{"id":323369,"date":"2024-08-20T07:18:49","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T06:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=323369"},"modified":"2024-08-20T17:17:47","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T16:17:47","slug":"iran-news-in-brief-august-20-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-news-in-brief-news\/iran-news-in-brief-august-20-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News in Brief \u2013 August 20, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

UPDATE: 6:00 PM CEST<\/span><\/p>\n

Federal Foreign Office on the Iranian actions against the German Language Institute in Tehran<\/h3>\n

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We condemn the actions of the Iranian security authorities against the German Language Institute in Tehran. These actions cannot be justified in any way. Language exchange is the foundation of mutual understanding. The institute is a popular and respected meeting place where people dedicate themselves with great personal commitment to language acquisition, even under difficult conditions. The staff of the institute carry out their work with great dedication, aiming to strengthen the connection between the people of Iran and Germany.<\/p>\n

The Iranian ambassador is being summoned to the Federal Foreign Office. We call on the new Iranian government to immediately allow the resumption of teaching activities.<\/div>\n
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Iran Shuts Down The Last Language Institute Recognized by The German Embassy<\/h3>\n

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) \u2014 Iranian authorities on Tuesday closed down the last language institute certified by the German Embassy, local media said, in retaliation for the\u00a0shuttering of Islamic centers<\/a><\/span>\u00a0in the European country.<\/p>\n

A report by Nournews.ir, believed to be close to Iran\u2019s security bodies, published a photo of police forces taking down the sign showcasing the establishment\u2019s name. The Institute For Teaching German Language was established in the capital in 1995, according to the embassy.<\/p>\n

Mizanonline.ir, a news website affiliated with the country\u2019s judiciary, said judicial authorities ordered the closure of the institute\u2019s two posts, located in separate Tehran neighborhoods, calling them \u201cillegal centers affiliated with the German government\u201d that \u201cbreached Iran\u2019s law, committed various illegal actions and extensive financial violations.\u201d The report also said authorities would investigate possible infractions by other German-affiliated centers, without elaborating.<\/p>\n

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

Joint ODNI, FBI, and CISA Statement on Iranian Election Influence Efforts<\/h3>\n

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Today, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the following statement:<\/p>\n

As each of us has indicated in prior public statements, Iran seeks to stoke discord and undermine confidence in our democratic institutions. Iran has furthermore demonstrated a longstanding interest in exploiting societal tensions through various means, including through the use of cyber operations to attempt to gain access to sensitive information related to U.S. elections. In addition to these sustained efforts to complicate the ability of any U.S. administration to pursue a foreign policy at odds with Iran\u2019s interests, the Intelligence Community (IC) has previously reported that Iran perceives this year\u2019s elections to be particularly consequential in terms of the impact they could have on its national security interests, increasing Tehran\u2019s inclination to try to shape the outcome. We have observed increasingly aggressive Iranian activity during this election cycle, specifically involving influence operations targeting the American public and cyber operations targeting presidential campaigns.<\/p>\n

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

Natural and Man-Made Disasters in Iran: A Costly Challenge<\/h3>\n

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Iran faces significant challenges due to natural and man-made disasters, with annual damages estimated at $5 billion, according to the spokesman of the country\u2019s Crisis Management Organization. This staggering figure highlights the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and prevention strategies.\u00a0Hossein Zafari, the organization\u2019s spokesperson, emphasized that a substantial portion of these damages could be mitigated through increased investment in prevention and education. Over recent years, the country has suffered approximately 100 trillion tomans (roughly $1.69 billion) in damages from various incidents, with 70-80% of this amount being tangible losses covered by the national budget.<\/p>\n

The process of compensating for disaster-related damages has become increasingly complex due to the disregard for approved laws. Article 17 of Iran\u2019s Crisis Management Law mandates that the government compensate affected regions using a specific budget allocated by the country\u2019s Program and Budget Organization. However, Zafari noted that the organization has failed to implement Article 16, which outlines the duties of government agencies in accident prevention, citing an inability to allocate the necessary funds.<\/p>\n

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Iranian Universities Open Doors to Foreign Paramilitary Forces, Raising Concerns<\/h3>\n

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In a controversial move, Iranian universities, particularly the prestigious University of Tehran, are actively recruiting foreign students with ties to paramilitary organizations, most notably Iraq\u2019s Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces). This development, announced by Mohammad Moghimi, president of Tehran University, on August 15, has sparked debate and criticism within academic circles and beyond.<\/p>\n

The recruitment of Hashd al-Shaabi members is part of a broader strategy to increase the presence of regime-loyal forces in Iranian universities. This initiative follows the introduction of increased quotas and scholarships for Basij members in November 2022, a move widely seen as a response to widespread university protests at the time.<\/p>\n

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Iran\u2019s President Pezeshkian: A Wolf in Sheep\u2019s Clothing \u2013 Promises of Change Mask Continued Support for Repressive Policies<\/h3>\n

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Recent statements by key Iranian regime officials have reignited the debate surrounding the country\u2019s mandatory hijab policy, highlighting the complex political landscape and the challenges facing newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian.<\/p>\n

Ahmad-Reza Radan, commander of Iran\u2019s Law Enforcement Command and a prominent figure in suppressing the 2022 popular uprising, recently reaffirmed his commitment to the controversial \u201cNoor project\u201d targeting Iranian women. On August 17, Radan emphasized, \u201cWe must refer to the law regarding the implementation of the Noor project. The police are the enforcers of that law and must act accordingly unless a task is legally removed from their purview.\u201d<\/p>\n

Radan, a staunch supporter of strict hijab laws, views the issue as a critical bulwark against Western influence. In May, he stated, \u201cIf they take away the hijab, neither the homeland nor the religion will exist; they will be destroyed.\u201d His recent comments, in response to images of police officers violently confronting women, have been interpreted by some as tacit approval for intensified enforcement measures.<\/p>\n

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Iran: Power Outages Eliminate 40% of Production Capacity in Khorasan Province<\/h3>\n

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The head of the Iranian regime\u2019s Chamber of Commerce has reported that Iran\u2019s production has reached its lowest level in the last 36 months. Meanwhile, Mohammad Sahamian-Moghaddam, a member of the board of the Industrial Managers Association of Razavi Khorasan Province, has announced that at least 40% of production capacity has been lost. Tavanir (the Iran Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Company) has ordered industries to reduce consumption by 90%.\u00a0Samad Hassanzadeh, the head of Iran\u2019s Chamber of Commerce, also emphasized that in July this year, there has been a significant reduction in production in 12 industrial sectors across the country.<\/p>\n

Sahamian-Moghaddam told the state-run Ham-Mihan newspaper that on Saturday, August 17, \u201caround 1,000 factories were contacted,\u201d and \u201cthere is a recording stating that electricity consumption must be reduced by more than 90% for two weeks; otherwise, due to grid issues, power will be cut off without notice.\u201d<\/p>\n

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At Least 8 Prisoners Executed in Iran, over 100 Executions Since Presidential Election<\/h3>\n

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Human rights sources report the ongoing trend of\u00a0executions in Iranian prisons<\/a>, and political prisoners held in the women\u2019s ward of Evin Prison have stated that despite the pressures, they will continue to fight against the death penalty.<\/p>\n

Human rights media outlets have reported that at least eight prisoners were executed early Monday morning, August 19.\u00a0Reports indicate that five people were executed in Yazd Prison, identified as three Baluch citizens and two Afghan nationals.<\/p>\n

The Iran Human Rights Organization also reported the execution of three people in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz early Monday morning.<\/p>\n

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MEK Supporters Rally in Oslo to Condemn Executions by Iran\u2019s Regime and Honor the Martyrs of the 1988 Massacre<\/h3>\n
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Rally in Oslo to Condemn Executions by Iran\u2019s Regime and Honor the Martyrs of the 1988 Massacre<\/div><\/div>
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