{"id":323324,"date":"2024-08-18T10:23:06","date_gmt":"2024-08-18T09:23:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=323324"},"modified":"2024-08-18T13:10:19","modified_gmt":"2024-08-18T12:10:19","slug":"iran-news-in-brief-august-18-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-news-in-brief-news\/iran-news-in-brief-august-18-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News in Brief \u2013 August 18, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

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

UPDATE: 2:00 PM CEST<\/span><\/p>\n

House Republicans Press FBI for More Information on Iran\u2019s Role in Plot to Kill Trump<\/h3>\n

\"Washington-times-logo\"<\/p>\n

Key House Republicans are demanding answers from the Biden administration\u00a0about the recent arrest of a Pakistani man in connection with an alleged Iranian plot to kill U.S. officials, presumably including former President Donald Trump, and about an apparent string of threats to American political figures emanating from Tehran.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0a letter<\/a>\u00a0to FBI Director Christopher A. Wray on Friday morning, the two Republicans \u2014 House Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green of Tennessee and Rep. August Pfugler, chair of the panel\u2019s subcommittee on counterterrorism, law enforcement, and intelligence \u2014 said they want a briefing from the FBI about the status of the investigation and the threats posed to the U.S. homeland by Iran.<\/p>\n

The letter was shared exclusively with The Washington Times ahead of its delivery to Mr. Wray. It comes more than a week after the FBI arrested and charged the Pakistani man, Asif Merchant, in an alleged murder-for-hire plot that Mr. Wray described as being \u201cstraight out of the Iranian playbook.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\n

UPDATE: 8:30 AM CEST<\/span><\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s Rebellious Youth Respond to The Regime\u2019s Violence Against Women and Girls<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A recently released footage shows Iran\u2019s security forces in Tehran violently assaulting two teenage girls, one aged 14, for violating the regime\u2019s misogynistic hijab rules.<\/p>\n

According to the mother of one victim, physical evidence of the assault remained visible on her body over six weeks after the incident.<\/p>\n

The egregious nature of this event has prompted even the regime\u2019s State Security Forces to state: \u201cSuch behavior by SSF agents falls outside our operational standards. The case is currently under investigation by FARAJA (the regime\u2019s State Security Force) judicial and inspection system.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\n

The Illusion of Reformism in Iran Won\u2019t Deceive Anyone<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Although Iran\u2019s new president, Pezeshkian, claims to be a reformist, the execution toll in the country is reaching new records, and the explosion of regional conflicts is unpredictable. Beyond any claims, the Iranian regime has no solution to respond to the democratic demands of Iranian youth and women. It maintains its sovereignty through massive suppression and international conflicts. This regime is caught between the flames of regional war and the anger of its own people. Therefore, a better future under the new so-called \u201creformist\u201d president is only a dream that will never come true. The reality of the situation inside and outside Iran is harsh.<\/p>\n

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

\n

Global University Rankings: Iranian Institutions Slip as Gulf Counterparts Rise<\/h3>\n

\"Western<\/p>\n

The latest Shanghai Ranking\u2019s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) reveals a concerning trend for Iranian higher education institutions, while universities in Persian Gulf countries show marked improvement.<\/p>\n

According to the report, no Iranian university features in the world\u2019s top 100. Only two Iranian institutions rank among the top 500, with a total of nine making it to the top 1000. This stands in stark contrast to regional competitors, with Saudi Arabia\u2019s King Saud University and three Israeli universities securing spots in the global top 100.<\/p>\n

The ranking continues to be dominated by American institutions, with Harvard, Stanford, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) clinching the top three positions. The University of Cambridge in the UK follows in fourth place. Of the top 20 universities, 16 are American, three are British, and one is French.<\/p>\n

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

\n

Iranian Regime Seeks Chinese Satellite Technology to Boost Surveillance Capabilities<\/h3>\n

\"khayyam-rocket-satellite-iran-russia2\"<\/p>\n

The Iranian regime is reportedly in negotiations with two Chinese companies specializing in small satellite production with high-resolution cameras. This move aims to enhance the regime\u2019s surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities, potentially providing detailed images of military targets across Israel and the Middle East.\u00a0According to the Washington Post, American, European, and Middle Eastern officials express concern that this collaboration could significantly bolster the Iranian regime\u2019s ability to monitor military installations belonging to the United States, Israel, and Arab rivals in the Persian Gulf.<\/p>\n

The satellites under discussion boast equipment at least twice as sensitive as Iran\u2019s current satellite technology. This potential deal emerges in the context of strengthening ties between Tehran and Beijing, which were formalized three years ago with a 25-year agreement. Previously, the Iranian regime had received assistance from Russia in developing its surveillance satellite network.<\/p>\n

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

\n

Severe Human Rights Abuses in Evin Prison: Cases of Pakhshan Azizi, Varisha Moradi, and Sarvnaz Ahmadi<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Iranian regime continues to intensify its crackdown on political dissent, as evidenced by the harrowing cases of Pakhshan Azizi, Varisha Moradi, and Sarvnaz Ahmadi. These reports detail the severe human rights abuses, including unjust sentencing, prolonged detention, and denial of medical care, faced by these political prisoners within the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran.<\/p>\n

Pakhshan Azizi, a political prisoner sentenced to death in Evin Prison in Tehran, has been charged with \u201crioting in prison\u201d in a new case opened by the Third Branch of the Evin Prison Prosecutor\u2019s Office. This accusation is related to events surrounding the second round of the Iranian presidential election held in June 2024.<\/p>\n

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

\n

Iran is Entering a Cycle of \u201cMass Migration,\u201d Government Agency Warns<\/h3>\n

\"Irans<\/p>\n

The Strategic Research Center of the Iranian Presidency, in a report based on the results of a survey, has highlighted serious issues in utilizing human capital and warned that Iranian society is entering a phase of \u201cmass migration.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a report titled \u201cManaging Migration Abroad,\u201d the center wrote: \u201cWe are currently at the peak of the \u2018desire and decision\u2019 to migrate, especially among skilled and capital-rich labor.\u201d<\/p>\n

The report from the Strategic Research Center is dated August 3, but it gained attention from domestic media on Thursday, August 15.\u00a0According to this report, Iranian society is in a unique migratory situation, with a heavy psychological atmosphere surrounding the desire to emigrate, significantly affecting people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

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

\n

The Iranian Regime\u2019s Debt to the Central Bank Increased by 72% in June<\/h3>\n

\"iran<\/p>\n

New statistics from the Central Bank indicate a 72% jump in the government\u2019s debt to the Central Bank this June compared to the same month last year.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the total\u00a0debt of the government<\/a>\u00a0and state-owned companies to the Central Bank and other banks in the country surpassed 1.5 quadrillion tomans (approximately $25 billion) this June, which is 37% more than last June.<\/p>\n

Of this amount, more than 1.3 quadrillion tomans (approximately $21.6 billion) is related to the government\u2019s debt, while the rest pertains to the debt of state-owned companies to the banking system.<\/p>\n

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

\n

Iran\u2019s Ticking Time Bomb: Pezeshkian Struggles to Prevent an Uprising<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

With his new cabinet, Pezeshkian has entered a complex political maze, far from the easy days of his candidacy supported by a few reformists. Now, he faces the indifference of old allies and the smiles of new enemies.<\/p>\n

The big question is: Can Pezeshkian save Khamenei from a likely downfall, or at least buy him some time? Khamenei only accepted him reluctantly, hoping Pezeshkian could extend the regime\u2019s survival.<\/p>\n

But the real issue is: Does Pezeshkian and his team have the strength, power, and determination to tackle the many societal challenges? Can they do anything to delay the expected uprising?<\/p>\n

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

\n

Berlin, August 16, 2024: MEK Supporters Exhibition in Solidarity With the Iranian Revolution<\/h3>\n
<\/div>
Berlin, Germany\u2014August 16, 2024: MEK supporters Exhibition in Solidarity With the Iranian Revolution<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>