THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 1:00 PM CET
Iran Plans New Uranium-Enrichment Expansion, IAEA Report Says
VIENNA, Nov 28 (Reuters) – Iran has informed the U.N. nuclear watchdog that it plans to install more than 6,000 extra uranium-enriching centrifuges at its enrichment plants and bring more of those already in place online, a confidential report by the watchdog said on Thursday.
The International Atomic Energy Agency report seen by Reuters details what Iran meant when it said it would add thousands of centrifuges in response to a resolution against it that the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors passed last week at the request of Britain, France, Germany and the United States.
More enrichment capacity means Iran can enrich uranium more quickly, potentially increasing the nuclear proliferation risk. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons but Western powers say there is no civil explanation for enriching uranium to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% that is weapons grade, which no other country has done without producing a nuclear bomb.
Europe’s Challenges Increase, as Does Iran Terror Threat
In a striking online conference held on Nov. 8, leaders and experts from around the globe came together to discuss the escalating threat posed by the Iranian regime’s terrorism in Europe and its broader implications for global security.
Organized on the anniversary of the foiled assassination attempt on Professor Alejo Vidal-Quadras, the former vice president of the European Parliament, the event served as a clarion call for a comprehensive and robust European Union policy to counter Iran’s state-sponsored terrorism.
Vidal-Quadras, who miraculously survived the shooting attack in Madrid last year, opened the conference by underscoring the Iranian regime’s active role in orchestrating terror plots across Europe. He identified state-backed criminal networks, such as the regime’s collaboration with mafia organizations, as key instruments of their oppression.
UPDATE: 8:30 AM CET
Iranian People and Organized Resistance Key to Maximum Pressure on Tehran
It is widely expected that when President Trump returns to the White House in January, he will re-implement his strategy of “maximum pressure” in dealing with the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is as it should be, especially given recent reminders of Iran’s escalating nuclear activities and the looming threat of full-scale war between Iran and Israel. But the Trump administration should understand, as should all Western leaders, that to truly achieve maximum pressure on the Iranian regime, they must look beyond economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation and aim to increase the pressure that the government is already facing domestically from its own people.
UPDATE: 7:00 AM CET
Pezeshkian’s Hollow Promises Spark Outrage as Price Hikes Devastate Iranian Citizens
Fatemeh Mohajerani, the spokesperson for the government of Iranian regime president Masoud Pezeshkian, sought to defend Pezeshkian’s shortcomings during a press conference on November 26. Facing questions from government-aligned journalists about sudden and drastic price hikes, she offered evasive and unclear explanations. When asked why Pezeshkian, who had vowed not to take any actions without public notification, abruptly announced power outages, Mohajerani replied: “His entire effort is to choose the hard decision over the bad option; however, it will certainly be with the public’s awareness. The idea is not to surprise people, so they don’t go to sleep and wake up to find something has happened.”
In response to a question about the status of Pezeshkian’s promise to lift internet censorship, the spokesperson replied: “The root of filtering is for protection, meaning it is aimed at reducing harms, including security issues, which is something akin to martial law and is entirely acceptable in certain situations.”
Iran’s Economy: A Growing Dependence on China and Structural Challenges
Iran’s economic reliance on China has reached unprecedented levels, with 92% of its oil exports now directed to the Asian giant. This dependency comes at the cost of significant discounts—reportedly exceeding 30%—and adherence to stringent terms dictated by China. These conditions not only reduce Iran’s foreign exchange earnings but also leave the nation’s economy increasingly vulnerable. Decades of extensive sanctions have pushed Iran to rely heavily on China as its primary oil customer. Hojatollah Mirzaei, head of the Iran Chamber Research Center, recently noted that the country’s oil export portfolio was once more diversified, including at least ten customers with export volumes exceeding two million barrels daily. This diversification has now vanished, replaced by an over-reliance on a single market.
Furthermore, Iran’s transactions with China often involve unfavorable trade-offs. For example, China has imposed its own products, such as electric buses, as repayment for Iranian oil debts. This dynamic echoes the colonial-like conditions of the 19th century, where nations were forced to operate under imposed terms to finance their economies. The result is a diminished value of Iran’s natural resources and reduced governmental economic flexibility.
The Role of Iran’s Underground Economy and Its Ties to the Regime
In Iran, it is widely understood that the official government plays a secondary role in governance, while the real power lies with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This dual structure raises an important question: Who truly controls Iran’s economy?
According to official media, the underground economy—comprising unregistered or illegal economic activities—constitutes a staggering 26% of Iran’s GDP. A study published in Economic Research, a Tehran University journal, examined the role of government size in the expansion of Iran’s underground economy. The research highlighted that this sector has grown significantly in recent years, with over 196 trillion tomans of the country’s GDP attributed to informal activities.
Elimination of Violence Against Women: A Bill That Never Gets Passed
“Elimination of Violence against Women,” “Provision of Security for Women against Violence,” “Protection, Dignity, and Provision of Security for Ladies Against Violence,” “Protection of Dignity and Support for Women Against Violence,” and now “Preventing Women from Harm and Improving Their Security Against Abuse,” are all iterations of a single proposed bill in Iran. For more than 13 years, this bill has remained stalled. It occasionally resurfaces to pacify public opinion, only to be passed from one government body to another with no meaningful progress.
Some officials and members of the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) openly oppose the bill. For example, the Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Judicial Commission has declared it contrary to the mullahs’ version of Iran, claiming it weakens family foundations. Similarly, Ensieh KhazAli, former Deputy for Women and Family Affairs under Ebrahim Raisi, dismissed the bill by asserting, “Violence is not prevalent in our families.” (Mehr News Agency, August 23, 2023)
The New “Hijab and Chastity” Law in Iran: A Tool for Suppression and Control
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament), announced the upcoming enactment of the new “Hijab and Chastity” bill. According to state-run media reports, he stated that this bill will be issued on December 13, with specific responsibilities outlined for each government agency regarding the enforcement of hijab regulations. Ghalibaf also claimed that the bill would eliminate the presence of the morality police.
To justify the repressive “Hijab and Chastity” initiative, Ghalibaf stated on Wednesday, November 27, that the bill categorizes violations such as “removal of hijab, improper hijab, and nudity.” According to him, an initial violation will result in a text message warning, followed by an official reprimand. At the first level, a fine will be imposed without further action. Repeated violations will incur a second fine, but imprisonment will no longer be an option in such cases.
Iran Bars Family Visits for 21 Female Political Prisoners Following Protest Activities
Iranian authorities have imposed a three-week ban on family visits for 21 female political prisoners detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison. This decision, announced on November 26, 2024, by prison head Hedayat Farzadi, follows accusations of “disturbing prison order.” The charges stem from the prisoners’ participation in a ceremony marking the November 2019 uprising and their vocal opposition to executions, actions deemed unacceptable by the prison’s disciplinary committee.
The incident occurred as part of a broader campaign within the prison against the death penalty, known as “No to Executions Tuesdays.” During the protest, the women reportedly chanted slogans condemning Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and the regime’s use of executions to suppress dissent. This latest action follows a pattern of punitive measures targeting Evin’s female political prisoners for protesting state policies and executions.
Gothenburg, November 26, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally to Back ‘No to Executions Tuesdays’ Campaign Against Iran’s Regime
Gothenburg, Sweden—November 26, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally in solidarity with the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign for the twelfth consecutive week, in response to the executions taking place in Iran’s regime prisons.
MEK Supporters Rally in Copenhagen on November 26, 2024, Backing the ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ Campaign Against Iran’s Regime
Copenhagen, Denmark—November 26, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized a rally in solidarity with the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign for the twelfth consecutive week, in response to the executions taking place in Iran’s regime prisons.
MEK Supporters in Paris Spotlight Human Rights Violations in Iran and Call for Action Against Regime Executions
Paris, France—November 26, 2024: Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held an impactful exhibition in Paris to shed light on human rights violations in Iran. The event, which featured photographs and books, expressed solidarity with the Iranian Revolution and condemned the regime’s escalating use of executions as a tool of repression.
