THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 10:30 PM CET
German Think Tank Cancels Talk by Pro-Iran Regime Lobbyist
A prominent think tank in Germany has canceled a talk by a well-known advocate for Iranian regime interests in Washington, D.C., following vocal pushback from human rights activists in the Iranian diaspora.
The German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) pulled the plug on a February 17 talk by Trita Parsi on Friday. Parsi, who corresponded with Iranian officials intent on undermining sanctions against Tehran, serves as the executive vice president of the Quincy Institute, a well-known think tank that agitates for Iranian and Qatari interests in the U.S.
Prior to his work at the Quincy Institute, which he founded, Parsi served as head of the National Iranian-American Council (NIAC), which lobbied against sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear program. In 2012, US District Court for the District of Columbia determined Parsi’s work for NIAC was “not inconsistent with the idea that he was first and foremost an advocate for the regime.”
UPDATE: 6:30 PM CET
Sanctioning Networks Channeling Revenue to Iran’s Military
The United States will not tolerate Iran’s destructive and destabilizing behavior and is today sanctioning an international network that channels illicit revenue to the Iranian military. This network is being designated for facilitating millions of barrels of illicit Iranian oil shipments to China to fund Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff through its front company Sepehr Energy. Proceeds of these sales support terrorist and proxy groups.
In addition, the United States is targeting shadow fleet vessels and management companies that transported Iranian oil, aiding Iran’s ability to promote destabilizing activities in the region.
UPDATE: 2:30 PM CET
How Hezbollah Ends
For Hezbollah, these are trying times. After decades of being Lebanon’s predominant political and military organization, the group is reeling. During a yearlong war with Israel, it lost much of its military infrastructure. Its leadership ranks were decimated. Battered by conflict, in November, it signed a cease-fire agreement with Israel and pulled its forces from Lebanon’s south—Hezbollah’s traditional domain. Not long after, Bashar al-Assad’s regime fell in Syria, severing supply lines between the organization and Iran, its primary patron. Now Hezbollah is also at risk of losing the support of Lebanese Shiites, who make up its domestic base.
UPDATE: 7:30 AM CET
Meeting of Professor Alejo Vidal-Quadras and Mrs. Amparo Fuertes with Maryam Rajavi and Members of the Iranian Resistance
On Friday, February 1, Professor Alejo Vidal-Quadras, President of the International Committee in Search of Justice and former Vice President of the European Parliament, along with Mrs. Amparo Fuertes, met with Maryam Rajavi in Paris and joined members and supporters of the Iranian Resistance.
During the gathering, Maryam Rajavi addressed Professor Vidal-Quadras and Amparo Fuertes, stating: “More than a year after the despicable terrorist attack orchestrated by the clerical regime—an attempt to eliminate Dr. Vidal entirely, which ultimately failed—his unwavering, dynamic, and passionate presence on every front remains a relentless thorn in the enemy’s side.
“Today, we see Dr. Vidal more driven than ever, stronger than ever, and more determined than ever to push forward successive campaigns. He seizes every opportunity to act in support of this Resistance.
The Devastating Challenges of Iran’s Economy
Iran’s economy, over the past two decades, has faced devastating challenges. These challenges are clearly observable in assessments of the country’s economic changes at three major turning points, specifically the years 2005, 2014, and 2023. According to economists, despite political, social, and international changes, the overall size and structure of Iran’s economy have not undergone significant transformation. This situation, particularly regarding economic growth, GDP, and overall economic performance, is seen as a profound indicator of inefficiencies and economic crises.
On January 25, Shafaqna news agency quoted economist Farshad Momeni as saying, “The size of Iran’s economy remained nearly unchanged at the turning points of 2005, 2014, and 2023. This means even if oil reaches about $140 per barrel, our situation doesn’t improve; moving toward the JCPOA doesn’t help either, and extreme or suspicious stances against the JCPOA are successful—none of these have any impact on our economic performance.”
Iranian Regime VP Denies Plans for Negotiations With The U.S.
After declaring the reinstatement of the maximum pressure policy on the Iranian regime, U.S. President Donald Trump followed up with an offer to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Tehran. In response, regime Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref announced that at present, no meeting or negotiation is on its agenda. On February 5, responding to questions from the media, Aref said, “One cannot say that a meeting between two individuals is impossible, but today, meetings and negotiations are not on the Islamic Republic’s agenda.”
Earlier, Deputy Intelligence Minister Hossein Safdari had warned reformist factions within the regime, who were increasingly advocating for negotiations, that talks with the U.S. were “the greatest poison” for the system and would have “no political or security benefit.”
The Mechanics of Corruption Under Iran’s Regime
How does corruption flourish under the rule of the Iranian regime? This pressing question was recently addressed by Hossein Salahvarzi, the former head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, in an interview with the state-run Shafaqna media outlet on February 3, 2025.
Salahvarzi exposed the extent of foreign exchange corruption and the government’s flawed economic policies, arguing that the Central Bank’s mandated pricing and misguided policies have fostered rent-seeking behavior and widespread corruption while severely impacting the country’s exports and trade balance.
The Growing Threat of Unsafe Housing in Iran
Unsafe housing has become a critical threat to millions of Iranians, particularly those living in dilapidated urban areas and informal settlements on the outskirts of cities. These homes, lacking structural integrity, are highly vulnerable to earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. Despite repeated warnings from experts, the renovation and reconstruction of these buildings have faced persistent delays, exacerbating the crisis. One of the primary reasons behind the proliferation of unsafe homes in Iran is substandard construction. Many buildings are erected without adherence to engineering principles, often using low-quality materials and with minimal oversight. This problem is particularly pronounced in densely populated areas, where unregulated and unauthorized construction is rampant.
Widespread School Dropout Crisis in Iran: Poverty and Systemic Failures to Blame
Rezvan Hakimzadeh, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Primary Education, revealed alarming statistics about school dropouts in the country, highlighting deep-rooted challenges within the education system. Speaking on Wednesday, February 5, Hakimzadeh stated that nearly 169,000 Iranian children have dropped out of primary school. According to the state-run IRNA news agency, Hakimzadeh reported that 168,881 students left school before completing the sixth grade, while 71,061 first-grade students also failed to continue their education. He further noted that in primary school alone, 76,175 students had been identified as dropouts, out of which only 24,849 have been reintegrated into the education system since the beginning of the academic year.
Over a six-year period, the government has managed to identify and re-enroll just 15,680 students, reflecting the limited impact of state interventions. Meanwhile, more than 9.22 million students have been registered in primary schools for the new academic year, among whom approximately 438,000—around five percent—are foreign nationals.
Shocking Surge in Femicide in Iran: Another 9 Women Killed During 10 Days
A shocking surge in femicide and domestic violence in Iran has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least nine women, an infant, and two children over the past ten days.
Hamedan, January 27: A 27-year-old woman was murdered by her husband in the city of Asadabad, Hamedan province. The motive behind the crime remains unclear.
Shushtar, January 30: In a harrowing case of child marriage, 17-year-old Atefeh Zoghibi was brutally killed by her father and brother in Shushtar, Khuzestan province.
She was holding her infant in her arms when she was shot dead by her father and brother. Her killers acted in response to her elopement two years earlier and subsequent marriage to a young man.
Tehran on the Brink of a Water Crisis
Isa Bozorgzadeh, spokesperson for the Iranian regime’s water industry, warned about the “water shortage crisis in Tehran,” stating that if water consumption is not reduced, “Tehran will reach a dead end in terms of water supply.”
In an interview with the state-run ILNA news agency, Bozorgzadeh stated, “If citizens do not change their lifestyle and water consumption is not reduced by half, Tehran will face a severe crisis.”
The pressure on people to change their lifestyle and water consumption patterns comes amid numerous reports highlighting the Iranian regime’s failure to manage water and energy resources across various ministries.
Amnesty International Urges Global Action to Stop Execution of Pakhshan Azizi
Amnesty International issued a statement calling on the international community to urgently demand that Iranian authorities halt the execution of Pakhshan Azizi.
The international human rights organization emphasized in its statement on Thursday, February 6, that Pakhshan Azizi was “arbitrarily” arrested by Iranian authorities due to her “humanitarian activities” and sentenced to death “following a grossly unfair trial.”
Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “Pakhshan Azizi was detained solely in relation to her peaceful human rights and humanitarian activities, including providing humanitarian support to women and children in northeast Syria who were displaced following attacks by the Islamic State armed group. Instead of facing imminent execution she should be immediately and unconditionally released.”
Extensive Damage to Farmers Due to Power Outages in Iran
Ali Bagheri, head of the Agricultural Jihad Organization of Northern Kerman Province, announced that electricity imbalances and frequent blackouts have caused severe damage to 60% of orchard lands and 14% of farmland in the province. According to the state-run ILNA news agency, Bagheri estimated the total damage to the agricultural sector in northern Kerman caused by electricity imbalances at approximately 12,300 billion rials (about 140.64 million dollars). He stated, “Around 127,000 farmers have suffered losses due to this situation, and if this trend continues, the future of the province’s agriculture could face a serious crisis.”
This government official also noted that the greenhouse sector in northern Kerman has suffered a 24% loss. He added, “The blackouts have not only damaged agricultural and orchard products but have also disrupted the power supply to 8% of livestock and poultry farms.”
Protests Grow Against Death Sentence for Political Prisoner Manouchehr Fallah
Political prisoners and former cellmates of Manouchehr Fallah, a political prisoner in Iran, have voiced strong opposition to his death sentence, expressing their protests through various means. In a widely circulated video on social media, Masoud Bidarigh, a former political prisoner and a champion boxer from Gilan Province, staged a protest outside Lakan Prison in Rasht. Holding a photo of Manouchehr Fallah, he declared:
“No to the execution of Manouchehr Fallah. He is a compassionate, selfless, and innocent man. He was even denied legal representation in court and must be freed. What benefit does an execution bring other than spreading fear and reinforcing tyranny? We hope for the freedom of dear Manouchehr Fallah and all imprisoned individuals.”
Vahid Chavaran’s 12-Year Prison Sentence and Exile Confirmed
The 12-year prison sentence and exile to Zahedan for political prisoner Vahid Chavaran has been upheld by the appeals court. Previously, in January 2024, Branch 2 of the Ilam Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Rajab Mohammadi, had sentenced him to this punishment. The appeals court not only reaffirmed the previous ruling but also specified that his imprisonment would be served in Zahedan under strict conditions with no social interactions.
In April 2023, security forces raided Vahid Chavaran’s home in an attempt to arrest him. However, due to his vigilance, their attempt was unsuccessful. Eventually, on Friday, June 23, 2023, he was arrested while trying to leave the country and was subsequently transferred to the detention center of Ilam’s Intelligence Department.
Sweden Alleges Espionage Activities at Stockholm Mosque Connected to Iran
The recent shutdown of the Imam Ali Islamic Center in Stockholm, Sweden, has drawn significant attention and prompted varied reactions from Iranian officials. According to Swedish authorities, the decision was based on national security concerns.
Jakob Forssmed, Sweden’s Minister for Social Affairs, stated on platform X that Iranian authorities were allegedly using the center for espionage and activities considered a threat to national security. Forssmed emphasized that Sweden prioritizes protecting its national interests and ensuring that foreign influence does not undermine its security framework. He stated, “Based on the assessment of our security services, the activities conducted at this center were incompatible with our national security requirements.”
Gothenburg, Sweden – February 4, 2025: MEK Supporters Advocate for Paris Free Iran Rally
Gothenburg, Sweden – February 4, 2025: In the lead-up to the grand Free Iran Rally on February 8, 2025, in Paris, supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally, urging participation in this historical demonstration for freedom, democracy, and human rights in Iran.
Sheffield, UK – February 4, 2025: ‘Academics in Exile’ Exhibition Exposes Iran’s Human Rights Abuses
Sheffield, UK – February 4, 2025: The Academics in Exile Association, supporting the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), organized a book and photo exhibition to protest the death sentences imposed on political prisoners affiliated with the PMOI. The organizers denounced the Iranian regime’s continued human rights violations and expressed solidarity with the Iranian Revolution.
Gothenburg, February 4, 2025: MEK Supporters Rally in Solidarity with ‘No to Executions’ Campaign
Gothenburg, Sweden – February 4, 2025: Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally in solidarity with the “No to Executions Campaign” campaign, marking the twentieth consecutive week of their movement. This campaign is a response to the executions carried out in prisons by the Iranian regime.
Paris Exhibition: Condemning Iran’s Human Rights Violations and Supporting the Paris Free Iran Rally
Paris, France – February 5, 2025: Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held an exhibition to shed light on the Iranian regime’s escalating human rights violations and to express solidarity with the ongoing Iranian Revolution.