THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 6:00 PM CET
Hezbollah Media Head Killed in Israeli Strike on Beirut, Security Sources Say
BEIRUT, Nov 17 (Reuters) – An Israeli strike on a building in central Beirut on Sunday killed Hezbollah’s media relations chief Mohammad Afif, two Lebanese security sources told Reuters, though there was no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah.
Israel has rarely hit senior Hezbollah personnel who do not have clear military roles, and its air strikes have mostly targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs where Hezbollah has its heaviest presence.
Hezbollah and Israel have been trading fire for more than a year, since the Iran-backed group began launching rockets at Israeli military targets on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after its Palestinian ally Hamas carried out a deadly attack on southern Israel.
UPDATE: 11:30 AM CET
Berlin, November 14, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally to Honor November 2019 Uprising and Demand Firm Policy Against Iranian Regime and Blacklisting of IRGC
On November 14, 2024, supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered in front of the German Bundestag to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the November 2019 uprising in Iran. This rally served as a powerful reminder of the bravery displayed by Iranians during the protests against the regime, which were met with brutal repression.
Paris Exhibition Sheds Light on Human Rights Violations in Iran: MEK Supporters Gather on November 12, 2024
Paris, France—November 12, 2024: Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held an exhibition featuring photographs and books. The event aimed to show solidarity with the ongoing Iranian Revolution and to protest the alarming rise in executions carried out by the Iranian regime.
Copenhagen, November 14, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally to Honor November 2019 Martyrs and Denounce Iran Regime’s Crimes
Copenhagen, Denmark—November 14, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally and exhibition to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution. This rally served as a tribute to the martyrs of the nationwide Iranian uprising in November 2019 and in 2022.
Gothenburg, November 14, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally to Honor November 2019 Martyrs and Denounce Iran Regime’s Crimes
Gothenburg, Sweden—November 14, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally and exhibition to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution. This rally served as a tribute to the martyrs of the nationwide Iranian uprising in November 2019 and in 2022.
Heidelberg, November 14, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally to Honor November 2019 Martyrs and Denounce Iran Regime’s Crimes
Heidelberg, Germany—November 14, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally and exhibition to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution. This rally served as a tribute to the martyrs of the nationwide Iranian uprising in November 2019 and in 2022.
Vienna, November 14, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally to Honor November 2019 Martyrs and Denounce Iran Regime’s Crimes
Vienna, Austria—November 14, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally and exhibition to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution. This rally served as a tribute to the martyrs of the nationwide Iranian uprising in November 2019 and in 2022.
UPDATE: 9:30 AM CET
PMOI Resistance Units Mark the Anniversary of Iran’s 2019 Uprising
In a coordinated effort to honor Iran’s November 2019 uprising, PMOI Resistance Units carried out over 100 activities across the country. These actions were a tribute to the sacrifices made during the historic protests, reaffirming the opposition’s unyielding resolve against the regime. Activities included distributing leaflets, displaying images of resistance leaders with bold slogans, and hanging banners featuring Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), in prominent public spaces like bridges and walls. Despite heavy surveillance and significant risks, the Resistance Units succeeded in delivering a powerful message of defiance and hope for freedom and democracy.
EU Preparing Additional Sanctions against Iran over Missile Shipments to Russia
Kyiv Post – The European Union is preparing to implement additional sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities involved in propping up Russia’s war machine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on Nov. 15, citing a top EU official.
“There will be sanctions: we have a political agreement on the second package against Iran regarding the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia,” the unnamed source told RFE/RL.
The EU and other Western powers have previously slapped sanctions on Iran after it was revealed that Tehran supplied Fath-360 close-range ballistic missiles to Moscow.
On Oct. 14, the EU adopted sanctions against seven individuals and seven entities over Iran’s missile and drone shipments to Russia.
Iran’s Economy: A Crisis of Sanctions, Corruption, and Mismanagement
Iran’s economy is at a critical juncture, facing immense challenges driven by a combination of external pressures and internal dysfunction. Despite the Iranian regime’s efforts to project resilience, the nation confronts deepening structural issues that exacerbate inflation, unemployment, and poverty, leaving it mired in a prolonged period of stagnation.
The Role of Sanctions
Sanctions imposed primarily by the United States have severely undermined Iran’s economic stability. Focused on Iran’s nuclear program, defense sector, and the broader economy, these sanctions block US trade, freeze assets, and prohibit foreign aid and arms sales. Under the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign (2018–2021), over 90% of Iran’s $120 billion in reserves became inaccessible. Secondary sanctions devastated Iran’s currency, causing a 60% devaluation, escalating import costs, and triggering a balance of payments crisis.
#Iran’s #Economy: A Crisis of Sanctions, Corruption, and Mismanagement https://t.co/t6uktWBL4a via @irannewsupdate1
— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) November 15, 2024
Shrinking Civic Space and Rising Concerns: UN Expert on Human Rights in Iran
The Iranian regime is witnessing an alarming contraction of civic space as human rights defenders and journalists face charges tied to vaguely defined national security offenses. This stark observation was made by Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, during her recent visit to UN Headquarters in New York.
In an interview with UN News, Ms. Sato, who assumed her role in August, highlighted her primary concerns: increasing executions, worsening treatment of women, and the lack of transparency in the Iranian government’s operations. These challenges represent a significant burden on the state’s already fragile human rights record.
Shrinking Civic Space and Rising Concerns: UN Expert on Human Rights in #Iran#HumanRightsViolations #StopExecutionsInIran https://t.co/MOJdCarBX8 via @irannewsupdate1
— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) November 15, 2024
Iran’s Regime Links Bank Card Systems with Russia to Bypass Sanctions
In a strategic maneuver to bypass international sanctions, Iran’s regime and Russia have reportedly linked their respective national bank card systems, Shetab and Mir, as announced by Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN) on Monday. This development is intended to allow Iranians to use their bank cards in Russia and permit Russian nationals to access financial services in Iran.
While an official start date for this initiative has not been provided, the collaboration marks a significant step in Iran’s efforts to insulate its economy from Western financial pressures.
Iran’s banking sector has been crippled since 2018, when the United States, under then-President Donald Trump, pushed for Iran’s exclusion from the global financial messaging system SWIFT. This isolation severely restricted Iran’s ability to conduct international transactions, as SWIFT is the primary channel for global banking. With these restrictions in place, Iran has struggled to participate in global markets and finance its activities abroad.
#Iran’s Regime Links Bank Card Systems with Russia to Bypass #Sanctions #Time4FirmIranPolicy #No2Appeasementhttps://t.co/Bi4WKo2KY0 via @irannewsupdate1
— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) November 15, 2024
What Did Grossi Achieve During His Visit to Tehran?
What transpired during the meeting between Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and Massoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, and what achievements did Grossi leave with?
Massoud Pezeshkian, President of the Iranian regime, stated during his meeting with Rafael Grossi: “We declare our readiness to cooperate with the IAEA to resolve alleged ambiguities and suspicions about our peaceful nuclear activities.”
He further added: “The world has now concluded that the Iranian government seeks peace and global security.”
What Did Grossi Achieve During His Visit to Tehran? https://t.co/DiEnldtsW6 pic.twitter.com/YeFqrfQEu8
— Iran Focus (@Iran_Focus) November 15, 2024
UN Fact-Finding Mission Warns About Executions in Iran
A United Nations Fact-Finding Mission has warned the Iranian government about the sharp increase in executions and called for their cessation.
The UN Fact-Finding Mission urged an immediate halt to executions and a temporary suspension of the use of the death penalty by the Iranian government.
The fact-finding mission has also called on the Iranian government to completely abolish the death penalty.
The Fact-Finding Mission, referencing the death sentence of “Varisheh Moradi” on charges of “armed rebellion against the state,” stated that the Iranian government uses executions to suppress female activists.
UN Fact-Finding Mission Warns About Executions in Iran https://t.co/K7aT1qMhXz pic.twitter.com/XVTB9j5o2Y
— Iran Focus (@Iran_Focus) November 15, 2024
Berlin, November 14, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally to Honor November 2019 Uprising and Demand Firm Policy Against Iranian Regime and Blacklisting of IRGC
On November 14, 2024, supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered in front of the German Bundestag to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the November 2019 uprising in Iran. This rally served as a powerful reminder of the bravery displayed by Iranians during the protests against the regime, which were met with brutal repression.