THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 11:00 PM CEST
New Reports Reveal IDF Hit Iranian Military Facility In Syria During ‘Unusual’ Raid
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) special forces raided an Iranian weapons facility in Syria shortly before a series of strikes in the region, killing at least 18 people and wounding dozens of others, according to reports.
Initial reports did not indicate that any Israeli troops had been on the ground during the operation, but The Times of Israel cited opposition Syrian TV revealing that Israeli helicopters hovered over the ground while special forces descended by rope.
The IDF special forces clashed with forces on the ground, killing a number of Syrians and capturing up to four Iranians. The U.S.-owned Arabic-language Al Hurra network noted that the intensity of the raids and the death toll were “unusual.”
UPDATE: 6:00 PM CEST
Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union
The European Union strongly condemns the recent transfer of Iranian-made ballistic missiles to Russia.
This transfer is a direct threat to European security and represents a substantive material escalation from the provision of Iranian UAVs and ammunition, which Russia has used in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.
It comes in the midst of Russia’s most recent attacks against Ukraine, including with ballistic missiles and drones, which prove its clear determination to continue its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and its people, notably targeting critical energy infrastructure, trying to cause the highest possible loss of civilian life and inflict large-scale devastation. Iranian ballistic missiles could now be used to cause further suffering and destruction in Ukraine.
France Summoned Iran’s Chief Diplomat In Paris over Tensions on Ballistic Missiles
PARIS, Sept 13 (Reuters) – France’s foreign ministry on Thursday summoned Iran’s diplomatic charge d’affaires in the country over the alleged transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, a diplomatic source said on Friday.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this week that Russia had received ballistic missiles from Iran and would likely use them in its war in Ukraine within weeks. Iran has denied this.
UPDATE: 3:00 PM CEST
Iran Intensifying Efforts to Repress Women and Girls on Second Anniversary of Nation-Wide Protests, UN Fact-Finding Mission Says
GENEVA – Two years after the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests began following the unlawful death in custody of 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini, the Government of Iran has intensified its efforts to suppress the fundamental rights of women and girls and crush the remaining initiatives of women’s activism, the UN’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran warned in an update released today.
Jina Mahsa was arrested by Iran’s “morality police” in Tehran on 13 September 2022 for alleged non-compliance with Iran’s laws on mandatory hijab. Her death in custody on 16 September that year triggered a wave of protests that spread nationwide.
In the two years since, although mass protests have subsided, the unabated defiance of women and girls is a continuous reminder that they still live in a system that relegates them to “second-class citizens.” Since April 2024, State authorities have “increased repressive measures and policies through the so-called “Noor” Plan (noor meaning “light” in Persian), encouraging, sanctioning and endorsing human rights violations against women and girls flouting the mandatory hijab,” the update said.
The Unraveling of an Iranian Cyber Attack Against the Iraqi Government
Recently, Check Point Research uncovered a cyber attack targeting the Iraqi government, revealing a troubling pattern that underscores the sophistication and persistence of state-linked cyber threats. After investigating files uploaded to Virus Total, Check Point Research found that the malware in the attack bears significant similarities to malware in other regional attacks by Iranian-linked groups. In the ever-evolving landscape of cyber security threats, understanding the patterns and actors behind attacks is essential for building better-tailored defense and proactively detecting the threats.
The following blog unravels the attack, the malware involved, and connections to other malware families and malicious cyber groups.
The Justice Department is preparing to file criminal charges in an alleged Iranian hack that targeted former President Trump’s campaign, according to media reports.
The Associated Press reported it wasn’t immediately clear who would be charged, but that it would be the result of an investigation into intrusion and multiple agencies linked to an Iranian effort to influence this year’s U.S. presidential election.
The expected charges are part of an effort to combat covert foreign influence activities aimed at influencing voters in the 2024 election cycle.
Iran “is making a greater effort to influence this year’s election than it has in prior election cycles, and that Iranian activity is growing increasingly aggressive as this election nears,” Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen, the Justice Department’s top national security official, said in a speech Thursday in New York. “Iran perceives this year’s elections to be particularly consequential in impacting Iran’s national security interests, increasing Tehran’s inclination to try to shape the outcome.”
The Real Polarization That Iran’s Regime Fears
These days, Iranian regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warns the factions within the government, locked in conflict, to avoid polarization. At the same time, there is ongoing discussion about social, labor, and political prisoner protests becoming a seamless movement against the regime, with these protests growing daily and weekly. Reflecting on these events, a natural question arises: which forces are involved in real polarization? And which polarization does he truly fear?
The news of developments—both within the regime and in the series of social, labor, and political protests—suggests that the real measure of polarization is the growing divide and deepening crisis between society and the regime. This is the main event and challenge facing Khamenei, one that neither his favorite and now-deceased president, Ebrahim Raisi, could reduce, nor the rhetorical displays of his new president Masoud Pezeshkian can overcome now.
NPT Safeguards Agreement with Iran’s regime: Quad Statement to the IAEA
On 11 September 2024, Ms. Corinne Kitsell OBE, statement on behalf of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States (the Quad) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding Iran regime’s compliance with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement. The statement, made before the IAEA Board of Governors, highlighted significant concerns about Iran’s lack of cooperation with the IAEA and its failure to address outstanding issues related to its nuclear program.
delivered a jointKitsell began by thanking Director General Rafael Grossi and the IAEA Secretariat for their continued efforts to verify Iran’s compliance with its safeguards obligations under the NPT. She emphasized the professionalism, independence, and impartiality of the IAEA in its work, particularly in seeking clarification from Iran on the “correctness and completeness” of its declarations.
The Iranian Regime’s Escalating Global Terrorism and Western Appeasement
For decades, the Iranian regime has engaged in a relentless campaign of terrorism, smuggling, and assassinations. Its actions, which include hiring professional hitmen to eliminate political opponents and supporting illicit activities across the globe, reflect a government that operates with impunity and disregard for international norms. However, Western governments face a unique challenge in dealing with this regime. Iran’s theocratic dictatorship doesn’t conform to the traditional models of terrorism or fascism seen in the past. It has far surpassed common standards of corruption and destabilization, yet some Western nations continue to adopt appeasement strategies rather than addressing the threat head-on.
Nassim Gholami Simiyari Imprisoned for Over 480 Days Without Trial
Nassim Gholami Simiyari, a political prisoner, has spent more than 480 days in detention in the women’s ward of Evin Prison without trial. She was arrested on May 18, 2023, by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence officers in Tehran. Her charges include “assembly and collusion,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “rebellion.” Despite her long imprisonment, no court hearing has been held to address these accusations.
Gholami was initially taken to a detention center under the Ministry of Intelligence, known as Ward 1-A, where she was subjected to psychological and physical torture aimed at forcing a confession. She was later transferred to Ward 2-A and eventually placed in the women’s section of Evin Prison.
MEK Supporters Rally in Gothenburg to Back ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ Campaign Against Iran’s Regime
Gothenburg, Sweden—September 10, 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 second consecutive week, in response to the executions taking place in Iran’s regime prisons.
Aarhus, Denmark: MEK Supporters Celebrate PMOI Founding Anniversary – September 2024
Aarhus, Denmark—September 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered to commemorate the beginning of the 60th year since the MEK‘s establishment.
Paris, September 10, 2024: Exhibition Supporting Iranian Revolution and Condemning Regime’s Crimes
On September 10, 2024, in Paris, France, supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and freedom-loving Iranians organized a compelling photo and book exhibition. This event was held in solidarity with the ongoing Iranian Revolution and served as a protest against the alarming rise in executions by the Iranian regime.
Sydney, Australia: MEK Supporters Celebrate PMOI Founding Anniversary – September 2024
Sydney, Australia—September 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered to commemorate the beginning of the 60th year since the MEK‘s establishment.