THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 1:00 PM
U.S. CENTOM Destroys Houthi Anti-Ship Missiles and Drones in Yemen
In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 19, the U.S. Central Command announced the successful destruction of seven anti-ship missiles, three unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and three weapons storage containers in areas controlled by the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
According to the statement, CENTCOM forces identified and neutralized these weapons, which posed an immediate threat to both commercial vessels and U.S. Navy ships.
March 18 Red Sea Update
On March 18, between 1:00 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. (Sanaa time) United States Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed seven anti-ship missiles, three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and three weapons storage containers in… pic.twitter.com/9K4d5rVqeP
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 19, 2024
UN Security Council Condemns Houthi Attacks on Commercial Ships in The Red Sea
“The Council members also condemned the 18 February attack on the MV Rubymar, which subsequently sank on 2 March as a result of damage from the attack. The Council members took note of the negative impacts of these attacks and emphasized that the sunken vessel poses a navigational hazard to ships transiting the area.
“The Council members stressed the importance of the full implementation of resolution 2216 (2015) and subsequent resolutions. They called for practical cooperation, including with the Government of Yemen, to prevent the Houthis from acquiring the arms and related materiel necessary to carry out further attacks and reiterated that all Member States must adhere to their obligations in regard to the targeted arms embargo.”
UPDATE: 7:30 AM
Speech to The Conference and Iftar in The Holy Month of Ramadan
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s speech: “I am deeply appreciative of the attendance of leaders from the Muslim community in France, lawmakers from the Parliament of Jordan, and esteemed guests from friendly and brotherly nations of Yemen, Syria, Tunisia, and Algeria in today’s gathering.
“Let us honor the memory of Dr. Saleh Al-Qallab, a friend, a brother and an enduring ally to the Iranian Resistance, who valiantly stood by our movement over the last 44 years. We also remember the late Bishop Gaillot, a loyal friend to the Iranian Resistance, who navigated through many challenging times with us over several decades. He was the embodiment of the noblest human ideals, garnering respect from adherents of all faiths.
“This year, as the Holy month of Ramadan unfolds amidst some of the most devastating conflicts in the Middle East, our hearts go out to all who are mourning. We fervently hope that the liberating spirit of this month will herald freedom, peace, and deliverance for the people of the region, particularly the oppressed people of Palestine.”
Stark Reality of Ramadan: Iranians Struggle as Minimum Wage Fails to Cover Basic Meals
Livelihood pressures are mounting in Iran, exacerbated by the onset of Ramadan, which has laid bare the depth of the crisis. Iranian media highlights the stark reality: a daily minimum wage of 250,000 tomans against the staggering family expenses of 650,000 tomans for both (Sahari) breakfast and Iftar.
A report by the Rouydad 24 website sheds light on this issue, indicating that the cost of iftar or Sahari (breakfast) for a family of five during Ramadan amounts to 400,000 tomans. Consequently, the minimum estimated cost for an Iftar is 200,000 to 250,000 tomans.
According to the report, this contrasts sharply with the average daily income of a typical worker, which stands at approximately 250,000 tomans. Comparing figures from Rouydad 24, last year’s expenditure for a full iftar meal for a family of five surpassed 250,000 tomans.
UN Report Finds Brutality in Iran
A United Nations fact-finding mission has delivered a scathing report on Iran, declaring the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody “unlawful” and the result of physical violence. The 22-year-old Kurdish woman’s arrest in September 2022 for allegedly violating Iran’s Islamic dress code sparked nationwide protests, marking a significant challenge to the country’s clerical leaders. Presenting the findings to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Sara Hossain, chairperson of the mission, stated, “Our investigation definitively established that Ms. Amini’s death was unlawful and caused by physical violence inflicted while in the custody of Iranian authorities.”
Iran’s Currency Woes Cripple Pharmaceutical Sector
Despite the assertions made by the Iranian central bank and government regarding the sufficiency of foreign currency reserves, recent reports reveal an expanding currency deficit crisis impacting the pharmaceutical sector.
The head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce announced on Sunday, March 17, that the central bank’s restrictive policies have led to financial challenges across various private sector industries, including pharmaceuticals, resulting in a current crisis within the pharmaceutical sector.
Mahmoud Najafi Arab, speaking to the state-run news agency ILNA, highlighted the widespread issue of working capital shortages affecting numerous pharmaceutical companies, leading to difficulties in meeting employee salary obligations. He emphasized that this shortage extends beyond the pharmaceutical industry, affecting overall production within the country.
Smuggled Appliances Flood Iranian Market, Crippling Domestic Industry
The Secretary General of the Iranian Household Appliance Manufacturers Association reports that approximately two billion dollars worth of contraband goods has been sold in the country this year, accounting for nearly one-third of the total market volume, which stands at seven billion dollars annually.
On Saturday, March 16, Omid Fazelinia also disclosed that the country’s household appliance exports amounted to 400 million dollars, equivalent to one-fifth of the smuggled appliances entering the country.
Although the Iranian regime has prohibited the import of household appliances since 2018, numerous reports have highlighted Iranian citizens’ reluctance to purchase domestically manufactured products due to their perceived low quality and high prices.
Women’s Economic Position in Iran: Analyzing Unemployment and Employment Trends
Tejarat News reported that in Iran’s economy, women hold significantly lower positions compared to men, as indicated by the unemployment rate, economic participation rate, and employment rate. Citing official data from the Iranian Statistics Center, the report highlights that last year, the unemployment rate among women was double that of men.
According to the Iranian Statistics Center’s report on the country’s human resources status last year, the unemployment rate among individuals aged 18 and above was 27.8% for women and 13.5% for men. This data underscores a twofold difference in the unemployment rates between women and men.
Vancouver, Canada—March 16, 2024: Rally of MEK Supporters Honoring Iran Revolution Martyrs and Expressing Solidarity
Vancouver, Canada—March 16, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered to rally in solidarity with the Iranian Revolution, commemorating the martyrs who sacrificed for freedom.
Toronto, Canada—March 16, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally in Solidarity With the Iran Revolution
Toronto, Canada—March 16, 2024: Despite snowy and freezing weather, freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution, supporting the MEK Resistance Units struggle for overthrow of the mullahs’ regime.