{"id":324963,"date":"2024-10-14T06:38:14","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T05:38:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=324963"},"modified":"2024-10-14T17:36:22","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T16:36:22","slug":"iran-news-in-brief-october-14-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-news-in-brief-news\/iran-news-in-brief-october-14-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News in Brief \u2013 October 14, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n\r\n

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

UPDATE: 6:30 PM CEST<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

UK Announces Sanctions against Iranian Military Figures and Organisations Following Attack on Israel<\/h3>\r\n

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The UK has today (14 October) announced a new round of sanctions targeting senior Iranian military figures and organisations for their role in attempting to destabilise the Middle East. In response to Iran\u2019s attack against Israel on 1 October, today\u2019s package targets senior figures who facilitate this behaviour, in the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, Iran\u2019s Air Force and the IRGC Intelligence Organisation.<\/p>\r\n

The package will also designate Farzanegan Propulsion Systems Design Bureau (FPSDB), which designs and manufactures parts that can be used in cruise missiles, as well as the Iranian Space Agency, which develops technologies that have applications in ballistic missile development.<\/p>\r\n

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

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Calling Out Executions in Iran Could Solve Many Problems in the Region<\/h3>\r\n

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In anticipation of the recent World Day Against the Death Penalty, the Iranian human rights activists, namely Iran Human Rights Monitor issued a statement regarding a campaign launched by Iranian resistance movement leader Maryam Rajavi, to stop execution in Iran.<\/p>\r\n

More than 1,500 lawmakers, scholars, and current and former officials, including 455 lawmakers, 34 former presidents, and prime ministers, 59 former ministers and UN ambassadors, 102 international judges and legal scholars, 109 renowned human rights experts, and 46 Nobel Laureates, representing 78 countries signed the petition in support of the call while highlighting an ongoing surge of executions in the Islamic Republic, which has reinforced its status as the country with the world\u2019s highest rate of executions per capita. The statement underscores the need for global action to halt this trend and reiterates the opposition\u2019s commitment to abolishing capital punishment in Iran altogether.<\/p>\r\n

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

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UPDATE: 1:00 PM CEST<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Iran Making Billions in Oil Revenues Under Biden Admin as Expert Slams Sanctions Policy for Lack of ‘Pressure’<\/h3>\r\n

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Iran has increased its\u00a0oil exports<\/a>\u00a0during the Biden administration despite severe and heavy sanctions imposed by the U.S. government, according to a new report.<\/p>\r\n

The Energy Information Administration (EIA)\u00a0issued its annual report<\/a>\u00a0on Iranian petroleum and petroleum product exports, finding that Iran made between $53 billion to $54 billion in 2022 and 2023 \u2013 significant increases over $37 billion made in 2021 and $16 billion made in 2020. The EIA report is mandated by Congress.<\/p>\r\n

The 2020 revenue marked a low point since 2018, when Iran earned $65 billion in nominal revenue, based on calculations derived from the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) website.<\/p>\r\n

The report\u2019s main takeaway is that China has provided Iran a significant export partner, allowing it to bypass sanctions and continue to rake in profits from its energy exports.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

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

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Iran: Seven Individuals and Seven Entities Sanctioned in Response To Iran\u2019s Missile Transfer to Russia<\/h3>\r\n

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The Council adopted today restrictive measures against\u00a0seven individuals<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0seven entities<\/strong>\u00a0following\u00a0Iran\u2019s missile and drone transfers to Russia<\/strong>. This decision follows the indication by the European Council in March 2024 that, were Iran to transfer ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia for use against Ukraine, the EU would be prepared to respond swiftly, including with new and significant restrictive measures.<\/p>\r\n

Today\u2019s designation includes individuals and entities responsible for the development and transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs<\/strong>),\u00a0missiles<\/strong>\u00a0and related technology to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine, and to armed groups and entities undermining peace and security in the Middle East and the Red Sea region.<\/p>\r\n

The listings include three\u00a0Iranian Airlines<\/strong>\u00a0(Saha Airlines, Mahan Air and Iran Air), and two\u00a0procurement firms.\u00a0<\/strong>These are respectively responsible for the transfer and supply, through transnational procurement networks, of Iran-made UAVs and related components and technologies to Russia, to be used in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Two companies involved in the\u00a0production of propellant<\/strong>\u00a0used to launch rockets and missiles were also listed.<\/p>\r\n

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

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UPDATE: 7:00 AM CEST<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Sweden Wants EU to Brand Iran’s Revolutionary Guards ‘Terror’ Group: PM<\/h3>\r\n

By Agence France Presse (AFP) – Sweden wants the European Union to officially deem Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organisation after several attacks on Israeli targets in Sweden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sunday.<\/p>\r\n

Sweden’s Sapo intelligence agency has accused Iran of recruiting members of Swedish criminal gangs to commit “acts of violence” against Israeli and other interests in Sweden, a claim Iran has denied.<\/p>\r\n

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Three attacks have been carried out against the Israeli embassy in Stockholm in the past year, and two attacks have targeted an Israeli military technology firm in the past six months.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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

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Maryam Akbari Monfared Faces Continued Persecution after 15 Years of Imprisonment<\/h3>\r\n

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Iranian political prisoner Maryam Akbari Monfared was due to complete her 15-year sentence on October 12, 2024. Despite spending the entire sentence without a single day of medical leave, the Iranian regime\u2019s judiciary has blocked her release by imposing an additional sentence. According to the regime\u2019s own laws, Akbari, one of the longest-serving female political prisoners in Iran, should have been freed in 2019 after serving 10 years. Her case has become emblematic of the regime\u2019s cruelty and determination to suppress dissent, particularly from those who dare to seek justice for past atrocities.<\/p>\r\n

As previously noted by the Secretariat and Women\u2019s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the Ministry of Intelligence fabricated two cases to block Akbari\u2019s release. In two show trials held in Semnan and Evin, she received additional prison sentences. One charge was for \u201cpropaganda against the regime,\u201d and the other was for \u201cinsulting the leadership, conspiracy, assembly, spreading lies, disturbing public opinion, and inciting people against national security.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

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

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Mai Sato\u2019s First Report on Human Rights in Iran: A Critical Overview<\/h3>\r\n

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In September 2024, Mai Sato, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, delivered her first report to the General Assembly. This report provides a comprehensive vision and outlines the key priorities for her mandate. It also reflects on the responses from the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the international scrutiny of its human rights record. This article will analyze the key aspects of Sato\u2019s report, her identified priorities, and the broader context in which these issues unfold.<\/p>\r\n

The mandate given to the Special Rapporteur was established by the Human Rights Council in resolution\u00a0A\/HRC\/RES55\/19<\/a>. Sato, who began her role in August 2024, has the responsibility of monitoring, investigating, and reporting on human rights violations in Iran. Her report emphasizes the dual approach of addressing the obligations of the Iranian government (referred to as the \u201cduty bearer\u201d) and advocating for the rights of Iranian citizens (the \u201crights holders\u201d).<\/p>\r\n

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

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The Battle Over Internet Censorship in Iran: Politics, Power, and the VPN Mafia<\/h3>\r\n

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As the Iranian public eagerly awaits the lifting of internet censorship, hopes were recently dashed when the Minister of Communications, in a conversation with reporters on Wednesday, delayed any concrete action. He vaguely promised changes in the \u201cnear future\u201d but offered no specific timeline, leaving many disappointed.\u00a0The regime\u2019s stance on internet censorship has been staunchly defended by\u00a0Kayhan<\/em><\/i>\u00a0newspaper, the official mouthpiece of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In a recent editorial, the newspaper labeled those calling for the removal of\u00a0censorship<\/a>\u00a0as \u201cWestern sympathizers\u201d aiming to \u201copen the door to corruption.\u201d This reflects the government\u2019s hardline position, one that has drawn both domestic and international criticism.<\/p>\r\n

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

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Iran\u2019s $7 Billion Trade Deficit and Dependence on a Handful of Countries<\/h3>\r\n

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Mohammad Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, head of Iran\u2019s Trade Promotion Organization, stated that in the first half of this year (March 21 to September 21), Iran\u2019s non-oil foreign trade deficit reached $7 billion. This is compared to the historic record of $17 billion last year.\u00a0On October 13, Mohammad Ali Dehghan Dehnavi announced that in the first six months of the year, Iran\u2019s total\u00a0non-oil exports<\/a>\u00a0amounted to $25.8 billion, while imports reached $32.5 billion.<\/p>\r\n

The last time Iran had a positive non-oil trade balance was in 2018. Iran\u2019s trade deficit has grown so much in recent years that since the early months of Ebrahim Raisi\u2019s administration, the regime\u2019s customs included oil exports in their reports to mask the increasing foreign trade deficit.<\/p>\r\n

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

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In Iran, Disabled People Receive Less Than $16 in Pensions<\/h3>\r\n

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With increasing inflationary pressure in Iran and household livelihoods at risk, people with disabilities face more challenges than ever before, with no clear outlook for their livelihoods. Some disability pensioners say that disabled retirees are now at the bottom of the pension income hierarchy, and with pensions below 10 million rials (approximately 16 dollars), their difficulties have worsened. The state-run ILNA news agency, quoting\u00a0disabled retirees<\/a>, reported that in recent years, the prices of many goods have increased by up to 400%, creating a \u201cstrange gap\u201d between wages and the cost of living.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

The report mentions Article 27 of the Comprehensive Law for the Disabled, which requires the government to ensure that the minimum social security salary is provided to people with severe and very severe disabilities. However, even this minimum is not being paid.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

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

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How Hezbollah\u2019s Recent Losses Are Impacting the Iranian Regime<\/h3>\r\n

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The recent setbacks faced by Hezbollah in Lebanon have dealt a severe blow to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran\u2019s broader strategy of exporting crisis. These blows, delivered over the past month, represent a significant strategic hit to the Iranian regime and its crisis export policy, deeply shaking its foundations.\u00a0Four decades ago, Ayatollah Khomeini used the Iran-Iraq War to stifle the progressive and revolutionary forces within Iran, particularly those resonating with the country\u2019s youth at the time. By igniting the eight-year conflict, he sought to suppress these forces. When he ultimately failed, Khomeini was forced to drink from the \u201cchalice of poison,\u201d an admission of defeat that soon led to his demise.<\/p>\r\n

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

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Washington, D.C.\u2014October 10, 2024: MEK Supporters Rally in Support of the \u2018No to Executions\u2019 Campaign Against Iran\u2019s Regime<\/h3>\r\n
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Washington DC, Oct 10: Rally in Support of the \u2018No to Executions\u2019 Campaign Against Iran\u2019s Regime.<\/div><\/div>
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