THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 8:30 AM CEST
US Offers Up to $10M For Successful Tips about Iranian Hacker Group
The United States State Department is offering up to $10 million for information that leads to the identification or whereabouts of a group of Near East hackers known as “CyberAv3ngers.”
The group — affiliated with the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cyber-Electronic Command (IRGC-CEC) — targeted and compromised Israel-based Unitronics equipment, according to a news release.
On Feb. 2, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against six IRGC-CEC officials: Hamid Homayunfal, Hamid Reza Lashgarian, Mahdi Lashgarian, Milad Mansuri, Reza Mohammad Amin Saberian, and Mohammad Bagher Shirinkar. All are Iranian security officials linked to IRGC hacking groups. The U.S. has named them Specially Designated Nationals. As a result, any of their property in the U.S. is blocked, according to the release.
Time to avenge CyberAv3ngers’ hacking activities!
This group, linked to Iranian military officials, has hacked into industrial control systems used by U.S. industries and public utilities.
Got info on CyberAv3ngers or these officials? Text us today via our Tor tip line. pic.twitter.com/9wRCsP23Ye
— Rewards for Justice (@RFJ_USA) August 7, 2024
UPDATE: 7:00 AM CEST
Pezeshkian’s Presidency Begins with An Uptick in Executions Across Iran
While Iran’s regime has been selling its new president as a moderate and reformist, the human rights situation in Iran has not changed and has remained on the path of decline. The regime has ramped up executions and is mounting pressure on political prisoners. On August 6, the regime executed Reza Rasaei, a political prisoner who was arrested during the 2022 protests. Rasaei was tortured and forced into making incriminating confessions about killing a regime security agent. Rasaei was the ninth person to be executed in relation to the 2022 protests. Many others have been sentenced to death.
At the same time, the regime is increasing executions across the country with dozens of executions in the past week. On August 7, at least 20 prisoners were hanged in Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj. They had been transferred to solitary confinement a few days prior in preparation for their execution.
Government Appointments Trigger Infighting Within Iran’s Regime
On August 1, Iranian regime president President Massoud Pezeshkian of the Iranian regime appointed Mohammad Javad Zarif as his Strategic Deputy. Zarif, a former foreign minister during the presidency of Hassan Rouhani, is a controversial figure in the regime. In his announcement, Pezeshkian asked Zarif to assume responsibility for the Center for Strategic Studies of the Presidential Office, transforming its duties and special tasks into appropriate structures for the Strategic Deputy. He also requested to use the experience of senior managers from previous administrations to monitor the “Vision Document and General Policies approved by the Supreme Leader” and report directly to him.
Following this appointment, and within the first minutes of Zarif’s introduction as Strategic Deputy, infighting began. The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency quoted its visitors as saying, “We never had a Strategic Deputy until now! Zarif had promised he wouldn’t take any positions! From now on, we must be careful about everything because the spy is back.”
The Deepening Social Divide in Iran
For years, the concept of social fault lines has been a topic of discussion in Iran’s political and social spheres. As the country grapples with various societal issues, a pressing question emerges: What is the primary social fault in contemporary Iranian society? The absence of a popular government invariably leads to far-reaching consequences within a nation. As time progresses, these complications tend to multiply and intensify. In Iran’s case, the unpopularity of the current regime has made it virtually impossible to bridge or reconcile existing social divides, as the root causes of these faults remain firmly in place.
Official narratives in Iran often speak of ten primary social fault lines. However, unofficial accounts suggest a much more complex and extensive set of issues. This discrepancy is particularly pronounced in a country where the publication of negative parameters and components is heavily restricted.
Iran’s Escalating Energy Crisis Unveils Multifaceted Challenges
Iran is grappling with a severe energy crisis, characterized by a 25% deficit in electricity supply. This shortage is rapidly evolving into a critical situation, particularly in the southern regions of the country where temperatures are soaring.
While official reports cite maximum temperatures between 48°C and 50°C, some areas are experiencing heat levels exceeding 60°C. Such extreme conditions demand substantial electricity for cooling, which the current infrastructure struggles to provide. The situation is particularly dire in provinces like Sistan and Baluchistan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, and Khuzestan, where many residents cannot afford air conditioners or other cooling equipment.
Iran’s Police Assault and Arrest Girls for Not Wearing Mandatory Hijab
Following widespread reactions to a recently released video showing the violent behavior of police officers towards women, the Iranian regime’s police claimed the footage was “from the past” and called “everyone to uphold the law and prevent the occurrence and spread of social anomalies.” Meanwhile, a media outlet, referring to the same video, asked Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of the Iranian regime, to dismiss the Minister of Interior and appoint an “acting minister” for the ministry until his proposed candidate gains a vote of confidence.
In a police statement, the date of the mentioned video was confirmed as June 21, 2024, as previously stated by the mother of one of the two girls involved in the incident. The police confirmed that the confrontation occurred due to the hijab issue and referred to it as “inappropriate attire and unveiling,” which prompted the officers’ “warning.”
Paris, August 6, 2024: MEK Supporters Exhibition in Solidarity With the Iranian Revolution
Paris, France—August 6, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organize a photo and book exhibition. This exhibition is held in solidarity with the Iranian Revolution and as a protest against the increasing wave of executions carried out by the Iranian regime.
Bern, Switzerland—August 5, 2024: Iranian Community Exhibition Condemns Recent Executions in Iran
Bern, Switzerland—August 5, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized an exhibition and book table to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution. The Iranian community in Bern protested against the increasing wave of executions carried out by the Iranian regime.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – August 6, 2024
