THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 2:30 PM CET
Iran Hiding Missile, Drone Programs Under Guise of Commercial Front to Evade Sanctions
Iran has turned to its commercial sector to conceal its development of ballistic missiles in a move to circumvent international sanctions, turning private companies into fronts for its illicit military dealings. Sources embedded within the Iranian regime and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and who are also affiliated with the Iranian resistance group called the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, have collected months of information on how the civilian workforce is unknowingly fueling Tehran’s war machine.
According to a report by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital, civilian companies involved with oil, gas, petrochemicals, and electronic components are susceptible to Tehran’s determination to bolster its missile and drone programs, especially as tensions with the West continue to mount over its aid to Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine as well as Iran’s direct and indirect attacks on Israel.
UPDATE: 7:30 AM CET
Maryam Rajavi’s Remarks at the European Parliament
Maryam Rajavi’s speech: “It is a pleasure to be with you at the outset of this new term of the European Parliament. During the previous term, this Parliament passed two resolutions advocating for the designation of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This was a vital opportunity to counteract the belligerence of the religious dictatorship governing Iran—a step that, unfortunately, was not taken.
Additionally, the activation of the snapback mechanism remained unaddressed. For decades, this regime has relied on exporting fundamentalism, terrorism, and warmongering as its primary strategy to suppress the Iranian people and thwart their uprisings.
What, indeed, was the crime of Professor Alejo Vidal-Quadras, the former Vice President of this very Parliament, who survived an assassination attempt in Madrid a year ago? His only ‘offense’ was standing firmly with the Iranian people and their legitimate resistance in the battle against religious fascism.
Retired Teachers Hold Protest Rally in Tehran
Thousands of retired teachers, approximately 7,000, convened in Tehran for a significant protest in front of the Iranian regime’s parliament on Wednesday, November 20. The teachers protested the unjust implementation of the Teacher Classification Law and the non-inclusion of 90% of the classification perks in retirement pensions. The protestors carried banners and chanted slogans demanding immediate action on their requests, highlighting how partial implementation of these laws has diminished their pensions and undermined fair salary practices.
Protestors held banners and chanted slogans calling for an immediate response to their demands, pointing out that partial enforcement of these laws has led to reduced pensions and harmed the principle of salary justice. They voiced their frustrations loudly, shouting:
Time for a New Iran Policy Has Come, Iranian Opposition Leader Stressed at European Parliament
The European Parliament on Wednesday (20 November) hosted an event organized by the Friend of a Free Iran, which featured speeches from several members of the parliamentary intergroup as well as Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. The democratic opposition leader used the occasion to outline her coalition’s vision for Iran’s future and also called upon the international community to support the Iranian people’s struggle against the ruling religious dictatorship.
Rajavi and her European supporters emphasized that this support has historically been held back by misplaced fears of instability in the wake of any effort to overthrow the existing Islamist dictatorship. This is a mere scare tactic to maintain power, she said adding that a viable alternative exists—the NCRI, fortified by decades of struggle and an expansive network ready to ensure a smooth transition.
The Truth Behind Pezeshkian’s Promise to End Internet Censorship in Iran
One of the promises of Iranian regime president Massoud Pezeshkian during the presidential election was “lifting internet censorship.” Meanwhile, the outcomes of various sessions of the oppressive body called the “Supreme Council of Cyberspace” remain contradictory, with no significant developments in this area. The back-and-forth surrounding this issue is an exposed story in the mullah’s regime, to the extent that even they write: “They deceive everyone with news about lifting censorship” (Source: Hamshahri news website, November 15).
Despite the narratives surrounding Pezeshkian’s to lift censorship, Qasem Ravanbakhsh, the First Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Internal Affairs and Councils, said, “The lifting of censorship falls under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace and must be approved there. It is not something the president can simply order to be done.” (ibid)
Iran’s Strategic Influence and the Undermining of Stability in the Region
Iran’s regime has effectively extended its influence across the Middle East through ideological, military, and social infiltration. This strategy involves leveraging fractured societies and existing grievances, allowing Tehran to establish footholds that threaten regional stability. Recent analyses shed light on how Iran exploits Sunni groups, like the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), while also working through its traditional proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas. Additionally, Iran’s methods are extending beyond its traditional Shia alliances, entering regions like Jordan, where societal divisions provide an opening for its expansionist agenda.
Iran’s ability to build alliances with Sunni organizations like PIJ highlights its pragmatic approach. Although PIJ is a Sunni group, it aligns ideologically with Iran in seeking the establishment of an Islamic state governed by Sharia law, emulating Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. This alignment facilitates a cooperative relationship, allowing PIJ to pledge loyalty to Iran’s Supreme Leader despite doctrinal differences.
The Shadow Fleet: How Iranian Oil Evades U.S. Sanctions in the South China Sea
The South China Sea, often a geopolitical hotspot, has become the stage for a lucrative and clandestine trade that undermines U.S. sanctions on Iran’s oil industry. A recent Bloomberg investigation, led by Serene Cheng, unveils a shadowy network of tankers facilitating billions of dollars in Iranian oil exports to China, circumventing international scrutiny.
In October, Cheng’s team set out from Singapore on a small supply ship to observe the activities of tankers in this region. Their mission was clear: track vessels engaged in the covert transfer of Iranian oil. After hours at sea, the team identified two tankers performing a ship-to-ship transfer—a practice often used to disguise the origin of the cargo.
Retired Teachers Rise in Protest: Thousands Gather to Demand Fair Pensions
On Wednesday, November 20, nearly 7,000 retired teachers, including thousands of women, converged from all across the country in front of the Iranian regime’s parliament in Tehran and staged a powerful protest. Their rally spotlighted the unfair implementation of the Teacher Ranking Plan and the exclusion of 90% of ranking benefits from retirement pensions.
Carrying banners and chanting fervently, the demonstrators demanded immediate reforms. They decried the regime’s partial enforcement of laws, which they argued has slashed their pensions and perpetuated salary inequities.
New Resolution Against Iran’s Nuclear Program Submitted To IAEA
Diplomatic sources told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that Western countries formally submitted a new critical resolution against the Iranian regime to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday, ahead of the agency’s Board of Governors meeting. Previously, the Iranian regime’s Foreign Minister had warned against submitting a new resolution, stating that such an action “would only complicate the matter further.” According to AFP, Western powers aim to condemn the Iranian regime for its poor cooperation with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog regarding its nuclear program.
Yesterday, Reuters reported that the regime had proposed not to increase its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%, provided that Western powers refrain from adopting a resolution against the Iranian regime at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting.
“Iran Broadcasting” And “Government Trading Corporation of Iran” Among State-Owned Loss-Making Companies
Recent audits by Iran’s Supreme Audit Court of the 2023 budget show that the number of loss-making state-owned companies has reached 134, with the majority of losses attributable to six companies, including the “Subsidy Targeting Organization.”
“Budget Clearance” refers to the process of examining the compliance of government financial performance with the approved budget law.
According to Mizan News Agency, the official outlet of Iran’s judiciary, the budget law had anticipated losses for 17 state-owned companies. However, financial statements reveal that the number of loss-making companies has risen to 134, with their losses increasing nearly 17-fold.
Statistical Center of Iran: 96% Of Victims of Registered Spousal Abuse Cases Are Women
The latest data from the Statistical Center of Iran shows that during this spring, 16,264 individuals were examined by the Forensic Medicine Organization due to spousal abuse. Of this number, 15,764 cases, or 96%, were attributed to women, indicating that women are the primary victims of domestic violence and spousal abuse. On November 18, the Center reported that in the second quarter of 2022, 2023, and 2024, at least 85 women and girls were killed by their husbands, fathers, brothers, and close male relatives. This report emphasizes that femicide is one of the most severe forms of gender-based violence. Ham Mihan newspaper recalls that the bill to ban violence against women has been gathering dust in the parliament for 11 years and has not yet been approved.
Canada: MEK Supporters Rally in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal to Honor November 2019 Martyrs and Denounce Iran Regime’s Crimes
Canada—November 14-16, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized rallies and exhibitions in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the November 2019 uprising The events aimed to honor the memory of over 1,500 protesters who lost their lives during the regime’s brutal crackdown, while also calling for solidarity with the ongoing struggle for freedom in Iran.
The Hague: MEK Supporters Rally to Honor November 2019 Martyrs and Denounce Iran Regime’s Crimes
The Hague, the Netherlands—November 16, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the November 2019 uprising. The rally aimed to honor the memory of over 1,500 protesters who lost their lives during the regime’s brutal crackdown, while also calling for solidarity with the ongoing struggle for freedom in Iran.
London, November 16, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally to Honor November 2019 Martyrs and Denounce Iran Regime’s Crimes
London, England—November 16, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the November 2019 uprising. The rally aimed to honor the memory of over 1,500 protesters who lost their lives during the regime’s brutal crackdown, while also calling for solidarity with the ongoing struggle for freedom in Iran.
Washington, DC: MEK Supporters Rally to Honor November 2019 Martyrs and Denounce Iran Regime’s Crimes
Washington, DC—November 16, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally and exhibition in front of the White House to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the November 2019 uprising. The rally aimed to honor the memory of over 1,500 protesters who lost their lives during the regime’s brutal crackdown, while also calling for solidarity with the ongoing struggle for freedom in Iran.
California: MEK Supporters Rally in Los Angeles and San Francisco to Honor November 2019 Martyrs and Denounce Iran Regime’s Crimes
California—November 16, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized rallies and exhibitions in Los Angeles and San Francisco to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the November 2019 uprising The events aimed to honor the memory of over 1,500 protesters who lost their lives during the regime’s brutal crackdown, while also calling for solidarity with the ongoing struggle for freedom in Iran.