THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 7:00 PM
Pompeo Blames Biden ‘Appeasement’ For Iran’s Expanding Aggression In Speech To Tehran Opposition
Rising levels of global violence are helping to highlight the rogue and destabilizing role that Iran plays on the world stage, supporters of the main Iranian opposition movement declared Saturday. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, retired Generals Wesley Clark and Jim Jones, and Robert Joseph, under-secretary of state for arms control and international security, spoke Saturday at a Washington hotel at an event hosted by the Organization of Iranian American Communities.
Mariam Rajavi, head of the People’s Mujahedin of Iran, best known as MEK, also spoke at the event via video link. The event also showcased commentary from multiple Iranian women who stood in opposition to the ruling class in the country, a homage to International Women’s Day, which took place Friday. The video of the women blurred their faces out of fear they could face reprisals from Iranian authorities.
UPDATE: 1:00 PM
John Bolton: Iran Regime Biggest Sponsor of Terrorism in the World
In a recent interview with Al Arabiya, John Bolton, former United States National Security Advisor, labeled the Iranian regime as the largest supporter of terrorism globally.
Bolton’s remarks shed light on the ongoing concerns regarding the regime’s role in destabilizing the Middle East and its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
Bolton highlighted the recent October 7 attacks as not only a direct threat to the United States but also a menace to the security and peace of numerous Middle Eastern countries. He underscored Iran’s sponsorship of various militant groups such as Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iraqi paramilitaries. He attributed their empowerment to the efforts of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force, led by its slain commander Qasem Soleimani.
UPDATE: 11:30 AM
Resisting Tyranny
John F Kennedy famously said: “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” His words should resonate in Tehran today. For 45 years, the Iranian regime has sponsored violent abduction, hostage taking, kidnapping, blackmail, piracy, assassination, warmongering and oppression. As a gangster regime, the theocratic dictatorship has no equal. They have ploughed men and resources into proxy wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, and Gaza. They have openly backed terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas and through the extra-territorial Quds Force wing of their Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), they have directed extremist operations throughout the Middle East and further afield, even sending registered diplomats on terror missions. Now they are supplying kamikaze drones to Russia for use in their illegal war in Ukraine.
UPDATE: 9:00 AM
Speech At The Conference In Washington, DC: A Free Iran: Solution To Warmongering & Terror, Internal Repression
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s speech: “I salute you all. The solution to the Iranian question, which is the focal point of your assembly, has never been as crucial as today. Apart from the ongoing suppression, killings, and executions in Iran, the ruling mullahs have also posed a threat to peace and security across vast regions of the world, from the Persian Gulf and the entire Middle East to the Red Sea, North Africa, and even Ukraine.
“At the same time, it has never been more evident that the only solution lies in the overthrow of the clerical regime and the establishment of democracy in Iran. This can only be achieved through the efforts of the Iranian people and their organized Resistance.
“The Iranian people have shown their desire to overthrow the regime during their uprisings. A desire that is embodied by an organized nationwide force. The mullahs try to delay their overthrow. Therefore, Khamenei tries to show a powerful image of the regime in the region while it is at its weakest state. The mullahs’ sham election on March 1 represents its fragile situation.”
Protesters In Several Iranian Cities Denounce Economic Conditions
Amid escalating economic challenges and rising poverty rates in Iran, several Iranian cities witnessed protest gatherings on Saturday, March 9, involving retirees, workers, nurses, and temporary contract employees at the National Drilling.
These demonstrations expressed high levels of public dissatisfaction with the current conditions, as many Iranians find themselves unable to meet their basic needs amid difficult economic circumstances.
In Tehran, retired government employees organized a protest in front of the Ministry of Education, voicing their frustration with low and delayed pensions. According to the regime’s own laws, the government is required to raise the pensions of retirees in accordance with the costs of living. But while inflation continues to soar and the costs of living continue to rise, regime officials refuse to raise the pensions of retirees in different sectors.
Analyzing Iran’s Regime in the Wake of a Flawed Election
The recent election in Iran, marked by a significant lack of participation, has drawn varied reactions from both domestic and foreign media outlets.
This electoral setback serves as yet another warning sign against religious authoritarianism. Notably, ‘Farikhtegan,’ a newspaper aligned with the regime’s principlist faction, offered a critical analysis of the regime’s predicament:
“The turnout of 41% in the March 1 elections marks the lowest participation rate in the history of the Islamic Republic. Such consecutive elections with turnout below 50% carry profound implications, primarily indicating a crisis of legitimacy.”
Iran-Syria Trade Plummets Despite Billions Spent in Support of Assad
Despite Iranian officials’ claims about recouping Syria-related expenses, the Director General of the West Asia Trade Development Organization announced a 50% decline in Tehran’s exports to Damascus.
This comes after a video surfaced on the Telegram channel ‘Navad Eghtesadi’ showing Abdol Amir Rabihawi stating that Iran’s exports to Syria plummeted from $244 million in 2022 to $120 million in 2023. Rabihawi emphasized, “This is not a statistic worthy of economic cooperation between the two countries.”
Previously, ‘Navad Eghtesadi’ published a video of Shah Hosseini, head of the Syria desk at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, calling the $100 million export figure “low” and urging Iranian businessmen to find independent ways to do business with Syria.
Sistan and Baluchistan in Crisis: Floods Devastate Villages, Aid Efforts Lag
Several Iranian newspapers reported on the devastating floods in Sistan and Baluchistan province. Communication disruptions hampered news coverage, leaving many flooded villages in Sarbaz, Saravan, Nikshahr, and other areas unheard. Residents in these areas are desperately waiting for aid. Payam-e Ma newspaper, citing local activists, highlighted on March 9th that aid distribution hasn’t reached many affected areas. Pishin district in Rask, for instance, remains largely unattended. Many villages outside Dashtiari and Chabahar have reportedly waited over a week for help, with the scale of the disaster far exceeding the available assistance.
Ten days after the floods, roughly 1,000 villages and 11 cities remain severely impacted. Payam-e Ma emphasized the critical situation, contrasting official claims of aid delivery with the reality faced by flood victims. Several villages are reportedly still inaccessible due to surrounding floodwaters.
Iran: Promises Versus Reality in Fighting Corruption
Ahmad Tavakkoli, a member of the regime’s Expediency Discernment Council, declared that corruption within the regime has reached its final stage, where the government and elites are ensnared by its grip.
At the “Transparency and Justice Inspector” national conference on Friday, March 8th, Tavakkoli spoke about how corruption progresses. He explained that it begins with individuals engaging in corrupt acts with fear or insecurity. Then, corruption becomes more widespread and systematic, forming networks. Finally, it can become so ingrained that it is seen as legitimate, which is the situation the Islamic Republic currently faces.
Elaborating on this stage further, he stated: “It signifies the capture of governments. There are various means of capture, and we are nearing the culmination of this process.”
Canada Sanctions Iranian Officials Over Women’s Rights Violations
On Friday, March 8th, the Canadian government, in conjunction with International Women’s Day, announced sanctions against Masoud Dorosti, the CEO of Tehran Metro, and Zahra Elahian, a representative in the regime’s Majlis (parliament), for their involvement in the suppression of Iranian citizens, particularly women and girls.
According to a statement from the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these sanctions were imposed in response to the systematic and severe ongoing violations of human rights, especially those of women and girls, and the continuous actions of the Iranian regime to destabilize peace and security in the region.
The statement further mentions that Masoud Dorosti is sanctioned for enforcing compulsory hijab laws in public transportation, while Zahra Elahian is sanctioned for supporting the execution of protesters during nationwide demonstrations.
