THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 9:00 PM CET
Iran Protests at a Glance
Based partially on reporting by PMOI (MEK) Network in Iran
Sunday, May 28, 2023 – 8 PM GMT + 1
The Iranian opposition, Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), reported different protests across Iran on Sunday, as people are finding it all the more difficult to make ends meet.
In the first warning against the release of the regime’s terrorist diplomat, Assadollah Assadi, and his return to Iran, defiant youths targeted the IRGC Basij base in Homayounshar in Isfahan province. An explosion was heard in the area.
Homayoun Shahr, Isfahan Province, central #Iran
Brave youths recently attacked an IRGC paramilitary Basij base.#IranRevoIution pic.twitter.com/TC5TBZurPp— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 28, 2023
Retired steelworkers also gathered on Sunday to protest poor living conditions and regime officials’ refusal to address their demands. This rally was held in the western districts of Alborz Province, located west of Tehran.
May 28 – Alborz Province, west of Tehran, #Iran
Retired steel workers held a gathering protesting their poor living conditions and regime officials' refusal to address their demands.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/xxl0t3pvBu— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 28, 2023
Retirees and pensioners of the regime’s Social Security Organization in the cities of Ahvaz and Shush in Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran, Isfahan in central Iran, and Kermanshah in western Iran, held a gathering on Sunday demanding their rights while protesting their low pensions.
May 28 – Kermanshah, western #Iran
Retirees and pensioners of the regime's Social Security Organization protesting and voicing their economic woes.#IranProtests2023 pic.twitter.com/xGPS5UmOgW— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 28, 2023
May 28 – Isfahan, central #Iran
Retirees and pensioners of the regime's Social Security Organization protesting and voicing their economic woes.#IranProtests2023 pic.twitter.com/QdhOqXdauv— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 28, 2023
Workers of the Kaleybar Nepheline Syenite Complex in northwest Iran held a gathering on Sunday, protesting not having official employment contracts, and not receiving their paychecks and pensions.
May 28 – Kaleybar, northwest #Iran
Workers of the Kaleybar Nephelin Syenite Complex held a gathering today protesting not having official employment contracts, and not receiving their paychecks and pensions.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/uoif5VkqIl— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 28, 2023
In Hamadan, western Iran, local workers held a gathering outside the governor’s office on Sunday protesting and demanding their rights.
May 28 – Hamadan, western #Iran
Local workers held a gathering outside the governor's office protesting and demanding their rights.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/x9rtEAnbQI— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 28, 2023
Locals in the Quds City of Tehran Province held a gathering on Sunday protesting unjust and cruel measures by regime officials who are confiscating their property.
May 28 – Quds City, Tehran Province, #Iran
Locals are protesting unjust and cruel measures by regime officials who are confiscating their property.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/Zp5aiCpxfP— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 28, 2023
Personnel of the “Baharan Bartar Torang” company in Mashhad, northeast Iran, were holding a gathering on May 28 protesting the lay-off of more than 150 of their colleagues.
Locals in the capital’s Shahrak-e Bagheri district chanted anti-regime slogans on Saturday night, including: “Down with Khamenei!” referring to regime dictator Ali Khamenei.
Truss Urges Crackdown on Iran as Controversial IRGC Given $1BN Bonanza
Liz Truss has joined 106 former world leaders in calling for the UK, US and Europe to adopt a tougher approach to Iran. The former prime minister signed a letter, along with former US vice-president Mike Pence, condemning the supply of drones to Russia. The letter also called for the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to be held accountable for assassination attempts and terrorist plots abroad.
It came as hacked official documents from Iran’s foreign ministry revealed the rogue state gave the regime’s ideological enforcer a billion dollars of crude oil to sell to finance terror operations across the globe.
Zelensky Asks Parliament To Sanction Iran for 50 Years
President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the Ukrainian parliament to impose additional sanctions against Iran for 50 years, according to the draft resolution following the National Security and Defense Council decision.
The draft includes a complete ban on trade with Iran, investments, and transferring technologies, as well as stopping Iranian transit across the Ukrainian territory, and preventing the withdrawal of Iranian assets from Ukraine.
Ukraine’s parliament must approve the bill for it to become law. The parliament hasn’t scheduled the vote yet, according to its website. Iran has supplied Russia with military hardware, including the Shahed loitering munition that Russia has launched at Ukraine by the hundreds.
UPDATE: 3:30 PM CET
Iran’s State Media Acknowledge Country’s Dire Economic Situation
In a piece on May 28, the state-run Etemad newspaper acknowledged Iran’s economic crunch and that, “The current inflation situation is extremely concerning. It has become a matter of great sensitivity, not just economically but also socially. The inflation we are witnessing this year displays significant variations compared to previous years. To elaborate, for over five years, we have been grappling with inflation rates exceeding 40% and even 50%, which is unprecedented in the past century.”
“During these past five years, prices have skyrocketed by over 500%. Even if people’s incomes were to increase by the same percentage, these figures would still wreak havoc on both the economy and societal values. Moreover, it is worth noting that income growth has fallen short of this alarming rate, exacerbating the rise in poverty levels. Another noteworthy aspect is the inadequate increase in salaries compared to the inflation rate,” the paper writes, adding, “This year, salary increments have been roughly half or even lower than the inflation rate of the previous year. It is anticipated that the inflation rate will continue to rise by the end of the year, potentially matching or surpassing last year’s figures, thereby intensifying the burden on society. Lastly, food, being a vital necessity for survival, has witnessed inflation rates exceeding those of other commodities, reaching up to 80% annually. This signifies a staggering 7-8 times increase in food costs over the past five years.”
UPDATE: 1:30 PM CET
Conference in European Parliament in Support of Iran’s Protests, Resistance Movement
On Wednesday, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), addressed a gathering in the European Parliament to discuss the uprising in Iran, the recent surge in executions, and the responsibilities of the European Union. The event, titled “Perspective of Change and European Union Policy,” was organized by the Friends of Free Iran Interparliamentary Group (FOFI). Mrs. Rajavi received a warm reception from the European Parliament’s Vice Presidents and members of FOFI as she appealed for their support in backing the Iranian people’s uprising and organized Resistance movement.
Brussels—May 27, 2023: MEK Supporters Held Protest Rallies Against the Appeasement Policy and the Release of Iran’s Regime Diplomat-Terrorist
Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and freedom-loving Iranians held a protest rally against the appeasement policy and the release of Iran’s regime diplomat-terrorist Assadollah Assadi in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Belgian Prime Minister’s office They also express their solidarity with the ongoing Iranian Revolution.
Marzieh Mahmoudi, a Journalist, Fined for Posting a Critical Tweet
Marzieh Mahmoudi, a journalist and the editor of Tejaratnews, has been sentenced by the court to pay a cash penalty of 24 million tomans.
Ms. Mahmoudi stated, “I was fined 24 million tomans for a single tweet. However, the fine was reduced to 6 million tomans, which I paid today.”
Some time ago, Hamid Rasaei, a former member of Parliament, made highly offensive remarks about the protesters. Marzieh Mahmoudi criticized this cleric in a post on her own page, which led to his complaint against her.
Stockholm—May 27, 2023: MEK Supporters Held a Protest Rally Against the Appeasement Policy and the Release of Iran’s Regime Diplomat-Terrorist
Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and freedom-loving Iranians held a protest rally against the appeasement policy and the release of Iran’s regime diplomat-terrorist Assadollah Assadi. They also express their solidarity with the ongoing Iranian Revolution.
Unmasking the Looting: The Impact of Resource Depletion on the Iranian People
On May 12, Mehdi Ghazanfari, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Development Fund of Iran, revealed a concerning update regarding Iran’s National Development Fund. Out of the initial $150 billion, a mere $10 billion remains intact.
Following a decline in oil prices, the establishment of Iran’s national development fund aimed to transform a portion of the revenue generated from oil and oil derivatives into substantial capital. This strategy sought to create productive wealth, ensuring the availability of essential resources for the country’s economic growth while also serving as a significant storage of financial reserves for future generations. By capitalizing on this fund, Iran sought to secure a prosperous future and fortify its economy against potential challenges.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – May 27, 2023
