{"id":329672,"date":"2025-03-21T09:20:56","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T08:20:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=329672"},"modified":"2025-03-21T13:19:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T12:19:04","slug":"iran-news-in-brief-march-21-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-news-in-brief-news\/iran-news-in-brief-march-21-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News in Brief \u2013 March 21, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Supporters of the Iranian Resistance in Copenhagen, Denmark, celebrated the Chaharshanbe Suri Fire Festival on March 18, 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS<\/h3>\n

UPDATE: 1:00 PM CET<\/span><\/p>\n

Rubio: Trump ‘Will Take Action’ to Prevent Iranian Nuclear Weapon<\/h3>\n

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In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that President Donald Trump “will take action” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, if efforts to negotiate a new Iran nuclear deal do not bear fruit.\u00a0In an interview that touched on different threats and challenges facing the U.S. in the second Trump term, Hewitt asked Rubio, “If it comes to blows, will we act in an alliance against Iran, do you think, or will we act alone?”<\/p>\n

“Well, I think the president’s been clear. He’s prepared to do whatever it takes to prevent Iran from ever having a nuclear weapon,” Rubio responded.<\/p>\n

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

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Iran Shadow Generals Behind Houthi War with Trump UNMASKED as Orders for Red Sea Strikes \u2018Come Straight from Ayatollah\u2019<\/h3>\n

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IRANIAN warmongers directly commanding Houthi operations have been unmasked, The Sun can reveal.<\/p>\n

Houthi rebels in Yemen have repeatedly attacked merchant vessels in the Red Sea<\/a>\u00a0with drones – sinking at least two and killing four sailors.<\/p>\n

But sources inside\u00a0Iran<\/a>\u00a0have exposed how Houthi activities are being directly commanded by senior members of Tehran\u2019s IRGC Quds Force.<\/p>\n

The leading official is IRGC Brigadier General Abdolreza Shahlai, who is in charge of all military, political, and economic matters related to the regime\u2019s intervention in Yemen – including all Houthi attacks.\u00a0Among his damning track record was a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington, which was foiled in October 2011.<\/p>\n

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

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

Iran\u2019s Political and Social Spring Is on The Horizon<\/h3>\n

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Maryam Rajavi’s message: “Although our people\u2019s lives are shattered daily by soaring prices, unemployment, homelessness, and countless hardships; although they are worn down by the relentless weight of repression, discrimination, and misogyny, they still embrace Nowruz \u2014a timeless symbol of resilience and defiance\u2014 against the tyrant of our time. Workers, nurses, retirees, and teachers driven to their limits, yet unwavering ensure the streets are never empty of protest and rebellion;<\/p>\n

“Mothers and relatives of martyrs in the struggle for freedom;<\/p>\n

“Prisoners, with their \u201cNo to Execution Tuesdays<\/strong><\/a>\u201d campaign;<\/p>\n

“Resistance Units who pierce the darkness of our homeland with the light of their selfless struggle.”<\/p>\n

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

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From March 1951 to March 2025, The Spirit of Mossadegh\u2019s Struggle Lives On<\/h3>\n

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The nationalization of Iran\u2019s oil industry on March 20, 1951, led by Dr. Mohammad Mosaddegh, the leader of Iran\u2019s independence movement, remains a historic milestone and a proud testament to the nation\u2019s struggle against the Shah regime\u2019s treachery and dictatorship. It is one of those events that will never fade into oblivion under the storms of conspiracies, censorship, or repression.<\/p>\n

That is why the courageous youth of the nation, in their recent uprisings, have chanted, \u201cNeither cleric nor Cossack \u2013 Rest in peace, Mosaddegh,\u201d clearly distinguishing themselves from all forms of dictatorship and dependency. Seventy-four years after that historic event, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, revolutionary resistance units in Tehran, Karaj, Mashhad, and Bandar Abbas\u00a0honored the memory of Dr. Mohammad Mosaddegh<\/a>\u00a0by putting up banners and carrying out revolutionary actions.<\/p>\n

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

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Critical Conditions in Lakan Women\u2019s Prison in Rasht: Lack of Medical Facilities and Addiction Crisis<\/h3>\n

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Reports from Lakan Women\u2019s Prison in\u00a0Rasht<\/a>\u00a0reveal\u00a0alarming and inhumane conditions<\/a>. Severe shortages in healthcare services, lack of access to necessities, and a widespread addiction crisis have pushed the situation of female prisoners to a critical level.<\/p>\n

According to reports, Lakan Women\u2019s Prison has no permanent doctor or nurse, and a single health worker with insufficient training and experience is responsible for providing medical care to the inmates. A general physician visits the women\u2019s ward only once a week, and prisoners describe this doctor as inexperienced and lacking the necessary medical knowledge.<\/p>\n

The prison infirmary, which is supposed to serve 150 inmates, consists of only a small room with a single bed and a medical desk, which is grossly inadequate for the needs of prisoners. In severe cases, sick inmates are referred to the male ward\u2019s general physician, and in extreme situations, they are transferred to Razi Hospital in Rasht.<\/p>\n

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

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Iranian Regime Foreign Minister: Trump\u2019s Letter Is More of a Threat<\/h3>\n

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Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian regime\u2019s foreign minister, stated during a Nowruz television program on state TV that Donald Trump\u2019s letter was more of a threat but that \u201che claims there are also opportunities.\u201d Araghchi added that the Iranian regime would consider both the threat and opportunity aspects of the letter and would respond accordingly.\u00a0Araghchi further stated: \u201cUnder pressure, threats, and increased sanctions, we will certainly not engage in direct negotiations. We will respond to Trump\u2019s letter in the coming days and send it through the appropriate channels.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minutes before Araghchi\u2019s remarks, the state-run ILNA news agency quoted Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for Masoud Pezeshkian\u2019s government, as saying that Trump\u2019s letter to the Iranian regime\u2019s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was \u201cunder review\u201d and that a \u201csubstantive response\u201d would be provided at an appropriate time and in a manner deemed suitable.<\/p>\n

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

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Execution of 1,050 People and Crackdown on 30,000 Women for Not Wearing the Hijab<\/h3>\n

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According to human rights sources, the Iranian regime executed at least 1,050 people in the Persian Calendar year 1403 (March 21, 2024 to March 21, 2025). Additionally, over 30,000 women faced punitive measures for not adhering to the regime\u2019s mandatory hijab rules.<\/p>\n

During this period, at least 3,702 protests and strikes took place, and a minimum of 355 Iranian citizens were shot by security forces.<\/p>\n

The human rights website HRANA reported that the year 2024 was a tragic continuation of Iran\u2019s ongoing human rights violations.<\/p>\n

The report emphasized that \u201cthe provided statistics cannot fully represent the human rights situation in Iran\u201d because the Iranian regime does not allow independent human rights organizations to operate freely or access necessary information.<\/p>\n

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

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Families of Political Prisoners Sentenced to Death Protest in Sonqor<\/h3>\n

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On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, coinciding with the \u201cNo to Execution Tuesdays\u201d campaign, a group of families of political prisoners sentenced to death gathered in Sonqor, Kermanshah Province, to demand the revocation of their loved ones\u2019 death sentences.\u00a0The families of political prisoners Vahid Bani Amerian and Pouya Ghobadi assembled in Sarab Park, holding photos of the two men along with placards bearing slogans against the death penalty. This demonstration, held on the last Tuesday of the Persian calendar year, was part of a growing movement against capital punishment in Iran.<\/p>\n

Vahid Bani Amerian and Pouya Ghobadi, along with four other political prisoners\u2014Shahrokh Daneshvarkar, Abolhassan Montazer, Babak Alipour, and Mohammad Taqavi\u2014were sentenced to death, imprisonment, and exile in December 2024. Their sentences were issued by Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of Tehran\u2019s Revolutionary Court.<\/p>\n

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

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Gothenburg, March 18, 2025: MEK Supporters Rally in Support of the \u2018No to Executions Tuesdays\u2019 Campaign<\/h3>\n
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Gothenburg, March 18: MEK Supporters Rally in Support of the 'No to Executions Tuesdays' Campaign<\/div><\/div>
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