{"id":323296,"date":"2024-08-17T06:19:23","date_gmt":"2024-08-17T05:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=323296"},"modified":"2024-08-17T11:56:02","modified_gmt":"2024-08-17T10:56:02","slug":"iran-news-in-brief-august-17-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-news-in-brief-news\/iran-news-in-brief-august-17-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News in Brief \u2013 August 17, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

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

UPDATE: 12:30 PM CEST<\/span><\/p>\n

US Forces Destroy Houthi Missiles, Vessels, and Control Stations in Yemen and Red Sea<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Over the past week, US Central Command forces have taken a series of decisive actions to counter threats posed by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen and the Red Sea.<\/p>\n

These operations have targeted Houthi-controlled areas and their assets which, according to USCENTCOM, posed imminent risks to coalition forces and commercial shipping in the region.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, forces destroyed a Houthi ground control station located in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.<\/p>\n

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

\n

UPDATE: 7:30 AM CEST<\/span><\/p>\n

Openai Shut Down an Iranian Influence Op That Used Chatgpt to Generate Bogus News Articles<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

OpenAI\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0on Friday that it thwarted an Iranian influence campaign that used\u00a0ChatGPT<\/a> to generate fake news stories and social posts aimed at Americans. The company said it identified and banned accounts generating content for five websites (in English and Spanish) pretending to be news outlets, spreading \u201cpolarizing messages\u201d on issues like the US presidential campaign, LGBTQ+ rights, and the war in Gaza.<\/p>\n

The operation was identified as \u201cStorm-2035,\u201d part of a series of influence campaigns Microsoft\u00a0identified<\/a>\u00a0last week as \u201cconnected with the Iranian government.\u201d In addition to the news posts, it included \u201ca dozen accounts on X and one on Instagram\u201d connected to the operation. OpenAI said the op didn\u2019t appear to have gained any meaningful traction. \u201cThe majority of social media posts that we identified received few or no likes, shares, or comments,\u201d the company wrote.<\/p>\n

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

\n

Maryam Rajavi Meets with Ms. Naike Gruppioni, Member of the Italian Parliament<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

On Thursday, August 15,\u00a0Maryam Rajavi<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0met with Ms.\u00a0Naike Gruppioni<\/strong><\/a>, a distinguished member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Parliament. At the outset of the meeting, Ms. Gruppioni remarked, \u201cFrom the very first time I saw you, I was profoundly impressed by your struggle and courage. You embody a model of bravery for women. The fact that you have dedicated your life to the people of Iran, particularly the women of your country so that future generations can grow up in freedom and within a free society, is truly inspiring. This dedication is not only significant for Iran but also serves as a model for all of us. The ten-point plan you have proposed is unparalleled and should be introduced to the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\n

The Dire Conditions of Nurses in Iran<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Despite their extremely hard working conditions and dedication to their profession, Iran\u2019s nurses face some of the worst professional behavior from the regime.<\/p>\n

Nursing is one of the most arduous jobs under the clerical regime. Many nurses are forced to work two consecutive shifts just to survive below the poverty line. Despite this, the shortage of nurses remains a chronic issue. Additionally, many nurses have emigrated due to the exhausting working conditions and the lack of essential livelihood and welfare facilities, and this trend continues widely. In recent years, it has been reported that there is a shortage of at least 100,000 nurses. At the same time, the regime is implementing plans for the \u201cgender segregation\u201d of nurses.<\/p>\n

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

\n

Iran\u2019s Economic Growth Target Deemed Unrealistic, Experts Warn<\/h3>\n

\"Iran-economy\"<\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s ambitious goal of achieving 8% economic growth, as outlined in its Seventh Development Plan, has come under scrutiny from economic experts and officials. Mehdi Sadeghi Niaraki, the vice president of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, has raised significant doubts about the feasibility of this target, highlighting the enormous financial challenges the country faces.<\/p>\n

Speaking at a meeting of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce on August 13, Niaraki stated that reaching the 8% growth target would require an astronomical\u00a0investment<\/a>\u00a0of approximately $83.4 trillion (five quintillion tomans). To put this figure into perspective, he explained that achieving such growth would necessitate an annual investment of $100 billion. However, the total lending capacity of Iran\u2019s banks and financial institutions in 2023 was only about $93.5 million (5,500 billion tomans), illustrating the vast gap between the country\u2019s financial capabilities and its economic aspirations.<\/p>\n

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

\n

Iran Faces \u201cMass Migration\u201d Crisis, Government Study Warns<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A recent report from Iran\u2019s Center for Strategic Studies has raised alarm bells about a looming \u201cmass migration\u201d crisis in the country. The study, which analyzes the results of a comprehensive survey, highlights serious concerns about the utilization of human capital and the increasing desire among skilled professionals to leave Iran.\u00a0The report, titled \u201cManaging Migration Abroad,\u201d was published on August 3 but only gained media attention on August 15. It states, \u201cWe are now in the peak period of \u2018desire and decision\u2019 to migrate, especially among the skilled and capitalized workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the study, Iran is experiencing a unique migration phenomenon, with a pervasive psychological atmosphere surrounding the desire to leave the country. This sentiment has become a tangible force affecting people\u2019s lives across various social strata.<\/p>\n

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

\n

Female Political Prisoners in Lakan Prison Hold a Sit-in Protest<\/h3>\n

\"iran-lakan-prison-rasht\"<\/p>\n

Female political prisoners at Lakan Prison in\u00a0Rasht<\/a>\u00a0held a sit-in protest on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, following the transfer of two women\u2019s rights activists to the Intelligence Department.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, August 14, intelligence agents entered the political prisoners\u2019 ward in the women\u2019s section of Lakan Prison. They took two activists to the Intelligence Department in Rasht for \u201cinterrogation and some explanations.\u201d The identities of these two women have not been disclosed.<\/p>\n

The supervising judge at the prison has not provided any answers to the women in the political ward, prompting them to stage a sit-in at the prison guard\u2019s office in protest of the actions of the intelligence agents.<\/p>\n

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

\n

IRGC Officer Killed in Drone Strike in Syria<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Iranian regime\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that one of its Aerospace Force officers has died due to injuries sustained in an airstrike in Syria. Tehran claims that this attack was carried out by the U.S.-led coalition.<\/p>\n

In a statement published by Iranian regime news agencies on Thursday, August 15, Hossein Salami, the commander of the IRGC, identified Ahmadreza Afshari as one of the \u201cAerospace industry specialists of the\u00a0IRGC<\/a>\u00a0in Syria\u201d who died from injuries caused by the airstrike.<\/p>\n

Government officials and Iranian regime media refer to members of the IRGC operating in Syria as \u201cadvisors,\u201d but most of them are members of the Quds Force, the IRGC\u2019s extraterritorial branch, playing a crucial role in maintaining Iran\u2019s proxy groups.<\/p>\n

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

\n

Berlin, August 14, 2024: MEK Supporters Exhibition in Solidarity With the Iranian Revolution<\/h3>\n
<\/div>
Berlin\u2014August 14, 2024: MEK supporters exhibition in solidarity with the Iranian Revolution.<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>