{"id":328455,"date":"2025-02-08T08:36:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-08T07:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=328455"},"modified":"2025-02-08T11:35:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-08T10:35:09","slug":"iran-news-in-brief-february-8-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-news-in-brief-news\/iran-news-in-brief-february-8-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News in Brief \u2013 February 8, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Supporters of the Iranian Resistance heading to the Free Iran Rally in Paris \u2013 February 7, 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

UPDATE: 10:30 AM CET<\/span><\/p>\n

Amex Closed 30 Accounts Potentially Tied to Iran’s Government<\/h3>\n

Feb 7 (Reuters) – U.S. credit card giant American Express\u00a0(AXP.N), opens new tab<\/a>\u00a0identified and closed 30 consumer accounts in 2024 that it said could have had ties to the Government of Iran.<\/p>\n

The accounts were only used for personal expenses, AmEx said in a regulatory filing on Friday. It also ended its relationship with a third-party ATM network provider, which was connected to an Iranian bank sanctioned by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n

The company said it had voluntarily reported the activity to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. Gross revenue and net profit attributable to these transactions were negligible, it added.<\/p>\n

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

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

Resistance Units Across Iran Commemorate PMOI Martyrs<\/h3>\n

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The Resistance Units, an underground network of supporters of the People\u2019s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI\/MEK), have organized various activities across Iran to commemorate the legacy of Ashraf Rajavi, Mousa Khiabani, and other prominent members of the PMOI were killed by the Iranian regime on\u00a0February 8, 1982, in an attempt by the regime to crush the resistance.<\/p>\n

Marking the anniversary, Resistance Units placed posters and banners with images of the martyrs in major cities, paying tribute to their sacrifice. Messages accompanying these images described Ashraf Rajavi and Mousa Khiabani as \u201ceternal symbols of freedom in Iran,\u201d emphasizing the continuation of their struggle against the ruling theocracy.<\/p>\n

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

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Iran\u2019s Regime Is Approaching Negotiations with The U.S. with Contradiction and Confusion<\/h3>\n

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Negotiations with the U.S. have become a hot topic in Iran\u2019s regime-affiliated media. At the same time, confusion, infighting, and power struggles among the ruling factions have intensified. Some, like journalist Mohammad Ali Vakili, have already determined that negotiations will take place. On February 2, he wrote in Shargh newspaper, \u201cThe heads of the three branches have a unified stance on this issue. Overall, the ruling establishment has reached a consensus on negotiations. As long as national interests and security are at stake, the state\u2019s unified position will be to proceed with negotiations.\u201d<\/p>\n

When confronted with the question of why, despite this \u201cconsensus,\u201d there are deafening slogans in the regime\u2019s Majlis (parliament) and protests by extremist street demonstrators in shrouds, he dismisses them as \u201cscattered voices\u201d and says: \u201cThese scattered voices opposing negotiations or confronting figures like former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and President Masoud Pezeshkian are merely remnants of entrenched radicalism in the country. As such, these occasional objections will no longer have much impact. They are not even worth addressing or analyzing.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

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US Dollar and Gold Coins Hit Record Price Against Iran\u2019s Rial<\/h3>\n

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As the value of the rial continues to plummet, the exchange rate of the US dollar in Iran\u2019s free market has reached a new record of 860,000 rials. Meanwhile, economic protests are ongoing, and reports indicate rising prices of essential goods.<\/p>\n

According to reports on Thursday, February 6, the exchange rate of one US dollar in Iran\u2019s free market has now surpassed 860,000 rials, while the euro is trading in the 890,000-rial range.<\/p>\n

Reports also indicate that the price of a single gold coin has exceeded 690 million rials and is on the verge of entering the 70-million-toman range.<\/p>\n

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

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Flawed Economic Policies and Foreign Exchange Corruption in Iran; An Obstacle to Growth and Livelihoods<\/h3>\n

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Hussein Selahvarzi, the former head of Iran\u2019s regime Chamber of Commerce, revealed corruption in foreign exchange and the government\u2019s flawed economic policies in an interview with the state-run media outlet Shafaqna on February 3. He believes that price controls and misguided Central Bank policies have not only created rent-seeking opportunities and corruption but have also had widespread negative effects on exports and the country\u2019s trade balance.<\/p>\n

Selahvarzi, referring to the recent foreign exchange crisis, stated: \u201cIn recent years, due to the establishment of unrealistic exchange rates, many have sought to gain the largest share of foreign currency resources. This unhealthy competition, especially under political pressure on the Central Bank, has led to increased corruption in foreign exchange and inefficiency in the economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

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Paris Free Iran Rally, February 8, 2025: A Symbol of the Ongoing Fight for Freedom<\/h3>\n
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On Feb 8 in Paris, Iranians will gather to honor the anti-monarchic revolution and advocate for a #FreeIran2025<\/a>. Join the stand against dictatorship. Simay Azadi will cover the event! #ParisFreeIranRally<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/5x4JTpPIgs<\/a><\/p>\n

— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) January 29, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n