{"id":326216,"date":"2024-12-01T09:22:36","date_gmt":"2024-12-01T08:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=326216"},"modified":"2024-12-01T14:49:13","modified_gmt":"2024-12-01T13:49:13","slug":"iran-news-in-brief-december-1-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-news-in-brief-news\/iran-news-in-brief-december-1-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News in Brief \u2013 December 1, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

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

\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n

UPDATE: 2:30 PM CET<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Iran to Begin Enriching Uranium with Thousands of Advanced Centrifuges, UN Watchdog Says<\/h3>\r\n

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) \u2014 Iran will begin enriching uranium with thousands of advanced centrifuges at its two main nuclear facilities at Fordo and Natanz, the United Nations\u2019 nuclear watchdog said Friday, further raising tensions over Tehran\u2019s program as it\u00a0enriches at near weapons-grade levels<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

The notice from the International Atomic Energy Agency only mentioned Iran enriching uranium with new centrifuges to 5% purity, far lower than the 60% it currently does \u2014 likely signaling that it still wants to negotiate with the West and the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.<\/p>\r\n

However, it remains unclear how Trump will approach Iran once he enters office, particularly as it continues to threaten to attack Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and just after a ceasefire started in its campaign in Lebanon. Trump withdrew America from Iran\u2019s nuclear deal with world powers in 2018, setting in motion a series of attacks and incidents across the wider Mideast.<\/p>\r\n

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

\r\n

UPDATE: 9:00 AM CET<\/span><\/p>\r\n

PMOI Resistance Units in Zahedan: \u201cExecutions Will Bring The Regime Closer to Its Overthrow\u201d<\/h3>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

In the city of Zahedan, southeast Iran, PMOI Resistance Units held their weekly anti-regime activities on Friday, November 29, reiterating their commitment to regime change and the need to establish a democratic republic.<\/p>\r\n

This increase in resistance activities unfolds against a backdrop of growing state repression, characterized by an uptick in executions aimed at stifling dissent. Undeterred by the regime\u2019s attempts to suppress opposition, the Resistance Units have expanded their outreach, conveying a resolute message of defiance and a commitment to continue their struggle until the regime is overthrown.<\/p>\r\n

Central to the resistance\u2019s campaign are a series of slogans that encapsulate their demands and aspirations for a future in Iran. Among the messages circulated throughout Zahedan, the Resistance Units have proclaimed, \u201cIran will become the most beautiful country and a haven of freedom and justice.\u201d This vision contrasts sharply with their critique of the current regime, drawing parallels between the mullahs and the deposed shah, suggesting that \u201cLike the shah, the mullahs\u2019 regime has no other option than killing and repression, but it will only bring itself closer to its overthrow.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

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

\r\n

Why an Organized Alternative Is Key to Overthrowing Iran\u2019s Regime<\/h3>\r\n

\"Major_Free_Iran_Rally_Today_in_London\"<\/p>\r\n

At a conference held in the European Parliament in Brussels on November 20, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI),\u00a0outlined the process<\/a>\u00a0of power transfer following the regime\u2019s collapse.<\/p>\r\n

She stated: \u201cRegarding the future of Iran, I have consistently emphasized that our goal is not to seize power but to restore it to its rightful owners\u2014the people of Iran and their vote. According to the\u00a0NCRI platform<\/a>, the process for transferring power after the regime\u2019s overthrow consists of the following steps:<\/p>\r\n

\u201ca) The establishment of a provisional government, which will be in power for a maximum of six months. The primary responsibility of this government will be to organize elections for a Constituent Assembly.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cb) Once the Constituent Assembly is formed, the provisional government will step down, marking the completion of the NCRI\u2019s mission.<\/p>\r\n

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

\r\n

Iran\u2019s Currency Hits Record Low Amid Rising Economic Pressures<\/h3>\r\n

\"Iran's<\/p>\r\n

The Iranian rial plummeted to a historic low on Saturday, November 30, with the U.S. dollar trading at over 71,200 tomans on the open market. This marks a sharp increase from 69,950 tomans the previous day, reflecting a 1.57% rise in just 24 hours.
This latest spike follows earlier fluctuations in November, when the dollar briefly crossed the 70,000 toman threshold but later dropped below it. Recent developments, including the International Atomic Energy Agency\u2019s (IAEA) resolution against Iran and fears of the \u201csnapback\u201d sanctions mechanism, have reignited market volatility, pushing the exchange rate higher.<\/p>\r\n

Economic<\/a> analysts attribute the rial\u2019s decline to ongoing geopolitical tensions, including unprecedented military confrontations between Iran and Israel this year. Notably, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps\u2019 missile and drone strikes against Israel in April triggered the dollar\u2019s surge past 67,000 tomans. Following a period of relative stability in mid-2023, renewed hostilities, such as Israel\u2019s airstrikes on Iranian military targets in November, contributed to the rial\u2019s sustained weakness. The announcement of Donald Trump\u2019s victory in the U.S. presidential elections further exacerbated market concerns. The rial surged to 70,000 tomans in mid-November as traders reacted to the anticipated hardline policies of the returning administration.<\/p>\r\n

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

\r\n

Iranian Regime Sentences Two Grieving Mothers of Aban to Prison for Advocacy<\/h3>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

The Iranian regime has sentenced two bereaved mothers, Mahboubeh Ramezani and Rahimeh Yousefzadeh, each to 1.5 years in prison. These women, known as \u201cMothers of Aban<\/a>,\u201d have been advocating for justice for their children, who were killed during the\u00a0November 2019 uprising<\/a> in Iran.\u00a0Mahboubeh Ramezani, mother of Pejman Gholipour, and Rahimeh Yousefzadeh, mother of Navid Behboudi, were convicted on charges of \u201cpropaganda against the regime,\u201d \u201cmembership in the\u00a0Mothers of Aban group<\/a>,\u201d and \u201cinsulting Ali Khamenei,\u201d the regime\u2019s Supreme Leader. The sentences,\u00a0initially issued by Branch 2<\/a>\u00a0of the Revolutionary Court in Shahriar, were upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court, leaving no room for further appeal.<\/p>\r\n

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

\r\n

Preferential Currency for Medicine Will Be Removed in Iran<\/h3>\r\n

\"price-of-medicine-in-iran\"<\/p>\r\n

Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi, the Iranian regime\u2019s Minister of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education announced that the preferential currency for medicine will be removed starting next year.\u00a0Zafarghandi stated on Friday, November 29, that his ministry is preparing and planning to manage this change.\u00a0This comes after the Central Bank had claimed in September to have provided $1.5 billion in preferential currency for \u201cmedicine and medical equipment<\/a>\u201d by September 9. Zafarghandi had previously declared that the preferential currency for medicine had been removed.<\/p>\r\n

Earlier, the previous health minister had announced the removal of the preferential currency for medicine imports under a plan called \u201cDaruyar\u201d starting in 2022. However, Iranian officials have made contradictory statements regarding the allocation of the \u201c42,000 rial\u201d currency for medicine.<\/p>\r\n

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

\r\n

Global Academic Rankings of All Iranian Universities Are On The Decline<\/h3>\r\n

\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\"Western<\/p>\r\n

Yousef Hojjat, the acting head of Tarbiat Modares University in Iran stated that due to \u201clow financial credibility,\u201d the global academic rankings of all Iranian universities have declined.\u00a0On Saturday, November 30, Hojjat told the state-run ISNA news agency that Iranian universities have experienced a decline in the \u201cShanghai Academic Ranking.\u201d He stated, \u201cAll university budgets are spent on daily operations such as salaries, dormitories, and food, and we cannot stop these activities.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

He emphasized \u201cfinancial problems\u201d as the reason for the academic decline of Iranian universities, stating that \u201cdue to the country\u2019s economic situation, the funds allocated to universities are losing their purchasing power day by day.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

According to this university official, the allocation of funds to routine operations leaves little for research, which is less than in previous years.<\/p>\r\n

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

\r\n

750,000 Students Out of School in Iran<\/h3>\r\n

\"The<\/p>\r\n

Alireza Kazemi, the Iranian regime\u2019s Minister of Education reported that 750,000 students are out of school, noting that \u201capproximately 150,000\u201d of these are in primary education, while the rest are in middle school.<\/p>\r\n

Kazemi stated that the issue of out-of-school students is unrelated to the Ministry of Education, claiming that those\u00a0dropping out of middle school<\/a>\u00a0are seeking work and vocational skills.<\/p>\r\n

Several experts believe that school dropouts to enter the labor market have accelerated in recent years, coinciding with rising inflation and worsening poverty.<\/p>\r\n

In this regard, the state-run\u00a0Shargh<\/i> newspaper reported on September 22: \u201cStudents consider dropping out and entering the labor market as a win while attending school and spending hours in class feels like a loss to them.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

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

\r\n

Wave of Executions in Iran Highlights Urgent Human Rights Crisis<\/h3>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

In a disturbing escalation of human rights violations, Iranian authorities have carried out a surge of executions in recent days, underscoring the country\u2019s continued reliance on capital punishment. Reports indicate that from Saturday, November 23, to Thursday, November 28, 2024, at least 27 prisoners have been executed across various prisons in Iran, marking an alarming rate of one execution every 3.5 hours over three days.<\/p>\r\n

On Thursday, November 28, authorities executed Hadi Ghiyasi, a resident of Nahavand, in Nahavand Prison. Ghiyasi, who was convicted on drug-related charges, had spent four years in prison before facing the gallows. On the same day, six other prisoners were hanged across the country:<\/p>\r\n

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

\r\n

Basij Forces and Khamenei\u2019s Fear of Nationwide Protests<\/h3>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

Khamenei\u2019s recent speech at a nationwide Basij (\u00a0volunteer paramilitary organization operating under the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)) gathering has sparked considerable analysis. The context raises important questions: Why did Khamenei turn to the Basij now? What circumstances compelled him to hold such an event and deliver this speech? Was his primary aim merely to boost the morale of Basij forces following setbacks to his regional proxies, or was he afraid of a looming threat closer to home?<\/p>\r\n

Khamenei began by recounting the establishment of the Basij, offering a revisionist version of history:\u00a0\u201cOne of our great Imam\u2019s characteristics was to turn threats into opportunities. On November 4, 1979, the U.S. Embassy was taken over. In response, Imam Khomeini issued the order to form the Basij on December 5, just 22 or 23 days later.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

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

\r\n

Rally in Geneva: Freedom-Loving Iranians and MEK Supporters Unite to Protest EU Appeasement of Iran\u2019s Regime<\/h3>\r\n
<\/div>
Rally in Geneva: MEK Supporters Unite to Protest EU Appeasement of Iran\u2019s Regime - November 29, 2024<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>