{"id":316856,"date":"2024-02-28T07:30:03","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T06:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=316856"},"modified":"2024-02-28T19:23:46","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T18:23:46","slug":"iran-news-in-brief-february-28-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/latest-news-in-brief\/iran-news-in-brief-february-28-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News in Brief \u2013 February 28, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"iran<\/p>\n

THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS<\/h2>\n

UPDATE: 7:0<\/span>0 PM<\/span><\/p>\n

Supreme Leader Khamenei Begs for Voter Turnout in Sham Elections<\/h3>\n

\"ali<\/p>\n

In a public address today, the Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, called upon the public not to boycott the upcoming sham elections on March 1. He also warned that if the elections fail, it would harm everyone.<\/p>\n

Khamenei said, “Now, why do we stress the importance of people participating? Well, there have been, and perhaps still are, some who are indifferent about the elections and the voter turnout. However, we disagree. Elections must be vibrant. If we can demonstrate to the world\u2014when I say “world,” I will later explain what I mean by that\u2014 that the nation is actively engaged in crucial and defining moments, then we have truly rescued the country.”<\/p>\n

He added, “Inside the country, some individuals are indifferent to elections, and I don’t blame anyone. But If the elections are performed weak, everyone suffers\u2014not just a select few. Some may think they benefit from the elections’ weakness. If the elections are feeble, nobody gains; everyone suffers, and everyone takes a blow.”<\/p>\n

Khamenei also said, “There are those who, for various reasons, are genuinely unable to participate in elections. We have no issue with them; no words need be said. However, those who show disinterest in elections, unfortunately, contribute to their own disengagement and encourage others to stay away. In my view, they should contemplate these matters a bit more. Not voting serves no purpose. You may argue that voting could be futile, but it could also be beneficial. There is a potential for benefit in voting. Not voting achieves nothing, whereas voting\u2014let me be clear\u2014certainly accomplishes something. Those who doubt likely have something to gain.”<\/p>\n

\n

UPDATE: 1:3<\/span>0 PM<\/span><\/p>\n

John Kirby: Biden Administration Imposed 55 Separate Sanctions Against Iran<\/h3>\n

\"john<\/h3>\n

At a press briefing on February 27, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said, “In coordination with the United Kingdom, we sanctioned the Deputy Commander of Iran\u2019s IRGC, Mohammad Reza Falahzadeh, for his role as a Houthi-affiliated operative and for owning and operating a vessel used to ship Iranian commodities in support of both the Houthis and the IRGC.<\/p>\n

“We also designated two additional companies that own and operate a vessel involved in shipping more than 100 million dollars\u2019 worth of Iranian commodities on behalf of Iran\u2019s Ministry of Defense. The Biden administration has now administered over 55 separate Iran sanctions rollouts targeting more than 550 individuals and entities.<\/p>\n

“We have taken targets with Iran\u2019s involvement in human rights abuses; hostage-taking; missile, drone, and non-proliferation programs. We have no plans to lift, waive, or provide any new sanctions relief for Iran, and we will continue to look ways \u2014 for ways to take action and to hold them accountable.”<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

US Destroys Houthi UAVs In Red Sea In ‘Self-Defense’<\/h3>\n

\"anadolu_ajansi-logo-AA\"<\/p>\n

The US destroyed drones launched by Yemen\u2019s Houthi group, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday.<\/p>\n

“On Feb. 27, between the hours of 9:50 p.m. and 10:55 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. aircraft and a coalition warship shot down five Iranian-backed Houthi one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Red Sea,” CENTCOM said on X.<\/p>\n

CENTCOM said it identified the UAVs as originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an “imminent threat” to merchant vessels and to US Navy ships and coalition ships in the region.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

US Says Iranian Operatives In Yemen Aiding Huthi Attacks<\/h3>\n

Washington (AFP) \u2013 Operatives from Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah are working inside Yemen to support Huthi insurgents’ attacks on international shipping, a US official said Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Tim Lenderking, the US special envoy for Yemen, told a Senate subcommittee that Iran’s clerical state was “equipping and facilitating” the Huthi attacks, which have triggered retaliatory US and British strikes on Yemen.<\/p>\n

“Credible public reports suggest a significant number of Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah operatives are supporting Huthi attacks from inside Yemen,” Lenderking said.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

UPDATE: 7:3<\/span>0 AM
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Meeting With Rosal\u00eda Arteaga Serrano, Ecuador\u2019s Former Vice President And Acting President<\/h2>\n

\"maryam<\/p>\n

Maryam Rajavi<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0met and held talks with Ms. Rosal\u00eda Arteaga Serrano, Ecuador\u2019s former Acting President, during the transition, Vice-President, and the Minister of Education.<\/p>\n

Ms. Rosal\u00eda Arteaga Serrano said in this meeting, I am aware of the suppression of women in Iran. Last year\u2019s uprising provided a new image of resistance and struggle of Iranian women to us, especially in Latin America. I know that\u00a0women have played a leading role in this struggle<\/strong><\/a>. Of course, the participation of women in politics is not simple.\u00a0Patriarchy<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0acts as the biggest obstacle to women\u2019s access to equal rights with men. What has occurred in your movement is remarkable, and the world needs your experience because you have realized equal opportunities for women in practice. Your emphasis on the separation of religion and state in your\u00a0Ten-Point Plan<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is a fundamental principle. Your struggle for freedom must succeed. In addition to the Iranian regime\u2019s belligerent interventions in the region and its support for proxy groups, its nuclear weapons program has also turned into a significant threat to global peace and security. Humanity makes it imperative for the international community to support your movement.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Corruption Engulfs Iran\u2019s Regime In Its Entirety<\/h3>\n

\"iran-money-dollar-400\"<\/p>\n

Recently leaked documents from Iran\u2019s Majlis (parliament) have provided ample evidence of the rampant corruption in the regime\u2019s legislative branch. Compounding the issue is the exposure of a disgraceful proposal of a 2 trillion rials bribe to one of the current members of Majlis and the sale of the confirmation of qualifications of another member of Majlis. The latest corruption scandal of the regime is the case of Babak Zanjani, recently exposed in the regime\u2019s media under the title \u201cRecovery of Stolen Assets,\u201d which has become the focus of a struggle between the executive branch and the judiciary in this regard. Zanjani was a regime-linked billionaire who helped the regime circumvent oil sanctions and, in the process, had been embezzling billions of dollars\u2019 worth of funds and assets. He is linked to many regime officials and has been sentenced to death on corruption charges.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

The US and UK Team Up to Sanction Houthis and Iranian Support Network<\/h3>\n

\"houthis<\/p>\n

The United States and the United Kingdom joined forces to impose sanctions on individuals and organizations backing the Houthi rebels in Yemen. These actions target those who provide financial or military aid to the Houthis, a group engaged in attacks on commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.<\/p>\n

The aim is to deter the Houthis and counter their destabilizing influence in the Middle East. Specifically, sanctions were imposed on:<\/p>\n