THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 5:30 PM
Iranian Hackers Impersonate Journalists In Social Engineering Campaign
A hacking group linked to the intelligence wing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps impersonated journalists and human rights activists as part of a social engineering campaign, according to research released Wednesday by Mandiant and Google Cloud.
The news organizations impersonated in the operation include The Washington Post, The Economist, and The Jerusalem Post, and Mandiant’s researchers assess that the campaign was carried out by the hacking crew known as APT42. The group also spoofed prominent Washington think tanks, including the Aspen Institute, the McCain Institute, and the Washington Institute.
According to Mandiant, Iranian hackers spoofed these organizations in order to send phishing lures to targets meant to harvest their credentials. In other cases, the attackers masqueraded behind generic login pages, file hosting services, and legitimate services like YouTube, Gmail, Google Meet, and Google Drive.
UPDATE: 3:00 PM
Why Won’t Biden Enforce Sanctions Against Iranian Oil
The Wall Street Journal article, authored by former United States Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook on Friday, May 2, under the title “Why Won’t Biden Enforce Sanctions Against Iranian Oil?” explores how the Biden administration’s deviation from Trump’s policies inadvertently aids Iranian regime’s campaign of terror.
Mr. Hook writes that Iran’s recent surge in oil exports to a six-year high might seem insignificant in most countries, but the Islamic Republic is far from ordinary. Despite U.S. and international sanctions, Tehran remains an extremist religious regime. After the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, US President Trump reinstated energy sanctions on Iran. While these sanctions remain in place, Biden’s failure to enforce them has bolstered Iran’s finances, fueling terrorism. The article suggests:
- Iran’s oil revenue supports its military endeavors, fueling instability in the Middle East and funding proxy groups across the region.
- With the Middle East on the brink of conflict, Biden seeks Iran’s return to nuclear negotiations, potentially lifting economic sanctions in return.
- Iran currently exports around 1.56 million barrels of crude oil per day, mainly to China, generating up to $35 billion annually for Tehran.
- The Trump administration successfully slashed Iran’s exports from 2.5 million barrels per day in 2018 to a mere 70,000 barrels per day by April 2020.
- In response, the regime reduced its military spending by 28%, leading militias to report a drying up of Tehran’s support.
- Biden has the authority to weaken the Iranian regime’s power but must act decisively. Otherwise, the US Congress must step in. Reinstating effective containment involves enforcing existing sanctions and cutting off oil exports to the primary state sponsor of terrorism in the Middle East.
UPDATE: 12:30 PM
U.S. Senate’s Warren Warns National Security Chiefs About Iranian Crypto Mining
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), one of the most prominent critics of cryptocurrency hazards, warned the top military and financial officials that Iran relies on digital assets mining as a source of revenue that can lessen the pressure from U.S. sanctions.
Warren and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and National Security Advisory Jake Sullivan to question what the authorities are doing about Iran’s “increasingly lucrative” relationship with crypto mining that “poses a direct threat to our national security.”
The letter, dated May 1, outlined Iran’s status as a leading jurisdiction for bitcoin (BTC) mining and how its central bank channels cryptocurrency to fund the economy, though many of the citations were based on activity in 2021.
US Destroys 3 Houthi Uncrewed Aerial Systems In Yemen
The US destroyed targets in an area of Yemen controlled by the Houthi group, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said Thursday.
“At approximately 2:00 p.m. (Sanaa time) on May 2, 2024, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed three uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in an Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled area of Yemen,” CENTCOM said in a statement. CENTCOM said it determined that the systems presented an “imminent threat” to US and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region.
May 2 Red Sea Update
At approximately 2:00 p.m. (Sanaa time) on May 2, 2024, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed three uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in an Iranian-backed Houthi controlled area of Yemen.
It was determined these systems… pic.twitter.com/3vt2DGn8ZS
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 2, 2024
Treasury Targets Sanctions Evaders Supporting Key Hizballah Financial Advisor
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated five individuals for helping U.S.-designated Hizballah money exchanger Hassan Moukalled (Moukalled) and his company, CTEX Exchange, evade sanctions and facilitate illicit activities in support of Hizballah. These individuals, including two co-founders of CTEX Exchange and two of Moukalled’s sons, operate two companies in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that are being concurrently designated. Individuals and entities targeted today are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, which targets terrorist groups, their supporters, and those who aid acts of terrorism.
“Hizballah continues to rely on seemingly legitimate business investments and key facilitators to generate revenue for the group’s operations, including its destabilizing attacks across Israel’s northern border,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “The United States remains focused on relentlessly pursuing Hizballah’s key revenue sources and constraining its ability to further destabilize the region.”
UPDATE: 8:00 AM
The Hijab Rules of Iran’s Regime Are Causing Division among Its Ranks
The Iranian regime’s oppressive plan to suppress women under the pretext of “hijab and chastity” has faced tensions and difficulties. These tensions and difficulties indicate the failure of religious fascism against an explosive society, a society that is constantly seeking an opportunity for uprising and rebellion, a society in which women and girls are more oppressed than other marginalized groups, subjected to the tyranny of a reactionary regime. They are deprived of their most basic rights. Therefore, they are considered the most oppressed segment of society. They have participated and died in previous uprisings. Hence, the ruling regime in Iran sees suppression as the only solution to confront the uprising.
The regime’s oppressive plan, known as “Noor” (Light), has not only failed to subdue and subjugate these women and girls but has itself ignited rebellion and protest. The society’s support for women’s rights further complicates the regime’s situation. Now, protests and social resistance against this organized repression are hitting back at the heart of the regime.
Iran’s Teacher Salaries Compared to Other Countries
An investigation by the Iran Open Data Website revealed a stark disparity between Iranian teacher salaries and those of other countries.
In 2024, the minimum monthly wage for Iranian teachers stands at ten million tomans, roughly equivalent to 159 US dollars based on the average April exchange rate in the open market.
Both Iran and its western neighbor, Turkey, have faced economic turmoil in recent years, landing them among the top ten countries with the highest inflation rates in 2023. However, Turkish primary school teachers reportedly saw their monthly salaries rise to 39,781 liras, which translates to 1223 US dollars based on the current exchange rate.
UN Condemns Iran Regime’s Human Rights Violations
On Wednesday, the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General addressed recent news from Iran, stating strong opposition to the death penalty in all cases, including that of Toomaj Salehi. He also emphasized the need to address the reported murder of Nika Shakarami.
Stéphane Dujarric, the Spokesperson, responded to a BBC World report alleging Nika Shakarami’s killing by Iranian regime forces during the 2022 protests. He described the report as “extremely troubling” and highlighted the Secretary-General’s repeated concerns about human rights violations in Iran. He further emphasized the role of the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran and other relevant human rights mechanisms, suggesting that the BBC’s findings be submitted for investigation.
Regarding the reported death sentence against protest singer Toomaj Salehi, the spokesperson reiterated the UN’s consistent opposition to capital punishment. He expressed hope that the sentence would not be carried out and acknowledged that these concerns had been regularly raised with Iranian authorities.
Iranian Regime Threatens Execution of Protester Reza Rasaei
Amnesty International has issued an urgent warning about the imminent execution of Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, a 34-year-old protester sentenced to death by the Iranian regime. They demand an immediate halt to the execution.
Amnesty describes the trial of Rasaei, a Kurdish Yarsani, as “severely unfair.” They allege his death sentence was based on “forced confessions obtained under torture and ill-treatment.”
On May 1st, Amnesty International wrote to the head of the regime’s judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, demanding:
- Immediate halt to Reza Rasaei’s execution
- Dismissal of all charges
- Release of Reza Rasaei
Empty Streets, Empty Shops: Iran’s Morality Police Drive Away Customers
The return of the morality police under the guise of the Noor Project has intensified pressure on Iranian women, once again raising concerns about the violation of personal and social freedoms for half the population, particularly those who don’t wear the mandatory hijab. This concern, according to Etemad newspaper, is also impacting businesses.
A recent field report by Etemad in Tehran reveals the dissatisfaction of shopkeepers who have witnessed a significant decline in customers, especially women, since the return of the morality police patrols.
One shopkeeper stated, “People are changing their routes to avoid encountering the morality police. We constantly worry that they might seal our shops if they stop nearby.”
Khomeini’s Legacy: Indian Textbooks Shed Light on Dark Chapters of History
Indian News Nine website reported that a storm of controversy has erupted over the portrayal of Ayatollah Khomeini, the late religious leader of Iran as “the most evil person the world has ever seen ” in a Class 6 general knowledge textbook issued by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
Indian News Nine website reported on registering Khomeini, the former religious leader of the Iranian regime, as “the most evil person the world has ever seen.” The controversial textbook text accuses Khomeini of organizing extensive violence and suppression, including harassment and persecution of those who do not believe in God and suppressing activities such as listening to music. Furthermore, in the text, he is held responsible for instigating the Iran-Iraq war.
Paris Exhibition Stands in Solidarity with Iranian Resistance
On April 29-30, 2024, an exhibition was held in Paris at the Municipal Hall of the 5th District to show solidarity with the Iranian Resistance. The event, organized by supporters of the Iranian opposition, aimed to denounce the repression of women by the theocratic regime in Iran and to voice support for the ongoing resistance movement of the Iranian people.
Aarau, Switzerland—April 30, 2024: MEK Supporters Exhibition in Solidarity With the Iranian Revolution
Aarau, Switzerland—April 30, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized an exhibition in solidarity with the Iranian Revolution. This exhibition served as a tribute to the martyrs of the nationwide Iranian uprising.