THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 10:30 PM CEST
As The U.S. Election Nears, Russia, Iran, and China Step Up Influence Efforts
With two weeks until Election Day 2024, the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) observes sustained influence efforts by Russia, Iran, and China aimed at undermining U.S. democratic processes. Since our last two reports, the U.S. government has taken many actions revealing cyber and influence activity from foreign adversaries related to the election of 2024. Most recently, that includes revealing malicious Iranian cyber actors’ sending of “stolen, non-public material from former President Trump’s campaign” to both individuals then associated with President Biden’s campaign and U.S. media organizations, and the indictment of three Iranian actors for the hack-and-leak operation targeting the Trump-Vance campaign.
UPDATE: 1:30 PM CEST
Demonization of the Opposition and the Regime’s Failure
Since coming to power in 1979, the Khomeinist regime in Iran has consistently targeted democratic and progressive forces within Iranian society as its enemies. Chief among these adversaries has been the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), which the regime views as its primary opponent, antithesis, and nemesis. While Khomeini’s ideology is rooted in a reactionary and clerical interpretation of Islam, the People’s Mojahedin is guided by the principles of Islam that emphasize egalitarianism and democracy. Their commitment to social justice, gender equality, and the secularism of the state has provoked the ire of the regime and its agents.
During the transition to Khomeinist totalitarian rule, from February 1979 to June 1981, the newly established theocratic regime systematically dismantled any opportunity for political participation, whether by individuals or organized groups. Despite facing violence and aggression, including killings, the People’s Mojahedin gained substantial popular support, especially among the youth and women. This growth in popularity occurred even as they refrained from responding to provocations, showcasing their resilience and commitment to their principles.
UPDATE: 12:30 PM CEST
Russia and Iran May Fuel Violent Protests after US Elections, Intelligence Officials Say
Russia and Iran may try to encourage violent protests online in the US after the country’s presidential election in November, senior intelligence officials warned Tuesday.
According to a declassified national intelligence memo, the aim would be to increase division in US society and cast doubt on the election results, potentially complicating the smooth transfer of power.
The memo’s authors warned that Russia and Iran could organise protest events themselves or encourage citizens to participate in protests, usually through online channels such as social media.
The warning comes after Russian military intelligence tried to recruit a US citizen to organise protests in the US in January. The American was thought to be “probably unwitting” and unaware that he was in contact with Russian agents.
UPDATE: 7:00 AM CEST
F.B.I. Investigates Apparent Leak of Israel’s Plans to Attack Iran
The F.B.I. is investigating a leak of highly classified documents that appear to show Israel’s plans to retaliate against Iran for a missile attack earlier this month, the agency confirmed on Tuesday. The documents were prepared by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which is responsible for analyzing images and information collected by American spy satellites. The N.G.A. is part of the United States intelligence community and conducts sensitive work in support of clandestine and military operations.
The information in the documents is highly classified and details interpretations of satellite imagery that shed light on a possible strike by Israel on Iran. They began circulating on Friday on the Telegram app. U.S. officials have previously said they did not know from where the documents had been taken, and that they were looking for the original source of the leak.
Pezeshkian’s Empty Promises to Lift Internet Censorship
Internet censorship is one of the repressive policies through which Iran’s regime tries to maintain control over cyberspace and public opinion. This policy has been pursued more seriously since the popular protests in December 2017, and alongside this, the regime’s cyber army has grown significantly. However, even earlier, in the early 2010s, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei established the “Supreme Council of Cyberspace” and once remarked, “If I were not the Supreme Leader today, I would definitely be in charge of cyberspace in the country.”
During the presidential elections that followed the death of former regime president Ebrahim Raisi, one of the slogans of Massoud Pezeshkian was lifting the internet filter. On his X account, he made a statement to attract voters: “We must free the internet. If elected, I will stand against filtering and restore the businesses that were shut down.” Even at the time, some regime insiders saw Pezeshkian’s claim as unrealistic and believed that this issue was not within his authority at all.
The Regime’s Gamble: Proxy Wars and the Collapse of Iran’s Economy
The Iranian regime’s aggressive policies have deepened the country’s long-standing economic crisis. As Israel continues to issue threats of retaliation following Iran’s missile strike on October 1, the Iranian economy and market have reacted with a sharp increase in the price of the dollar and gold, further deteriorating the standard of living for the Iranian people.
The value of the dollar has surged to 65,000 tomans, while the price of gold coins has soared to 56 million tomans. Public concern about the future of the economy is palpable. People no longer require expert analysis to understand the crisis—they feel its effects in their daily lives.
Journalists Face Imminent Imprisonment Despite Calls to Annul Their Sentences
A week after the Iranian judiciary’s spokesperson announced the imminent implementation of the sentences for journalists Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, the formal notifications for their prison terms were sent to them on Saturday, October 19, 2024, instructing them to report within five days. The two journalists were released from Evin Prison on January 14, 2024, each on a temporary bail of 10 billion Tomans, after spending 16 months in prison. Hamedi’s lawyers argue that her case should have been closed after she was acquitted of collaborating with a hostile foreign government.
U.S. Sanctions Six Chinese Companies for Assisting Iran’s Military Programs
The United States has sanctioned six Chinese companies for allegedly assisting in the development of Iran’s “weapons of mass destruction” and drone programs, as well as aiding the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army of China.
Two companies based in Hong Kong and Shenzhen were added to the list for attempting to avoid providing information about the end users of their products and components. The U.S. Department of Commerce stated in its announcement that these two companies were engaged in transactions with an Iranian procurement company. This Hong Kong-registered company was previously on the list of “unverified” entities, which includes companies that U.S. export control officials cannot inspect or verify.
Protests By Official Oil Employees and Contract Workers at South Pars Gas Refineries
Reports from Iran’s oil and gas regions indicate that official oil employees and contract workers at South Pars Gas Refineries held protests on Tuesday, October 22, while security forces confronted the official workers in the Asaluyeh Special Economic Zone. It is reported that several protesters were arrested by security forces. However, following protests from other workers, they were forced to release the detained workers. The official oil employees are protesting the oil minister’s failure to implement a parliamentary resolution that exempts employees in operational zones from the unfair salary cap law.
Over the Past Six Years, at least 863 City Council Members and Mayors in Iran Have Been Arrested
The government-run newspaper Farhikhtegan reported an increase in administrative corruption in Iran, stating that over the past six years, at least 863 city council members and mayors have been arrested. According to the report, since 2021, 430 city council members and mayors across the country have been arrested. On October 20, Farhikhtegan reported the arrest of at least 20 city council members and mayors in various urban areas across the country in the past two weeks.
These incidents include the arrest of the mayor of Pataveh and several city council members, the arrest of seven city council members and the mayor of Abali, the arrest of four people in Pakdasht, and the dismissal of three members of the Talesh city council by the county governor.
Lugano, Switzerland—October 19, 2024: MEK Supporters’ Exhibition Condemning the Mullahs’ Regime Crimes in Iran
Lugano, Switzerland—October 19, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) organized an exhibition to express solidarity with the Iranian Revolution. The exhibition also protested the rising wave of executions carried out by the Iranian regime and called for the immediate release of all political prisoners held in the regime’s prisons.
MEK Supporters Rally in Stockholm, Urge Swedish Government to Designate IRGC as a Terrorist Organization
Stockholm, Sweden—October 19, 2024: Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a rally in front of the Swedish Parliament, demanding the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
