THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 6:30 PM
Iran: Institutional Discrimination Against Women And Girls Enabled Human Rights Violations And Crimes Against Humanity In The Context Of Recent Protests, UN Fact-Finding Mission Says
The violent repression of peaceful protests and pervasive institutional discrimination against women and girls has led to serious human rights violations by the Government of Iran, many amounting to crimes against humanity, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran said in its first report today.
The report to the Human Rights Council said violations and crimes under international law committed in the context of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests that began on 16 September 2022 include extra-judicial and unlawful killings and murder, unnecessary and disproportionate use of force, arbitrary deprivation of liberty, torture, rape, enforced disappearances, and gender persecution.
UPDATE: 1:00 PM
Vodafone to Cease Roaming Services in Iran Starting March 8, 2024
In an official announcement, telecommunications giant Vodafone declared its decision to deactivate its roaming services in Iran effective March 8, 2024. The company stated that after this date, its SIM cards will not support making calls, using the internet, or sending and receiving text messages in Iran.
Vodafone advised travelers to Iran to utilize services provided by local operators if needed. Responding to inquiries, the British operator stated, “Vodafone is committed to adhering to all relevant laws in the countries in which it operates. To ensure compliance with these commitments, we cannot continue to offer roaming services to our customers in Iran.”
Vodafone, known for its roaming services available in over 160 countries, was one of the companies that entered Iran and offered roaming services to its subscribers following the signing of the JCPOA agreement and the lifting of some international sanctions against the clerical regime in 2016.
CENTCOM Chief Says Middle East Facing ‘Most Volatile’ Security Situation In 50 Years
The head of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said Thursday that the Middle East is facing a “convergence of crises” for various reasons. Speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee, US Army General Michael “Erik” Kurilla said the region was on the verge of “unprecedented and transformative progress” one year ago.
The events of Oct. 7 not only permanently changed Israel and Gaza but “created the conditions for malign actors to sow instability throughout the region and beyond. Iran exploited what they saw as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the Middle East to their advantage,” he said, adding Tehran is using its proxies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank, and Yemen.
“Houthi attacks on international shipping and Iranian-aligned militia attacks on our forces in Iraq and Syria are a direct result of an Iranian threat that has been incrementally spreading,” he noted.
US Conducts Strikes In Yemen And Downs Houthi Drones
DUBAI, March 8 (Reuters) – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it conducted self-defense strikes on Thursday against four mobile Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) and one Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
CENTCOM said its forces shot down three UAVs launched toward the Gulf of Aden from areas controlled by Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.
March 7 Red Sea Update
Between the hours of 3:35 p.m. and 4:55 p.m. (Sanaa time), United States Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted self-defense strikes against four mobile Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) and one Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Houthi-controlled… pic.twitter.com/WBrJ0kmiTJ
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 8, 2024
UPDATE: 7:30 AM
International Women’s Day Conference In Paris Featuring Women Dignitaries From 28 Countries
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s speech: On the eve of International Women’s Day, we pay tribute to the women who have championed the cause of equality, made sacrifices, and paved the way for others, ushering in a new era. As a result of these struggles, hardships, and four decades of resistance against religious tyranny, I stand here today with pride to underscore the following truths.
Active and equal participation of women in political leadership is essential for democracy.
The emancipation of women is a prerequisite for the emancipation of men. The defeat of the Velayat-e Faqih regime will be accomplished by pioneering women. In today’s world, amidst the largest wars and humanitarian crises, ranging from the Middle East conflict to the war in Ukraine, innocent women and children invariably emerge as the first victims.
Iran’s Historically Low Election Turnout Should Spell The End Of The Regime
Friday’s sham elections for Iran’s Parliament and Assembly of Experts sent a shot heard around the world, with voters staying home in record numbers in defiance of the regime’s calls to vote. Four days later, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addressed the issue: “For about a year . . . enemies of the Islamic Republic had been attempting around the world to dissuade people from [voting in] the elections.”
Yet, he said, Iranians performed a “jihad” and did a “great and epic” job by going to the polls and countering the hostile plots. Ha! Just the opposite happened. And everyone knows it. Clearly, the regime was shocked by the extent of the boycott. They never expected turnout to be so low — and so humiliating — after Khamenei’s repeated calls to vote.
Iran’s Regime Is Hearing The Footsteps Of The Next Uprising
A day after the Iranian regime’s election charade, the former head of the Security Commission of the Majlis (parliament), Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, said, “The result of the elections is a failure, not a victory.”
On March 4, the state-run Farhikhtegan newspaper made three points on the failure of the elections:
– The lowest electoral turnout in the history of the Islamic Republic signifies a crisis of legitimacy.
– The society is in the most dissatisfied political, economic, and cultural conditions.
– The cases of the 2019 and 2022 uprisings have never been resolved politically.
The three highlighted points are the same issues that regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei has focused on in recent months, and he repeatedly emphasized them only two months before the elections.
Half in Poverty, Prices Skyrocket: Iran’s Economy in Crisis
On the eve of Nowruz, amid rising inflation and surging prices, Mohammad Mokhber, the first vice president of Iran’s regime, conceded the government’s inability to control the market. He urged guilds to “take control themselves” in a meeting on Wednesday, March 6th. This admission contradicts his previous statements. In August, Mokhber had promised to demonstrate successful economic management by year’s end.
According to Iranian news reports, Mokhber stated, “Monitoring the market and controlling prices cannot be achieved solely through government measures and punitive actions.” He emphasized the regime’s expectation that “market participants seriously address price monitoring and control, especially during Nowruz and Ramadan.”
The Cost of Truth: Zainab Rahimi’s Fight Against Government Repression in Iran
Zainab Rahimi, an environmental journalist, has been fined by Iran’s judiciary for charges of ‘advertising against the system and spreading lies’ following her reporting on the death of Armita Geravand.
Following Maryam Shokrani, Zainab Rahimi becomes the second journalist fined in connection with an article about the tragic demise of Armita Geravand. Geravand, a teenager, lost her life in the Tehran subway after an incident involving a regime’s hijab-observer officer.
Detailing her case and the subsequent verdict, Rahimi shared on social media platform X that she was summoned by the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office last fall. She was accused of ‘propaganda against the system and spreading lies’ due to a tweet discussing Armita Geravand. The accusation of ‘propaganda against the system’ was dropped during the investigation, and the charge was altered to ‘publishing vulgar information’ during the proceedings.
Iran’s Regime Continues Unjust Detention of Father of Executed Political Prisoner
Mashallah Karami, the father of executed protester Mohammad Mehdi Karami, continues to be held in Karaj Central Prison under unspecified conditions, despite more than six months passing since his arrest, according to human rights sources.
According to HRANA news agency, a source familiar with the matter stated, “Mr. Karami, despite 196 days of detention, is still being held incommunicado in Ward 15 of Karaj Central Detention Center.”
The source, close to Mr. Karami’s family, mentioned that efforts for his “temporary release” have been unsuccessful so far.
Mashallah Karimi is the father of Mohammad Mehdi Karimi, an athlete and protester who was executed by the Iranian regime. Mohammad Mehdi Karimi was detained during nationwide protests that began in September 2022, following his participation in the 40th-day memorial ceremony for Hadis Najafi and Parsa Razadoust, two young protesters murdered by the regime’s security forces.
Paris, France—March 5, 2024: MEK Supporters Organized and Exhibition in Support of the Iranian Revolution
Paris, France—March 5, 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.
