THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 8:00 PM CET
US Sanctions Huthi Leadership After Reimposing Terrorist Designation
Agence France Presse (AFP) – The United States on Wednesday sanctioned seven Huthi leaders and an individual who sent Yemeni civilians to fight for Russia in Ukraine, a day after reimposing a terrorist designation against the Yemeni militant group.
The Iran-backed rebels control much of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, and have launched missile and drone attacks at Israel since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023.
The seven sanctioned leaders “have smuggled military-grade items and weapon systems into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and also negotiated Houthi weapons procurements from Russia,” the US Treasury Department said in a statement, using an alternative spelling for the group.
UPDATE: 5:30 PM CET
EU Condemns Iran’s Nuclear Escalation, Warns of Proliferation Risks at IAEA Meetings
The European Union has issued a strong warning over the Iranian regime’s nuclear advancements, citing growing concerns about proliferation risks and Tehran’s lack of cooperation with the IAEA. At the IAEA Board of Governors meeting on March 4, the EU condemned Iran’s continued nuclear escalation, stating that “the risk of a nuclear proliferation crisis in the region is increasing as a result of Iran’s escalating nuclear trajectory.” The EU highlighted Iran’s accumulation of more than six significant quantities of 60% enriched uranium, warning that such actions “carry very significant proliferation-related risks and raise grave concerns about Iran’s intentions, since they have no credible civilian justification.”
The EU also criticized Tehran’s obstruction of IAEA oversight, particularly the removal of monitoring equipment and the rejection of experienced inspectors. “The Agency has lost and will not be able to restore continuity of knowledge and is unable to provide assurance of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme,” the EU stated. On March 5, the EU reiterated its deep concern over Iran’s failure to clarify outstanding safeguards issues, stressing that the IAEA “is not in a position to provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.” Despite five Board resolutions, the clerical regime has not provided full and technically credible explanations for nuclear-related activities at multiple undeclared locations, further exacerbating international concerns.
The EU urged Tehran to immediately reverse course by ceasing its nuclear escalation, restoring IAEA monitoring, and complying with its safeguards obligations. It also called for the IAEA’s findings to be made public, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the need for full transparency.
UPDATE: 10:00 AM CET
U.S. Warns Iran Over Nuclear Escalation at IAEA Board Meeting
At the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Howard Solomon issued a stark warning about the Iranian regime’s nuclear activities, describing them as “extremely alarming” and a direct threat to international security.
Solomon condemned Tehran’s continued production of highly enriched uranium—surpassing 80% purity—despite not possessing nuclear weapons. “Iran is the only country in the world producing highly enriched uranium without a nuclear arsenal,” he emphasized, calling Tehran’s actions either an attempt to extort the international community or a dangerous step toward nuclear weaponization. “This is a very dangerous strategy for Iran. We will not be extorted,” he stated.
The U.S. representative also denounced the regime’s restrictions on IAEA inspections and its decision to revoke the designation of inspectors after they detected undeclared modifications to advanced centrifuges at the Fordow facility. “Iran should be increasing transparency, not reducing it. It should be fulfilling its safeguards obligations, not undermining the Agency’s verification,” he said.
Solomon urged Tehran to reverse its nuclear escalations and fully comply with the IAEA if it genuinely seeks a diplomatic resolution. “If Iran wants a deal, the path starts with ceasing its escalatory activities and building international confidence,” he declared.
The United States formally requested that the IAEA’s report on Iran’s nuclear program be made public, vowing to closely monitor Tehran’s actions.
Top Trump Defense Policy Pick Elbridge Colby Calls Iran Nuclear Threat ‘Existential’ in Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans grilled President Trump’s pick to oversee policy at the Pentagon Tuesday, asking him to state for the record whether the growing nuclear threat from Iran is “existential.”
Elbridge Colby, who was nominated as the undersecretary of defense for policy, fielded questions from members of the Senate Armed Services Committee weeks after a behind-the-scenes spat about his views on Tehran spilled into the open.
“Let’s talk about a nuclear Iran,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who sits on the Armed Services panel and also chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee. “I have some concerns about what you’ve said in the past.”
UPDATE: 7:30 AM CET
Iran’s Youth Respond with Fire as Regime Seeks to Crush Uprising with Executions
On Saturday, March 2, 2025, coinciding with the worsening internal crisis of the regime and protests by the frustrated people, Iran’s regime, fearing an uprising and to control the situation, resorted to the mass execution of prisoners and executed at least 27 prisoners on the eve of Ramadan.
While 54 prisoners were executed from February 26 to March 2, 2025, meaning three prisoners every five hours, executions continue in various prisons across the country, and the regime refuses to announce statistics and names.
Smaller Tankers Gain Prominence in Iran-China Oil Trade Amid US Sanctions
As reported by Bloomberg, on March 4, 2025, in a significant shift driven by escalating US sanctions, smaller and more maneuverable tankers are increasingly becoming the backbone of the Iran-to-China oil trade. According to recent ship-tracking data from Kpler, the use of Aframax and Suezmax vessels has surged, marking a departure from the traditional reliance on very large crude carriers (VLCCs).
In February alone, eight smaller tankers were involved in ship-to-ship (STS) transfers receiving Iranian crude from supertankers, a sharp increase from the two tankers used in each of the preceding months of December and January. These smaller vessels are primarily headed to China, highlighting a strategic pivot in the face of stringent US sanctions.
Member of European Parliament Sponsors Two Political Prisoners on Death Row in Iran
Per Clausen, a member of the European Parliament from Denmark’s Red-Green Alliance party, announced that he has taken political sponsorship of two political prisoners on death row in Iran, Mehdi Hasani and Behrouz Ehsani-Eslamloo. On Monday, March 3, Clausen wrote on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the Iranian government’s execution of approximately 1,000 people annually: “Today, I decided, as a member of the European Parliament, to take political sponsorship of these two prisoners who are at imminent risk of execution.”
Earlier, Branch 39 of Iran’s Supreme Court announced that it had rejected the appeal request for a retrial of Behrouz Ehsani-Eslamloo and Mehdi Hasani.
Iran: Lives of Political Prisoners Pakhshan Azizi and Varisheh Moradi at Risk
Seventeen human rights organizations have expressed concern over the imminent execution of Pakhshan Azizi and Varisheh Moradi, two civil activists in Iran, in an open letter to the German government, the European Parliament, and United Nations human rights bodies. According to the human rights organization Hengaw, these 17 organizations have called on the German government, the European Parliament, and UN human rights bodies to take action to save the lives of these two Kurdish political prisoners.
The letter, published on Monday, March 3, states that Azizi and Moradi’s alleged crime is “fighting for justice and human rights.” The execution sentences are described as “not only a direct attack on their lives but also an unprecedented violation of the fundamental rights of women, ethnic minorities, and activists worldwide.”
Iran Dramatically Increased Gas Exports to Turkey Amid Energy Crisis
New data from Turkey’s Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) reveals a 30% surge in Turkey’s gas imports from Iran in 2024 compared to the previous year. In 2023, Turkey purchased approximately 7 billion cubic meters of gas from Iran.
More notably, Iran’s gas exports to Turkey increased by 75% in the last four months of 2023 compared to the same period in the previous year, despite Iran facing a massive gas shortage domestically.
This sharp increase in gas exports during the cold months comes as Iran has been grappling with a severe gas shortage. In recent months, the government has imposed strict restrictions on gas supply to industries, while shortages at power plants have led to widespread electricity blackouts across the country.
Vienna, March 3, 2025: Iranian Resistance Supporters Rally Against Iran’s Nuclear Threat and Appeasement Policy
On Monday, March 3, 2025, coinciding with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting, freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered in Muhammad-Asad-Platz, Vienna. The protesters demanded the activation of snapback sanctions and the re-implementation of all UN Security Council resolutions to prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.
MEK Supporters in Gothenburg Rally in Support of Maryam Rajavi’s 10-Point Plan – March 1, 2025
Gothenburg, Sweden – March 1, 2025: Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) came together to voice their unwavering support for Mrs. Maryam Rajavi‘s 10-point plan for a free, democratic, and secular Iran. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to the only viable democratic and popular alternative, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).