THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 7:30 PM CEST
Reminders of 1988 Massacre Haunt Iran’s Transition to ‘Reformist’ Presidency
In his landmark report last week, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran has once again urged for the creation of an “independent international investigative and accountability mechanism.” This is to lay the groundwork for the prosecution of regime officials involved in “atrocity crimes.” Javaid Rehman’s term will end this month, to be replaced by Mai Sato. The world should expect Sato to follow this example, but in the meantime, the international community should also take immediate steps to act upon her predecessor’s recommendations.
UPDATE: 1:00 PM CEST
US Central Command Says It Destroys Houthi Missile, Vessel In Yemen
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Saturday it ” destroyed” a Houthi missile launcher and an uncrewed surface vessel in Yemen.
“Additionally, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed two Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles over the Red Sea,” it wrote on X.
The weapons presented a “clear and imminent threat” to US and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region, said CENTCOM. “This reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security.”
Yemen’s Houthi group has been targeting Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in solidarity with Gaza.
UPDATE: 8:00 AM CEST
NATO ‘Is Prepared to Deliver A Swift and Severe Response’ If Iran Goes Ahead with Plan to Send Hundreds of Satellite-Guided Close-Range Ballistic Missiles to Russia for Use in Ukraine
NATO has warned it will respond ‘swiftly and severely’ if Iran sends close-range ballistic missiles to Russia to use in Ukraine.
Dozens of Russian military personnel are being trained in Iran to use the Fath-360 close-range ballistic missile system, two European intelligence sources told Reuters, adding that they expected the imminent delivery of hundreds of the satellite-guided weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine.
A spokesman for the US National Security Council said the United States and its NATO allies and G7 partners were prepared if Iran were to move forward with the weapon transfer.
The spokesman said: ‘It would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran’s support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Crucifixion of Female Prisoners: A Detailed Report from Mashhad Central Prison
Following the protests by female prisoners in Mashhad Central Prison (Vakilabad), guard officers, under the orders of prison officials, entered the ward and subjected the inmates to beatings and torture. On July 30 and 31, 2024, female prisoners in Mashhad Central Prison protested due to the lack of facilities and unbearable heat in the wards and kitchen. They expressed their dissatisfaction by breaking windows and security cameras. In response, under the orders of Ali Abdi, the head of Vakilabad Prison, the guards entered the women’s ward and clamped down on the prisoners. The prison infirmary also refused to treat the injured prisoners.
The Tooba Project: Enforcing Mandatory Hijab in Iran
The Iranian regime’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance is spearheading a project known as “Tooba” to enforce the mandatory hijab on women in public spaces. This initiative complements the Noor Project of the Police Force, aiming to bolster the regime’s repressive forces under the guise of popular organizations. These groups, funded by public budgets, are part of the regime’s efforts to enforce moral codes.
The Tooba project came to public attention in mid-May when it began in Khorasan Razavi. However, its origins trace back to 2023, following the nationwide uprising after Mahsa Amini’s death, which left the government in a state of desperation. Approved by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the project was initially implemented in Khorasan Razavi province and has since spread to other regions. Naimeh Eslamlou, director of the Khaybar institution, recently announced the registration of training courses in Karaj.
United Against Nuclear Iran Calls for Stronger US Deterrence Against Iranian Threats
On Thursday, August 8th, the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) urged the United States to consider military action against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions in Iran, emphasizing the need for a more robust deterrence strategy to address escalating threats from the Iranian regime.In a comprehensive report, UANI highlighted the surge in attacks by Iranian proxies on US interests since Hamas’ October 7th assault on Israel. The organization stressed that as regional conflicts intensify, the United States must adopt a more assertive stance in confronting Iranian-led aggression in the Middle East to achieve effective deterrence.
The New York-based think tank detailed how the Iranian regime and the IRGC, aided by their proxies, have conducted relentless attacks over the past ten months. These assaults have employed a wide array of weapons, including ballistic missiles, rockets, and drones, targeting American assets and destabilizing the entire region.
Three Individuals Charged for Providing Material Support to Iran’s WMD Program and Maritime Violence
According to a press release issued by the US Department of Justice on Thursday, August 8, 2024, a superseding indictment was returned charging two Iranian citizens and one Pakistani citizen for conspiring to provide and providing material support to Iran’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program, resulting in death, and for conspiring to commit violence against maritime navigation and maritime transport involving WMDs, also resulting in death.
The two Iranian nationals, brothers Shahab Mir’kazei and Yunus Mir’kazei, are accused of working for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The third suspect, Muhammad Pahlawan, is a Pakistani citizen who allegedly worked for the Mir’kazei brothers as the captain of a smuggling vessel, known as a dhow, called the “Yunus.”
According to court documents, Shahab owned the dhow and paid Pahlawan in Iranian Rials from a bank account in his name for preparing the vessel for multiple smuggling voyages. Pahlawan is also said to have arranged to receive payments from Shahab and Yunus in Iran and distribute the money to his family and others.
Deputy Officer of Evin Prison Beat Female Prisoners Protesting Execution of Reza Rasaei
Reports from Evin Prison indicate that following an attack by the prison guards on female political prisoners protesting the execution of Reza Rassai, at least 17 prisoners were injured or fainted. According to this information, Hadi Mohammadi, the deputy officer of Evin Prison, was the main perpetrator and commander of the assault on these prisoners. Varisheh Moradi, Samaneh Asghari, Reyhaneh Ansari-Nejad, Sarina Jahani, Mahboubeh Rezaei, Narges Mohammadi, and Pariyoush Moslemi are some of the prisoners who were injured on Tuesday, August 6th, in the attack by prison protection guards.
According to the received information, Nasrin Khezri Javad, Rana Korkor, Narges Mohammadi, Sornaz Ahmadi, and Houra Nikbakht are also among the prisoners who lost consciousness due to the psychological pressure from the guards’ attack.
The Super Energy Crisis: The Biggest Security Challenge for the Iranian Regime
The escalation of the super energy crisis, particularly in the electricity and natural gas sectors, has led to an increase in power and gas outages in industrial units in recent years.
Frequent power outages have caused damage to important industries such as steel, petrochemicals, and other sectors in Iran. According to Mehrdad Lahooti, a member of the Parliamentary Budget and Planning Commission, these outages have led to annual losses of $5 billion for Iranian industries. Consequently, the damages caused by frequent power outages have become a major concern for industrial unit owners.
These power outages are occurring despite the statement made by the Deputy Finance Minister of Energy last November, highlighting that the country’s electricity production at the beginning of the 1987 revolution was only 7,000 megawatts. He also announced the Ministry of Energy’s efforts to achieve a “blackout-free summer next year.” The emptiness of this promise was proven before the start of summer.
Paris, August 8, 2024: MEK Supporters Continue Exhibitions in Solidarity With the Iranian Revolution
Paris, France—August 8, 2024: Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and freedom-loving Iranians organized a significant photo and book exhibition. This event, part of an ongoing series across Paris, expresses solidarity with the Iranian Revolution and protests the escalating executions by the Iranian regime.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – August 9, 2024