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UPDATE: 9:00 PM CEST
Iran: Why It Is Urgent to Classify The Revolutionary Guards as A Terrorist Organization
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is known for its brutal crackdown on Iranian protesters, especially women. He leads extremist militias in the Middle East, oversees the nuclear and ballistic missile program, and uses drones against Israel and Ukraine. The IRGC is also responsible for deadly attacks around the world, including those against US Marines and French soldiers in Lebanon and the AMIA Jewish center in Argentina. Today, this threat extends to Europe.
Despite calls from the European Parliament (EP) to list the IRGC as a terrorist entity, EU High Representative Josep Borrell blocked the initiative by demanding a judicial decision from a member state. Yet there is no shortage of evidence of the IRGC’s links to terrorist acts. The EU’s inertia is not perceived by Tehran as wisdom but as weakness.
UPDATE: 5:00 PM CEST
Iranian Oil Kingpin’s Hedge Fund Manages Millions From London
Just blocks from London’s luxurious Harrods department store sits an office that’s a key cog in an Iranian oil kingpin’s financial empire.
The building at 180 Brompton Road is one of the main outposts for Ocean Leonid Investments, a hedge fund overseen by Hossein Shamkhani, the secretive commodities trader whose network is an influential player in both Iran and Russia, according to more than a dozen people familiar with the matter and documents seen by Bloomberg.
UPDATE: 7:00 AM CEST
Maryam Rajavi: The Debate on The Iranian Regime’s State-Sponsored Terrorism in Light of Recent Attacks in Europe; It Is High Time for Action
Maryam Rajavi’s remarks: “The debate on the Iranian regime’s “state-sponsored terrorism,” in light of recent attacks in Europe, is a very positive step. However, since various European courts have confirmed the active role of the Iranian regime, its leaders, and agencies in terrorist crimes, it is high time for action.
“The least action that has been long overdue is the designation of the IRGC and the Intelligence Ministry as terrorist entities and expulsion of their agents. Another necessary step is for the European countries to close down the clerical regime’s embassies and other official and unofficial centers.”
EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Agenda item 71: Human Rights
In Iran, the use of capital punishment, including as a response to domestic dissent, is unacceptable, and the number of executions is alarming. The EU calls on Iran to pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment as well as to respect and uphold human rights for all, in particular women and girls and persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities. Freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of religion or belief, and the right to peaceful assembly must be respected in all circumstances. We urge Iran to immediately release all arbitrarily detained individuals, including foreign and dual nationals, and to provide due process to all detainees. Iran must allow free and unhindered access of UN Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures mandate holders to the country, and fully cooperate with the UN Fact-Finding Mission.
Growing Pressure on Maryam Akbari Monfared and Other Political Prisoners in Iran
Maryam Akbari Monfared, one of Iran’s longest-serving female political prisoners, faces escalating harassment from the regime as authorities intensify efforts to break her spirit and extend her imprisonment. After 15 years behind bars without a single day of furlough, she was recently transferred from Semnan Prison to Qarchak Prison, a notorious facility in Varamin known for its harsh conditions and reports of abuse. This is a deliberate attempt to isolate and further punish her, preventing her release by fabricating new charges.
Despite completing her initial 15-year sentence, which under the regime’s own law should have seen her released in 2019 after 10 years, the regime continues to detain her. Authorities have recently imposed an additional two-year sentence on her, accusing her of “propaganda against the system” and “insulting the leadership,” among other vague charges.
Challenges of Systematic and Administrative Corruption in Iran: A Crisis Deepening Public Distrust
A recent report in Jahan Sanat newspaper, published on October 21, addresses the escalating problem of systematic and administrative corruption in Iran. In its introduction, the newspaper emphasizes the profound impact of both administrative corruption and the perception of corruption on public trust. While distinct, these two factors collectively weaken social capital and erode public confidence in government institutions. Currently, one of the most pressing issues facing Iran’s 14th government is its battle against entrenched corruption and widespread embezzlement within state institutions. The report asserts that systematic corruption has now permeated all levels of the regime.
The article highlights how deeply corruption has taken root, noting that Iranian citizens have become all too familiar with terms such as “embezzlers,” “economic corruptors,” “king of coins,” “king of bitumen,” “king of dairy,” “the car mafia,” and “industrial rent-seekers.”
Waves of Protests in Iran: A Cry Against the Regime’s Brutality and Economic Failures
On Tuesday, October 22, Tehran experienced another surge of protests, sparked by widespread opposition to the death penalty and worsening economic conditions. Demonstrations emerged as part of a broader movement against the Iranian regime’s repressive policies, with various groups, including retirees and oil industry workers, joining forces to express their grievances.
A significant demonstration took place in front of Iran’s Parliament, led by the families of prisoners facing execution. This rally coincided with the “No Execution Tuesdays” campaign, a grassroots initiative aimed at abolishing the death penalty in Iran. Protesters chanted slogans like “Do not execute” and carried signs reading “Stop the execution machine – stop the cycle of violence.”
Fourfold Increase in Share of Iran’s Armed Forces from Oil and Gas Export Revenues
The share of Iran’s armed forces from the revenues of “oil and gas exports in the government’s general budget” will be 51%, according to the details of the 2025 budget bill.
According to the budget bill submitted to parliament by Iranian regime President Massoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, October 22, the government’s share of total oil and gas exports next year will be 37.5%, equivalent to 12 quadrillion rials (approximately $17.977 billion).
Out of this amount, 5.61 quadrillion rials (approximately $8.4 billion), equivalent to 51%, will go to the armed forces “to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities.” This figure is more than four times higher than the current year’s budget allocation of 1.34 quadrillion tomans (approximately $2.007 billion).
Iran and Hezbollah: A Strategic Alliance in Proxy Warfare
Hezbollah has never been a mere side proxy for the Iranian regime. Instead, it has served as a powerful instrument for strengthening Iran’s position in regional and international power dynamics. This role was highlighted in the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar on October 18, 2024. For nearly four decades, both Ayatollah Khomeini and Khamenei heavily invested in Hezbollah. In an exclusive interview with Masir, a magazine linked to Khamenei’s office, Hassan Nasrallah detailed the formation and growth of Hezbollah. He stated that after the Iranian revolution, and as Israel occupied more than 40% of Lebanon, nine Lebanese figures, including Abbas Mousavi, met Khameini in Tehran. They expressed their allegiance to Khomeini, asking him to appoint a representative to guide them on various matters. Khomeini appointed Khamenei, then Iran’s president, as his representative.
Rostock, Germany—October 19, 2024: MEK Supporters’ Exhibition Condemning the Mullahs’ Regime Crimes in Iran
Rostock, Germany—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.
Cologne, Germany—October 19, 2024: MEK Supporters’ Rally Condemning the Mullahs’ Regime Crimes in Iran
Cologne, Germany—October 19, 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. 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.
