THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 10:00 AM CET
US Launches Airstrikes Against Houthi Targets in Yemen
The US military said it conducted precision airstrikes on Saturday against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a. In a statement, the US military’s Central Command said the strikes aimed to “disrupt and degrade Houthi operations, such as attacks against US navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden”.
The US military also said it struck multiple Houthi one-way drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea and the strike reflected its “ongoing commitment to protect US and coalition personnel, regional partners and international shipping”.
Saturday’s strike followed a similar attack last week by US aircraft against a command and control facility operated by the Houthis, who control much of Yemen.
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.
The man now faces extradition to the US. An Italian appeals court will hear the case in the coming days.
UPDATE: 9:00 AM CET
The Economic and Political Failures Fueling Iran’s Gasoline Price Crisis
The rise in gasoline prices in the corrupt and rent-seeking regime ruling Iran, as one of the sensitive and controversial economic decisions, exposes various aspects of the inefficiency of the regime’s economic and political management. The groundwork for the increase in gasoline prices is part of the regime’s strategy to extort money from the people. This policy, advertised under the deceitful and pompous title of “economic reforms,” reflects deeper structural crises in Iran’s economy.
This issue has undergone numerous back-and-forth discussions. Finally, after prolonged debates and contradictory statements regarding the price hike, Fatemeh Mohajerani, the spokesperson for Masoud Pezeshkian’s government, stated, “To address the gasoline imbalance, we have two strategies: imports and price increases. What is certain is that increasing gasoline prices is not on the government’s agenda” (Source: Asre Khodro website, December 10).
Fabrication of New Cases and Additional Sentences for Political Prisoners Mohammad and Mehdi Khodakarami
On December 16, 2024, the Iranian judiciary issued new sentences against political prisoners and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), Mohammad and Mehdi Khodakarami. These sentences include one year of imprisonment and two years of exile to Meybod and Hendijan, respectively, on charges such as “propaganda against the regime in favor of opposition and hostile groups.” Additionally, the judiciary has imposed strict restrictions, explicitly prohibiting the use of mobile phones and electronic devices. The brothers received their verdicts electronically, with a stipulation barring the issuance of physical copies of the rulings.
Mohammad Khodakarami, 32, and Mehdi Khodakarami, 42, are currently held in Parsilon Prison in Khorramabad. Their ordeal began in March 2023, when they were arrested in Tehran and subjected to severe torture in the notorious Evin Prison. Following their initial detention, the judiciary sentenced them to eight and four years of imprisonment, respectively, on charges of “membership in the PMOI” and “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”
Iran Regime’s Strategic Role in Hamas Weapon Smuggling Networks
Recent investigations by Israel’s Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (ITIC), based on documents seized by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during operations in Gaza, have unveiled a sophisticated network of arms smuggling orchestrated by the Iranian regime. These findings provide a detailed account of the Iran regime’s extensive involvement in supplying weapons and financial resources to Hamas, highlighting its efforts to bolster the group’s military capabilities and expand its influence in the region. According to the documents, two major routes have been utilized for transferring weapons to the West Bank:
- Syria to Jordan Route: Weapons are smuggled from Syria through Jordan and then into the West Bank.
- Syria to Lebanon to Israel Route: This route involves transferring arms from Syria to Lebanon before reaching their destination in Israel.
Iran Regime’s Growing Vulnerabilities Amid Regional and Domestic Challenges
The Iranian regime is facing mounting challenges that expose its growing vulnerability. Isolated on the regional stage after losing key allies within the “axis of resistance,” economically weakened, and beset by persistent social unrest, the regime’s position seems more precarious than ever. On December 11, just days after the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, a significant meeting was held at the U.S. Senate, attended by members of the Iranian opposition. During the meeting, Republican Senator Ted Cruz proclaimed, “There is change in the air.” Recalling Donald Trump’s stringent measures to curtail Iranian oil production during his first term, Cruz criticized the Biden administration for reversing this trend, enabling Tehran to replenish the coffers of its proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas.
Syria’s Refineries Halt Operations as Iran Halts Oil Exports
Media outlets reported the shutdown of Syria’s largest oil refinery following the halt of Iranian oil exports, noting that the majority of Syria’s oil imports came from Iran.
According to a report by the Financial Times on Thursday, December 19, the Baniyas refinery, located near the port of Baniyas in Syria, has a daily production capacity of 130,000 barrels of petroleum derivatives and fuel. Ninety percent of its input came from Iran, and Iranian oil exports to Syria have stopped following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
This report follows earlier news that, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government, an Iranian oil tanker en route to Syria changed course midway and returned.
9 Patients Blinded in an Ophthalmology Hospital in Iran
Iranian media reported that nine people became blind at an ophthalmology center due to the use of a “wrong medication.” These individuals developed severe eye infections after cataract surgeries, and some are now at risk of eye removal due to the severity of the infection.
The newspaper Sazandegi reported that the incident occurred at the Negah Ophthalmology Center in one of the northern districts of Tehran. Despite media follow-ups in recent days, the officials at Negah Hospital have not provided any explanation or taken responsibility for the disaster.
According to media reports, documents reveal that the cause of the eye infections in these patients was contamination with a type of bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This contamination was confirmed to have occurred following eye surgeries at the hospital.
Over 80% of Iranian Households Below the Global Poverty Line
With the continuing rise in inflation and the sharp devaluation of Iran’s national currency, Iranian media have reported that over 80% of Iranian households have fallen below the global poverty line. The Eghtesad Online website stated that based on the poverty line set by the World Bank for economies comparable to Iran, a three-person household (earning in rials) in Iran’s dollarized economy needs a monthly income of 400 to 500 million rials (approximately $520 to $650) to avoid being considered impoverished.
However, the minimum wage for a married worker in Iran, including all benefits, does not exceed 110 million rials (approximately $143). Meanwhile, reports from Iran indicate that individuals in positions such as bank manager, department head, section chief, investment manager, and branch deputy earn an average of 353 million rials (approximately $460). Even these high-ranking employees fall significantly short of the global poverty line.
Paris Exhibition Unites Voices Against Iran’s Human Rights Violations and Executions—December 19-20, 2024
Paris, France—Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) hosted a powerful exhibition of photographs and books on December 19 and 20, 2024, to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution and condemn the Iranian regime’s increasing reliance on executions.