, 2024. In these statements, Khamenei emphasized hijab as a “religious and legal obligation,” urging all “officials, citizens, and promoters of virtue” to fulfill their duty in enforcing it.
Following Khamenei’s directive, the commander of the State Security Force announced that, beginning April 13th, enforcement against women not adhering to the mandatory hijab would be significantly intensified in all public areas. Subsequently, representatives of Khamenei acknowledged during Friday prayers that the hijab issue posed a security threat to the regime and could potentially lead to its overthrow.
International Workers’ Day in Iran: A History of Struggle and Oppression
Every year on May 1st, the world observes International Workers’ Day, commemorating the historic struggles of the working class. This day holds particular significance in Iran, where the fight for workers’ rights has been marked by both triumphs and brutal repression. The roots of this struggle can be traced back to the global labor movement of the 19th century. On May 1, 1886, over 400,000 American workers went on strike demanding an eight-hour workday, a significant reduction from the grueling 14-hour shifts they were forced to endure.
This strike, tragically, culminated in violence when police fired upon the workers, leading to the deaths of five and injuries to many others. However, the workers’ sacrifice was not in vain. The subsequent mass protests and widespread support eventually led to nearly 500,000 workers securing the eight-hour workday, marking a victory for the labor movement.
Iran’s Financial Tightrope Walk: Soaring Debt and Reliance on High Oil Prices
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) paints a concerning picture of Iran’s economic outlook in its latest report, “Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia.” Their analysis highlights the precarious situation the Iranian government faces due to a significant budget deficit and mounting debt.
According to the IMF, Iran needs a global oil price exceeding $121 per barrel to avoid a budget deficit in 2024. This threshold stands in stark contrast to the current reality, with Brent oil, a benchmark even more expensive than Iranian oil, trading below $90. The IMF further predicts the average price of Brent oil to remain below $79 this year.
Complicating matters further, the IMF report does not factor in the discounts Iran offers to Chinese refineries, which according to Reuters, amount to roughly $13 per barrel.
Only One-Fifth of Iran’s Annual Housing Needs Are Met
Beytollah Setarian, a housing expert, said in an interview that Iran needs one million housing units annually, but only 200,000 houses are built. He added that only a “privileged and powerful class derived from a rent-seeking and corrupt economy” can afford to buy a house given the current conditions in the country.
Sectarian, in an interview with the state-run Entekhab news website on April 29, referred to severe inflation in Iran and said that housing in the country has become a “luxury commodity” and “unattainable.”
The Central Bank announced an annual inflation rate of 52.3% for 2023, the highest annual inflation rate in 80 years.
Dire Living Conditions of Iranian Workers on International Labor Day
On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, May 1, the dire economic conditions of Iranian workers have reached a critical point.
Issues such as wages below the poverty line, delayed paychecks, lack of job security, increasing inflation, and decreasing purchasing power have put immense pressure on millions of workers and their families in Iran.
Several labor activists and unions have emphasized the need for “unity, organization, and mobilization” among workers and wage earners to change the current situation in Iran, criticizing the government’s “anti-labor policies.”
April 2024 Monthly Report – Iran Human Rights Monitor (Iran HRM)
Based on the registered statistics at the Center for Statistics and Documentation of Iran Human Rights Monitor (Iran HRM), and through extensive research conducted in this field, the final figures for executions in April 2024 have been obtained. It should be emphasized that the actual numbers are significantly higher, as most executions in Iran are carried out secretly.
The judiciary of Iran has extensively employed the death penalty, considered as one of the most ruthless and inhumane forms of punishment. In the report for April 2024, we intend to explore the executions in the following areas:
- Total Number of Executions
- Executions of women
- Secret Executions and Publicly Announced Executions
Beyond Filters: Instagram’s Undeniable Influence in Iran’s Social Landscape
The failure to filter Instagram is the failure of the Iranian regime in the war against the people of Iran in social media. The first version of Instagram was launched in October 2010. This social network quickly gained popularity, reaching over 100 million users by April 2012 and 300 million users by December 2014. In a very short time, this app was able to generate $500 million in revenue for investors.
With the rapid and widespread growth of this social media, more investors became interested in investing. On September 6, 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram for $1 billion. Instagram’s remarkable success in attracting Iranian users is due to the government’s failure in filtering. In 2009, the government blocked access to Facebook, one of the most popular social networks among Iranians.
Copenhagen, Denmark—April 29, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally Against the Regime’s Executions in Iran
Copenhagen, Denmark—April 29, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally a rally to protest the increasing wave of executions by the Iranian regime. They also expressed solidarity with the Iranian Revolution.
Oslo, Norway—April 29, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally Against the Regime’s Executions in Iran
Oslo, Norway—April 29, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally in front of the Norwegian parliament to protest the increasing wave of executions by the Iranian regime. They also expressed solidarity with the Iranian Revolution.
Dallas, Texas—April 28, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally, Urging Action Against the Mullahs’ Regime Executions in Iran
Dallas, Texas—April 28, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally against the increasing wave of executions by the regime in Iran. They also expressed their solidarity with the Iranian Revolution and advocated for regime change towards a Free Iran.
Canada: MEK Supporters Rallies in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal Against the Regime’s Executions in Iran, Demanding Blacklist the IRGC
Canada—April 27, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized rallies in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal to protest the increasing wave of executions by the Iranian regime. They also expressed their solidarity with the Iranian Revolution and advocated for blacklisting the IRGC.
