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UPDATE: 7:00 PM CET
Old Playbook: Iran’s Sectarian Provocations in Syria Continue
Iran-backed militia groups have started provoking sectarian tensions in cities like Latakia and Tartus, which were once strongholds of dictator Bashar al-Assad before the revolution.
These actions seem to be aimed at undermining the efforts of Syria’s post-revolutionary transitional government to promote social harmony and unity. The individuals spreading the false narrative of oppression against the Alawite minority are believed to have direct ties to Iran.
These recent events follow a call by Iran’s leader, Ali Khamenei, urging Shiite resistance in Syria, indicating that these incidents are not coincidental. They pose a threat not only to Syria’s future, freed from Assad’s dictatorship, but also to regional stability.
UPDATE: 9:00 AM CET
The Livelihood Crisis of The Iranian People Continues to Intensifies
The economic crisis faced by the Iranian people is deepening day by day. The regime’s military expenditure has increased significantly, while its revenue, primarily derived from selling crude oil, is declining.
Tax ceilings have been raised to their maximum potential, leading to a severe social backlash. This is happening amidst continuous protests by various social groups and professions.
One example is the workers from Gachsaran Oil and Gas Exploitation Company, as well as retirees from the steel and mining sectors of Isfahan, who have been protesting their poor work and living conditions regularly in recent weeks.
PMOI Resistance Units Intensify Anti-Regime Efforts in Zahedan Amid Rising Executions
In Zahedan, a city marked by its historical resistance against authoritarian rule of both the shah and mullahs’ regimes, PMOI Resistance Units have ramped up their activities against the current Iranian regime, emphasizing a continued commitment to dismantle all forms of dictatorship. These developments have unfolded with a surge of actions with placards that contain revolutionary slogans for the overthrow of the regime and the establishment of democracy in Iran. The slogans carried by these materials are resonant, ranging from calls for the downfall of oppressors across Iran to a categorical rejection of both past and present forms of autocratic governance. Quotes such as “From Zahedan to Tehran, down with the oppressor, be it the shah or the mullahs” and “From Zahedan to Tehran, the key to progress and victory is resistance” underline the broad geographical and ideological scope of the resistance efforts. These statements echo through the streets of Zahedan and are aimed at mobilizing the populace from the southeast to the capital.
Wave of Executions in Iran During Christmas: A Grim Reality
In a shocking display of brutality, the Iranian regime executed at least 22 individuals across various prisons within a span of three days, coinciding with Christmas celebrations. Between December 24 and 26, during a time symbolizing peace and compassion, these executions were carried out with complete disregard for human dignity.
Beyond the executions, the oppressive conditions in Iranian prisons led to further tragedies. On Wednesday, December 25, Mohammad Kushki, a prisoner on death row, committed suicide in Ghezel Hesar Prison due to severe pressure from guards. Similarly, on Monday, December 23, Mehdi Khodayari, a 28-year-old detainee, succumbed to injuries after being tortured in Evin Prison.
A Year of Unprecedented Challenges for the Iranian Regime
The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria marked the culmination of a catastrophic year for the Iranian regime. This development significantly weakened the “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition of forces aligned with Iran in the region, following a series of heavy blows in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Simultaneously, Iran faces a crippling economic crisis, with the rial plunging to its lowest historical value.
In April 2024, Israel struck a building near Iran’s embassy in Damascus, referred to as the “consulate.” In retaliation, Iran launched an attack involving over 300 drones and missiles against Israel. However, this offensive failed to achieve its objectives and underscored the regime’s growing vulnerabilities.
Iran’s Cement Industry and Broader Economy Face Severe Energy Crisis
Iran’s cement industry is reeling under the impact of a severe energy crisis, with the Secretary of the Cement Industry Employers Union announcing the suspension of production in 22 factories due to gas shortages. According to Ali Akbar Alwandian, factories that remain operational are also grappling with power outages lasting several hours, forcing them to operate below capacity.
Speaking on December 25, Alwandian stated that gas supply restrictions to cement factories began on October 6 and have progressively worsened since then. He highlighted the situation in Tehran and Khorasan, where cement factories have ceased operations entirely. “Last winter, the industry faced an energy crisis, but this year, the severity has increased, and it started earlier. In 2022, gas restrictions began on November 6, whereas this year, they started a month earlier, on October 7, causing more significant damage to the industry,” Alwandian said.
Iran’s Economic Growth Halves in 2024: Central Bank Statistics
Recent data released by Iran’s Central Bank reveals that the country’s GDP growth in the first half of 2024 has halved compared to the same period in 2023. According to the statistics, Iran’s economic growth stood at 5.3% in the first half of last year but dropped significantly to 2.9% during the first six months of this year.
A closer analysis of the data indicates that economic growth during the summer was weaker than in the spring. Including oil revenues, the growth rate was 2.7%, but excluding oil, it fell to just 2.3%. This highlights a critical reliance on the oil sector to drive overall economic performance.
Iranian Political Prisoner Denied Medical Care, Held Among Violent Offenders
Mohammad Javad Vafaie Sani, a political prisoner sentenced to death, has been denied essential medical treatment, access to prison facilities, and transfer to a ward designated for political prisoners. He has been held alongside individuals convicted of violent crimes for over five years, in violation of the principle of separating prisoners based on the nature of their offenses.
According to informed sources, Vafaie Sani has been suffering for months from severe knee tendon damage and chronic pain. Prison doctors recommended physiotherapy, a proposal that was approved by prison officials, including the prison warden and the security division. Despite this, judicial authorities, including the prison’s supervising judge, have repeatedly refused to grant permission for him to receive treatment outside the prison.
Iran: Mandatory Military Service and Millions of Draft Dodgers
In recent decades, the Iranian government has used mandatory military service as a tool for suppression, financial extortion, and more.
On Saturday, December 21, 2024, a bus carrying conscripted soldiers overturned on a road in Lorestan Province, killing nine and injuring 22 others. This incident reignited the heated debate over “mandatory military service.”
Sociologist Sina Kalhor believes that efforts to avoid “mandatory military service ” disrupt the lives of many individuals. He argues that the balance between the costs and benefits of this system is minimal and describes the situation as wholly illogical.
Drawing a comparison with Syria’s army, Kalhor explains that the prolonged implementation of conscription in the Syrian military has yielded unfavorable outcomes. He stresses that the negative consequences of this method are visibly evident, with no public enthusiasm for mandatory military service.
Join the 29th Free Iran Telethon: Supporting Simay-e-Azadi (INTV), January 17–19, 2025
December 28, 2024—Iranian communities and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) worldwide are rallying support for the upcoming 29th Free Iran Telethon, set to take place from Friday, January 17, to Sunday, January 19, 2025. Through heartfelt video messages and images, they are inviting compatriots to participate in this significant event dedicated to supporting Simay-e-Azadi (INTV).
Join the 29th #FreeIranTelethon: Supporting Simay-e-Azadi (INTV), January 17–19, 2025 #Iran #FreeIran10PointPlan @en_simayazadi https://t.co/PivBZoiw0r
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) December 28, 2024
As the first 24/7 Persian-speaking opposition TV network, Simay-e-Azadi plays a critical role as the voice of the voiceless, amplifying the aspirations of the Iranian people for a free and democratic Iran. Entirely independent, the channel relies on contributions from freedom-loving Iranians and global supporters of democracy.
Sydney, Australia—December 27, 2024: MEK Supporters Condemn Iranian Regime’s Atrocities in Public Exhibition
Sydney, Australia—December 27, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized an exhibition to show solidarity with the Iranian Revolution and denounce the regime’s escalating use of executions as a tool of oppression.
#Sydney, #Australia—December 27, 2024: #MEK Supporters Condemn Iranian Regime’s Atrocities in Public Exhibition #StopExecutionsInIran #FreePoliticalPrisoners #FreeIran10PointPlan https://t.co/1ljxXcElH5
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) December 28, 2024
The event spotlighted Iran’s worsening human rights abuses and condemned the death sentences imposed on political prisoners linked to the PMOI. MEK supporters in Sydney called for international tribunals to hold the regime’s leaders accountable for crimes against humanity.
Aarau, Switzerland—December 27, 2024: MEK Supporters Protest Iranian Regime’s Executions in Public Exhibition
Aarau, Switzerland—December 27, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized an exhibition to protest the Iranian regime’s alarming increase in executions.