THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 5:30 PM CET
Iran Oil Tycoon ‘Hector’ Plays Key Role in Arms Sales to Russia
An Iranian oil tycoon who’s managed to quietly embed himself in the heart of the Western financial system is among a cadre of businessmen handling weapons deliveries across the Caspian Sea to Russia, helping Moscow in its war in Ukraine. Hossein Shamkhani, through a web of firms he oversees that include Dubai-based Crios Shipping LLC, began moving missiles, drone components, and dual-use goods across the Caspian Sea on at least two ships last year, according to more than a dozen US, UK, and European officials as well as people with direct knowledge of his dealings. They spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information.
UPDATE: 1:30 PM CET
UPDATE: 8:30 AM CET
Iran ‘Considers Airborne Supply Routes for Proxy Forces’
Iran is contemplating smuggling weapons to its proxy group Hezbollah by flying them into Lebanon after the fall of the Assad government in Syria, the Times has learned.
Direct flights from Tehran’s international airport to Beirut resumed a few days ago but are no longer flying over Syrian airspace after rebels took power in Damascus.
The overland routes that previously carried Iranian rockets and other arms to Hezbollah via Syria have been disrupted, which means that Iran may seek to turn Beirut into a new “hub” for deliveries, according to a regional source aware of discussions in Tehran.
Such an aerial supply route would be a violation of the recently signed ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon, risking another outbreak of hostilities.
Dutch Supermarket Chain Spar Accused of Helping Iran Evade Sanctions
The Dutch supermarket chain Spar has been implicated in an alleged scheme to help Iran bypass international sanctions, de Volkskrant reported. According to internal documents leaked by a whistleblower, the license for Spar Iran was used to facilitate questionable transactions involving members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a heavily sanctioned group linked to human rights abuses.
In August 2022, Dutch Ambassador Frank Mollen visited a Spar supermarket in Tehran, promoting it as an example of successful business engagement with Iran. However, documents obtained by de Volkskrant reveal that even before Mollen’s visit, Spar Iran was allegedly involved in dubious activities. Transactions under Spar’s name reportedly included importing Western technology and granting Schengen visas to individuals tied to the IRGC, raising concerns about compliance with sanctions.
UPDATE: 7:30 AM CET
Where Is the Iranian Regime’s Strategic Crisis Heading?
Throughout its existence, the clerical regime in Iran has faced deadlock-inducing crises in dealing with domestic, regional, and global developments, ultimately resulting in strategic failures. A notable example of this was its loss of expansionist dominance in Syria. This defeat, in addition to causing political tensions within the regime’s structure, has led to intense internal turmoil, manifesting in severe conflicts between factions preserving wealth and those seizing power.
Syria was a strategic focal point for Iran’s regime to ensure its survival. However, the fall of Bashar al-Assad has inevitably triggered self-inflicted punitive measures against the regime’s existence. Over the past week, infighting amont regime factions has intensified. Each faction is striving to strengthen its position, seizing the opportunity to blame rivals for Assad’s downfall and inflicting harm upon them. Matters have escalated to the point where whispers of prosecuting former presidents Hassan Rouhani and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have surfaced in state-run media.
Energy Shortages Expose the Regime’s Priorities In Iran
“For several years, Iran has aimed to become the regional hub for electricity, a goal reportedly achieved during the 13th administration, with the country now having the highest electricity trade balance in the Middle East… With 5.5 terawatt-hours of electricity exports and 3 terawatt-hours of imports, Iran boasts the highest electricity trade surplus in the region at 2.5 terawatt-hours, far surpassing its neighboring countries.”
This unfounded claim was published by ISNA news agency in April, citing an official from the administration of then-regime president Ebrahim Raisi. However, even before winter arrived, this claim unraveled. Contrary to such assertions, the Iranian people have recently been facing power outages along with other issues, including gas shortages, increased air pollution, freezing temperatures, dust storms, and more. These problems have turned into unsolvable crises, leaving many Iranian cities and provinces paralyzed or partially shut down.
Tehran’s Strategic Defeat in Syria Causes Rifts in Iran’s Regime
With two weeks having passed since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship in Syria, the strategic blow’s repercussions for the Iranian regime are now clearly visible in the rising dissenting voices within the regime.
Meanwhile, on December 12, regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei, in his first reaction to the loss of his strategic depth in Syria, called any “demoralization of the public” a “crime” that should be prosecuted. His judiciary issued a statement to reinforce this threat, yet criticisms and sarcasm against Khamenei are becoming more open, explicit, and sharp by the day.
In this context, Khamenei’s claims and those of his affiliates, such as “We have not been defeated,” “We have not weakened,” and “Syrian youth will soon rise and reclaim Syria,” elicit nothing but ridicule, even within the regime.
Iranian Regime Exploits Vulnerable Youth for Terrorism in Europe
Recent reports reveal a disturbing strategy employed by the Iranian regime: the recruitment of children and teenagers to carry out attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe. Bloomberg’s investigation sheds light on a dangerous trend where Middle Eastern tensions are spilling into Europe, fueled by anger over civilian casualties in Gaza. This anger is being weaponized to make vulnerable youths more susceptible to recruitment.
The Iranian regime’s alleged use of teenagers to execute attacks abroad points to a deliberate exploitation of a vulnerable demographic. Adolescents, often impressionable and easily influenced, are being targeted through platforms like TikTok, Telegram, and WhatsApp. Petter Nesser, a terrorism researcher at Norway’s defense research institute, described how young mercenaries are contacted and hired for missions, with payments starting as low as 120 euros for a petrol bomb attack and reaching up to 1,500 euros for targeted killings.
A Beacon of Hope: PMOI Resistance Units Challenge Iran’s Authority in Zahedan
In recent weeks, the PMOI (People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran) Resistance Units have intensified their activities in Zahedan, a city located in southeastern Iran. This surge in activism occurs amidst a backdrop of severe repression by the Iranian regime, which has been cracking down on dissent and opposition. The actions of these Resistance Units are part of a broader strategy aimed at advocating for regime change and challenging the Iranian government’s authority.
The PMOI Resistance Units have employed various tactics to galvanize public dissent against the regime. These include distributing leaflets, painting slogans on walls, and displaying banners that convey powerful messages of resistance. Their activities are seen as a direct challenge to the regime’s attempts to stifle opposition through violence and intimidation. The slogans used by these groups resonate deeply with the public’s sentiments, expressing a collective yearning for freedom and justice.
Iran’s Struggle Amid Assad’s Fall: A Regime on the Edge
The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has dealt a devastating blow to the Iranian regime, leaving it grappling with its vulnerabilities. In a speech delivered on Sunday, December 22, the regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, expressed his growing concern over the potential for domestic unrest fueled by the regime’s weakened state. Addressing a group of regime panegyrists, Khamenei’s rhetoric highlighted the mounting challenges facing his rule.
Khamenei’s speech centered on warnings about “doubt,” “intimidation,” “discord,” and “desperation,” which he attributed to external and internal enemies of the regime. He labeled protesters as “troublemakers” and cautioned against what he termed the “triad of intimidation, discord, and creating despair.” Accusing the West of fomenting unrest, he said, “An American official says that we will help anyone who disturbs Iran. The fools have smelled opportunity.” He then vowed that “The Iranian nation will trample underfoot any U.S. mercenary who accepts this role.”
Iranian Athlete Detained Over Instagram Video Faces Health Crisis in Prison
Zeinab Haj Hashemi, a 43-year-old Iranian athlete from Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, is currently jailed in Isfahan Prison, central Iran, under severe conditions.
Her detention stems from charges related to a sports video she posted on her Instagram account, which authorities have labeled as “corruption and promoting indecency,” “insulting religious sanctities,” and “propaganda against the regime.”
Since her arrest over two months ago, Zeinab Haj Hashemi has endured harsh solitary confinement without a formal court hearing, having only appeared before the prosecutor’s office. Reports indicate that she is under intense pressure, and her health has deteriorated significantly. There are suspicions that she may be suffering from cancer, necessitating urgent medical attention. Despite this, officials have reportedly frozen her bank accounts and blocked her social media profiles, further isolating her.
300% Increase in Tuition Fees at Azad University Has Left Students Indebted
Ramadan Rahimi Dasht-Louie, a member of the Education Committee of the Iranian regime’s Majlis (Parliament), noted the 300% increase in tuition fees for medical sciences programs at Islamic Azad University, stating that students in these programs have become indebted to the university due to their inability to pay the fees. On Sunday, December 22, Rahimi announced in an interview with the state-run ILNA news agency that the tripling of tuition fees for medical sciences at Islamic Azad University was abruptly announced, leaving the Parliament and the Ministry of Science uninformed.
This Majlis member stated that if Islamic Azad University intended to increase tuition fees, it should have been mentioned in the registration guide for entrance exams, adding that this decision has violated the rights of university entrance exam candidates.
30% Decrease In Iran’s Autumn Crops Due to Power Outages
Qassem Pishehvar, the head of the Iranian regime’s Agricultural Guild Chamber announced a 30% reduction in autumn crop production due to power outages.
On Saturday, December 21, Pishevar also told the state-run Mehr News Agency that the damage caused by power outages is not limited to agricultural products but also seriously affects equipment for wells. According to Pishehvar, electricity to agricultural wells is currently cut daily from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Two weeks ago, an inspector from the National Broiler Farmers Union reported a 20% loss to poultry farms due to power outages.
The government’s inability to supply electricity during autumn comes despite electricity demand being one-third lower in cold months than in warmer seasons. The government is unable to meet even this reduced demand due to gas shortages and insufficient liquid fuel for power plants.
The Iranian Chamber of Commerce warns about worker layoffs due to power outages
A day after the Iranian regime’s Majlis (Parliament) Research Center reported on the persistent decline in industrial sector growth, the head of the Industry Commission of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce warned about potential worker layoffs in this sector due to repeated power outages. On Sunday, December 22, Alireza Kolahi Samadi stated that over the past three years, investment in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution has been “zero,” leaving Iran facing a massive electricity shortage.
The Majlis Research Center also reported the previous day that energy imbalances in the country have caused Iran’s industrial economic growth to decline sharply since 2023. This trend worsened in the second and third quarters of 2024, approaching “zero.”
Iranian Political Prisoners Protest Executions as U.S. Sanctions Ghezel Hesar Prison for Human Rights Abuses
In recent months, Iranian authorities have intensified the execution of prisoners, prompting protests within the country’s prisons. Political prisoners in Unit 4 of Ghezel Hesar Prison began a weekly hunger strike on January 28, 2024, to oppose the escalating use of the death penalty. These protests have drawn international attention, culminating in the U.S. government imposing sanctions on Ghezel Hesar Prison for gross human rights violations.
On December 19, 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the designation of Ghezel Hesar Prison under Section 106 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Secretary Blinken described the prison as a site of “cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment and punishment” against individuals exercising their right to freedom of expression. He emphasized that political prisoners in the facility have endured severe beatings while engaging in peaceful hunger strikes against the death penalty.
Los Angeles, December 21, 2024: Support for Iranian Political Prisoners and Condemnation of Surge in Executions
#LosAngeles, December 21, 2024: Support for Iranian Political Prisoners and Condemnation of Surge in Executions#StopExecutionsInIran #FreePoliticalPrisoners #FreeIran10PointPlan https://t.co/TR2tsgehyH
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) December 23, 2024
Californian, Los Angeles—December 21, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a book exhibition and protested against the rising wave of executions carried out by the Iranian regime, supporting the ‘No to Execution’ campaign against Iran’s regime. They called for the immediate release of all political prisoners held in the regime’s prisons in Iran and protested the sentencing of political prisoners associated with the PMOI to death.
Copenhagen, December 21, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally to Demand Release of Political Prisoners and End to Executions in Iran
Copenhagen, Denmark—December 21, 2024: Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally and exhibition to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution and to condemn the Iranian regime’s increasing reliance on executions.
The event highlighted the escalating human rights violations in Iran and condemned the death sentences imposed on political prisoners affiliated with the PMOI.
Sydney, Australia—December 21, 2024: MEK Supporters Host Exhibition Condemning Crimes of Iran’s Regime
#Sydney, #Australia—December 21, 2024: #MEK Supporters Host Exhibition Condemning Crimes of #Iran’s Regime #StopExecutionsInIran #FreePoliticalPrisoners #FreeIran10PointPlanhttps://t.co/mLDatQNf80
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) December 23, 2024
Sydney, Australia—December 21, 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 and to condemn the Iranian regime’s increasing reliance on executions.
The event highlighted the escalating human rights violations in Iran and condemned the death sentences imposed on political prisoners affiliated with the PMOI. MEK supporters in Sydney called for the trial of the mullahs’ regime leaders for crimes against humanity in an international court.