{"id":306070,"date":"2023-04-19T07:55:32","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T06:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=306070"},"modified":"2023-05-03T13:04:16","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T12:04:16","slug":"iran-news-in-brief-april-19-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-news-in-brief-news\/iran-news-in-brief-april-19-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News in Brief \u2013 April 19, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-306075 size-full\" title=\"iranian resistance activism board 17042023\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/iranian-resistance-activism-board-17042023.jpg\" alt=\"iranian resistance activism board 17042023\" width=\"1000\" height=\"547\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/iranian-resistance-activism-board-17042023.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/iranian-resistance-activism-board-17042023-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/iranian-resistance-activism-board-17042023-768x420.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/iranian-resistance-activism-board-17042023-150x82.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/iranian-resistance-activism-board-17042023-696x381.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify\">THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong style=\"text-align: justify\">UPDATE: 9:00 PM CET<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">Iran Uprising at a Glance<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Based partially on reporting by PMOI (MEK) Network in Iran<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Wedensday, April 19, 2023 \u2013 8 PM GMT + 1<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify\">\n<li><strong>Days<\/strong>: 216<\/li>\n<li><strong>Protests<\/strong>: 282 cities<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fatalities<\/strong>: 750+ estimated deaths, 675 identified by MEK<\/li>\n<li><strong>Detentions<\/strong>: 30,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Iran\u2019s nationwide uprising witnessed its 216th day on Wednesday. Cities across Iran reported protests by people from all walks of life.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Reports tallied by the People\u2019s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI\/MEK) indicate numerous chemical attacks by the regime\u2019s operatives against schools across Iran.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">April 19 &#8211; Hamadan, western <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Iran<\/a> <br \/>Regime operatives launched a chemical gas attack targeting the Chamran School, leaving a number of students poisoned and in need of medical care.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/IranChemicalAttacks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#IranChemicalAttacks<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DOiomfGhbH\">pic.twitter.com\/DOiomfGhbH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; People&#39;s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI\/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mojahedineng\/status\/1648618690076606467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 19, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The all-girls Nasiri and Abuzar high schools in the city of Urmia, northwest Iran, were the latest targets of chemical gas attacks by regime operatives on Wednesday, leaving several students poisoned and in dire condition. Some of the targets included:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify\">\n<li>The Chamran School in\u202f<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mojahedineng\/status\/1648618690076606467\" rel=\"noopener\">Hamadan<\/a>, western Iran.<\/li>\n<li>The all-girls Peeshtazan High School in\u202f<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mojahedineng\/status\/1648617884925714433\" rel=\"noopener\">Dezful<\/a>, southwest Iran<\/li>\n<li>The all-girls Ommat High School in the \u201cTehranpars\u201d district of <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mojahedineng\/status\/1648639918531551234\" rel=\"noopener\">Tehran<\/a>. This is the second time this specific school has been targeted in the regime\u2019s chemical gas attacks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Iranian opposition coalition NCRI President-<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Maryam_Rajavi\/status\/1648360181275688960\" rel=\"noopener\">elect Maryam Rajavi<\/a> condemned the misogynist regime\u2019s chemical gas attacks targeting schools across the country and described these measures as the regime\u2019s response to fears of another popular uprising.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Fearing an uprising by Iranian girls, women, and youth, Khamenei continued to commit the heinous crime of poisoning schoolgirls in Tehran and many other cities of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Iran<\/a> yesterday and today. But the people&#39;s call for justice remains strong, as the chant \u201cKhamenei, we will bring\u2026<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Maryam_Rajavi\/status\/1648360181275688960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Defiant youth and MEK Resistance Units inside Iran launched a wave of 13 attacks and anti-regime measures in response to the mullahs\u2019 chemical gas attacks against schoolgirls.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify\">\n<li>In Isfahan, central Iran, and Kuhdasht, western Iran, defiant youth attacked the offices of the criminal judiciary.<\/li>\n<li>In Amol, northern Iran, defiant youth attacked the mullahs\u2019 so-called \u201cseminary,\u201d which the regime uses to promote fundamentalism.<\/li>\n<li>In Robat Karim, south of Tehran, and Tonekabon, northern Iran, defiant youth attacked IRGC Basij bases.<\/li>\n<li>In Shahriar, west of Tehran, protesters attacked the regime\u2019s \u201cIslamic Development Coordination Council\u201d<\/li>\n<li>In Borujerd, western Iran, and Nowshahr, northern Iran, MEK Resistance Units torched a large sign of the regime\u2019s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.<\/li>\n<li>In Isfahan, central Iran, and Minab, southern Iran, MEK Resistance Units torched regime propaganda posters<\/li>\n<li>In Kelarabad, northern Iran, MEK Resistance Units torched posters promoting compulsory hijab regulations<\/li>\n<li>In the Nazi Abad district of Tehran, and the city of Rafsanjan, central Iran, MEK Resistance Units torched large posters of Khamenei and regime founder Ruhollah Khomeini.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Farmers from across the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mojahedineng\/status\/1648614915412832256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1648614915412832256%7Ctwgr%5E2555e5aaa2a5f11748a3fe4e94f0384ffb38c0a7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fenglish.mojahedin.org%2Fnews%2Flive-report-iran-regime-chemical-gas-attacks-schoolgirls-poisoning%2F\" rel=\"noopener\">province of Isfahan rallied<\/a> in the provincial capital on Wednesday to continue their protests for their fair share of water for their lands and crops.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">April 19 &#8211; Isfahan, central <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Iran<\/a> <br \/>Farmers from across the province rallied in the provincial capital and marched to protest for their fair share of water for their lands and other grievances that have gone unanswered by regime officials.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/IranProtests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#IranProtests<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7KG8eXx3rf\">pic.twitter.com\/7KG8eXx3rf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; People&#39;s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI\/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mojahedineng\/status\/1648614915412832256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 19, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Pensioners and retirees of the regime\u2019s Social Security <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mojahedineng\/status\/1648679088146481154\" rel=\"noopener\">Organization in Ahvaz<\/a>, southwest Iran, protested high prices, poverty, corruption, inflation, poor living conditions, and officials\u2019 refusal to address their demands.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">April 19 &#8211; Ahvaz, southwest <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Iran<\/a><br \/>Pensioners and retirees of the regime&#39;s Social Security Organization are protesting high prices, poverty, corruption, inflation, poor living conditions and officials&#39; refusal to address their demands.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/IranProtests2023?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#IranProtests2023<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6T4f7O47SQ\">pic.twitter.com\/6T4f7O47SQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; People&#39;s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI\/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mojahedineng\/status\/1648679088146481154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 19, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Locals in the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mojahedineng\/status\/1648408555626827777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1648408555626827777%7Ctwgr%5E2555e5aaa2a5f11748a3fe4e94f0384ffb38c0a7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fenglish.mojahedin.org%2Fnews%2Flive-report-iran-regime-chemical-gas-attacks-schoolgirls-poisoning%2F\" rel=\"noopener\">Shahrak-e Bagheri district<\/a> and\u202f<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mojahedineng\/status\/1648619952331448323\" rel=\"noopener\">other parts\u202f of<\/a>\u202fTehran were chanting anti-regime slogans on Tuesday night, including:<br \/>\n\u201cDown with Khamenei!\u201d<br \/>\n\u201cThis is the year Seyed Ali (Khamenei) is overthrown!\u201d<br \/>\n\u201cDown with the dictator!\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">April 18 &#8211; Tehran, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Iran<\/a> <br \/>Locals in various areas of the capital were chanting anti-regime slogans, including:<br \/>&quot;Down with dictator!&quot;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/IranRevolution?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#IranRevolution<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lk8ZHzxDS5\">pic.twitter.com\/lk8ZHzxDS5<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; People&#39;s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI\/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mojahedineng\/status\/1648619952331448323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 19, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong style=\"text-align: justify\">UPDATE: 6:30 PM CET<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">Treasury Sanctions Procurement Network Supporting Iran\u2019s UAV and Military Programs<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-246660 size-medium\" title=\"US treasury department (1)\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/US-treasury-department-1-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"US treasury department\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated one individual and six entities in a sanctions evasion network that has facilitated Iran\u2019s procurement of electronic components for its destabilizing military programs, including those used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Particularly, this action targets the head of U.S.-designated Iran\u2019s Pardazan System Namad Arman (PASNA), and the entity\u2019s Iran-, Malaysia-, Hong Kong-, and PRC-based front companies and suppliers that have enabled PASNA\u2019s procurement of goods and technology. This action also updates the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) entry for PASNA to include an alias and the names of two fictitious companies used by PASNA in its procurement efforts.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/jy1423\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong style=\"text-align: justify\">UPDATE: 5:00 PM CET<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">Two Poor Fuel Porters Killed in Southeastern Iran<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-248148 size-medium\" title=\"iran-sistan-baluchistan-fuel-porter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/iran-sistan-baluchistan-fuel-porter-300x171.jpg\" alt=\"iran-sistan-baluchistan-fuel-porter\" width=\"300\" height=\"171\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">On Tuesday night, April 18, two fuel porters were reportedly killed after being chased by security forces in the city of Saravan, Sistan and Baluchistan province.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">According to a local news source, the chasing of the fuel porters by the regime&#8217;s security forces caused an accident whereby their motorcycles caught fire and the fuel porters burned to death. There has been no information obtained about the identity of the victims.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Independent human rights organization&#8217;s data suggest that a total of 845 citizens were targeted by security forces, of which 571 citizens lost their lives. Among the targeted, 22 people were freight carriers, 9 were fuel porters, and 540 were ordinary civilians. 274 citizens were injured due to the indiscriminate firing of security forces, of which 134 were freight carriers, 128 were civilians, and 12 were fuel porters.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">Iran Blatantly Develops Nuclear Program &#8211; NATO Secretary-general<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-306085 size-medium\" title=\"apa az logo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/apa-az-logo-300x154.jpg\" alt=\"apa az logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/apa-az-logo-300x154.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/apa-az-logo-150x77.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/apa-az-logo.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">&#8220;Global security also faces threats, China rapidly increases its nuclear arsenal without being transparent on its capabilities. Iran and North Korea blatantly develop their nuclear programs,&#8221; said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg while delivering a speech at the NATO Conference on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Arms Control, Disarmament, and Non-Proliferation,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/apa.az\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"hyperlink\">APA<\/a>\u00a0reports.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">According to him, alongside nuclear weapons and other weapons, artificial intelligence and new technologies are being emerged that create risks and these risks should not be ignored: &#8220;Now our world became more dangerous and less predictable,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/apa.az\/en\/europe\/iran-blatantly-develops-nuclear-program-nato-secretary-general-401271\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong style=\"text-align: justify\">UPDATE: 12:00 AM CET<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">Treasury Disrupts International Money Laundering and Sanctions Evasion Network Supporting Hizballah Financier<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-246660 size-medium\" title=\"US treasury department (1)\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/US-treasury-department-1-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"US treasury department\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated a vast international money laundering and sanctions evasion network of 52 individuals and entities in Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Angola, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. This network facilitated the payment, shipment, and delivery of cash, diamonds, precious gems, art, and luxury goods for the benefit of Hizballah financier and Specially Designated Global Terrorist\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/sm856\" rel=\"noopener\">Nazem Said Ahmad<\/a>, who was designated on December 13, 2019, for providing material support to Hizballah. The network designated today includes dozens of individuals and their associated companies involved in assisting Nazem Said Ahmad in evading U.S. sanctions to maintain his ability to finance Hizballah and his luxurious lifestyle. This designation is a part of a coordinated action with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State\u2019s Rewards for Justice program, and the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/home.treasury.gov\/news\/press-releases\/jy1422\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">Azerbaijani MIA Carried Out Special Operation, 20 People Serving Iran Were Detained<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-306085 size-medium\" title=\"apa az logo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/apa-az-logo-300x154.jpg\" alt=\"apa az logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/apa-az-logo-300x154.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/apa-az-logo-150x77.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/apa-az-logo.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">A group of people who were engaged in criminal activities in Azerbaijan under the name of religion on the orders of Iran&#8217;s special services was exposed,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/apa.az\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"hyperlink\">APA<\/a> reports.\u00a0Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan carried out a special operation against them. During the operation, it was found that about 20 people are members of this criminal group and perform other activities under the name of religion.\u00a0It was established that they organized the mass sale of narcotic drugs, and conducted religious propaganda in favor of Iran.\u00a0Their goal was to strike at the secular values of Azerbaijan, to addict young people to drugs.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/apa.az\/en\/incident\/azerbaijani-mia-carried-out-special-operation-20-people-serving-iran-were-detained-401227\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">International Business Organizations Convicted of Criminal Conspiracy To Violate Iranian Sanctions<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-246660 size-medium\" title=\"US treasury department (1)\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/US-treasury-department-1-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"US treasury department\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">\u00a0WASHINGTON \u2013 Two international business organizations pleaded guilty and were sentenced today in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for their participation in a criminal conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws and sanctions by sending U.S.-origin goods to Iran. Taiwan business organization DES International Co., Ltd. (\u201cDES\u201d), and Brunei business organization Soltech Industry Co., Ltd. (\u201cSoltech\u201d), each pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations.\u00a0 The two companies were each sentenced to pay a fine of $83,769, which is three times the value of the goods unlawfully exported to Iran, and to serve a five-year term of corporate probation. The sentences were handed down by United States District Judge Jia M. Cobb.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/usao-dc\/pr\/international-business-organizations-convicted-criminal-conspiracy-violate-iranian\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">Grasping at Straws<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-268650 size-medium\" title=\"townhall logo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/townhall-logo-300x146.png\" alt=\"townhall-logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"146\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Michael Rubin, a self-described &#8220;academic&#8221; with a penchant for spurious claims, is now peddling a new bizarre and incredible theory: that the Mujahedin-e Khalq (<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/english.mojahedin.org\/\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/english.mojahedin.org&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1681953066875000&amp;usg=AOvVaw234LDk6jNPemOhxx-Ysxcf\">MEK<\/a>), Iran&#8217;s leading democratic opposition, is more reviled than the odious Iranian regime itself. Yet he never explains why he is so obsessed with his sustained campaign to malign the MEK, through numerous articles on his personal website, since the start of the anti-regime protests in September of last year. One wonders, if the MEK is indeed as unpopular as he alleges, what is the motivation for his vendetta? Surely, if this were true, the Iranian people would reject the organization out of hand without Rubin&#8217;s noxious assist to the brutal regime.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/townhall.com\/columnists\/alisafavi\/2023\/04\/19\/grasping-at-straws-n2622117\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>UPDATE: 9:00 AM CET<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">Rallies Expand in Iran as Anger Escalates Over Chemical Attacks, Poor Economy<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-306073 size-medium\" title=\"Chemical gas attacks by regime operatives targeting schoolgirls across Iran April 2023 696x392 2\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Chemical-gas-attacks-by-regime-operatives-targeting-schoolgirls-across-Iran-April-2023-696x392-2-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Chemical gas attacks by regime operatives targeting schoolgirls across Iran April 2023 696x392 2\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Chemical-gas-attacks-by-regime-operatives-targeting-schoolgirls-across-Iran-April-2023-696x392-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Chemical-gas-attacks-by-regime-operatives-targeting-schoolgirls-across-Iran-April-2023-696x392-2-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Chemical-gas-attacks-by-regime-operatives-targeting-schoolgirls-across-Iran-April-2023-696x392-2.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Iran\u2019s nationwide uprising is witnessing its 215<sup>th<\/sup> day on Tuesday as the regime\u2019s organized and deliberate chemical gas attacks continue against schools across the country, leaving mostly schoolgirls poisoned and in need of urgent medical care. Popular protests in response to these atrocious attacks, parallel to the country\u2019s nosediving economy, are escalating in numbers, resulting in growing concerns among regime officials in this regard.\u00a0The Hengaw Human Rights Organization has reported at least 20 chemical gas attacks by regime operatives targeting schools throughout Iran. This includes five attacks in Bukan alone, and the cities of Gilan-e Gharb, Karaj, Tabriz, Khoramabad, Dezful, Isfahan, Saqqez, Urmia, Sanandaj, Ravansar, and Kermanshah.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/english.mojahedin.org\/news\/live-report-iran-chemical-gas-attacks-poisonings-schoolgirls-poor-economy\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">Chemical Attacks on Schools Continue in Iran While the Regime Dodges Responsibility<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-306072 size-medium\" title=\"Chemical attacks on schools 1 min\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Chemical-attacks-on-schools-1-min-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"Chemical attacks on schools 1 min\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Chemical-attacks-on-schools-1-min-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Chemical-attacks-on-schools-1-min-150x75.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Chemical-attacks-on-schools-1-min-696x348.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Chemical-attacks-on-schools-1-min.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Chemical attacks on schools continued in Iran on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. School girls in Tehran and several other cities in Iran, including Karaj, Islamshahr, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, and Urmia, were poisoned in chemical attacks on schools by agents of Khamenei.\u00a0Schools affected include Kowsar, Sa\u2019ed,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648294050980569089\" rel=\"noopener\">Abrar<\/a>,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648324250032304131\" rel=\"noopener\">Pardis Sharif<\/a>, and\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648280212248096768\" rel=\"noopener\">Makkeh<\/a>, as well as\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648354448987639808\" rel=\"noopener\">Ghias Educational Complex<\/a>\u00a0in\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648340612524175360\" rel=\"noopener\">Tehran<\/a>,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648283984625901570\" rel=\"noopener\">Tahzeeb<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648285243189649408\" rel=\"noopener\">Rezvan<\/a>\u00a0in Karaj,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648297825728622593\" rel=\"noopener\">Saipa in Islamshahr<\/a>,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648296567840063489\" rel=\"noopener\">Nabovvat<\/a>, Esmat, and Effat in Kermanshah, Setayesh High School in Ahvaz,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648321733315923968\" rel=\"noopener\">Iman in Saqqez<\/a>, and\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648299084589957122\" rel=\"noopener\">Baharan in Ardabil<\/a>,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1648300342495289347\" rel=\"noopener\">Hadaf High School<\/a> in Urmia. Many students were taken to medical centers, some reportedly in serious condition.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/women.ncr-iran.org\/2023\/04\/18\/chemical-attacks-on-schools\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">The Narrative of Iran\u2019s Economy; Empty Pockets of the People and the Plundering Hands of the Government<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-306071 size-medium\" title=\"narrative of Irans Economy Empty Pockets of the People and the Plundering Hands of the Government\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/narrative-of-Irans-Economy-Empty-Pockets-of-the-People-and-the-Plundering-Hands-of-the-Government-300x150.webp\" alt=\"narrative of Irans Economy Empty Pockets of the People and the Plundering Hands of the Government\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/narrative-of-Irans-Economy-Empty-Pockets-of-the-People-and-the-Plundering-Hands-of-the-Government-300x150.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/narrative-of-Irans-Economy-Empty-Pockets-of-the-People-and-the-Plundering-Hands-of-the-Government-150x75.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/narrative-of-Irans-Economy-Empty-Pockets-of-the-People-and-the-Plundering-Hands-of-the-Government-696x348.webp 696w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/narrative-of-Irans-Economy-Empty-Pockets-of-the-People-and-the-Plundering-Hands-of-the-Government.webp 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Following the budget imbalance in recent years, the governments appointed by Khamenei have no choice but to reach into the empty pockets of the Iranian people.\u00a0The tragic story of reaching into the pockets of the Iranian people may have lost its novelty, and the civil society of Iran may have realized that the appointed ruling governments are covering their expenses from the pockets of the people. However, despite this, the scope of the issue has not diminished, and it seems that the situation will continue in the same manner this year.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The financial crisis in Iran\u2019s economy has reached its peak, and the government is desperately searching for any way to compensate for the budget deficit, with no regard for the consequences. These policies mean the destruction and collapse of the narrative of Iran\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/irannewswire.org\/the-narrative-of-irans-economy-empty-pockets-2023\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">Oslo, Norway\u2014April 15, 2023: Freedom-Loving Iranians and MEK Supporters Rally to Support the Iran Revolution<\/h3>\n<div class=\"lyte-wrapper\" title=\"Oslo, Norway&mdash;April 15, 2023: MEK Supporters Rally to Support the Iran Revolution.\" style=\"width:853px;max-width:100%;margin:5px;\"><div class=\"lyMe\" id=\"WYL_SOCihZPh1IM\" itemprop=\"video\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"><div><meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FSOCihZPh1IM%2Fhqdefault.jpg\" \/><meta itemprop=\"embedURL\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SOCihZPh1IM\" \/><meta itemprop=\"duration\" content=\"PT17M49S\" \/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2023-04-17T14:31:25Z\" \/><\/div><div id=\"lyte_SOCihZPh1IM\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FSOCihZPh1IM%2Fhqdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\" itemprop=\"name\">Oslo, Norway\u2014April 15, 2023: MEK Supporters Rally to Support the Iran Revolution.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/SOCihZPh1IM\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FSOCihZPh1IM%2F0.jpg\" alt=\"Oslo, Norway&mdash;April 15, 2023: MEK Supporters Rally to Support the Iran Revolution.\" width=\"853\" height=\"460\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"Oslo, Norway\u2014April 15, 2023: Freedom-Loving Iranians and MEK Supporters Rally to Support the Iran Revolution. Oslo, Norway\u2014April 15, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People&#039;s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI\/MEK) and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) held a rally in solidarity with the Iranian people&#039;s uprising. Mr. Parviz Khazaei, the representative of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in the Nordic countries, addressed the demonstrators in this rally.\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:853px;margin:5px;\"><\/div><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Oslo, Norway\u2014April 15, 2023:\u00a0<\/strong>Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People\u2019s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/english.mojahedin.org\/about-iranian-opposition-pmoi-mek\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"external\">PMOI\/MEK<\/a>) and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/about-ncri\/ncri\/alternative\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"external\">NCRI<\/a>) held a rally in solidarity with the\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/english.mojahedin.org\/iran-protests-2022\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"external\">Iranian people\u2019s uprising<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Members of the Iranian community in Oslo expressed their utter support of their risen compatriots and vowed to continue echoing their voices, calling for freedom and democracy in Iran.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/media-gallery\/videos\/2023\/04\/oslo-norway-april-15-2023-freedom-loving-iranians-and-mek-supporters-rally-to-support-the-iran-revolution\/44511\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify\">Amsterdam, The Netherlands\u2014April 15, 2023: Freedom-Loving Iranians and MEK Supporters Rally to Support the Iran Revolution<\/h3>\n<div class=\"lyte-wrapper\" title=\"Amsterdam&mdash;April 15, 2023: MEK Supporters Rally in Dam Square in Support of the Iran Revolution.\" style=\"width:853px;max-width:100%;margin:5px;\"><div class=\"lyMe\" id=\"WYL_htPgzqH-pPk\" itemprop=\"video\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"><div><meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FhtPgzqH-pPk%2Fhqdefault.jpg\" \/><meta itemprop=\"embedURL\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/htPgzqH-pPk\" \/><meta itemprop=\"duration\" content=\"PT1M42S\" \/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2023-04-18T07:57:45Z\" \/><\/div><div id=\"lyte_htPgzqH-pPk\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FhtPgzqH-pPk%2Fhqdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\" itemprop=\"name\">Amsterdam\u2014April 15, 2023: MEK Supporters Rally in Dam Square in Support of the Iran Revolution.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/htPgzqH-pPk\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FhtPgzqH-pPk%2F0.jpg\" alt=\"Amsterdam&mdash;April 15, 2023: MEK Supporters Rally in Dam Square in Support of the Iran Revolution.\" width=\"853\" height=\"460\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"Amsterdam, The Netherlands\u2014April 15, 2023: Freedom-loving Iranians and MEK Supporters Rally in Dam Square in Support of the Iran Revolution. They Also Condemned Iran&#039;s Regime Chemical Attacks on Schoolgirls.\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:853px;margin:5px;\"><\/div><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Amsterdam, The Netherlands\u2014April 15, 2023:<\/strong>\u00a0Freedom-loving Iranians, supporters of the People\u2019s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/english.mojahedin.org\/about-iranian-opposition-pmoi-mek\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"external\">PMOI\/MEK<\/a>) held a rally in Dam Square in solidarity with the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/english.mojahedin.org\/iran-protests-2022\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"external\">Iranian Revolution<\/a>.\u00a0The Iranian community in Amsterdam supported their rising compatriots and pledged to continue to call for freedom and democracy in Iran.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/activities-outside-iran\/2023\/04\/amsterdam-the-netherlands-april-15-2023-freedom-loving-iranians-and-mek-supporters-rally-to-support-the-iran-revolution\/44570\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Also, read<\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-news-in-brief-news\/iran-news-in-brief-april-18-2023\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong> Iran News in Brief \u2013 April 18,<\/strong><strong>\u00a02023<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS UPDATE: 9:00 PM CET Iran Uprising at a Glance Based partially on reporting by PMOI (MEK) Network in Iran Wedensday, April [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":306075,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,234],"tags":[277],"class_list":{"0":"post-306070","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"category-iran-news-in-brief-news","9":"tag-iran-news"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - 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