THE CONTENT OF THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 5:30 PM CET
Washington Free Beacon: Illicit Iranian Oil Shipment Shut Down at Sea
An international shipping company shut down an illicit transfer of Iranian crude oil, denying the regime much-needed revenue as it works to skirt international sanctions, according to information obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Iran is believed to have loaded a tanker with petroleum products from its Tombak Port before sending it to perform a ship-to-ship transfer with a Danish vessel operated by Celsius Shipping, which is partnered with the Singapore-based Maersk Tankers. United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), a watchdog group that monitors Tehran’s movements at sea, alerted Celsius and its partner mid-transfer that the other vessel, the Ocean Schooner, likely contained Iran’s heavily sanctioned crude oil.
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U.S. Mission to the UN: Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Resolution 2231 (via VTC)
Iran’s failure to abide by its UN Security Council obligations should be met with continued diplomatic and economic pressure and further isolation of the Iranian regime. https://t.co/N2nGYXNbTT
— U.S. Mission to the UN (@USUN) December 22, 2020
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UPDATE: 3:30 PM CET
Iran looking to meddle in Afghanistan with Fatemiyoun mercenaries
New comments by Iran’s Foreign Minister has drawn criticism from Afghan analysts about the role the regime’s proxy group will play in the absence of US forces. Speaking on a local Afghan TV channel, Javad Zarif said the IRGC’s Fatemiyoun Division were “the best forces”.
“If the Afghan government so decides, they can help the Afghan government fight against Daesh,” he said on December 20.
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UPDATE: 9:30 AM CET
Iran: Coronavirus Death Toll in 470 Cities Exceeds 189,800
The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) announced this afternoon, Tuesday, December 22, 2020, that the Coronavirus death toll in 470 cities exceeds 189,800. The number of victims in Tehran is 46,636, Isfahan 11,235, Lorestan 7,668, Qom 7,445, East Azerbaijan 7,377, Fars 5,797, Alborz 5,005, Sistan and Baluchestan 4,651, Kerman 4,074, Central Province 3,958, Yazd 3,362, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad 1,354.
#Iran Coronavirus Update
More than 189,800 people have died of the novel #coronavirus in 470 cities checkered across all of Iran's 31 provinces, according to the Iranian opposition PMOI/MEK.
Full Reporthttps://t.co/H8xWxGVuyu pic.twitter.com/cIoJJvPF9H
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 22, 2020
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Iran: A man received 79 lashes in public
A man received 79 lashes in public in Qazvin. The convict, 29, had taken part in a mass brawl, and is accused of disrupting public order.
A man received 79 lashes in public in Qazvin.
The convict, 29, had taken part in a mass brawl, and is accused of disrupting public order.#Iran #HumanRights pic.twitter.com/tN3U5AvHJw— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) December 22, 2020
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A year after the Coronavirus, Iranian female breadwinners reap sadness
With the Coronavirus outbreak, many families have suffered additional economic and social harm. Meanwhile, considering the gender discrimination institutionalized by the mullahs, women heads of households and female breadwinners have been most severely affected.
Women heads of household often must leave their homes, regardless of conditions, to earn an income. They are in need and have little to no savings. Therefore, it is impossible for them to observe quarantines as a means of avoiding Coronavirus infection.
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Strikes and protests by workers in different Iranian cities
Over the past week, various cities across Iran have witnessed dozens of strikes and demonstrations by workers and low-wage earners, protesting months-overdue salaries, lack of insurance, and other problems.
Among these protest movements is the strike of workers of Iran Khodro (IKCO, an Iranian automaker). On Thursday, December 17, the workers of Iran Khodro assembly hall in Khorasan Razavi province stopped working for hours.
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Guards attack Ward 5 the Great Tehran Penitentiary, confiscate inmates’ belongings
Guards attack Ward 5 the Great Tehran Penitentiary, confiscate inmates’ belongings #Iran #HumanRightshttps://t.co/VxG0gCUFZs
— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) December 22, 2020
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22 Iranian Kurds, including 8 children, committed suicide in November – report
In the past month, at least 22 Iranian Kurd citizens committed suicide in various cities in the Kurdistan region in western Iran. Eight of them were under 18 years old. According to the Hengaw Organization, the suicides were committed by 12 men and 10 women. The minors included five girls and three boys. Most of the suicides were carried out due to family problems or poverty.
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Iran news in brief, December 23, 2020
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Read more: Iran News in Brief – December 22, 2020