THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 2:00 PM CEST
Videos Reveal at Least 200 Houthi Fighters Killed in U.S. Airstrikes
At least 82 Houthi officers in addition to over 120 fighters have been killed in U.S. airstrikes since U.S. President Donald Trump ordered attacks against the Iran-backed group in Yemen in mid-March, according to a Newsweek analysis of videos from funerals and official announcements.
A Houthi spokesperson told Newsweek that there had been losses, but they were small compared to those in an earlier war against forces from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The number of officers killed is a measure of the damage done to the Iran-backed Houthis in the first major military assault ordered under Trump’s presidency. Despite the attacks, the group has continued to launch missiles against Israel and to announce attacks on U.S. aircraft carriers and the shooting down of American drones.
UPDATE: 7:00 AM CEST
Amnesty International Warns of Imminent Execution of Iranian Political Prisoners
Amnesty International has issued an urgent warning about the imminent risk of execution facing two Iranian political prisoners, Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison. The warning follows the rejection of their second judicial review requests by the Iranian regime’s Supreme Court—a decision that rights groups and legal experts are calling a grave violation of due process.
Amnesty International is gravely concerned that Behrouz Ehsani & Mehdi Hassani are at imminent risk of execution in Ghezel Hesar prison after their 2nd judicial review request was rejected. Global action is needed NOW urging Iran's authorities to halt any plans to execute them! https://t.co/pdssTZpeJT
— Amnesty Iran (@AmnestyIran) April 24, 2025
The international human rights organization sounded the alarm in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Global action is needed NOW urging Iran’s authorities to halt any plans to execute them!” Amnesty cited credible reports that both retrial requests were dismissed without even reviewing the case files from the lower courts.
Iranian Regime’s Fear of Youth Drives New School Crackdown Pact with Police
“I am a soldier of General Radan. I proudly state that the Ministry of Education is fully at your service and supports your missions.” These nauseating words from Alireza Kazemi, the Minister of Education under regime president Masoud Pezeshkian, alongside the signing of a disgraceful memorandum of understanding with Ahmad Reza Radan, the notorious commander of the Iranian regime’s State Security Forces (FARAJA), betray the regime’s terror of Iran’s young generation and students. Radan also brazenly stated, “We must not overlook the mafia that kidnaps students’ thoughts. (The enemy)… hijacks the minds of our students.” These words are not a sign of authority but an admission of deep fear of the coming uprising.
The participation of Iran’s Gen Z, students, and youth in the 2022 uprising turned the regime’s nightmare into reality. The flames of that uprising still flicker in the streets, and the oppressive regime trembles in fear of another volcanic eruption of protest.
What terrifies the regime is the youth’s adoption of the “fire answers fire” strategy against the regime’s repressive forces, who either gunned down many of their comrades in the streets or sent them to the gallows, like the executed protester Mohsen Shekari.
Former Iranian MP Warns of Economic Collapse and Impending Uprising
Javad Arianmanesh, a former member of Iran’s parliament, has described the country’s current economic and social conditions as “deplorable” in an interview with the Jamaran website. His remarks serve as a stark warning about the potential for widespread unrest, highlighting deep public distrust in the government and the regime’s growing instability. These comments come as Iran approaches the final year of its 20-year development plan known as Iran 1404—a plan that has fallen dramatically short of its goals.
The Iran 1404 plan aimed to position Iran as the leading economic and military power in the region. However, Arianmanesh labeled the present situation as “catastrophic.” He pointed to deep-rooted structural issues such as poverty, corruption, runaway inflation, currency devaluation, and widening social inequality—all of which have fueled growing public dissatisfaction.
The Ongoing War on Words: Iran’s Repression of Free Expression in 2024
In 2024, the Iranian regime continued its systematic campaign against freedom of expression, particularly targeting writers, artists, and cultural figures who dare to challenge the status quo. Despite a slight decrease in the number of imprisoned writers compared to the previous year, the regime’s grip on the creative community remains ironclad, with 43 writers behind bars—13 of them women, marking Iran as the world’s leading jailer of female writers for the third consecutive year.
The crackdown reflects a sustained backlash that began with the mass protests in 2022, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. While some arrested writers from that period have since been released, many now live in exile, silenced under the threat of re-imprisonment or heavy surveillance. Others remain behind bars or face renewed court summons for continued dissent expressed through writing, music, or translation work.
Hezbollah’s Disarmament: A Strategic Setback for the Iranian Regime
The recent summoning and formal reprimand of Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry over his comments on Hezbollah’s disarmament marks a significant turning point in Lebanon’s political landscape. This diplomatic confrontation is more than a minor incident—it signals a deeper shift in the regional balance of power that could have far-reaching consequences for the Iranian regime. For decades, Hezbollah has functioned as one of Iran’s most powerful and loyal proxy forces. Disarming it would represent a serious strategic blow to Tehran’s regional ambitions.
In recent weeks, calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament have intensified from both domestic and international actors. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has spoken openly on the issue, and the United States has repeatedly emphasized that the monopoly on military power must rest with Lebanon’s official government. These statements are not isolated remarks; they appear to be part of an emerging, irreversible trend aimed at restoring state sovereignty in Lebanon.