{"id":329696,"date":"2025-03-22T09:42:41","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T08:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=329696"},"modified":"2025-03-22T16:45:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-22T15:45:36","slug":"iran-news-in-brief-march-22-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-news-in-brief-news\/iran-news-in-brief-march-22-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran News in Brief \u2013 March 22, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Families
Families of political prisoners protest in Sarab Park, Songhor on March 19, 2025, against the death sentences of Vahid Bani-Amerian, Pouya Ghobadi, and other MEK supporters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

UPDATE: 4:30 PM CET<\/span><\/p>\n

UK Parliament Debates Iran\u2019s Destabilizing Role in Middle East and Support for Terror Proxies<\/h3>\n

\"Parliament<\/p>\n

In a heated session<\/a> of the UK House of Commons, British lawmakers turned their attention to the destabilizing role of the Iranian regime in the Middle East, condemning Tehran\u2019s support for terrorist proxies and its involvement in regional conflicts.<\/p>\n

Priti Patel, Foreign Secretary in the shadow cabinet, issued a stark warning about the Iranian regime\u2019s malign influence, stating that the clerical regime has left its \u201cfingerprints on much of the inhumane suffering and bloodshed\u201d in the region. She called for decisive action to counter Iran\u2019s agenda, particularly its support for armed groups in the region.<\/p>\n

Responding to Patel, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy acknowledged Iran\u2019s \u201cmalign effect\u201d and reaffirmed Britain\u2019s commitment to preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He confirmed ongoing coordination with the United States, France, and Germany on this front, underscoring the UK\u2019s intent to counter the regime\u2019s regional ambitions.<\/p>\n

The debate highlighted growing cross-party concern over the regime\u2019s use of proxy warfare, arms transfers, and its role in undermining stability in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and beyond. MPs demanded clarity on potential UK responses, including sanctions enforcement, military deterrence, and diplomatic pressure on Iran\u2019s regional enablers.<\/p>\n

The session came amid renewed violence in Gaza and escalating threats in the Red Sea, with MPs pressing the government to take a firmer stance against Tehran\u2019s expanding regional footprint.<\/p>\n

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UPDATE: 12:30 PM CET<\/span><\/p>\n

U.S. Report: Iran a Global Hub for Money Laundering and Terror Finance<\/h3>\n

\"united<\/p>\n

The U.S. State Department\u2019s latest International Narcotics Control Strategy Report<\/em> has identified Iran as a high-risk center for money laundering and terror financing, highlighting the central role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in illicit financial activity.<\/p>\n

The report<\/a> states that the IRGC\u2014designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization\u2014controls major sectors of Iran\u2019s underground economy, including black-market oil sales, smuggling, and trade-based money laundering. The regime is also implicated in financing proxy groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis.<\/p>\n

Despite having anti-money laundering laws on paper, enforcement remains weak. The report points to systemic corruption, a lack of transparency, and political interference as key obstacles. Iran\u2019s Financial Intelligence Unit is under-resourced and not a member of international oversight bodies such as the Egmont Group or FATF.<\/p>\n

Iran remains on the FATF\u2019s list of high-risk jurisdictions, with the international body urging full countermeasures. U.S. officials warn that the Iranian regime\u2019s financial networks continue to threaten global security by enabling terror financing and sanctions evasion.<\/p>\n

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

U.S. Airstrikes Hit Strategic Houthi Sites in Yemen, Triggering Heavy Explosions in Hodeidah<\/h3>\n

\"alarabiya-logo\"<\/p>\n

U.S. forces launched a series of airstrikes early Friday targeting Houthi military infrastructure in Yemen\u2019s Hodeidah province, in what marks the latest escalation in Washington\u2019s campaign to halt attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.\u00a0According to local sources, six American airstrikes struck the strategic coastal area of al-Fazah in Al-Tuhayta district, south of Hodeidah. The area, formerly a base for Yemen\u2019s naval forces prior to the 2014 Houthi coup, has since been used by the Iran-backed group as a missile launch site and weapons storage hub.<\/p>\n

Additional strikes were reported in Khokha, al-Durayhimi, and al-Ghuwariq, with U.S. jets targeting rocket platforms and supply depots.\u00a0The latest round of attacks follows four earlier U.S. airstrikes in the Kathib area of Hodeidah\u2019s port district, as well as strikes in Al-Safra district in Saada province, a known Houthi stronghold.<\/p>\n

The Pentagon confirmed these operations are part of a broader response to the Houthis\u2019 intensified campaign against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Since late 2023, Houthi forces have conducted more than 100 attacks on shipping routes, severely disrupting global trade and prompting repeated U.S. and allied military interventions.<\/p>\n

At least 16 senior Houthi figures were reportedly killed in the recent wave of airstrikes, bringing the total death toll from U.S. operations since Saturday to over 30, according to Houthi sources. Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran would be held responsible for any future Houthi attacks, pledging severe consequences in response.<\/p>\n

The strikes represent the most extensive American military action in the Middle East since Trump\u2019s return to office in January, underscoring rising tensions across the region.<\/p>\n

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

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UPDATE: 9:30 AM CET<\/span><\/p>\n

Linda Chavez Calls for Firm Western Policy on Iran in Interview with Simay Azadi<\/h3>\n

In an exclusive interview with Simay Azadi TV, Linda Chavez, renowned author, political commentator, and former Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison, addressed the Iranian regime\u2019s continued use of hostage diplomacy and urged Western governments to adopt a firm and principled policy toward Tehran.<\/p>\n

Chavez voiced strong support for the Ten-Point Plan<\/a> proposed by Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which envisions a secular, democratic republic in Iran based on gender equality, freedom of expression, and the separation of religion and state.<\/p>\n

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In an exclusive with Simay Azadi, @chavezlinda<\/a>
addresses Iran\u2019s hostage diplomacy, calls for a firm Western policy toward Tehran, and supports Mrs. @Maryam_Rajavi<\/a> 10-point plan for Iran\u2019s future. #FreeIran2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

In a part of this interview she said:
The fact that the resistance\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/7reluTNnT5<\/a><\/p>\n

— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) March 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n