Iran News in Brief – May 1, 2024

THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS

UPDATE: 9:30 PM

Women Join Iran’s ‘Ambassadors of Kindness’ Who Snatch Other Women from The Streets

sky-news-logo-1On the same day Iran launched its first ever attack on Israel, Tehran intensified a less-noticed war at home. Sky News has analysed dozens of videos showing incidents of Iranian authorities targeting women for not properly wearing their hijab according to the regime’s Sharia law.

In Tehran’s Revolution Square, two women clad in long black full hijab approach another woman, dressed in jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and a hijab, or head scarf.

She tries to walk away, but one of the women in full hijab grabs her by her sleeve and pulls her back, yanking her onto the ground. She is surrounded, wrapped in a blanket, and bundled into a white van. The scene is from one of many videos that have been circulating widely on social media in recent weeks, showing incidents of the latest crackdown by Iran’s so-called morality police.

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UPDATE: 8:30 AM

Dutch Woman Arrested over Shooting of Spanish Former Politician

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A Dutch woman has been arrested in the Netherlands in relation to the shooting of a Spanish former politician in Madrid last year.

Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a founder of Spain’s far-right Vox party, was shot in the face near his home in the wealthy Salamanca neighbourhood on 9 November by a motorcycle passenger.

A long-time supporter of the Iranian opposition, Vidal-Quadras, 78, has accused the Iranian regime of involvement in the shooting. Four people had already been arrested as part of the investigation into the shooting, but the suspected gunman – a French national of Tunisian origin with several previous convictions in France – remains at large.

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UPDATE: 7:30 AM

Khamenei’s Delusions on The Conditions of Iranian Workers

iran workers shovel construction

On April 24, at the cusp of International Workers’ Day, Iranian regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei spoke so passionately about labor issues in Iran from his ivory tower as if Iranian workers are living in luxury and abundance, and only the “leap in production” remained. He said, “The cornerstone of the leap in production is the worker.”

Hearing Khamenei’s words, it’s hard to believe that these statements are coming from the leader of a country where, according to the report of Iran’s Statistical Center, 60% of its people are below the poverty line. Khamenei speaks as if he has no knowledge of the real situation of Iranian workers. He is aware of the dire situation of the working class, employees, teachers, and wage earners. However, following the tradition of all dictators, the fundamental political and economic problems between the people and the regime are covered up and censored, and an efficient image of the ruling regime is promoted.

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The Dire Conditions of Female Workers in Iran – International Workers Day

International Workers’ Day presents a poignant moment to reflect on the plight of female workers in Iran, and Iranian workers in general, who navigate a landscape of economic hardship and exploitation under the mullahs’ repressive rule. While comprehensive data and statistics about female workers in Iran are scarce, anecdotal evidence sheds light on their challenging circumstances. Typically, the small fraction of women who secure employment in Iran’s male-dominated job market often finds themselves relegated to the service sector or informal workshops. These roles frequently come with temporary contracts, leaving women vulnerable to exploitation. Moreover, they often work in substandard conditions without insurance or benefits, resembling conditions akin to modern-day slavery.

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Iran’s Healthcare System: A Descent from Glory

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Iran’s once-respected medical system appears to be on the brink of collapse, a point acknowledged with growing alarm by the country’s own media and officials. This decline is particularly concerning given Iran’s past reputation as a destination for “health tourism,” attracting patients from neighboring countries seeking high-quality medical care.

The state-run daily Farhikhtegan paints a stark picture. It criticizes the regime’s management of healthcare, highlighting the dwindling number of health tourists. The paper argues that cultural and social factors are not deterrents; instead, the blame falls squarely on the declining quality of services.

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The Anger of Iranian Society: Social Interference Sparks Unrest

In the midst of economic turmoil and societal tension, Iranian society finds itself gripped by anger and frustration, exacerbated by what many perceive as intrusive social interference. This sentiment is explored in an article titled “The Anger of the Iranian People Due to Social Interference” by an Iranian sociologist, shedding light on the repercussions of the regime’s morality police in a highly volatile environment and warning of the potential for escalating protests.

Taghi Azadaramki, a sociologist, emphasized the exacerbation of social tensions caused by the repressive actions of the morality police, particularly in times of economic hardship. Speaking to the regime’s state-run website Mardom Salari, he warned of the simmering discontent within society: “In this economic climate, instead of fostering peace, social interventions only serve to further anger the populace. Angry citizens express their frustration either in the same arena or by transferring their anger to places where they wield power.”

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Resignation, Job Change, and Nurse Exodus in Iran

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The state-run Hame-Mihan newspaper has addressed the problems of the healthcare workforce in Iran, examining issues such as resignations, job changes, and nurses leaving their positions. It indicates that in recent months, aside from suicides, a group of nurses in various hospitals across the country have collectively resigned. On April 29, HamMihan, had interviews with protesting nurses and reported that groups of nurses from Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital, Taleghani Hospital in Chalus, Taleghani Hospital in Abadan, and nurses from several healthcare centers in Yazd have made headlines with their mass resignations in recent months.

In recent years, nurses have been grappling with numerous issues, laying the groundwork for ongoing protests. Hame-Mihan notes that “collective resignations” have been added to the range of protest actions by nurses.

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Between Walls: The Baloch Struggle and Iran’s Berlin Wall Tactics

The government-affiliated news agency ISNA reports in a paragraph about an event expected to occur in Balochistan. Quoting the former commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards and the current Minister of Interior of the Raisi government, the government-affiliated news agency writes: “The Minister of Interior also stated, regarding the budget allocated for wall construction in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, that this plan had been approved in the past and the President had issued the order for it.

However, these sources are not related to one year but to the entire plan. One of our important issues is border closure. Due to the sensitivity that the President has about this issue, he has issued the order, and its implementation is underway.”

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Gothenburg, Sweden—April 27, 2024: MEK Supporters Organized a Rally Against the Regime’s Executions in Iran

Gothenburg, Sweden—April 27, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally Against the Regime’s Executions in Iran

Gothenburg, Sweden—April 27, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally to protest the increasing wave of executions by the Iranian regime. They also expressed solidarity with the Iranian Revolution.

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Vancouver, Canada—April 27, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally Against the Regime’s Executions in Iran, Demanding Blacklist the IRGC

Vancouver, Canada—April 27, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally Against the Regime's Executions in Iran.

Vancouver, Canada—April 27, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally against the increasing wave of executions by the regime in Iran. They also expressed their solidarity with the Iranian Revolution and advocated for blacklisting the IRGC.

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Los Angeles, California—April 27, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally, Urging Action Against the Mullahs’ Regime Executions in Iran

Los Angeles—April 27, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally, Urging Action Against Iran's Regime Executions.

Los Angeles, California—April 27, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally against the increasing wave of executions by the regime in Iran. They also expressed their solidarity with the Iranian Revolution and advocated for regime change towards a Free Iran.

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MEK Supporters Rally in Washington, DC to Protest Regime’s Executions and Call for Regime Change in Iran—April 27, 2024

MEK Supporters Rally in Washington to Protest Regime's Executions & Call for Regime Change in Iran.

Washington, DC—April 27, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally in front of the White House to protest the increasing wave of executions by the Iranian regime. They also expressed solidarity with the Iranian Revolution and advocated for regime change towards a Free Iran.

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Also, read Iran News in Brief – April 30, 2024