THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 2:30 PM CET
Iran to Begin Enriching Uranium with Thousands of Advanced Centrifuges, UN Watchdog Says
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran will begin enriching uranium with thousands of advanced centrifuges at its two main nuclear facilities at Fordo and Natanz, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said Friday, further raising tensions over Tehran’s program as it enriches at near weapons-grade levels.
The notice from the International Atomic Energy Agency only mentioned Iran enriching uranium with new centrifuges to 5% purity, far lower than the 60% it currently does — likely signaling that it still wants to negotiate with the West and the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
However, it remains unclear how Trump will approach Iran once he enters office, particularly as it continues to threaten to attack Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and just after a ceasefire started in its campaign in Lebanon. Trump withdrew America from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers in 2018, setting in motion a series of attacks and incidents across the wider Mideast.
UPDATE: 9:00 AM CET
PMOI Resistance Units in Zahedan: “Executions Will Bring The Regime Closer to Its Overthrow”
In the city of Zahedan, southeast Iran, PMOI Resistance Units held their weekly anti-regime activities on Friday, November 29, reiterating their commitment to regime change and the need to establish a democratic republic.
This increase in resistance activities unfolds against a backdrop of growing state repression, characterized by an uptick in executions aimed at stifling dissent. Undeterred by the regime’s attempts to suppress opposition, the Resistance Units have expanded their outreach, conveying a resolute message of defiance and a commitment to continue their struggle until the regime is overthrown.
Central to the resistance’s campaign are a series of slogans that encapsulate their demands and aspirations for a future in Iran. Among the messages circulated throughout Zahedan, the Resistance Units have proclaimed, “Iran will become the most beautiful country and a haven of freedom and justice.” This vision contrasts sharply with their critique of the current regime, drawing parallels between the mullahs and the deposed shah, suggesting that “Like the shah, the mullahs’ regime has no other option than killing and repression, but it will only bring itself closer to its overthrow.”
Why an Organized Alternative Is Key to Overthrowing Iran’s Regime
At a conference held in the European Parliament in Brussels on November 20, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), outlined the process of power transfer following the regime’s collapse.
She stated: “Regarding the future of Iran, I have consistently emphasized that our goal is not to seize power but to restore it to its rightful owners—the people of Iran and their vote. According to the NCRI platform, the process for transferring power after the regime’s overthrow consists of the following steps:
“a) The establishment of a provisional government, which will be in power for a maximum of six months. The primary responsibility of this government will be to organize elections for a Constituent Assembly.
“b) Once the Constituent Assembly is formed, the provisional government will step down, marking the completion of the NCRI’s mission.
Iran’s Currency Hits Record Low Amid Rising Economic Pressures
The Iranian rial plummeted to a historic low on Saturday, November 30, with the U.S. dollar trading at over 71,200 tomans on the open market. This marks a sharp increase from 69,950 tomans the previous day, reflecting a 1.57% rise in just 24 hours.
This latest spike follows earlier fluctuations in November, when the dollar briefly crossed the 70,000 toman threshold but later dropped below it. Recent developments, including the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) resolution against Iran and fears of the “snapback” sanctions mechanism, have reignited market volatility, pushing the exchange rate higher.
Economic analysts attribute the rial’s decline to ongoing geopolitical tensions, including unprecedented military confrontations between Iran and Israel this year. Notably, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ missile and drone strikes against Israel in April triggered the dollar’s surge past 67,000 tomans. Following a period of relative stability in mid-2023, renewed hostilities, such as Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian military targets in November, contributed to the rial’s sustained weakness. The announcement of Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential elections further exacerbated market concerns. The rial surged to 70,000 tomans in mid-November as traders reacted to the anticipated hardline policies of the returning administration.
Iranian Regime Sentences Two Grieving Mothers of Aban to Prison for Advocacy
The Iranian regime has sentenced two bereaved mothers, Mahboubeh Ramezani and Rahimeh Yousefzadeh, each to 1.5 years in prison. These women, known as “Mothers of Aban,” have been advocating for justice for their children, who were killed during the November 2019 uprising in Iran. Mahboubeh Ramezani, mother of Pejman Gholipour, and Rahimeh Yousefzadeh, mother of Navid Behboudi, were convicted on charges of “propaganda against the regime,” “membership in the Mothers of Aban group,” and “insulting Ali Khamenei,” the regime’s Supreme Leader. The sentences, initially issued by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in Shahriar, were upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court, leaving no room for further appeal.
Preferential Currency for Medicine Will Be Removed in Iran
Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi, the Iranian regime’s Minister of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education announced that the preferential currency for medicine will be removed starting next year. Zafarghandi stated on Friday, November 29, that his ministry is preparing and planning to manage this change. This comes after the Central Bank had claimed in September to have provided $1.5 billion in preferential currency for “medicine and medical equipment” by September 9. Zafarghandi had previously declared that the preferential currency for medicine had been removed.
Earlier, the previous health minister had announced the removal of the preferential currency for medicine imports under a plan called “Daruyar” starting in 2022. However, Iranian officials have made contradictory statements regarding the allocation of the “42,000 rial” currency for medicine.
Global Academic Rankings of All Iranian Universities Are On The Decline
Yousef Hojjat, the acting head of Tarbiat Modares University in Iran stated that due to “low financial credibility,” the global academic rankings of all Iranian universities have declined. On Saturday, November 30, Hojjat told the state-run ISNA news agency that Iranian universities have experienced a decline in the “Shanghai Academic Ranking.” He stated, “All university budgets are spent on daily operations such as salaries, dormitories, and food, and we cannot stop these activities.”
He emphasized “financial problems” as the reason for the academic decline of Iranian universities, stating that “due to the country’s economic situation, the funds allocated to universities are losing their purchasing power day by day.”
According to this university official, the allocation of funds to routine operations leaves little for research, which is less than in previous years.
750,000 Students Out of School in Iran
Alireza Kazemi, the Iranian regime’s Minister of Education reported that 750,000 students are out of school, noting that “approximately 150,000” of these are in primary education, while the rest are in middle school.
Kazemi stated that the issue of out-of-school students is unrelated to the Ministry of Education, claiming that those dropping out of middle school are seeking work and vocational skills.
Several experts believe that school dropouts to enter the labor market have accelerated in recent years, coinciding with rising inflation and worsening poverty.
In this regard, the state-run Shargh newspaper reported on September 22: “Students consider dropping out and entering the labor market as a win while attending school and spending hours in class feels like a loss to them.”
Wave of Executions in Iran Highlights Urgent Human Rights Crisis
In a disturbing escalation of human rights violations, Iranian authorities have carried out a surge of executions in recent days, underscoring the country’s continued reliance on capital punishment. Reports indicate that from Saturday, November 23, to Thursday, November 28, 2024, at least 27 prisoners have been executed across various prisons in Iran, marking an alarming rate of one execution every 3.5 hours over three days.
On Thursday, November 28, authorities executed Hadi Ghiyasi, a resident of Nahavand, in Nahavand Prison. Ghiyasi, who was convicted on drug-related charges, had spent four years in prison before facing the gallows. On the same day, six other prisoners were hanged across the country:
Basij Forces and Khamenei’s Fear of Nationwide Protests
Khamenei’s recent speech at a nationwide Basij ( volunteer paramilitary organization operating under the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)) gathering has sparked considerable analysis. The context raises important questions: Why did Khamenei turn to the Basij now? What circumstances compelled him to hold such an event and deliver this speech? Was his primary aim merely to boost the morale of Basij forces following setbacks to his regional proxies, or was he afraid of a looming threat closer to home?
Khamenei began by recounting the establishment of the Basij, offering a revisionist version of history: “One of our great Imam’s characteristics was to turn threats into opportunities. On November 4, 1979, the U.S. Embassy was taken over. In response, Imam Khomeini issued the order to form the Basij on December 5, just 22 or 23 days later.”
Rally in Geneva: Freedom-Loving Iranians and MEK Supporters Unite to Protest EU Appeasement of Iran’s Regime
The Place des Nations in Geneva was filled with chants of defiance and determination as freedom-seeking Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered on Friday. The rally was held in front of the United Nations headquarters, coinciding with negotiations between European countries and the Iranian regime. Protesters condemned the appeasement of the mullahs and demanded justice for the regime’s widespread crimes against humanity.
Bern, Switzerland—November 28, 2024: MEK Supporters Exhibition Condemning the Mullahs’ Regime Crimes in Iran
Bern, Switzerland—November 28, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized an exhibition to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution. The exhibition also protested the rising wave of executions carried out by the Iranian regime and called for the immediate release of all political prisoners held in the regime’s prisons.
MEK Supporters Exhibition in Hamburg on November 28, 2024, Backing the ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ Campaign Against Iran’s Regime
Hamburg, Germany—November 28, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally in solidarity with the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign in response to the executions taking place in Iran’s regime prisons.
Berlin Exhibition Supports Iranian Revolution and Denounces Iran Regime’s Crimes
Berlin, Germany—November 28, 2024: Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a powerful exhibition to stand in solidarity with the Iranian Revolution. The event condemned the Iranian regime’s escalating wave of executions and demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners held in the regime’s prisons.
