THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 11:30 AM CEST
Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Bill Removed from Parliamentary Agenda
The Iraqi Parliament’s Media Department has published the agenda for three upcoming sessions in the coming days, and the controversial bill concerning the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) is notably absent. The proposed legislation, strongly supported by certain Shiite Arab parties and representatives of armed factions within Parliament, had been pushed for approval in recent months. However, its removal from the agenda indicates deep divisions among lawmakers. Sources suggest the bill may have been withdrawn for further revisions, including potential concessions on some of the special privileges initially proposed, with the aim of reintroducing it later for a vote.
According to the published agenda, the fifth, sixth, and seventh sessions—scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the fifth electoral cycle, fourth legislative year, second legislative term—will instead focus on other matters.
UPDATE: 9:00 AM CEST
In Zahedan, Resistance Units Send a Clear Message: Iran Rejects Both Royal and Religious Dictatorships
On Friday, August 22, 2025, the streets of Zahedan once again became a focal point for the unyielding spirit of the Iranian people. Members of the PMOI Resistance Units courageously organized acts protests, disseminating posters and slogans that delivered a powerful and unequivocal message. These activities underscored that the ongoing struggle in Iran is not merely against the current religious fascism but is a comprehensive rejection of all forms of tyranny, including the deposed monarchist dictatorship. The voice from Zahedan is the voice of a nation determined to forge its own future, free from the oppressors of the past and present.
Pressure of the Snapback Mechanism: Can Iran and the West Find Common Ground?
As the deadline set by the European troika for activating the snapback mechanism approaches, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced new negotiations with France, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The talks are scheduled for August 26, 2025, between his deputies and European diplomats. Araghchi’s announcement came as the three European countries consider triggering the snapback mechanism, which would automatically reinstate United Nations sanctions against Iran. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the negotiations, warning that “time is running out.” He emphasized discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program and “the sanctions we are prepared to reimpose against Iran.”
Unprecedented Energy Crisis and Government’s Inability Force Shutdowns in 27 Provinces in Iran
With the continuation of an unprecedented heatwave and a sharp decline in water and electricity resources, Iran’s regime has once again resorted to widespread shutdowns of government offices and institutions in more than 27 provinces across the country. Regime officials justified the decision as a measure to “manage energy consumption” and “help stabilize the electricity and water grid.” However, experts view it as a temporary band-aid and a clear sign of structural weaknesses and chronic mismanagement. The shutdowns began in late July, starting with the capital, Tehran. Later, most provinces declared four days of closure in August, and ultimately, on Saturday, August 23, at least 27 provinces—including Tehran, Isfahan, Khuzestan, the three Khorasan provinces, the two Azerbaijans, and Kerman—were placed under shutdown. The Banks Coordination Council also announced that all banks in Tehran and these provinces would be closed on that day.
Amnesty International Warns About the Destruction of Graves of Thousands of Dissidents
Following the admission by Tehran’s deputy mayor regarding plans to build a parking lot in Section 41 of Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, Amnesty International condemned the move and called for an end to the harassment of the families of victims of the 1980s mass executions. On August 11, the Iranian Resistance announced that Section 41 of Behesht-e Zahra cemetery—where thousands of members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) executed by Iran’s regime in 1981 are buried—has been destroyed and leveled. The organization emphasized that erasing the evidence of genocide and crimes against humanity amounts to participation in these heinous crimes.
Iran’s Vast Oil Wealth Squandered Amid Poverty and Corruption
Despite holding some of the world’s largest oil and gas reserves, Iran faces poverty, inflation, and protests due to systemic corruption. Recent data from 2023–2024 places Iran’s proven oil reserves at approximately 157.5 billion barrels, with some estimates reaching 209 billion barrels. This positions Iran as the holder of the fourth-largest proven oil reserves in the world, representing around 10–12% of global petroleum resources. Combined with gas reserves ranking second globally, Iran possesses the natural wealth to be one of the most prosperous nations on earth.
Yet instead of improving the lives of its people, the regime has channeled this enormous wealth into non-transparent spending, leaving Iran’s citizens grappling with poverty, inflation, and economic collapse.