THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 9:00 PM CET
Treasury Targets Facilitators for Procuring Sensitive Navigational Systems for Iran
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning two entities and two individuals for their role in developing and procuring components for sensitive navigational systems for the Iranian military. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization (IRGC ASF SSJO) and other Iranian organizations rely on these strategic components that are necessary for the production and proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles. Concurrent with this action, the U.S. Department of State is designating one individual and two entities involved in Iranian UAV and missile development. Treasury’s action was taken in coordination with the Department of Commerce and the Department of Justice, the latter of which charged and helped coordinate the arrest of one of the individuals OFAC is sanctioning today.
Iranian Citizen Arrested in Milan On US Extradition Request, Says Italian Police
A 38-year-old Iranian man Italian authorities detained while transiting through Milan’s airport is now being processed for extradition to the US, Italy’s police said Wednesday in a statement.
A US court has accused the man, whose name has not been disclosed, of conspiring to violate US international economic law and of supplying electrical components to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to build war drones, the police said. They added that they found in the luggage of the detained individual “electronic components compatible with the crimes alleged by the US court, paper documents of investigative interest and three electronic devices.” The police seized all of these materials and documents.
Ontario Revokes License of Dentist Who Changed Name after Helping Iran Evade Sanctions
Regulators have revoked the license of an Ontario dentist after Global News revealed he was practicing under a name he adopted following his conviction for helping Iran evade sanctions.
Dr. Aurash Cohen is no longer entitled to practice in the province, according to the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, which said it cancelled his certification on Nov. 20.
A college spokesperson said she could not provide details about cases.
But she said dentists seeking certification are “required to disclose their criminal conduct history, in any jurisdiction, on their application for registration in Ontario.”
UPDATE: 2:00 PM CET
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Extend Control Over Tehran’s Oil Exports, Sources Say
LONDON/DUBAI, Dec 18 (Reuters) – Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have tightened their grip on the country’s oil industry and control up to half the exports that generate most of Tehran’s revenue and fund its proxies across the Middle East, according to Western officials, security sources and Iranian insiders.
All aspects of the oil business have come under the growing influence of the Guards, from the shadow fleet of tankers that secretively ship sanctioned crude, to logistics and the front companies selling the oil, mostly to China, according to more than a dozen people interviewed by Reuters.
The extent of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) control over oil exports has not previously been reported.
No ‘Credible Civilian’ Purpose for Iran Uranium: UK, France, Germany
The three countries known as the E3 said in a statement ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on Tehran’s nuclear program that Iran must “reverse its nuclear escalation.”
Iran has increased its manufacturing of enriched uranium such that it is the only non-nuclear weapons state to possess uranium enriched to 60 percent, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear watchdog said.
That level is well on the way to the 90 percent required for an atomic bomb.
“Iran’s stockpile of High Enriched Uranium has also reached unprecedented levels, again without any credible civilian justification. It gives Iran the capability to rapidly produce sufficient fissile material for multiple nuclear weapons,” the trio said in the statement.
WSJ Uncovers Iranian Regime’s Role in Middle East Drug Trade Following Assad’s Fall
The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has disrupted one of the region’s largest illegal drug empires, the Captagon trade, according to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal. The drug trade, worth billions of dollars, has long been a financial lifeline for the Assad regime, backed by Tehran and its allied groups such as Hezbollah.
The WSJ detailed how the Captagon trade, once a dominant economic force for Assad, is now in jeopardy following his regime’s ousting. The report noted, “The trade’s unraveling has exposed the Syrian government’s reliance on narcotics to fund its operations and support allies across the region.”
The clerical regime in Iran, a key backer of Assad, faces increased scrutiny as international attention focuses on the nexus between drug trafficking and Tehran’s support for militant groups. These revelations highlight Iran’s role in sustaining illicit operations to finance its regional proxies, including Hezbollah.
The Captagon trade, a lucrative stimulant industry in the Middle East, has fueled conflicts and funded militias across the region. With Assad’s power weakening, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups face challenges in maintaining their financial and operational networks.
These developments come as international efforts to counter drug trafficking in the Middle East gain momentum. The exposure of Iran’s indirect involvement has added to calls for increased action against Tehran’s destabilizing activities.
UPDATE: 1:00 PM CET
Trump Is Bringing A Hawkish Iran Policy Back in With Him
With the end of Joe Biden’s administration on the horizon, American foreign policy is in flux. Donald Trump, the president-elect, remains in Mar-a-Lago for now, but even without a presidential seal behind him has taken to holding discussions with world leaders beyond the typical congratulatory calls that occur in the post-election period.
Cruz spoke to The Independent briefly as he departed a briefing sponsored by the Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC), a group aligned with an international network of Iranian dissidents and exiles. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the network known as the NCRI, spoke to the gathering of lawmakers and Senate staffers on Wednesday (Dec 11).
That briefing was attended by a spectrum of senators ranging from right-wing to center-left, including two Democrats: Jeanne Shaheen and Cory Booker. With just a handful of senators, the grouping revealed how the full ideological range of the traditional Washington foreign policy consensus (which has never included progressives) seems eager to return to the aggressive posture against Iran emblemized by Trump’s first term. Many of the speakers touched on the presumed strategic blows suffered by Tehran with the fall of Syria’s government and the Israeli killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
UPDATE: 8:30 AM CET
Australia and UK Condemn Iranian Regime’s Human Rights Abuses and Military Escalation
In a joint statement released during the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) on December 17, 2024, Australian and British foreign and defense ministers expressed grave concerns over Iran’s human rights violations, military activities, and escalating nuclear ambitions. The ministers condemned the Iranian regime’s ongoing repression of political opposition and its targeting of women, girls, and minority groups. They also called for an immediate halt to Iran’s “unacceptable targeting of individuals, including journalists and dissidents outside the country.”
Highlighting Iran’s alarming nuclear advancements, the statement reaffirmed that “Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon,” stressing that its nuclear escalation lacks any “credible civilian justification.”
The ministers further denounced Tehran’s provision of ballistic missiles, drones, and other military support to its proxies and partners, as well as its closer military ties with Russia, including transfers of weaponry used in Ukraine.
UPDATE: 7:30 AM CET
Message to the Gathering at the US Congress
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s speech: “I extend my warm greetings to all of you. I deeply appreciate your efforts in supporting the resistance for freedom and democracy in Iran.
The fall of Assad’s dictatorship has removed the main regional ally of Khamenei. The corruption and weakness of Syria’s army were not new phenomena. These issues became evident during the Syrian civil war after 2011 but the support provided by the Iranian regime and its proxies kept Assad in power. The new reality is the disintegration of Khamenei’s forces, due to internal and regional crisis, the regime’s failure to meet the basic needs of the people, and growing popular discontent. The fall of Assad has several key outcomes:
1. The collapse of Syria’s dictatorship highlights the extreme weakness of the Iranian regime and the IRGC.
2. Khamenei’s strategy of creating proxy groups in the Middle East has failed.
3. As the regime’s regional support falls apart, the way for uprisings and regime’s overthrow will be opened.”
Infighting And Fear of Uprising Freeze The Iranian Regime’s Hijab Law
The inhumane law known as “Chastity and Hijab” was supposed to be delivered to the government by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament), on December 13. However, the day came and went with no sign of the law being enforced, and the regime’s parliament announced a holiday on December 12. It is said that this sudden closure was an attempt to avoid dealing with the issue and its potential consequences. Earlier, in a press conference on November 27, Ghalibaf insisted that this law would definitely be delivered on December 13. He also revealed that “the delay in decision-making regarding this law was due to security considerations surrounding the anniversary of the 2022 protests.”
Iraq at a Crossroads: Rising Tensions with Iran and Calls for Reform
The Iraqi newspaper Al-Mada has raised alarms about the potential for Iraq to face a crisis similar to Syria’s if it does not distance itself from the Iranian regime and implement swift reforms. Citing warnings from political forces, the paper emphasized the urgency of prioritizing Iraq’s national interests over external influences. According to Al-Mada, a growing number of political parties are urging the Iraqi government to reduce its reliance on Iran and address the influence of armed groups operating within the country. The administration of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani is reportedly under significant pressure to rein in these factions, which are often linked to Tehran.
Iran Faces Escalating Food Prices Amid Economic Challenges
The Iranian economy is grappling with a significant rise in food prices, further exacerbated by changes in the exchange rate and a $3 billion reduction in the budget allocated for importing essential goods. Afshin Sadrdadres, the CEO of Iran’s Light Livestock Union, has warned of a sharp increase in the price of meat and other food products in the coming year. Speaking to the “Charsouq” website, Sadrdadres predicted that the rising cost of red meat would also lead to reduced consumption among Iranians.
Despite efforts to control prices through imports, the cost of red meat continues to climb. According to Sadrdadres, these imports have failed to stabilize the market, and prices remain on an upward trajectory. The broader implications of this trend are reflected in warnings from experts that food inflation could surpass 40% next year, further diminishing access to basic necessities for many Iranians.
UN 71st Resolution Condemns Iran’s Human Rights Violations, Targeted Repression of Women
The United Nations General Assembly adopted its 71st resolution on December 17, 2024, denouncing the Iranian regime’s widespread and systematic human rights abuses. The resolution passed with 80 votes in favor and 27 against, highlights the regime’s unlawful use of the death penalty, arbitrary arrests, torture, suppression of peaceful protests, and severe discrimination against women, ethnic and religious minorities, and even minors.
The resolution describes these actions as tools of political repression and demands an immediate halt to executions, many of which are based on forced confessions extracted under torture and conducted without fair trials. It also calls for the suspension of all death sentences in the country.
Enormous Economic Losses for Iran’s Regime Following Assad’s Fall
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, symbolized by his flight to Russia on December 8, sparked extensive discussions about the political and geopolitical ramifications of this event, including the diminished credibility and influence of Iran’s regime in the region. However, the economic consequences for Iran’s regime were no less severe than the political ones. The Congressional Research Service and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report that Iran’s regime spent between $30 billion and $35 billion from the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011 until 2023.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Middle East Institute report that Iran’s regime maintained seven airbases, 15 missile depots, 22 forward command centers, and 85 kilometers of underground tunnels in Syria.
U.S. Oil Sanctions on Iran Will Remain in Place and Be Fully Enforced
Abram Paley, the Deputy Special Representative for Iran at the U.S. State Department, referring to Washington’s latest sanctions on Iranian oil sales, stated to have received unverified reports about the transfer and sale of Iran’s oil reserves and the oil sanctions on Iran remain in place and will be fully enforced. The Iranian regime is attempting to sell its stored oil in China, which was previously transferred there via the “dark fleet,” before the start of Donald Trump’s presidential term. The Iranian regime fears that Donald Trump, the U.S. President-elect, will impose stricter sanctions after taking office, preventing the sale of this oil.
Iran Excluded as Western and Arab Powers Discuss Syria’s Future
Talks on Syria’s future after the fall of Bashar al-Assad were held on December 14, 2024, in Aqaba, Jordan, with the participation of Western and Arab countries. Iran and Russia, the two principal allies of Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s deposed dictator were excluded from these talks. Analysts widely agree that Iran’s exclusion from the negotiations is a significant blow to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Iranian regime.
Senior officials and foreign ministers from the United States, regional countries, and several Western nations declared their support for the Syrian people and emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive power transition in Syria. The talks, held at Jordan’s Aqaba Port on December 14, 2024, brought together foreign ministers from seven Arab countries and Western representatives.
MEK Supporters in Gothenburg Demand Regime Change in Iran and Stand with Syrian People
Gothenburg, Sweden—December 14, 2024: In a celebration held by Syrians residing in Sweden in Gothenburg to rejoice over the fall of the dictatorship in their country, a group of supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) also participated.
MEK Supporters in Munich Rally to Support Iranian Political Prisoners and Refugees and Condemn Human Rights Violations
Munich , Germany—December 14, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered in a protest rally to condemn the ongoing human rights violations by the Iranian regime. The rally specifically denounced the death sentences against political prisoners, particularly those associated with the PMOI.
Winchester Exhibition by Academics in Exile: Supporting Iranian Political Prisoners Facing Execution – December 16, 2024
Winchester, England—December 16, 2024: Members of the Academics in Exile Association, who support the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK)), organized a book exhibition to condemn human rights violations in Iran.
The event emphasized the critical situation, particularly the plight of political prisoners facing death sentences, and called for the immediate release of all political prisoners held by the mullahs’ regime.
MEK Supporters in Aarau Organize Exhibition Against Executions and Demand the Release of Iranian Political Prisoners
Aarau, Switzerland—December 16, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized an exhibition to protest the alarming increase in executions by the Iranian regime.