THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 10:00 PM CEST
Exploding Pagers Kill Hezbollah Members and Others, Leave Thousands Wounded, Officials Say; Militant Group Blames Israel
Beirut, Lebanon — Hundreds of handheld pagers exploded nearly simultaneously in parts of Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, killing at least nine people — including members of the militant group Hezbollah and a young girl — and wounding several thousand, officials said. They pointed the finger at Israel in what appeared to be a sophisticated, remote attack. Among those wounded was Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon. The mysterious incident came amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, which have exchanged fire across the Israel-Lebanon border since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that sparked the war in Gaza.
The pagers that exploded had been newly acquired by Hezbollah after the group’s leader ordered members to stop using cell phones, warning they could be tracked by Israeli intelligence. A Hezbollah official told The Associated Press the pagers were a new brand the group had not used before.
UPDATE: 11:00 AM CEST
Joint Statement Two Years After Mahsa Zhina Amini’s Death
The following is the joint statement released by the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, on the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Zhina Amini.
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Two years ago today, Mahsa Zhina Amini, a young Kurdish-Iranian woman, was killed while in police custody in Iran. Her death sparked a nationwide protest movement, led by women and girls, which was unwavering in its demand for a better future.
We stand with women and girls in Iran, and Iranian human rights defenders, across all segments of society in their ongoing daily fight for human rights and fundamental freedoms. At least 500 persons died and over 20,000 were detained in the Iranian security forces’ brutal crackdown on displays of dissent in 2022 and 2023. But the global “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement remains united.
UK Imposes New Sanctions on Iran Over Missile and Drone Production
On Monday, September 16, 2024, the United Kingdom announced new sanctions targeting the clerical regime in response to Tehran’s continued involvement in the Ukraine war through the supply of ballistic missiles and drones to Russia.
These sanctions aim to disrupt the regime’s production and supply of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles, further pressuring its defense industry. The UK government stated that these measures, which took effect on September 13, align with similar actions taken by international partners and focus on strategic goods and technology. This includes prohibitions on exporting, supplying, or delivering these items to Iran, as well as providing related technical assistance, financial services, or brokering services.
In addition, the UK’s company registration authority has demanded more information from “Nest Wise Trading,” a London-based company managed by Hossein Shamkhani, son of a former Iranian security chief. The company faces scrutiny over allegations of illegal oil sales from Iran and Russia.
U.S. Announces Over 500 Sanctions on Iranian Entities; MAHSA Act Report Still Pending
Matthew Miller, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, addressed concerns regarding sanctions on the Iranian regime during a press briefing on Monday, September 16.
In response to questions from reporters, Miller emphasized, “We have announced sanctions against over 500 Iranian entities and individuals since this administration began. Just in the past few weeks, we’ve announced more sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities. Some of these sanctions are related to human rights violations, including repeated human rights abuses, and I think you’ve seen a consistent pattern that reflects our record in this area. But I don’t want to predict any future actions.”
In response to another question concerning the “MAHSA Act” and the lack of a report to Congress, Miller added, “We are still working on that report, and as for other actions, stay tuned.”
It’s worth noting that earlier this year, in late April, the U.S. Congress passed the “MAHSA Act” as part of the “H.R.8038 – 21st Century Peace through Strength Act.” Four days later, President Joe Biden signed the “MAHSA Act” into law. According to this legislation, the U.S. President is required to impose sanctions on senior officials of the Iranian regime, including the Supreme Leader and the President, for their involvement in human rights violations. The act also obligates the U.S. government to submit a report every 90 days to Congress, identifying individuals responsible for human rights abuses, including the Supreme Leader and the President, along with associated offices and entities.
UPDATE: 7:00 AM CEST
Executions, and More Executions: The Unified Stance of the Regime’s Factions Against the People of Iran
The numbers are shocking. Every day, a young life is taken by hanging. Since Khamenei’s newly appointed president, Masoud Pezeshkian, assumed office in August and assembled his handpicked cabinet, until today over 160 individuals have been executed. In the mullahs’ regime, execution serves not just as a form of punishment but as a tool to consolidate and maintain their grip on power. In a horrific crime, a young man named Mohammad Mir-Mousavi was tortured to death just hours after his arrest. The regime’s security forces have intensified their crackdown on women and youth, subjecting them to arbitrary arrests and violence based on fabricated charges.
The clerical regime aims to fortify itself against the uprising of Iran’s enraged populace by resorting to daily executions and widespread repression. Every day, people take to the streets in protest and go on strike.
Political Prisoners Mark The Second Anniversary of Iran’s 2022 Uprising
As Iran marks the second anniversary of the 2022 uprising, political prisoners from different parts of the country are commemorating the event with ceremonies and messages of resistance. These acts are happening despite the growing repressive measures by the regime.
Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, a 22-year-old woman, was arrested on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, in Tehran by the regime’s so-called “Guidance Patrol” and transferred to the “Moral Security” agency. Amini was severely beaten by the security forces. She later lost consciousness due to her wounds and was transferred to the capital’s Kasra Hospital, where she entered a state of coma that continued until her death on September 16.
Two Years After The 2022 Uprising, Iran Is Ready for Change
Two years ago, on September 16, 2022, the spark of protests over the killing of Mahsa Zhina Amini by the Iranian regime’s security forces ignited widespread demonstrations that spread across the country and brought significant changes to Iran.
Although that uprising was sparked by a single event, it was a strong reaction from the people fueled by accumulated societal pressures, continuing the protests of December 2017 and November 2019.
Red Meat Consumption in Iran Plummets Amid Rising Inflation and Food Insecurity
Ahmad Shad, Secretary of the Raw Animal Products Importers Association, has revealed that Iran’s annual red meat consumption has dropped to less than 600,000 tons, significantly lower than previous estimates. In an interview with ILNA news agency on Sunday, September 15, Shad questioned the accuracy of existing consumption statistics, labeling them as unrealistic. “According to unofficial data, meat consumption in the country is estimated to be between 850,000 and 1 million tons per year, but our calculations suggest a lower figure,” he stated.
Shad noted that no reliable statistics are available on meat consumption in Iran. However, estimates based on the volume of imported and slaughtered animals suggest that the annual consumption of both light and heavy red meat now stands at less than 600,000 tons. He added that Iranians had consumed more meat in previous years, but that consumption has been on the decline since 2021.
Alarming Rise in Suicide Rates in Iran: A Growing Crisis
Gholam Abbas Torki, the Assistant Prosecutor for Public Law and Crime Prevention of the Iranian regime, recently revealed that approximately 70,000 people die by suicide annually in Iran. This shocking figure contrasts starkly with previous statements from regime officials, raising concerns about the accuracy of reported data and the increasing prevalence of suicide in the country. On Sunday, September 15, during a conference at a medical sciences university focused on suicide prevention, Torki shared troubling statistics that shed light on the gravity of the situation. He stated that there are an estimated 130,000 suicide attempts in Iran each year, with around 7,000 of these attempts resulting in death. This figure is significantly higher than the one previously disclosed by Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi, the spokesperson for Iran’s police force, who had announced on September 8 that only 4,000 people die by suicide annually.
PMOI Supporters Commemorate the Anniversary of the 2022 Iran Protests in Women’s Ward of Evin
PMOI supporters honored the Anniversary of the 2022 Iran Protests in the Women’s Ward of Evin Prison despite being detained at the hands of the clerical regime.
Supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) held a ceremony in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, marking the second anniversary of the 2022 Iran protests, sparked by the tragic death of Mahsa Zhina Amini. The participants paid tribute to all the martyrs of the uprising. Some of the prisoners delivered speeches about the significance of the 2022 Iran protests.
The political prisoners in the women’s ward of Evin Prison honored the pivotal role of the freedom-seeking pioneers in spreading the chants of “Death to the oppressor, whether it be the Shah or the (mullahs’ Supreme) Leader” across the country.
Political Prisoner Zeinab Jalalian: Worsening Health Due to Continued Denial of Medical Treatment
Zeinab Jalalian, a political prisoner in Iran, has been suffering from severe health issues due to the intense physical torture she endured during and after her arrest. Her ailments include vision impairment, pterygium (a growth in the eye), asthma, kidney issues, and gastrointestinal disorders. Over the years, her condition has worsened due to the authorities’ neglect of her medical needs. Her physical condition has reportedly deteriorated further, with severe pain in her right side. Despite this, authorities at Yazd Prison, where she is currently held, have denied her access to necessary medical care.
Execution of 23 Prisoners in 15 Days Since Start of September 2024
According to the registered statistics at the Center for Statistics and Documentation of Iran Human Rights Monitor (Iran HRM), the Iranian judiciary has carried out the execution sentences of 23 prisoners in Iranian prisons during the first half of September 2024 over a period of fifteen days. On Monday, September 9, 2024, the judiciary executed 9 prisoners in one day, with six of them being hanged only in Zahedan Central Prison. On Wednesday, September 11, execution sentences for 5 prisoners were carried out in prisons located in Noshahr, Qazvin, Karaj, and Isfahan.
Iran’s New President to Attend BRICS Summit Amidst Economic Collapse
Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is set to attend the BRICS summit, which will be held in October in Russia. He is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit. The meeting will take place in Kazan from October 22 to 24, and the two countries may sign a bilateral cooperation agreement. Pezeshkian’s trip to Kazan comes at a time when Iran’s economy is in a state of collapse, according to regime experts. Some economists argue that even a $250 billion investment wouldn’t save the country’s corruption-ridden economy dominated by internal regime factions. Protests are widespread across various sectors in Iran due to the dire economic conditions, turning the society into a “powder keg.”
Stockholm, September 14, 2024: Iranian Resistance Supporters Rally to Mark Anniversary of 2022 Uprising
Stockholm, Sweden—September 14, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), held a rally in front of the Swedish Parliament to mark the second anniversary of the 2022 nationwide uprising and to show solidarity with the Iranian Revolution.
Washington, DC—September 14, 2024: Iranian Resistance Supporters Rally to Mark Anniversary of 2022 Uprising
Washington, DC—September 14, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), held a rally in front of the White House to mark the second anniversary of the 2022 nationwide uprising and to show solidarity with the Iranian Revolution.
London Demonstration Marks Anniversary of Iran’s 2022 Uprising – September 14, 2024
London, England—September 14, 2024: Freedom-loving Iranians and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) held a rally at No. 10 Downing Street to mark the second anniversary of the 2022 nationwide uprising and to show solidarity with the Iranian Revolution.