THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 6:00 PM CEST
Federal Foreign Office on the Iranian actions against the German Language Institute in Tehran
We condemn the actions of the Iranian security authorities against the German Language Institute in Tehran. These actions cannot be justified in any way. Language exchange is the foundation of mutual understanding. The institute is a popular and respected meeting place where people dedicate themselves with great personal commitment to language acquisition, even under difficult conditions. The staff of the institute carry out their work with great dedication, aiming to strengthen the connection between the people of Iran and Germany.
Iran Shuts Down The Last Language Institute Recognized by The German Embassy
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian authorities on Tuesday closed down the last language institute certified by the German Embassy, local media said, in retaliation for the shuttering of Islamic centers in the European country.
A report by Nournews.ir, believed to be close to Iran’s security bodies, published a photo of police forces taking down the sign showcasing the establishment’s name. The Institute For Teaching German Language was established in the capital in 1995, according to the embassy.
Mizanonline.ir, a news website affiliated with the country’s judiciary, said judicial authorities ordered the closure of the institute’s two posts, located in separate Tehran neighborhoods, calling them “illegal centers affiliated with the German government” that “breached Iran’s law, committed various illegal actions and extensive financial violations.” The report also said authorities would investigate possible infractions by other German-affiliated centers, without elaborating.
UPDATE: 8:30 AM CEST
Joint ODNI, FBI, and CISA Statement on Iranian Election Influence Efforts
Today, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the following statement:
As each of us has indicated in prior public statements, Iran seeks to stoke discord and undermine confidence in our democratic institutions. Iran has furthermore demonstrated a longstanding interest in exploiting societal tensions through various means, including through the use of cyber operations to attempt to gain access to sensitive information related to U.S. elections. In addition to these sustained efforts to complicate the ability of any U.S. administration to pursue a foreign policy at odds with Iran’s interests, the Intelligence Community (IC) has previously reported that Iran perceives this year’s elections to be particularly consequential in terms of the impact they could have on its national security interests, increasing Tehran’s inclination to try to shape the outcome. We have observed increasingly aggressive Iranian activity during this election cycle, specifically involving influence operations targeting the American public and cyber operations targeting presidential campaigns.
UPDATE: 7:30 AM CEST
Natural and Man-Made Disasters in Iran: A Costly Challenge
Iran faces significant challenges due to natural and man-made disasters, with annual damages estimated at $5 billion, according to the spokesman of the country’s Crisis Management Organization. This staggering figure highlights the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and prevention strategies. Hossein Zafari, the organization’s spokesperson, emphasized that a substantial portion of these damages could be mitigated through increased investment in prevention and education. Over recent years, the country has suffered approximately 100 trillion tomans (roughly $1.69 billion) in damages from various incidents, with 70-80% of this amount being tangible losses covered by the national budget.
The process of compensating for disaster-related damages has become increasingly complex due to the disregard for approved laws. Article 17 of Iran’s Crisis Management Law mandates that the government compensate affected regions using a specific budget allocated by the country’s Program and Budget Organization. However, Zafari noted that the organization has failed to implement Article 16, which outlines the duties of government agencies in accident prevention, citing an inability to allocate the necessary funds.
Iranian Universities Open Doors to Foreign Paramilitary Forces, Raising Concerns
In a controversial move, Iranian universities, particularly the prestigious University of Tehran, are actively recruiting foreign students with ties to paramilitary organizations, most notably Iraq’s Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces). This development, announced by Mohammad Moghimi, president of Tehran University, on August 15, has sparked debate and criticism within academic circles and beyond.
The recruitment of Hashd al-Shaabi members is part of a broader strategy to increase the presence of regime-loyal forces in Iranian universities. This initiative follows the introduction of increased quotas and scholarships for Basij members in November 2022, a move widely seen as a response to widespread university protests at the time.
Iran’s President Pezeshkian: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing – Promises of Change Mask Continued Support for Repressive Policies
Recent statements by key Iranian regime officials have reignited the debate surrounding the country’s mandatory hijab policy, highlighting the complex political landscape and the challenges facing newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Ahmad-Reza Radan, commander of Iran’s Law Enforcement Command and a prominent figure in suppressing the 2022 popular uprising, recently reaffirmed his commitment to the controversial “Noor project” targeting Iranian women. On August 17, Radan emphasized, “We must refer to the law regarding the implementation of the Noor project. The police are the enforcers of that law and must act accordingly unless a task is legally removed from their purview.”
Radan, a staunch supporter of strict hijab laws, views the issue as a critical bulwark against Western influence. In May, he stated, “If they take away the hijab, neither the homeland nor the religion will exist; they will be destroyed.” His recent comments, in response to images of police officers violently confronting women, have been interpreted by some as tacit approval for intensified enforcement measures.
Iran: Power Outages Eliminate 40% of Production Capacity in Khorasan Province
The head of the Iranian regime’s Chamber of Commerce has reported that Iran’s production has reached its lowest level in the last 36 months. Meanwhile, Mohammad Sahamian-Moghaddam, a member of the board of the Industrial Managers Association of Razavi Khorasan Province, has announced that at least 40% of production capacity has been lost. Tavanir (the Iran Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Company) has ordered industries to reduce consumption by 90%. Samad Hassanzadeh, the head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, also emphasized that in July this year, there has been a significant reduction in production in 12 industrial sectors across the country.
Sahamian-Moghaddam told the state-run Ham-Mihan newspaper that on Saturday, August 17, “around 1,000 factories were contacted,” and “there is a recording stating that electricity consumption must be reduced by more than 90% for two weeks; otherwise, due to grid issues, power will be cut off without notice.”
At Least 8 Prisoners Executed in Iran, over 100 Executions Since Presidential Election
Human rights sources report the ongoing trend of executions in Iranian prisons, and political prisoners held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison have stated that despite the pressures, they will continue to fight against the death penalty.
Human rights media outlets have reported that at least eight prisoners were executed early Monday morning, August 19. Reports indicate that five people were executed in Yazd Prison, identified as three Baluch citizens and two Afghan nationals.
The Iran Human Rights Organization also reported the execution of three people in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz early Monday morning.
MEK Supporters Rally in Oslo to Condemn Executions by Iran’s Regime and Honor the Martyrs of the 1988 Massacre
Oslo, Norway—August 17, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally in front of the Norwegian Parliament to protest the increasing wave of executions carried out by the Iranian regime. They also called for the immediate release of all political prisoners held in the prisons of the mullahs’ regime in Iran and expressed their solidarity with the Iranian Revolution.