How To Talk About Iran (Living Document) Iranian Diaspora Collective (IDC)

How to Talk About Iran (Living Document)
DISCLOSURES: THIS DOCUMENT IS INCOMPLETE, IMPERFECT, AND WILL BE EDITED.
This is a living document created and managed by volunteer members of the Iranian Diaspora
Collective. Special thank you to Middle East Matters and From Iran for advising on the creation
of this living document.
The Iranian Diaspora Collective was formed as a response to the overwhelming demand from
Iranians in Iran to amplify their voices. Due to sensitivity and concerns around surveillance and
the physical safety of family members still in Iran, please understand that we are exercising
discretion; we have surrogates and members of the collective open to talking on and off the
record. Members of this collective are NOT associated with any other political groups, lobbying
groups, etc. We support the vast majority of Iranians on the ground who do not believe that the
current regime, the Islamic Republic, can be reformed. Instead, we support their fight for a
revolution, and the formation of a new, non-theocratic, democratic government.
Table of Contents:
Current Headlines - IRAN
Current Headlines - USA & International Community
September 2022 Protest & Uprising Stats
Background on the Current Movement
“Woman, Life, Freedom” (About the Slogan)
Understanding the structure & bodies of IR forces
Journalism Best Practices
Source/Who to Follow
AID/EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
Earthquakes in Khoy, Iran; Syria; Turkiye – Please see below for fundraisers for each region
Insights - IRAN
A (Brief) Timeline of Women's Rights in Iran under the Islamic Republic
Understanding Women’s Rights in Iran through the lens of Conservatorship
CTA/Calls to Action
About Iranian Diaspora Collective 2022 Billboard Campaign
IDC in the Press
Current Headlines - IRAN

For Daily Updates on Human Interest stories, please see our instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/iraniandiasporacollective
● 8/16/23 According to a post on her social media accounts, Nazila Mourafian has been
released from prison. She writes that she was asked if she regretted posting the photo of
her release, and she said, “No, I haven’t done anything wrong.” Source.
● 8/15/23 IR forces re-arrested journalist Nazila Mourafian for her social media post.
Source.
● 8/13/23 Iranian Journalist Nazila Mourafian was freed from Evin Prison after posting bail.
Upon her release, she published a photo to Instagram that said, “you deserve the best of
things, so don't accept slavery.” According to the Committee to Protect Journalists,
Mourafian was detained multiple times between 2022 and 2023: for covering the
protests and uprising in Iran, and for interviewing the father of Jina Mahsa Amini.
Source.
● 8/6/23 The Islamic Republic’s chief justice appointed Mohammad Movahedi-Azad as the
country’s new prosecutor general. Movahedi-Azad has a track record of upholding
extremely harsh sentences, especially targeting those of the Baha’i faith. Source
● 8/6/23 Iranian actor, Mohamad Sadeghi, has been charged with “encouraging people to
commit prostitution and corruption” and “inciting people to commit violent acts.” Source
● 8/5/23 Civilians and activists in Kurdistan Province have been putting out wildfires
allegedly intentionally started by the Islamic Republic. Videos have surfaced of IRGC
helicopters spraying water on non-burning areas but avoiding fire-stricken regions.
Source, Source, Source
● 8/5/23 The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiled a new range of enhanced
missiles including cruise and ballistic missiles powered with “electronic warfare systems
and artificial intelligence.” Source
● 8/4/23 Many gathered to chant revolutionary/anti-regime protests in a religious
procession in Qazvin province. They chanted, “we must ask you, where are the Mahsas?
Where are the Nikas?” Source
● 8/4/23 Prominent imprisoned activist, Narges Mohammadi’s prison sentence has been
extended by a year, making her total sentence 10.9 years and 145 lashes. Source
● 8/4/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran sent messages to millions of Iranian civilians
encouraging them to run in the upcoming parliamentary election. It is important to note
that elections in the Islamic Republic of Iran are neither free nor fair. Source
● 8/4/23 A water crisis has hit the city of Tabriz, leaving many unable to access clean
water. Source
● 8/3/23 The spokesperson for the Islamic Republic’s judiciary claimed that from March 21
to July 22, 2,251 individuals have been subject to legal action for violating hijab/modesty
laws. It is important to note that information surrounding these events comes from the
Islamic Republic, and cannot be independently verified. Source
● 8/3/23 According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), 423 people have
been executed since the beginning of 2023. Source
● 8/2/23 Prominent dissident rapper, Saman Yasin who is currently in custody was
transferred to Evin prison. Source
● 8/2/23 The Islamic Republic’s Revolutionary Guard launched a surprise military drill on
disputed islands in the Persian Gulf. Source
● 8/2/23 Five people in Hamedan were detained after a confrontation with someone who
was harassing a woman over her dress code which was deemed improper according to
the Islamic Republic’s laws. Source
● 8/2/23 The mother of Nika Shakarami, who was murdered by the IR during peaceful
anti-regime protests made a post on Instagram saying: “As we approach the [protests]
anniversary... I ask everyone, instead of mourning, to turn our sorrow and pain into a
hopeful motivation to build a prosperous and free Iran." Source
● 8/1/23 According to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, a total of 20 Kolbars
lost their lives or suffered injuries in the month of July 2023 on the borders of Kurdistan.
Source
● 8/1/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran has ruled to amputate four fingers on Hadi Rostani's
right hand within the next few days. Rostami was convicted of theft. Source
● 8/1/23 Prominent dissident rapper, Toomaj Salehi’s lawyer claimed that his 6.3-year
prison sentence will be reviewed by the IR’s Supreme Court. Source
● 8/1/23 Over the past few weeks, a series of videos and other media have been leaked,
implicating IR officials in acts that civilians in Iran are punished, arrested, or executed for.
In the first video, a male City Council member of Bandar Anzali in the northern province
of Gilan, was seen smoking opium and masturbating. The second video showed an
official engaging in sex with a young man, and the third, released two days ago, shows a
cleric engaged in sex with the husband of his wife’s sister. Source
● 8/1/23 The Islamic Republic ordered a nationwide two-day holiday because of increasing
temperatures. In recent days, cities and towns in Iran saw temperatures around 40
degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), and in Ahvaz, temperatures even reached 50
C (122 F). Source Despite this, the Islamic Republic refuses to confront the climate
crisis, and even intentionally deprives certain regions in Iran (Sistan & Baluchistan) of
clean drinking water or access to affordable air conditioning. Source
● 7/31/23 There were mass protests in Divandareh, Kurdistan province amid prolonged
drinking water supply outages. IR authorities used tear gas to try and disperse the
protesters. Source, Source, Source
● 7/31/23 In Gilan Province, two bank managers face legal action for providing banking
services to female customers who don’t adhere to hijab/modesty laws. Source
● 7/31/23 A new bill has been forwarded to the IR’s parliament that would further restrict
the rights of women as it relates to hijab/modesty laws. Source & Source
● 7/29/23 Two women journalists, Saeideh Shafiei and Nasim Soltanbeigi, have been
sentenced to 4.3 years in prison on trumped-up national security charges. The Islamic
Republic used the journalists’ articles and writing as "evidence" of producing
"propaganda against the system." Source
● 7/29/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran has introduced a parliamentary bill to approve
sending the case of $7 billion frozen by South Korean banks to arbitration. Source
● 7/28/23 A religious procession marched to the home of murdered protester, Ghazaleh
Chalabi. Members of the procession chanted the revolutionary anthem, “Tulips grew
from the blood of the homeland’s youth" instead of standard religious chants. Source
● 7/27/23 At least 122 students in Iran have been suspended or expelled by university
disciplinary committees for allegedly participating in anti-regime protests. Source
● 7/27/23 Labor activist, Reihaneh Ansarinejad, has been sentenced to four years in
prison and has also been banned from leaving the Islamic Republic of Iran. Source
● 7/27/23 Popular actress, Shohreh Ghamar was arrested on charges of publishing
"offensive content and unsubstantiated claims" on social media. Source
● 7/26/23 Four prisoners currently held in a facility in Ilam province have started a hunger
strike. Source
● 7/26/23 Amnesty International released a new report detailing the intensifying
oppression of women and girls in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Read the report here.
● 7/26/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran’s supreme court overturned the death sentence of
Mohammad Ghobadlou, who was arrested for engaging in peaceful anti-regime protests.
Source
● 7/25/23 Arshak Qeysarbeygi, a 15-year-old boy from Ilam province was temporarily
released on bail after one month of detention. His bail was one billion Tomans. Source
● 7/25/23 The Islamic Republic carried out a raid on residents in the province of Ilam.
Several residents sustained injuries, and six individuals were detained by the authorities.
Source
● 7/25/23 Prominent imprisoned activist, Sepideh Qolian’s new court hearing is to be held
on August 6, 2023. Source
● 7/25/23 The Islamic Republic’s Navy has acquired a new fleet of long-range cruise
missiles with a range of 1000 km. Source
● 7/24/23 Iran International reported that Hossein-Ali Nayyeri, the Iranian judge behind the
1988 mass executions, has fled the medical center in Germany where he was reportedly
receiving treatment. The report also claims that his files have been erased from the
hospital’s systems.
● 7/24/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Parliamentary Research Center has
recommended that women who appear in public in without hijabs be fined approximately
between $1,190-3,571 USD and/or additional punishment including arrests,
detainments, and beatings. Source
● 7/24/23 The Islamic Republic shut down an e-commerce company and launched judicial
action after it published pictures online showing female employees not wearing the
mandatory hijab. Source & Source
● 7/23/23 A video showing a cleric in Iran assaulting and beating an elderly woman has
prompted global attention. Local judicial authorities said the case would be referred to a
provincial court and also claimed the incident resulted from a family dispute over
property. Source
● 7/23/23 Four police officers were killed in an attack in the city of Zahedan. Source
● 7/23/23 Hossein-Ali Nayeri, one of the judges involved in the mass execution of Iranian
prisoners in the 1980s is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Germany. Source
● 7/21/23 The morality police detained female athletes in the city of Bandar Abbas during
their morning workout. Source
● 7/21/23 Anti-regime protests carry on to their 44th consecutive week in Zahedan. Source
● 7/21/23 An audio message from imprisoned Iranian-Kurdish rapper, Saman Yasin was
released. In the message, he details the status of his case and the negligence of the
judge and public defender assigned to his case. Source
● 7/21/23 The Iranian regime has allegedly detained another American citizen whose
identity is being protected. Source
● 7/20/23 Workers at the Dehloran Petrochemical Complex in Ilam province went to strike
to protest the dismissal of employees. Source
● 7/20/23 Leila Ziafar, who quit her job at Iranian state radio to protest the Islamic
Republic’s violent repression of peaceful anti-regime protests, was arrested for allegedly
defying compulsory hijab/modesty laws. Source
● 7/19/23 Former chief of the IR’s parliament's national security and foreign policy
committee Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh claimed that “What exists between Iran and the
United States now is similar to the 'red telephone line' that existed between the United
States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.” Source
● 7/19/23 Prominent Iranian activist, Sepideh Qolian's court hearing was canceled after
she refused to comply with mandatory hijab/modesty laws. Source
● 7/19/23 A Kurdish Kolbar was severely injured by direct fire from the Islamic Republic’s
forces while working in the border heights of the Nowsud district of Paveh, Kermanshah
province. Source
● 7/19/23 A yoga studio in Gilan was forced to close after the Islamic Republic accused
the owners of not abiding by gender segregation laws. In addition, five of the yoga
studio’s patrons were arrested. Source
● 7/18/23 Former president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Khatami said
“controversial police behavior, security measures and unconventional judicial rulings
regarding social matters, particularly pertaining to women” could pose a threat to the
stability of the Islamic Republic. Source
● 7/18/23 At least 50 female students at the University of Tehran were summoned to the
university’s disciplinary committee after being accused of not complying with mandatory
hijab/modesty laws. Source
● 7/18/23 Three teacher rights activists who are currently in prison refused to appear at
their court hearing to protest the lack of due process. Source
● 7/18/23 Prominent Iranian actress Leila Bolukat has been sentenced to four months in
prison in addition to a two-year ban from working for appearing in public without the
compulsory hijab. She is also facing a five-year ban on social media activities. Source
● 7/17/23 Anti-forced hijab campaigners, Souri Babaei Chegini and her husband
Mohammad Reza Morad-Behrouzi were arrested at their home in Qazvin despite being
released on bail earlier. Source
● 7/16/23 The father and brother of Mahsa Mogouei, who was killed by the Islamic
Republic of Iran during a peaceful anti-regime protest, have been arrested. Source
● 7/16/23 Large crowds protested in Rasht- northern Iran after security forces tried to
arrest three women over hijab law violations. Onlookers intervened and rescued the
women. Source
● 7/15/23 A woman in Iran was ordered by a judge to wash corpses in a mortuary for one
month for violating mandatory hijab/modesty laws. Source
● 7/14/23 The internet has been cut off in the city of Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchestan
province. Source & Source
● 7/13/23 Summons have been issued for 54 lawyers in the city of Bukan, West Azerbaijan
province, for signing a statement defending the family of Jina (Mahsa) Amini, against
pressure from the IR to be silent. Source
● 7/12/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran summoned Russia’s ambassador to the country
after Russia released a joint statement with Arab countries challenging Iran’s claim to
disputed islands in the Persian Gulf. Source
● 7/12/23 The Islamic Republic has detained at least 7 associates of Mowlavi Abdolhamid,
the Sunni Friday prayer leader in Sistan and Baluchestan province. Source
● 7/12/23 Teachers’ rights advocate Hashem Khastar, who is currently serving a 16-year
sentence was given another 2.5 years for “insulting” Ali Khamenei and spreading
“propaganda against the state” in his open letters from Vakilabad Prison in the city of
Mashhad. Source
● 7/12/23 The sons of death-row protester Abbas Deris plead for his life in a newly
released video. Abbas was sentenced to death for “waging war” in connection with
protests in Khuzestan province, in November 2019. Source
● 7/11/23 Two men were publicly hung in Isfahan province on charges of moharebeh
(enmity against God). Source
● 7/11/23 Imprisoned political activist, Sepideh Qolian, was given an additional 2-year
prison sentence for “insulting” Ali Khamenei. Source
● 7/11/23 The Islamic Republic set fire to the grasslands around an army base in Marivan,
Kurdistan province. As a result, a significant amount of the people's fields in nearby
villages were set on fire. Source
● 7/10/23 Prominent imprisoned human rights activist, Narges Mohammadi, has been
summoned by the Evin Security Court for the fifth time in the past six months. Source
● 7/10/23 At least 60 female students in Iran have reportedly been barred from university
for not complying with hijab/modesty laws. The students were allegedly given sham
disciplinary ‘hearings’, suspended from classes, and threatened with ‘zero grades.’
Source
● 7/10/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran has sentenced dissident rapper, Toomaj Salehi, to
to six years and three months in prison. He has been subject to ill-treatment and torture
while in custody. Source, Source, Source
● 7/9/23 Tehran University officials announced that members of Iraq's Shiite Hashd
al-Shaabi militias and other proxies of the Islamic Republic can study at Iranian
universities. Source
● 7/9/23 Zahra Saeidianjoo, the sister of murdered protester Milad Saeidianjoo, was
arrested by the Islamic Republic after leaving her place of work. Source
● 7/8/23 The Islamic Republic used tear gas and violence to disperse a group of Iraq-Iran
war veterans who were protesting in Tehran. Source
● 7/7/23 The people of Sistan and Baluchestan continued with their weekly anti-regime
protests after Friday prayer. Source, Source, Source
● 7/7/23 Internet connectivity was disrupted in Sistan and Baluchestan province during the
anti-government protests after Friday prayers. Source
● 7/7/23 Iran International released a report claiming that Iranian-Kurdish rapper, Saman
Yassin, has been severely tortured in prison. Source
● 7/6/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran reportedly seized a tanker holding 900 metric tons of
"smuggled fuel" and 12 crew members from the southern port of Bandar Abbas. Source
● 7/5/23 14 followers of the Bahá’i faith in Mazandaran province were sentenced to serve
prison sentences simply for practicing their faith. Source
● 7/5/23 200 Kurdish Kolbars have been surrounded by border guards of the IR in the
border region near Nowsoud, Kermanshah province for two days. Source
● 7/5/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran has sentenced Sadegh Zibakalam, a prominent
professor at the University of Tehran to one year in prison in connection with the
poisonings of schoolgirls. Source
● 7/5/23 Young girls in Tehran are allegedly being forcefully taken and having their hair cut
if they do not wear a hijab in public. Source & Source
● 7/5/23 Iran allegedly attempted to seize two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz,
opening fire on one of them. Source
● 7/4/23 12-year-old Melika Borji died three and a half months after being struck by at least
two bullets in the back of her head during protests in Karaj. Source
● 7/4/23 The Islamic Republic reportedly searched the residence of journalist, Nazila
Maroufian, confiscating some of her personal belongings. Maroufian was detained after
conducting an interview with Jina (Mahsa) Amini’s father. Source
● 7/1/23 A group of workers and pensioners gathered to protest changes in the pension
fund in Kerman. The protest coincided with Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to a copper plant in the
province. Source
● 7/1/23 A member of the Islamic Republic’s clerical establishment, Ahmad Khatami,
recently said in a speech, “I’m telling those who are unveiled that their defiance of hijab
will never become a norm, because it was, is and will be against norms.” He also told the
congregation to attack women who do not adhere to compulsory hijab laws. Source
● 7/1/23 Imprisoned rapper, Toomaj Salehi, allegedly underwent a secret trial last week.
Source
● 6/30/23 Prominent dissident, Narges Mohammadi, wrote a letter from inside Evin Prison
in which she pleas to stop violence against Iranian students. Source
● 6/30/23 The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights released a report that revealed that
at least 168 citizens have been arrested by the IR in the month of June alone, with
arrests increasingly targeting Kurdish and Baloch Iranians. Source
● 6/30/23 Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, has announced that
the Supreme National Security Council has apparently approved a resolution permitting
women to attend football matches in multiple stadiums. Source
● 6/29/23 Three death-row inmates, convicted of drug-related crimes, have been
transferred to solitary confinement in Karaj. Source
● 6/28/23 A letter by prominent Iranian political prisoner Narges Mohammadi, written in her
cell in Tehran's Evin Prison, was read during a screening of "White Torture," her
documentary based on interviews with 16 former prisoners in Iran who have been
subjected to white torture in state custody, at the EU Parliament. Source & Source
● 6/28/23 Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, the two journalists who broke the news
of Jina (Mahsa) Amini’s death have been awarded the World News Association of News
Publisher’s Golen Pen Award. Source
● 6/28/23 Three people, including two teenagers, were reportedly wounded by police who
opened fire on protesters in the town of Sarbaz. Source
● 6/28/23 Imprisoned journalist Niloofar Hamedi, who was one of the journalists that broke
the news of Jina (Mahsa) Amini’s murder, has been denied her right to meet with her
legal counsel. Source
● 6/27/23 Iranian swimming champion Parham Parvari started a hunger strike in Tehran's
Evin Prison to protest his 15-year prison sentence in connection with WLF protests.
Source
● 6/27/23 A member of parliament representing Khorramabad said that hundreds have
been arrested, detained, and interrogated in connection with the poisonings of
schoolgirls. Source
● 6/26/23 A video depicting a university security guard assaulting a peaceful student at
Allameh Tabataba’i University in Tehran was captured and widely distributed. Source
● 6/26/23 Seven civil activists were arrested for participating in political discussion on the
Clubhouse platform. Source
● 6/26/23 Five transgender Iranians were arrested following an interaction with a religious
individual who confronted them. The footage of their coerced confession has recently
been released by security-affiliated media. Source
● 6/26/23 Female vocalist Hana Kamkar sang solo with her hair uncovered at a memorial
in Tehran for the late Iranian film director Abbas Kiarostami. Source
● 6/25/23 Kian Pirfalak’s mother participated in an exclusive interview with IranWire.
Source
● 6/25/23 Gholamreza Gholami, a board member of the Iranian Teachers Trade
Association in Fars province, was sentenced to 6 years in prison on charges of
“assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the state.”
Source
● 6/25/23 Prominent dissident, Fatemeh Sepehri, is in need of urgent medical care in
Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Source
● 6/25/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran conducted mass arrests of Baloch Iranians. Six of
the 19 arrested were minors. Source
● 6/25/23 Setayesh Amiri, a seventeen-year-old, has been held in Adelabad prison,
Shiraz, for over two months following her arrest in connection with the poisoning of
schoolgirls. Source
● 6/24/23 Prominent Iranian-Kurdish journalist and human rights activist, Jina Modarres
Gorji, was charged with collaborating with an enemy state. Gorji was not afforded due
process. Source
● 6/24/23 Milad Zohrevand, an inmate in Malayer City, Hamedan province is at imminent
risk of execution. Source & Source
● 6/24/23 Forests in Marvian, Kurdistan province have been burning for four days without
efforts to contain them from the Islamic Republic. Source
● 6/23/23 Anti-regime protests continue in Sistan and Baluchestan province. Source,
● 6/23/23 Four human rights lawyers in East Azerbaijan province were charged with
“propaganda against the state” and “violating their oath.” Source
● 6/22/23 Negar Korkor, the sister of Mojahed Korkor, who was falsely accused of killing
Kian Pirfalak, has reportedly gone missing after a raid on their family home in Izeh,
Khuzestan province. Source
● 6/22/23 Nazila Maroofian, a journalist who interviewed Jina (Mahsa) Amini’s father was
assaulted by security agents of the Islamic Republic in Tehran’s Daneshjoo Park after
receiving threats. Source
● 6/22/23 Clashes between two Kurdish parties in Iran left at least two dead and three
wounded. Source
● 6/21/23 In an open letter, members of Parliament in the Islamic Republic of Iran warned
that southeastern Sistan and Baluchistan province’s water reserves would be exhausted
by mid-September, leaving its population of about 2 million with little choice but to leave.
Source & Source
● 6/21/23 Shadi Alipoor lectured at a university in Tehran and did so while publicly defying
forced-hijab laws. Source
● 6/20/23 The Islamic Republic forcefully closed a dairy store in the city of Abardeh Oliya,
Khorasan Razavi province because the owner offered free milk to customers who
danced in his store as a way of peaceful resistance against the IR. Source
● 6/19/23 The hashtag #‫( نه‬No) is trending among Iranians on Twitter in a show of
solidarity with students facing persecution for protesting increasingly stringent hijab laws.
Source
● 6/19/23 Telecommunication Company pensioners rallied in several cities across Iran,
urging the company to address their grievances. Source & Source
● 6/19/23 An assassination attempt on Mowlavi Abdolhamid, the leading Sunni cleric of
Sistan and Baluchestan province, was allegedly thwarted. Source
● 6/19/23 Prominent civil rights activist Golrokh Iraee who was sentenced to seven years
in prison refused to appear at an Appeals Court to protest the denial of due process.
Source
● 6/18/23 At least 10 students were rounded up by agents of the Islamic Republic at
Tehran University of Art while peacefully protesting the tightening of forced-hijab rules.
Source
● 6/18/23 Three individuals working as kolbars in Kermanshah province suffered severe
injuries due to direct gunfire from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s forces. Source
● 6/18/23 Hashem Saedi, the father of slain protester Sarina Saedi, has been arrested
after visiting her grave in Sanandaj, Kurdistan province. Sarina was just 16 years old
when she was killed. Source
● 6/18/23 The Court of Appeals in Karaj issued a combined sentence of 40 years and
seven months, and other additional punishments, for 13 Baha’i citizens. Source
● 6/18/23 Today marks the 40th anniversary of the mass murder of Bahá’i women in
Shiraz by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Source
● 6/18/23 The mother of Kian Pirfalak was summoned to the Intelligence Ministry's office in
Izeh, Khuzestan province for refusing to be silent about the murder of her son by the
Islamic Republic of Iran. Source
● 6/17/23 Eleven teachers were put on trial in Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, for engaging in
peaceful activism. They were charged with acting against national security and
propaganda against the state. Source
● 6/17/23 Relatives (sister, father, and uncle) of slain protester Abolfazl Adinehzadeh were
arrested at a cemetery while celebrating what would have been his 18th birthday. Source
& Source
● 6/17/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran sentenced six teachers to five years in prison and
ordered two others to wear an electronic ankle monitor for two years in Shiraz. Source
● 6/17/23 Security has attempted to prevent girls from leaving their dormitories without a
hijab at the Tehran University of Art. Source
● 6/17/23 There were clashes between the IRGC and members of PJAK in Kurdistan
Province, Iran. Source, Source, Source
● 6/17/23 Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran vandalized the grave of Kian Pirfalak.
Source
● 6/17/23 There were clashes between the IRGC and members of the PKK in Maku, West
Azerbaijan Province. Source
● 6/16/23 Continuing the trend of mass protests after Friday prayer in Zahedan, hundreds
demonstrated and chanted anti-regime protests. Source, Source, Source, Source
● 6/16/23 Athletes at Ferdowsi University in Mashhad refused to play their final matches
during competitions to protest authorities banning women spectators from entering the
Bahman Stadium. Source
● 6/16/23 Iran is shipping the most crude in almost five years. Source
● 6/15/23 The Police chief of Iran's Mazandaran province was heard telling his subordinate
the following: “Break the neck of anyone who may seek to break the (hijab) norms, and
I'll take responsibility for it." Source
● 6/15/23 Prominent and outspoken Sunni cleric, Mowlavi Abdolhamid, has been told he
can't leave the country for a pilgrimage to Mecca. Source
● 6/15/23 Kian Pirfalak's mother, Mahmonir Molaei, has been under house arrest since
June 11, 2023. Source
● 6/15/23 Journalist Nazila Maroofian, who conducting an interview with Jina (Mahsa)
Amini's father, has been fired from her position. Source
● 6/15/23 A new parliamentary bill has emerged in the Islamic Republic of Iran, intensifying
discrimination against women who choose not to wear the hijab, while also undermining
fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, belief, religion, and association.
Source
● 6/14/23 Artillery from the Islamic Republic of Iran shelled the Kosalan Heights in
Kurdistan province. Source
● 6/14/23 Tahereh Naghiei, secretary general of the Iranian Teachers Organization, was
tried on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda
against the state” in Tehran for engaging in peaceful activism. Source
● 6/14/23 A medical student at Qom University of Medical Sciences, has been suspended
for 4.5 years for allegedly attending public protests. Source
● 6/14/23 At least 40 female students have been temporarily barred from attending classes
at Tehran's Art University for "failure to fully observe the hijab." Source
● 6/13/23 Islamic Republic forces attacked a Lur village in Kermanshah with heavy
artillery. There were reported clashes between residents and IR forces. Source
● 6/13/23 The people of Saqqez went on strike & closed their shops to support the
justice-seeking victims’ families held in custody. Source
● 6/13/23 Iranians are continuing to protest by destroying symbols of the state. Banners of
leaders of the Islamic Republic were set on fire over Saeidi Highway in Tehran. Source
● 6/12/23 Alireza Zakani, the mayor of Tehran and IRGC affiliate has traveled to Brussels
for a summit. Zakani was the former head of the Basij Student Organization. Source
● 6/12/23 Kamal Lotfi, the father of slain street protester Reza Lotfi, is on the 26th day of a
hunger strike in Kamyaran Central Prison, Kurdistan province. Source
● 6/12/23 Hip-hop artist Toomaj Salehi has been held in a highly secured cell at Dastgerd
Prison for over seven months without proper due process. Source
● 6/11/23 Ali Khamenei said that “there is nothing wrong with” the nuclear agreement as
long as the country's nuclear infrastructure remains intact. Source
● 6/11/23 Pooya Molayi Rad, the cousin of Kian Pirfalak's mother, was killed by the Islamic
Republic. The 21-year-old was shot six times on what would have been Kian Pirfalak’s
birthday. Mass arrests have been carried out in the city of Izeh. Source, Source, Source,
● 6/11/23 Access to drinking water has been cut in several parts of central, western, and
northern Tehran. Source
● 6/10/23 Kian Pirflak's parents and relatives gathered around his grave to commemorate
his 10th birthday in the Iranian city of Izeh, Khuzestan province. Source
● 6/10/23 More than 30 family members of those killed during the WLF uprisings in
Kurdistan Province have been forcibly disappeared. Source
● 6/10/23 Iranian military units in the city of Marivan, Kurdistan Province have been put on
high alert, and Islamic Republic forces in the region have been mobilized. Source
● 6/9/23 Prominent activist, Narges Mohammadi, who is currently incarcerated announced
that she will not attend her trial which is set for June 11, 2023. Source
● 6/9/23 Reports regarding the women’s ward at Ilam Prison reveal poor conditions and
frequent abuse. Overcrowding remains a significant problem, forcing many inmates to
sleep on the floor. In case of illness, access to the prison infirmary and necessary
medication is severely restricted. Some issues highlighted include limitations on phone
calls and family visitations, intrusive surveillance, neglect of prisoners’ concerns, and
verbal abuse by male prison guards toward female inmates. Additionally, prisoners who
refuse to participate in religious ceremonies are subjected to harassment and threats,
often with the support of staunchly religious inmates. Source
● 6/9/23 On the 36th consecutive week of protests in Zahedan, the capital of Iran's Sistan
and Baluchestan province, protestors shouted anti-regime slogans and held up
pro-democracy signs. Source & Source
● 6/8/23 The burial site of Abolfazl Adinezadeh, a teenager killed by Islamic Republic
forces during the WLF protests has been broken and vandalized, according to one of his
relatives. Source
● 6/8/23 A Sukhtbar (worker carrying fuel across borders) was fatally shot in Rask County.
Source
● 6/7/23 The grave of Majid Kazemi was burned, allegedly by agents of the Islamic
Republic as reported by his cousin. Source
● 6/7/23 Iranian actress Shaghayegh Dehghan was sentenced to 10 days in prison for
appearing in public without a hijab. Source
● 6/7/23 Pensioners from the Social Security Organization rallied in front of the offices in
Shush and Ahvaz, demanding improved living conditions. Source
● 6/7/23 Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Islamic Republic’s former Foreign Minister, appeared
on the social media platform Clubhouse to speak on the Iran Nuclear Deal and other
Iran-related topics during which he makes several bold claims. Read a breakdown here
and here.
● 6/6/23 In the past few days, several banners of the founder of the Islamic Republic of
Iran, Khomeini, were destroyed on the anniversary of his death. Source
● 6/6/23 According to a report by Haal Vash, the Zahedan Revolutionary Court has handed
down sentences of 13 years in prison (Moharebeh charges) to Hossein Kashani Asl,
Adel Gorgij, and Ali Ahmad Barechi. Source
● 6/6/23 According to reports received by 1500 Tasvir, the internet in some areas of Shiraz
has experienced temporary interruptions which is especially worrying given that Vahid
Afkari’s visit has been canceled today without any explanation. Source
● 6/6/23 Telecommunication company pensioners rallied in several cities nationwide to
protest the failures to address their demands. Source & Source
● 6/6/23 The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
Office is hosting an exhibition of Iranian contemporary women’s fashion design
combined with performative elements and electro-acoustic Iranian music despite the IR’s
brutality against Iranian women. Source
● 6/6/23 The Islamic Republic claims it has created a hypersonic missile capable of
traveling at 15 times the speed of sound. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the
paramilitary Revolutionary Guard’s aerospace program, unveiled what appeared to be a
model of the missile on state TV. Source
● 6/5/23 18-year-old Mansoureh Sagvand, a former honorary member of the Islamic
Republic’s Law Enforcement in Khorramabad, Lorestan, and a law student living in
Abdanan, Ilam was allegedly killed by the Islamic Republic, Sagvand left the police force
in light of the WLF protests and posted the following on her Instagram: “As someone
who has been active within the law enforcement, I tried as much as I could to reveal the
reality to those who are ignorant. We had seen the crime with our own eyes and told the
facts. This revolution will happen sooner than what you may think. They try to scare us
with death as if we were alive. Forever, every day, I will sacrifice my life for the
motherland, long live Iran.” Before her death, she texted her friend the following:
“Intelligence constantly threatens me with death. If something happens to me, I want
everyone to know that I didn’t commit suicide.” Source
● 6/5/23 In a letter from Evin Prison, Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi has urged United
Nations Human Rights Council President Václav Bálek, to take "an urgent and
meaningful step to defend the foundation of human rights" by removing the Islamic
Republic from its leadership position at the UN HRC's Social Forum. Source
● 6/5/23 Documents hacked from Iran's presidential office show that the regime is keen to
highlight discord among opposition figures abroad to weaken domestic dissent. Source
● 6/4/23 To mark the anniversary of Khomeini's death in Iran, videos are circulating of
Iranians celebrating. Source
● 6/4/23 Football player and national hero Voria Ghafouri, a supporter of Iran's anti-regime
protests, was trying to bid farewell to his fans in Tehran before his retirement when he
was arrested outside the stadium on charges of incitement against the regime and
transferred to Evin Prison. Source & Source
● 6/3/23 Kamran Ghaderi, an Austrian-Iranian businessman who the Islamic Republic
imprisoned for seven and a half years has been freed. Source & Source
● 6/3/23 More ammunition and artillery equipment were transferred to the borders of
largely Kurdish-populated provinces. Source, Source, Source
● 6/3/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran has ordered police to seize the cars of women who
do not wear a hijab. Source
demonstrated and chanted anti-regime protests. Source, Source, Source
● 6/2/23 According to a report by Amnesty International, the Islamic Republic has
executed three times more people this year than last year for drug-related charges.
Executions for drug-related offenses have predominantly impacted people from
marginalized and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Source
● 6/1/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran has been elected a vice president of the United
Nations General Assembly for the 78th Session. Source
● 6/1/23 People in Abdanan, Ilam province held mass protests in which anti-regime
slogans were chanted. IR forces were sent to brutally suppress protests in response.
Source, Source, Source, Source
● 6/1/23 At least seven people in Iran are at risk of execution after trials without due
process. Source
● 6/1/23 According to a report released by the Center for Human Rights in Iran, university
students and professors in Iran are facing arrests, banishments, and expulsions in a
renewed state crackdown on their right to peacefully criticize state policies. Source
● 6/1/23 Mona Bakhtiari, the sister of Pouya Bakhtiari, who was killed by regime forces
during the November 2019 protests, has received a summons to appear before the
Public and Revolutionary Court of Zanjan. Source
● 5/31/23 1500 Tasvir tested samples of clothing worn by students who suffered from
nationwide poisonings. The tests revealed traces of molecular masses including
molecular mass 99, which is a sign of the structure of fluoromethyl phosphate. This
agent group is the common agent among many nerve gases, including sarin, cyclosarin,
soman, and other gases from this family. Source
● 5/31/23 The Islamic Republic has allegedly been allowed to repay gas debts to
Turkmenistan using its dollars held in Iraqi banks. Source
● 5/31/23 Hossein Mortazavi, the former head of Evin Prison confirmed that Ebrahim Raisi
was heavily involved in the mass executions of thousands of political prisoners in 1988.
Source
● 5/30/23 A Revolutionary Court in Iran began the trial of female journalist, Niloofar
Hamedi behind closed doors on charges linked to her coverage of the murder of Jina
(Mahsa) Amini. Source
● 5/30/23 Ammunition and semi-heavy guns were transferred to largely Kurdish-populated
provinces. Source & Source
● 5/30/23 In Isfahan, traders and shopkeepers united in a general strike, closing their
shops to protest the charges faced by protestors arrested during the WLF protests.
Source
● 5/29/23 Iran's Interior Minister, Ahmad Vahidi downplayed border clashes with the
Taliban saying, “the issue was resolved after negotiations were held with the Taliban.”
Source
protest the failures to address their demands. Source
● 5/28/23 Oman’s ruler arrived in Tehran for talks with Ebrahim Raisi and other top
officials. Sultan Haitham is said to have headed a large delegation including the
ministers of defense, foreign affairs, economy, and investment. Source & Source
● 5/27/23 Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, a prominent secular opponent of the Islamic Republic,
has been sentenced to 45.5 years in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan.
Source
● 5/27/23 Prominent activist, Sepideh Gholian appealed to German parliamentarians in a
letter from Evin Prison, to stand against the Islamic Republic of Iran’s “killing machine.”
Source
● 5/27/23 The Taliban and the Islamic Republic of Iran exchanged heavy gunfire on the
Iran-Afghanistan border, killing and wounding troops and further escalating rising
tensions between the two countries. The dispute comes after tensions over water rights
and recently released videos of Taliban officials threatening to ‘conquer’ Iran. Source,
Source, Source
● 5/27/23 A member of Tehran’s City Council reported financial irregularities worth nearly
400 million dollars within the municipality. Source
● 5/27/23 Kamal Kharrazi, a foreign policy advisor to Ali Khamenei, went to Doha to attend
an Iranian-Arab dialogue conference in Qatar. Source
● 5/26/23 Abolfazl AmirAtayi who was shot in the head by forces of the Islamic Republic
on September 21, 2022, in Shahr-e-Rey for participating in the WLF protests, died. The
16-year-old lost half of his skull after being shot and had to undergo several major
surgeries which led him to be in and out of a coma for eight months. Though he had
recently briefly regained consciousness, he ultimately could not fight any longer and
passed away. Source
● 5/26/23 Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele was released after 455 days of
unlawful detention in Iran. Source
demonstrated and chanted anti-regime protests. Source, Source, Source, Source
● 5/25/23 Behrooz Behzadi, the managing editor of Etemad newspaper, was sentenced to
six months in prison. Source
● 5/25/23 People in Isfahan peacefully protested against mining operations in the Karkas
and Kolah Qazi regions which are supposed to be protected regions. Source
● 5/25/23 A Kurdish Kolbar from Baneh and two other Kolbars from the border of Nowsud
were severely wounded by direct fire from Islamic Republic forces. Source
● 5/24/23 Families of death row prisoners accused of low-level drug crimes protested
outside the judiciary’s central office in Tehran. Source & Source
● 5/24/23 Forces of the Islamic Republic wounded at least seven Kurdish kolbars after
opening direct fire. The IR also killed horses used by the kolbars and set them on fire.
Source & Source
● 5/24/23 According to a report received by IranWire, a group of woman political prisoners
staged a protest in the courtyard of Tehran's Evin Prison in response to the spree of
executions. Source
● 5/23/23 Ebrahim Raisi met his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, on Tuesday on a
visit aimed at strengthening economic ties.
● 5/23/23 Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs appointed Alireza Enayati as the country’s new
ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Source
● 5/23/23 Iranian protester Mohammad Ghobadlou, 22, is at risk of imminent execution
after his death sentence was upheld by the Islamic Republic’s hardline Supreme Court.
Source
● 5/23/23 Tehran’s all-female Shariati University students protested the state's strict
forced-hijab enforcement on campus after a security official assaulted a student. Source
● 5/23/23 Detained journalists Niloufar Hamedi & Elaheh Mohammadi have been informed
they will be tried in less than a week but have not been allowed to meet with their
lawyers. The two journalists are responsible for breaking the news of Jina (Mahsa)
Amini’s murder. Source
● 5/22/23 A group of inmates went on hunger strike in Ghezel Hessar Prison in Karaj,
Alborz province to condemn escalating executions in Iran. Source & Source
● 5/22/23 Iranian singers Mohsen Yeganeh, Reza Sadeghi, Amir Maghare, Babak
Jahanbakhsh, and Omid Hajili have been banned from working in Iran for peacefully
expressing support for the country's protests. Source
● 5/22/23 Ali Shamkhani, Iran’s top national security official and one of the most powerful
men in the country was ousted after he came under scrutiny over his close ties with a
high-ranking British spy. Source
● 5/21/23 Five Iranian border guards were killed in a clash with an unknown armed group
trying to enter the country near the Pakistani border. Source
● 5/21/23 An ethnic Baluchi cleric in Iran, Mowlavi Ebrahim Hassan-Zahi, 25, was arrested
by Islamic Republic agents on his way home from Makki Mosque in Zahedan. It is
alleged that he has been tortured and held illegally for more than 80 days. Source
● 5/21/23 Iran’s foreign ministry summoned Switzerland’s envoy in Tehran for a social
media post showing Jina (Mahsa) Amini. Source
● 5/21/23 In Isfahan, Islamic Republic agents raided the home of recently executed street
protester Majid Kazemi, and after assaulting his brothers, father, and mother, they
arrested Majid's two brothers. Source & Source
● 5/21/23 Around 70 lawyers in Iran were summoned to Evin prison's Security Court after
being accused of peacefully expressing solidarity with protesters. Source
● 5/20/23 Students and teachers protested against surging executions in Iran at various
academic institutions. Source, Source, Source, Source
● 5/20/23 Protesters blocked the streets in the city of Abdanan, Ilam province to protest
against the execution spree of youth by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Source
● 5/20/23 A major water dispute between Iran and the Taliban continues. The halt in the
flow of water from Afghanistan has seriously affected the lives of hundreds of thousands
in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan. Source
● 5/19/23 The Islamic Republic executed Saleh Mirhashemi, Saeed Yaghoubi, and Majid
Kazemi in Isfahan. Source & Source
● 5/19/23 The families of prisoners who are under imminent threat of execution gathered in
front of Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj to prevent the execution of their family members.
Peaceful protestors were attacked by security forces. Source, Source, Source
● 5/19/23 People across Iran protested in response to the execution of Saleh Mirhashemi,
Saeed Yaghoubi, and Majid Kazemi. Source, Source, Source, Source, Source
● 5/18/23 Mothers of killed street protesters in the city of Sanandaj expressed support for
the mother of Saeid Yaghoubi, one of the protesters facing imminent execution in
Isfahan. Source
● 5/17/23 Pensioners in Ahvaz protested the government’s inability to meet their demands.
Source
● 5/16/23 Prominent critic of the Islamic Regime, Fatemeh Sepehri, has lost more than 30
pounds in the city of Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison. Source
● 5/16/23 Eight inmates were executed in Karaj, Fereydunkenar, Minab and Bandar Abbas
for alleged murder and drug-related crimes. Source
● 5/16/23 Manouchehr Bakhtiari, a political prisoner was denied medical treatment while at
Qazvin Prison despite his urgent need for treatment. Source
● 5/15/23 IR Security forces used violence to disperse hundreds of protesters gathered
around the Isfahan Central Prison, including tear gas. Source
● 5/15/23 In a recorded phone call with a relative, Majid Kazemi, one of the men in danger
of being executed in Isfahan, described being subjected to horrific torture to force him to
falsely confess to killing members of the Basij and a police officer. Source
● 5/15/23 Imprisoned Iranian writer, journalist and human rights activist Narges
Mohammadi has been named the winner of PEN America’s Freedom to Write Award.
Source & Source
● 5/15/23 Enayatollah Naeimi, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Source
● 5/15/23 The poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran continues. Source
● 5/15/23 In the early hours of 5/15, protestors gathered in front of Isfahan Central Prison
to prevent the executions of Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashmi, and Saeed Yaghoubi.
Source
● 5/14/23 Iranians in Isfahan packed highways and protested to try and stop the
executions of Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaghoobi, and Saleh Mirhashemi. Source, Source,
● 5/14/23 Human Rights Watch raises alarm over dramatic surge in Iran executions. At
least 60 people have been executed across the country since late April after unfair trials
or for charges that under international law should not result in the death penalty. Source
● 5/14/23 3 Iranian Prisoners, Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi and Saeed Yaghoubi, are
at extreme risk of imminent execution. The 3 have been sentenced to death despite no
evidence of committing any crimes. Source, Source
● 5/14/23 Sepideh Rashno, 28 has been suspended from Alzahra University in Tehran due
to "non-observance of the Islamic hijab." Source & Source
● 5/12/23 The United Nations called for an end to the death penalty in Iran, where it is
being used disproportionately against minorities, and to silence dissent. Source &
Source
● 5/12/23 Ali Mojadam, Moein Khanfari, Mohammad Reza Moghadam, Salem Mousavi,
Adnan Ghobeishavi and Habib Deris – from Iran’s persecuted Ahwazi Arab minority face
imminent execution. A Revolutionary Court used their false confessions which were
extracted under torture to sentence them to death in February after a grossly unfair trial.
Iran’s Supreme Court has upheld their convictions and sentences, meaning they could
be executed at any time. Source
● 5/12/23 Two French citizens detained in Iran on spurious spying charges have been
released and are on their way back to France. Source, Source, Source
● 5/12/23 Iran's most prominent Sunni cleric, Molavi Abdulhamid, said that the Iranian
people want "free and fair elections, not the type that is being advertised by some
government media for [next year's] parliamentary elections." Source
● 5/10/23 Hundreds of municipal workers took to the streets of the Persian Gulf port of
Khor Mousa (Bandar Imam) in Iran to demand higher wages and benefits. Source
● 5/10/23 Iranian authorities shut down a clinic in East Azerbaijan province after they said
a “volunteer force” has been established to identify doctors and clinics who carry out
abortions. Source
● 5/9/23 Iran's judiciary confirmed the death sentences of three more Iranian protesters,
Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaghoobi, and Saleh Mirhashemi. Source
● 5/9/23 Petroleum dealers have flagged a surge in the smuggling of Iranian fuel to
Pakistan, saying that up to 35% of diesel sold in Pakistan has arrived illegally from Iran.
Source
● 5/9/23 Rallies across Iran were held to advocate for teachers' rights, especially the rights
of teachers who are unjustly imprisoned and detained. Source, Source, Source, Source
● 5/9/23 The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced former political prisoner Arash
Sadeghi to four years and three months for assembly and collusion against national
security and eight months for propaganda against the regime. Source & Source
● 5/8/23 Iranian actresses Baran Kosari and Shaghayegh Dehghan are facing legal action
for posting pictures without wearing a hijab. Source
● 5/8/23 Pensioners across Iran rallied to protest against the failure to address their
demands. Source & Source
● 5/8/232 Social media users Yousef Mehrad and Sadrollah Fazeli Zare have been
executed by the Islamic Republic authorities for “insulting the prophet.” Source
● 5/8/23 Over 2,000 students at Iran’s Tabriz University signed a petition against the
regime’s punishment of students as it continues to quash dissent. Source
● 5/8/23 Iranian authorities have arrested striking contractors working in the development
of the South Pars gas fields project. South Pars in the Persian Gulf is the world’s largest
gas field. Source
● 5/7/23 The poisoning of students in schools leading to hospitalizations continues across
Iran. Source
● 5/7/23 The head of Iran's Athletics Federation resigned Sunday after some women ran a
marathon in the city of Shiraz without the hijab on Friday. Source
● 5/7/23 Iran's Foreign Ministry databases were hacked. One of the documents that was
posted shows that Foreign Minister Abdollahian has been a member of the Basij.
Foreign Ministry websites were separately defaced with pro-MEK messaging. Source
● 5/5/23 Prominent lawyer and activist Nasrin Sotoudeh said a referendum in Iran is the
only path to establishing a secular democracy in the country. Source
● 5/5/23 The Islamic Republic has expelled four Azerbaijani diplomats. Source
● 5/5/23 Civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian has been sentenced to two years in prison,
according to her brother Mehdi Gholian. Source & Source
● 5/5/23 Anti-regime protests ensued in Zahedan. Source, Source, Source, Source
● 5/4/23 A report was published that details organ trafficking in Iran. Organ trafficking has
become a major problem with people selling kidneys, liver, cornea, bone marrow, sperm,
and ovum out of poverty. Some middlemen send prospective donors to neighboring
countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Iraq to sell their body parts for
$7,000 to $15,000. Source
Iran. Source, Source
● 5/3/23 The Managing Editor of Hamshahri newspaper faces legal action for publishing a
cartoon picture of the Iranian Police Special Units commander. Source
● 5/3/23 Nineteen historical sites, including the second-largest mudbrick citadel globally,
have been put up for auction by Iranian officials. Source & Source
● 5/3/23 Hossein Afkari, Navid Afkari’s father, was arrested by security forces and
transferred to Chubin Dar Prison in Qazvin. Navid Afkari was a renowned wrestler who
was executed on September 12, 2020. Source
● 5/3/23 The presidents of Iran and Syria signed a series of long-term cooperation
agreements on oil and other sectors to bolster economic ties between the two allies.
Source
Iran. Source, Source, Source, Source
● 5/2/23 Prominent Iranian actresses Afsaneh Bayegan and Fatemeh Motamed-Aria have
been summoned to court for appearing at public events without the mandatory hijab.
Tehran’s prosecutor Ali Salehi accused them of “behavior outside Islamic norms and
values." Source & Source
● 5/2/23 Niloofar Hamedi, Elaheh Mohammadi and Narges Mohammadi, three imprisoned
Iranian journalists, have been named laureates of the 2023 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano
World PressFreedom Prize. Source5/1/23 The poisoning of students in schools leading
to hospitalizations continues across Iran. Source
● 5/1/23 On International Worker’s Day, pensioners protested across Iran. Source, Source,
Source, Source, Source, Source, Source
● 5/1/23 Petrochemical project workers continue to strike. Source
● 5/1/23 Ata Babakhani, a board member of the Tehran bus drivers’ union, was arrested by
security forces on International Worker’s Day. Source
● 4/30/23 The death sentences of six Baloch prisoners were carried out in the past two
days. Source
● 4/30/23 The poisoning of students in schools leading to hospitalizations continues
across Iran. Source
● 4/30/23 Hossein Ronaghi, a journalist imprisoned in the early days of the current
uprising, has been summoned to Evin prison for questioning. Source & Source
● 4/29/23 Ebrahim Raisi and Ali Khamenei met with the president of Iraq during his visit to
Iran. In their respective meetings, both Raisi and Khamenei allegedly expressed
dissatisfaction with the presence of American forces in Iraq. Source & Source
● 4/29/23 Nationwide strikes which include energy, petrochemicals, and steel industries
have continued across Iran. Source
across Iran. Source & Source4/28/23 Mass anti-regime protests ensued in Zahedan.
● 4/27/23 Two children from Sanandaj were severely injured after a landmine exploded.
Source & Source
● 4/27/23 Three journalists: Saeedeh Shafiee, Mehrnoosh Zarei Hanzaki, and Nasim
Sultan Beigi, have been summoned to appear at the Evin courthouse to present their
final defense and closing arguments. They are accused of “propaganda against the
regime.” Source & Source
● 4/27/23 Today marks the 180th day of rapper Toomaj Salehi’s detention in solitary
confinement. It is reported that his health is declining and he is in need of medical
attention. Source & Source
● 4/27/23 Defense lawyer Mohammad Seifzadeh announced he wouldn't appear at the
Revolutionary Court on April 29 to face charges for writing a letter to the UN
Secretary-General. Source
● 4/27/23 Nationwide strikes have continued across Iran. Source
● 4/27/23 The United States is imposing new sanctions on groups in Russia and Iran
accused of taking Americans hostage. Source & Source
● 4/27/23 Today marks the 1000th day of Jamshid Sharmand’s detention in solitary
confinement. Sharmahd was abducted by Iranian officials in the United Arab Emirates in
July 2020 and forcibly transferred to Iran. He is at imminent risk of execution. Source &
Source
● 4/27/23 United States senators urged President Biden to enable a federal government
agency to seize Iranian oil and gas shipments. The letter they sent to the president said
that the Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations office has
not been able to seize an Iranian oil shipment for more than a year, and that
enforcement has been curtailed by policy limitations within the Department of Treasury's
Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture. Source
across Iran. Source
have continued across Iran. Source, Source, Source
● 4/26/23 Iran's Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Iranian-German national
Jamshid Sharmahd on charges of "corruption on Earth." Sharmahd was abducted by
Iranian officials in the United Arab Emirates in July 2020 and forcibly transferred to Iran.
He is now at imminent risk of execution. Source & Source
● 4/26/23 Ayatollah Abbasali Soleimani died in the hospital after being shot at a bank in
Babolsar, Mazandaran province. Soleimani was one of 88 clerics on the Assembly of
Experts, which appoints the Supreme Leader and also served as the former
representative of the Supreme Leader in Sistan and Baluchistan province and Kashan.
● 4/26/23 Iran’s foreign minister, Amir Abdollahian met with his Omani counterpart Badr
Albusaidi in Muscat where they allegedly discussed the status of Iran’s nuclear talks as
well as regional issues. Source
● 4/26/23 The Iranian judiciary announced charges against detained journalists, Elaheh
Mohammadi and Niloofar Hamedi who have been incarcerated for seven months for
covering the events surrounding Jina (Mahsa) Amini’s death. They are accused of
"collaborating with the hostile American government, colluding against national security
and engaging in propaganda activity” against the regime. The accusations could carry
the death penalty. Source & Source
● 4/25/23 The poisoning of students in schools leading to hospitalizations has continued in
Iran. Source
● 4/25/23 Human Rights Watch released a report detailing the Iranian regime’s targeting
and violence towards children and minors. Source
have continued across Iran. Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/25/23 The Iranian regime announced that they have filed a legal case against two
female actors, Katayoun Riahi and Panthea Bahram, who recently appeared in public
without a mandatory head covering. Bahram attended the premiere of ‘The Lion Skin'
without wearing a hijab while Riah recently attended a funeral ceremony without wearing
a headscarf. Source, Source, Source
● 4/25/23 Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon who is the Minister of State for the Middle East,
North Africa, South Asia, and United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth &
Development Office met with Vahid Beheshti who is currently on a hunger strike. Source
& Source
● 4/25/23 The government of Ukraine has proposed a series of sanctions against Iran that
will prevent residents of Iran from moving capital outside Ukraine, and prohibit the
transfer of technology, rights to intellectual property, and investment to Iran and its
residents. They would also include a ban on servicing electronic payment instruments,
including transfers, payments, and cash withdrawals, issued by residents of Iran. The
sanctions will take effect after NSDC, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the Ukrainian
parliament all sign off on the decision. Source & Source4/24/23 The poisoning of
students in schools leading to hospitalizations has continued across Iran. Source,
protest the failures to address their demands. Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/24/23 Eight individuals who were arrested during the anti-regime protests in Izeh in
2022 have been indicted on charges of “enmity against God” and “spreading corruption
on earth.” It is important to know that detainees in Iran are rarely granted due process.
Source
● 4/24/23 A woman in Kerman died after a fistfight erupted between security forces and a
group of people opposed to mandatory hijab regulations. Source
● 4/24/23 Those working in Iran’s energy sector continue their nationwide strike, and those
in other industries such as the steel and healthcare industries have joined them. Source,
● 4/24/23 The second day of the virtual conference called “Dialog To Save Iran” took
place. The conference included more than 40 political, social, and human rights activists
inside and outside Iran. Source4/23/23 Workers in Iran’s energy sector continue their
nationwide strike. Source, Source, Source
● 4/23/23 Iran's foreign minister announced that an Iranian interest section will be opened
in Albania through Turkey. Source
● 4/22/23 1500 Tasvir announced that they will be taking a break from posting. 1500 Tasvir
is a leading source of citizen journalism from Iran. Source
● 4/22/23 Oil, gas, and petrochemical workers have gone on strike across Iran. Source,
Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/22/23 An Iranian prosecutor announced that a ‘special force’ will be formed to deal
with those who refuse to comply with hijab/modesty laws. Source
● 4/22/23 Over 40 political, social, and human rights activists from inside and outside Iran
facilitated a virtual conference called “Dialog To Save Iran” in which eight detained
activists sent messages from inside prisons in Iran. Source
● 4/21/23 More than 400 Iranian political and civil activists issued a statement demanding
the “immediate and unconditional” release of imprisoned activist, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraei.
Source & Source
● 4/21/23 The manager of Lotus Cinemas was fired after Iranian actress, Pantea Bahram
attended the premiere of ‘The Lion Skin' without wearing a hijab. Source
● 4/21/23 The police chief of Golestan Province issued a warning to female drivers who do
not follow Hijab rules, saying they will have their vehicles seized after receiving a second
warning. Source
● 4/21/23 Protests took place in the city of Zahedan in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan
province in which protesters chanted popular slogans against Ali Khamenei. Source &
Source
● 4/21/23 Security forces have arrested three female teenagers and two men from Fars
province over their alleged involvement in chemical attacks on schools. It is important to
know that information surrounding these arrests cannot be independently verified and
that detainees in Iran are rarely granted due process. Source
● 4/21/23 Molavi Abdulhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan openly criticized
the regime, saying that “the majority of Iranian citizens are dissatisfied with the current
state of affairs, including government officials and employees and even the armed
forces. The economy is crippled, and the pressure is being felt by everybody.” Source &
Source
● 4/21/23 Regime forces were deployed to Aychi Cemetery in Saqqez while people
gathered to honor those killed in anti-regime uprisings. Source, Source, Source
● 4/21/23 Regime forces conducted a mass killing of horses belonging to Kurdish Kolbars
in Sardasht. Source
● 4/20/23 Amnesty International called for an independent investigation into the poisoning
of students across Iran. Source
● 4/20/23 The Iranian Writers’ Association marked its 55th anniversary by renewing its
commitment to freedom of expression in the Islamic Republic, saying, “Freedom of
expression is the gateway to other freedoms, and hope for change does not fit within the
framework of tyranny.” Source
● 4/20/23 Political activist and the editor of Iran Farda Magazine, Keyvan Samimi, was
arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. Source & Source
● 4/20/23 The poisoning of students in schools leading to hospitalizations, has continued
across Iran. Source
● 4/20/23 Iranian actress, Pantea Bahram posed for photos without a headscarf at the
screening of the last episode of the dramatic series, “The Lion’s Skin,” in Tehran. Source
& Source
● 4/20/23 The Qazvin prosecutor announced that a woman has been arrested for
disseminating pictures of students affected by recent poison attacks. This woman has
been jailed and accused of 'spreading falsehood' and 'propaganda against the regime.' It
is important to note that information surrounding this arrest comes from the Iranian
regime and cannot be independently verified. Source
● 4/20/23 The police chief of the West Azerbaijan Province announced that 80 businesses
in the province were closed for breaking hijab rules. Source
● 4/19/23 Twenty political and civil rights activists issued a statement condemning the
imprisonment sentence against Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraei and asked for her unconditional
release. She was recently sentenced to seven years in prison and has been banned
from leaving the country for two years on charges of "gathering and collusion" and
“propaganda against the regime.” Source
● 4/19/23 The poisoning of students in schools leading to hospitalizations has continued.
Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/19/23 Bahar Zangiband, a professor at the Azad University of Sanandaj who was
previously arrested for participating in peaceful anti-regime protests has been banned
from teaching. Source
● 4/19/23 Residents in Abdanan, Ilam province were attacked with tear gas and subject to
poisonings. Source
● 4/19/23 Zahra Saeidianjou, the sister of killed protester Milad Saeidianjou, was fired from
her job in Izeh, Khuzestan province for seeking justice. Source
● 4/19/23 Mohammad Najafi, a persecuted human rights lawyer has been ordered to
return to prison by April 24, despite being on medical furlough. He is still in need of more
medical treatment, including for heart disease. Source
● 4/19/23 The Supreme Court ruled that Halkbank, which is owned by the government of
Turkey, is not immune from prosecution in New York federal court under the Foreign
Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 for allegedly violating U.S. economic sanctions on
Iran. Source
● 4/19/23 Farmers in Isfahan protested against the government’s water distribution
policies. Source & Source
● 4/19/23 Millions of Iranians received text messages warning them to properly observe
modesty and hijab laws. This is part of escalated enforcement efforts. Source
across Iran. Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source,
● 4/18/23 Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib announced to her Iranian
counterpart, Amir Abdolahian that Belgium would submit a transfer request for Olivier
Vandecasteele. Vandecasteele is a Belgian aid worker who was arrested in Iran in 2022
and sentenced to 40 years of prison. Source & Source
● 4/18/23 IranWire released an exclusive report including images of regime intelligence
agents such as Masoud Momeni preventing and disrupting the burials of people of the
Baha’i faith. Source
● 4/18/23 Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi reiterated threats against Israel while marking
the country’s annual Army Day. Source & Source
● 4/18/23 Ali Khamenei ruled out the possibility of referendums on state policies amid
widespread anti-regime sentiments. He claimed that people are not capable of making
important decisions, saying “do all the people who have to participate in the referendum
have the ability to analyze that issue?” Source & Source
● 4/17/23 Reza Pahlavi made an official visit to Israel, where he met with President Isaac
Herzog, Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
● 4/17/23 The Iranian regime released a report claiming that there are at least 120,000
minors are working as child laborers, though the real figure may be higher as it
information from regime entities cannot be independently verified. Source
● 4/17/23 Abdullah Badawi, an Iranian Kurdish prisoner from Urmia died after being
deprived of medical care while in custody. Badawi was originally arrested in 2014 on the
charge of "acting against national security." Source
Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/17/23 Nayeb Askari, an Iranian-Kurdish political prisoner from Urmia was sentenced to
death. Source
● 4/17/23 The spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Health announced the criminalization of
abortion and stated that the Ministry of Health plans to remove abortion medications
from the market. Source
● 4/17/23 The Iranian regime officially invited King Salman of Saudi Arabia to Iran. Source
& Source
● 4/16/23 Four Iranian-Kurdish political prisoners from Dehloran, Ilam province have gone
on a hunger strike to protest the extension of their detention. Source
across Iran. Source, Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/16/23 The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims released a statement
regarding the recent ruling by the Islamic Republic’s military court in which they issued
prison sentences to a few low-ranking officers. Included in the statement was that the
“court did not prosecute the commanders and main perpetrators of this crime, introduced
ten accused low-ranking officers with total obscurity of their backgrounds and identities,
held sessions in private, flouted the families who attended the hearings, and ultimately
issued a sham ruling to end this show in keeping with their predetermined scenario
without conducting any full, impartial investigation.” Source
● 4/16/23 David Shoebridge, an Australian politician and former barrister wrote to the
Iranian Ambassador to Austrailia, announcing his political sponsorship of Toomaj Salehi.
Source
● 4/15/23 People in Isfahan staged protests to voice their concern and opposition to
chemical attacks on schools. Source, Source, Source, Source
across Iran. Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/15/23 Students groups organized a nationwide day of protest to oppose the state's
mandatory hijab-law. Source, Source, Source
● 4/14/23 Prominent political prisoner, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraei has been sentenced to
seven years in prison and has banned from leaving the country for two years on charges
of "gathering and collusion" and “propaganda against the regime." Source
● 4/14/23 Setayesh Darugheh, a 16-year-old student from Fars province, who has been in
the custody of regime forces for more than a month, is under severe mental and physical
pressure to falsely confess to participating in chemical attacks on schools in Larestan
county. Sourc
● 4/14/23 Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, the journalists who broke the news of
Jina (Mahsa) Amini’s death, and Shervin Hajipour the singer and writer of ‘Baraye’ have
been included in Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of 2023. Source
& Source
● 4/13/23 The managing editor of the Didban Iran news outlet, Saeed Seyf-Ali, was
arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. Source
● 4/13/23 The Ministry of Sport and Youth in Gilan announced that a sports club was
closed for allegedly "breaking Islamic dress code." Source
● 4/13/23 Prominent Iranian political prisoner Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraei has been sentenced
to seven years in prison and banned from leaving the country for two years. Source
● 4/13/23 In an open letter to Ali Khamenei, prominent female Islamic scholar Sedigheh
Vasmaghi, strongly challenged his recent edict over hijab mandates and warned
Khamenei that he will remain personally responsible for all the “financial, physical, social,
ethical, psychological and political” consequences of enforcing compulsory hijab rules.
Source
● 4/13/23 Recent flooding in Iran has left at least three dead. The provinces of East
Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan, Ilam, Kordestan, Kermanshah, and Lorestan have been in
need of rescue services. Source4/12/23 Officials in Borujerd, Lorestan province
announced the arrest of several suspects in serial poison attacks on schools in the city. It
is important to note that information surrounding these events and arrests comes from
the Iranian regime and cannot be independently verified. Source
● 4/12/23 Prominent human rights lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh and her husband Reza
Khandan met with the family of Mohammad Mehdi Karami, who was executed by the
Islamic regime for his participation in peaceful anti-government protests. Source
● 4/12/23 A delegation from Iran arrived in Saudi Arabia to prepare for the reopening of
Iran's embassy in Riyadh and its consulate general in Jeddah. Source
● 4/11/23 Protests ensued in front of Amol’s Department of Education following poison
attacks on schools in the city. Source
● 4/11/23 Ebrahim Raisi has replaced his budget chief amidst skyrocketing inflation and
poor economic conditions. Source
● 4/11/23 Russia's biggest airline, Aeroflot, has sent one if its planes to Iran for
maintenance for the first time ever as sanctions have made it incresingly difficult for
Russia to access replacement parts. The Airbus A330-300 will be repaired by
technicians from Mahan Air. Source
● 4/11/23 Sepideh Gholian, one of the most prominent labor activists who was re-arrested
after criticizing Ali Khamenei following her release from Evin Prison last month, is facing
new national security charges, according to the Islamic Republic’s judiciary news
service. While in custody, she has been subjected to physical abuse and threatened
with rape. Source & Source
● 4/11/23 Welders went on strike for higher wages at the Salman Farsi petrochemical
project at the Imam Khomeini Port in Khuzestan. Source
● 4/11/23 Journalist and women’s rights activist Jina Modarres Gorji has been arrested by
regime forces in Sanandaj, Kurdistan province. Source
● 4/11/23 Meysam Pirfalak, the father of Kian Pirfalak, recorded a video saying he does
not hold Abbas (Mojahed) Kurkuri responsible for the death of his son. Kurkuri has been
accused of killing Kian by regime forces, and has been sentenced to death after being
forced under torture to falsely confess to the killing. Meysam Pirfalak also said that he
saw security forces under General Eidi Alipour’s command fire at his car, wounding him
and killing his son. Source, Source, Source, Source4/10/23 Ali Nesaei, a public and
revolutionary prosecutor said that people should report their neighbors to the police if
they see them violating hijab/modesty laws. Source
● 4/10/23 There have been reports of the Islamic Regime pressuring Iran’s Jewish minority
to participate in Quds Day. Source & Source
● 4/10/23 State TV broadcaster, IRIB, aired forced “confessions" by three jailed teenagers
who were arrested in January 2023 in connection with peaceful protests in the city of
Zahedan. The teens are Benyamin Kouhkan (17), Elias Kouhkan (19), Yasin Kabdani
(19) and Mohammad Darvish Narouie (18). Source
● 4/10/23 Omid Shahmohammadi, a member of the Teachers Trade Association in
Kurdistan province, has begun a one-year prison sentence on national security charges.
Source
across Iran. Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/10/23 In Saqqez, Kurdistan Province, merchants, and shopkeepers went on a general
strike to protest poison attacks on schools. Source & Source
● 4/9/23 Protests ensued in Kurdistan province after the poisonings in schools. Regime
forces retaliated violently in response. Source, Source, Source
● 4/9/23 The poisoning of students in schools leading to hospitalizations, has escalated
across Iran. Source, Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/9/23 Karo Pashabadi, a 16-year-old originally from Kamiyaran (Kurdistan province)
passed away as a result of a chemical attack on his school in Tehran. Source
across Iran. Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/8/23 Iranian authorities have begun installing cameras in public places to identify
women who violate the country’s hijab/modesty laws. Source & Source
● 4/7/23 The Iranian Statistics Center released a report asserting that more than 20,000
girls under the age of 15 got married in Iran during the nine-month period ending in
January and that as many as 1,085 underage girls became mothers. Source
● 4/7/23 A video of men and women beating women who do not fully abide by
hijab/modesty laws with a rosary has gone viral. Source
● 4/7/23 An Iranian court has ordered the execution of Abbas Kurkuri, who is accused of
killing seven people during anti-regime uprisings including 9-year-old Kian Pirfalak. It is
important to note that Kurkuri was not granted due process, and the details of this case
are still unclear. Source
● 4/6/23 Members of Iran's National Library staged a sit-in at the library's courtyard in
Tehran to protest the suspension of some fellow members for not observing the
compulsory hijab. Source
● 4/6/23 The head of Iran’s judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, said that measures will
be implemented to "tackle social deviance," referencing those who challenge
hijab/modesty laws. He also mentioned "the importance of distinguishing between
those who are unaware of hijab regulations and those who collude with foreign spy
agencies in this regard," insinuating that violators of the mandatory hijab law are
‘colluding’ with foreign spy agencies. Source
● 4/6/23 French-Irish national, Bernard Phélan, who has been imprisoned for half a year is
in poor physical condition and is at risk of going blind. Source
●
● 4/6/23 Saudi, Iranian Foreign Ministers Agree to Resume Flights after Beijing Meeting
Source
● 4/6/23 Imprisoned dissident rapper, Toomaj Salehi is facing possible execution and is
being denied proper medical treatment. Source
● 4/5/23 Schools in Ajabshir, Borujerd, Mazandaran, Tabriz, Sarvestan, Naghadeh, and
other cities were chemically attacked. Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/5/23 Regime forces arrested a 2-year-old, Delvan Heydari, the nephew of Javad
Heydari who was killed during an anti-regime protest. Source
● 4/5/23 Crowds of people gathered and protested to commemorate the birthday of
Hamidreza Rouhi. Rouhi was killed during an anti-regime protest. Source, Source,
● 4/5/23 Renowned Iranian filmmaker, Kyumars Pour-Ahmad took his own life at the age
of 74. Source
● 4/5/23 Mohammad Habibi, a teachers' rights activist, and former political prisoner who
was recently released from prison has been rearrested and placed in a ward known to
be controlled by the Intelligence Ministry. Source & Source
● 4/4/23 The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted resolution A/HRC/52/L.3.
which is in regard to the "situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran." The
resolution denounces the rising number of executions in Iran and extends the mandate
of UN special rapporteur on Iran’s rights situation. Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/4/23 Teachers across several cities protested to demand higher pay. Source & Source
● 4/4/23 The poisoning of schoolgirls, leading to hospitalizations has continued across
Iran. Source, Source, Source
● 4/3/23 Regime officials announced that universities will bar female students who refuse
to wear the hijab from education services. Source & Source
● 4/3/23 Five schoolgirls were hospitalized following a poison attack on a school in
Naqadeh, West Azerbaijan province. Source
● 4/3/23 Iran’s Minister of Education Yousef Nouri resigned and was replaced with Reza
Morad Sahraee, the current president of Farhangian University and former security
agent. Source
● 4/3/23 Businesses across several cities are being closed for allegedly violating the
Islamic dress code and modesty rules. In Mazandaran for example, 338 businesses
were closed in recent weeks for breaking Hijab rules. Source, Source, Source4/2/23
OPEC, which includes Iran, announced that they would cut production by more than 1.2
million barrels of crude a day, or more than 1 percent of world supplies, in an apparent
effort to increase prices. Source
● 4/2/23 Regime forces cracked down on Sizadh Bedar celebrations. Source, Source,
Source
● 4/2/23 Iran’s navy claimed that it warned off a US Navy EP-3E aircraft after it entered the
country's border close to the Gulf of Oman. Source
● 4/2/23 Iranians across the world observed Sizdah Bedar which is a celebration that takes
place 13 days after the Iranian New Year (Nowruz). Originating from ancient
Zoroastrianism, this celebration symbolizes the victory of spring over winter and it’s
believed that being outside on this day helps to protect against evil spirits that are said to
wander the earth on this day. A custom during Sizdah Bedar is to knot the stems of the
sprouted greens (sabzeh) that were a part of the haft-sin display during Nowruz and
throw the sabzeh in a moving body of water. Source & Source
● 4/2/23 People in Iran warmly welcomed the reopening of a grocery store after it was
forced to close when the owner defended a young girl and her mother after they were
attacked with yogurt for not abiding by the country’s hijab/morality laws. Source
● 4/1/23 Iran’s chief justice, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei warned of even stricter
punishment for those who do not abide by hijab/modesty laws. In his announcement, he
said that “unveiling is tantamount to enmity with (our) values. [Those] who commit such
anomalous acts will be punished and prosecuted without mercy.” Source
● 4/1/23 Iran’s ambassador to Iraq claims that Iraq owes the Iranian regime 11 billion
dollars for the import of Iranian gas and electricity. Source
● 3/31/23 A video of a man attacking a young girl and her mother with yogurt for not
abiding by the country’s hijab/morality laws has gone viral. The incident occurred in
Mashad, and the store owner who intervened in support of the women was ordered to
close his store. Source & Source
● 3/31/23 Four Iranians have filed suits to seek damages for being shot and badly injured
by Islamic republic forces during recent protests. Source
● 3/30/23 Elnaz Rekabi, an Iranian climber who competed abroad with her hair uncovered
in October of 2022 has been barred from leaving the country. Source
● 3/30/23 Iranian journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, who broke the news
of Jina (Mahsa) Amini’s murder won the Lyons Award for Conscience and Integrity in
Journalism at Harvard. Hamedi, a reporter for Shargh Daily, and Mohammadi of the
newspaper Hammihan were arrested in September for covering the events surrounding
Amini’s death in police custody. Source & Source
● 3/30/23 69 Afghan seminary students from the Dar al-Oloum Makki Sunni seminary
school in Iran are on hunger strike. The students were arrested by regime forces for
participating in recent anti-state protests. They are being held under inhumane
conditions in Al-Ghadir Camp and pressured to “confess” to crimes. Source
● 3/30/23 Azerbaijan denounced what it called "slanderous" comments by senior Iranian
military commander, Kioumars Heydari. The remark was made after Azerbaijani security
forces announced they were investigating "a terror attack" after a lawmaker with strong
anti-Iranian views was shot and wounded at his home. Heydari made the claim that
members of the Islamic State militant group had fought for Azerbaijan and were still
based in the country, insinuating a link to the attack on the Azerbaijani lawmaker. Source
● 3/30/23 Crowds gathered at the burial place of Jina (Mahsa) Amini and chanted
anti-regime slogans. In response, armed regime forces were deployed. Source, Source,
Source3/29/23 Zaniar Tondro, an 18-year-old Iranian-Kurdish protestor who was shot,
injured, and blinded is at risk of deportation. He fled Iran initially by boat from Turkey to
Greece, but the Greek government barred him and his family from entering the country
and forced them to return to Turkey. Source & Source
● 3/29/23 Four Iranian-Kurdish men from West Azerbaijan province were sentenced to a
total of 10 years and 6 months in prison and 50 lashes by the Iranian judiciary. Source
● 3/29/23 Sajjad Moradivandan continues his hunger strike to protest against his
continued detention. Moradivandan was arrested two months ago for participating in
anti-regime protests. Source & Source
● 3/28/23 Dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi has been imprisoned for 150 days. He’s been
held in solitary confinement and is considered to be at extreme risk of torture and the
threat of execution.
● 3/28/23 1500 Tasvir reports that the IR’s cyber army continues disinformation campaign
to coverup the fact that the IR forces poisoned protestors. Source, Source, Source,
Source, Source
● 3/28/23 Eight businesses in Lorestan province were closed for breaking Ramadan rules,
namely serving food during the daylight. Source
● 3/28/23 Azad Rezaei, an Iranian-Kurdish and Yarsani man from Kermanshah was shot
and killed by security forces. Source
● 3/28/23 Teachers in several cities and provinces rallied and protested for higher pay.
Source & Source
● 3/28/23 A high-ranking commander of the IRGC warned protesters in the province of
Sistan and Baluchistan against crossing the regime's "red lines" in anti-government
rallies that have been taking place weekly after Friday Prayers. Source
● 3/27/23 A member of Iran’s parliament announced the regime’s new strategy to enforce
the compulsory hijab. The new plan includes a financial penalty of up to 30 billion Iranian
Rials ($60,000) and additional penalties that consist of revoking a person's driver's
license, canceling their passport, and prohibiting Internet access for those women who
do not adhere to the hijab requirement.
● 3/26/23 A group of teachers protested in front of the Education Department in the Iranian
city of Saqqez, Kurdistan province, demanding freedom for their colleague Soleyman
Abdi from the Intelligence Ministry’s detention center. Source
● 3/26/23 The website Hal Vash which covers events in Iran’s Balochistan released its
annual report. The report asserts that 628 Baloch citizens were killed directly or indirectly
by Islamic Republic agents in the past Iranian year. Source
● 3/25/23 Iran's security council warned the United States against further attacks on its
proxy bases in Syria, claiming that any strikes would be countered immediately. Source
● 3/24/23 Shilan Kurdestani one of the women's rights activists from Sanandaj was
sentenced to 40 months in prison by the revolutionary court. Source
● 3/24/23 The 18-year sentence against civil rights activist and dissident, Fatemeh Sepehri
was upheld on appeal. Source
● 3/24/23 Three Iranian women were arrested after getting into an altercation with another
woman who was attempting to enforce rules on wearing a head scarf in the city of Yazd.
● 3/24/23 Consistent with every Friday since September 2022, there were mass
anti-regime protests in Zahedan. Source & Source
● 3/22/23 A leaked document on a meeting of senior IRGC commanders and clerics with
the Supreme Leader has revealed contention about the role of Khamenei’s son Mojtaba
and his potential succession as ‘supreme leader.’ Source
● 3/23/23 Five Iranians, four men and one woman, in the northwestern Iranian city of
Urmia have been sentenced by a court to death for allegedly engaging in intelligence
cooperation and espionage activities that benefited Israel. Source
● 3/23/23 Hossein Al-e Ali, a 31-year-old protester died from his sustained injuries after
being thrown from the fourth floor of a building when security agents stormed his
residence. Source
● 3/21/23 On Nowruz (the celebration of new year in Iran), people in Iran took the streets
to protest, many shouting ‘death to Khamenei.” Source, Source
● 3/20/23 Iranians and many others celebrated Nowruz, the celebration of the new year
rooted in Zoastrian culture. Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the
day of the astronomical vernal equinox. It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year
by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over
3,000 years. Source
● 3/20/23 UN rapporteur on Iran, Javaid Rehman, said the scale and gravity of Iran’s
violations of human rights amount to a crime against humanity. Source
● 3/19/23 Senior revolutionary guard officers have warned Ali Khamenei of possible
defections within security forces and also of an extinguished plot to attack Khamenei’s
offices/house. Source
● 3/18/23 An Iranian court handed death sentences to two men over an attack on a Shi'ite
shrine in Iran that killed 15 people in October and was claimed by the Islamic State (IS).
It is important to note that information surrounding these events and arrests comes from
the Iranian regime. Source
● 3/18/23 Iranian rapper and hip-hop artist, Toomaj Salehi, has been in solitary
confinement for 140 days thus far. Source
● 3/17/23 Several families of death row prisoners gathered in front of Urmia Prison urging
officials to halt any planned executions. Source
● 3/17/23 After Friday prayer, Iranians in Zahedan took to the streets en masse chanting
anti-regime slogans and imploring Ali Khamenei to leave the country. Source
● 3/17/23 Prominent Sunni cleric, Molavi Abdolhamid delivered a speech during Friday
prayer in which he said, "one ethnic group and one religion cannot rule the country.”
Source
● 3/17/23 Kurdish-Iranian political prisoner Mohyeddin Ebrahimi was executed this
morning. Source
● 3/16/23 Kurdish-Iranian political prisoner Mohyeddin Ebrahimi is at imminent risk of
execution. Source
● 3/16/23 United Nations experts expressed outrage at the deliberate poisoning of
schoolgirls in Iran and also expressed concern that a journalist who was covering these
attacks was arrested in Qom. Source
● 3/16/23 Amnesty International released a report detailing the horrific torture and abuse
children and minors have endured by the regime to quell their involvement in nationwide
protests. Source
● 3/16/23 An exclusive report by the Wall Street Journal alleges that Iran will stop arming
the Houthis in Yemen as a part of the recent China-brokered deal between Saudi Arabia
and Iran. Source
● 3/16/23 Opposition leader and activist, Masih Alinejad met with Prime Minister Mark
Rutte of the Netherlands. In the meeting, Alinejad urged the prime minister to:
○ isolate the Islamic Republic and instead of meeting with regime officials, meet
with the coalition of opposition forces
○ enforce sanctions against the Islamic Republic
○ expel the ambassadors of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Netherlands
○ list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization
○ cut diplomatic ties with the regime
○ lead the investigation of crimes committed by the Islamic Republic, including
brutal chemical attacks on schools
○ push for measures to form international fact-finding committees to investigate the
crimes of the Islamic Republic. Source
● 3/16/23 Max Lucks, a German politician and political sponsor of Sepideh Gholian sent a
letter to the Iranian Ambassador, Mahmoud Farazandeh, urging for Gholian’s immediate
release. Source & Source
● 3/15/23 Naval forces from China, Iran and Russia will be staging joint drills this week
according to China’s Defense Ministry. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson
John Kirby said U.S. leadership was not concerned by this. Source
● 3/15/23 Naval forces from China, Iran and Russia will be staging joint drills this week
according to China’s Defense Ministry. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson
John Kirby said U.S. leadership was not concerned by this. Source
● 3/15/23 Ali Shamkhani, Iran’s secretary of the Supreme National Security Council will
lead a delegation of security and banking officials for a visit to the United Arab Emirates
tomorrow, March 16, 2023. During this trip, Shamkhani also plans to meet with his
Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. Source
● 3/15/23 Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi addressed European Parliament in a ceremony
marking International Women’s Day. Source & Source
● 3/15/23 Over 110 people have been arrested thus far over the recent poisoning of
schoolgirls in Iran. It is important to note that information surrounding these arrests
comes from the Iranian regime and cannot be independently verified. Source
● 3/15/23 Shirzad Ahmadinejad, a 41-year-old Kurdish-Iranian was tortured to death while
in the custody of security forces. Source & Source
● 3/15/23 Sepideh Gholian, one of the most prominent female activists held in prison in
Iran for four years and seven months was re-arrested after being briefly released. She
was originally arrested alongside 20 other activists, protest organizers, and workers
during the Haft Tappeh Sugar Factory strike in November 2018. Source & Source
● 3/14/23 Women across Iran burned their head scarves amid the annual fire festival
known as Chaharshanbeh Suri. Source
● 3/14/23 Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejehi, Iran’s chief justice claimed that a total of 82,656
prisoners and those facing charges had been pardoned. He also claimed that of those,
some 22,000 had been arrested during the demonstrations. This announcement made
by Ejehi indicates that the regime feels secure enough to admit the scale of unrest.
Source
● 3/14/23 The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that they will release rules to
limit companies’ activity in “countries of concern” including China, Russia, North Korea
and Iran should they receive some of the $52 billion that the U.S. is providing to boost its
semiconductor industry. Source3/14/23 France accused the Iranian regime of breaking
an international treaty defining consular relations between states and said the regime
had demonstrated publicly that it was holding foreign nationals arbitrarily. Source
● 3/14/23 Iranians across the world are celebrating Chaharshanbeh Suri, an ancient
Iranian and Zoroastrian holiday that occurs on the last Wednesday of the year in
accordance with the Iranian calendar. The holiday represents the triumph of light over
darkness, and the shift from winter to spring. A part of the celebration includes jumping
over fire and repeating sorkhi-ye to az man, zardi-ye man az to, literally translating to,
"let your redness be mine, my paleness yours." It’s considered a purification practice.
Source
● 3/14/23 Anti-regime protests ramped up across major cities in Iran on the occasion of
Chaharshanbeh Suri. Homemade grenades and fireworks were used to combat regime
forces in some cities. Source, Source, Source, Source
● 3/14/23 The Islamic regime has banned at least 52 artists from working in Iran because
of their support for anti-regime uprisings. Among the banned are actress Taraneh
Alidoosti, film director Asghar Farhadi, and musician Kayhan Kalhor. Source
● 3/13/23 Habib Asyoud, a Swedish-Iranian and Ahvazi political activist is at imminent risk
for execution. Asyoud, also known as Habib Farajollah Chaab was kidnapped from
Turkey by Islamic Republic forces in collaboration with international drug gangs in
October 2020 and forcibly taken to Iran. Source
● 3/13/23 The five girls who posted a viral video of themselves dancing on International
Women’s Day in Iran were detained and forced to give a public apology. Source
● 3/13/23 Iran’s judiciary amnesty commission rejected Saman Yassin’s amnesty request.
Saman Yassin is a Kurdish rapper who was arrested in early October of 2022 for
criticizing the regime. Source
● 3/13/23 Telecommunication Company pensioners protested over their conditions in
several cities across Iran. Source
● 3/13/23 Workers at the Haft-Tappeh Sugar Factory went on strike for the second day in a
row. Source
● 3/12/23 Groups of social security pensioners protested poor living conditions and the
dismissals of their demands in Ahvaz and Kermanshah. Source & Source
● 3/11/23 Hengaw’s research team released a report claiming at least 134 Kurdish citizens
have been killed by government forces in various cities since the beginning of the
revolution. Source
● 3/11/23 Samaneh Asghari, a university student and children’s rights activist has been
sentenced to 18 years in prison. Source
● 3/11/23 The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims held global rallies in
condemnation of the poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran. Source
● 3/10/23 The Alliance for Democracy and Freedom in Iran (ADFI) announced the
publication of “The Charter of Solidarity and Alliance for Freedom” called the “Mahsa
Charter.” The charter covers democratic governance, human rights/dignity, justice, peace
and security, environmental sustainability, and economic transparency and prosperity.
Initial signatories include Masih Alinejad, Nazanin Boniadi, Shirin Ebadi, Hamed
Esmaeilion, Abdulla Mohtadi, and Reza Pahlavi. Source
● 03/10/23 Saudi Arabia and Iran announced that they reached a deal to restore
diplomatic ties and plan to reopen their embassies within the next two months. This deal
was brokered by China. Source
● 3/09/23 The U.S. imposed sanctions on 39 entities constituting a “shadow banking”
network aiming to evade existing sanctions. Source
● 3/09/2023 Siamak Namazi, a U.S. citizen who has been in Evin prison since 2015 spoke
to Christiane Amanpour from prison. He made a plea to the White House and President
Biden to secure the release of himself and other foreign nationals. Source
● 03/08/23 Coalition of Iranian and Afghan women call for gender apartheid to be crime
under international law. Prominent Afghans and Iranians say current laws do not capture
the systemic suppression of women. Source, view open letter here
● 03/08/23 Rallies across the globe are being held on International Women’s Day in
support of Iranian women and girls. Source
● 03/08/2023 On International Women’s Day, First Lady Jill Biden awarded the new
Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award to the women and girls of Iran. Source
● 03/08/23 The European Parliament will debate the poisoning of students in Iran on
March 15th followed by a resolution. Source
● 03/08/23 Protests broke out in the city of Khash in response to the arrest of Sunni cleric,
Maulvi Abdul Majid Muradzahi who is a relative of one of Iran’s top Sunni leaders, Maulvi
Abdul Hamid. Source
● 03/08/23 UNESCO expressed concern regarding the poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran and
called for investigations into the matter. Source
● 3/7/23 Dr. Hamed Esmaeilion announces resignation from Flight PS752 Victims
association; resignation will allow Esmaeilion to pursue formal role in Iran’s revolution.
Source
● 3/7/23 Medics, teachers, parents accuse IR of silencing victims of suspected poisoning
attacks. Source
● 3/7/23 Following the call of Iranian Teachers Union against organized chemical gas
attacks on schools & poisoning of students, protest rallies were held today in front of the
Ministry of Education in various cities, incl #Kermanshah & #Sanandaj, @KurdistanHRN
reported. Source
● 3/7/23 Poisoning cases top 5,000 Source
● 3/6/23 Iranian activists and civil rights groups are calling for nationwide rallies this week
to denounce the authorities’ failure to prevent the poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirls
across the country over the past three months. Source
● 3/5/23 1500 Tasvir has confirmed at least 198 Schools exposed to chemical attacks on
March 5: Source here with cities/number of schools.
● 3/2/23 Protests in Tehran following the poisoning of schoolgirls. Source
● 3/2/23 Christian Amanpour challenges IR Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on
torture, sexual abuse allegations lodged by imprisoned protesters. Source
● 3/1/23 Ambulances arrive at a girls’ high school in Tehran, Ferdous Blvd, where students
were poisoned. Source
● 3/1/23 102 prisoners were executed in the first two months of 2023 in Iranian prisons. Of
the 102, Kurdish people constituted the largest group to be executed, and Balush were
second largest. (Note: these executions are not related to ongoing protests). Source
● 3/1/23 Near bomb-grade level uranium found in Iranian nuclear plant, says IAEA report
Source
● 3/1/23 About 1200 School girls poisoned in Qom and Borujerd. Chemical poisoning
attacks have been targeting young school girls. Source
● 3/1/23 Video of the brutal way Islamic Republic security forces interact with Iranian
mothers protesting the poisoning of their daughters. Source
● 3/1/23 The Guardian reports that dozens of school girls in Iran have been taken to
hospital following poisoning at school. Hundreds of cases of respiratory distress. Source
● 3/1/23 Videos of young school girls crying “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe” Source
● 3/1/23 Parents protest outside of schools where their daughters have been poisoned.
Source
● 2/28/23 37 School girls hospitalized in Pardis, Tehran province. Source
● 2/27/23 Hundreds of girls poisoned in Iran to stop them from going to school. Iran’s
deputy health minister Younes Panahi on Sunday said that “certain individuals sought
the closure of all schools, especially girls’ schools”, without providing further details.
Source
● 2/26/23 Iran’s currency hits new low amid anti-government protests; Iran’s currency fell
to a new record low on Sunday, plunging to 600,000 to the dollar for the first time as the
effects of nationwide anti-government protests and the breakdown of the 2015 nuclear
deal continued to roil the economy. Inflation reached 53.4% in January, up from 41.4%
two years ago, according to Iran’s statistics center. Source
○ 1500 Tasvir shares comments from people in Iran on the impacts of economic
situation:
■ “Poverty, Corruption, Inflation means that a simple toothache or broken
electrical appliance can destroy your life.” Source
■ “One of my dear friends committed suicide this month due to economic
pressure and I still can't believe that he is gone. It seems like my life is
over with his.” Source
■ “Poverty, Corruption, Inflation means that our basic needs were turned
into dreams. It started with buying a house, then buying a car, a laptop, a
phone, and little by little it has even reached putting food on the table.”
Source
■ “One effect of the poverty and rising prices is that we don't have enough
income to become independent. We can't buy a house or even pay rent,
start a family, buy any important household items,…All our dreams and
needs are canceled at the peak of our youth.” Source
■ “Every day feeling your hands freezing and your heart rate increasing
because of Poverty, Corruption, Inflation in the prime of your youth;
Something that non-Iranian people of the same age do not understand at
all. Damn you Corrupt Islamic Republic.” Source
● 2/26/23 Iran & Russia sending top envoys to UN’s human rights council. Source
● 2/24/23 Today, February 24, 2023, widespread beatings and arrests around Maki
Mosque, deployment of snipers in different parts of the city, and severe disruption in
Zahedan's Internet, warn of another Bloody Friday. Let's not leave Zahedan alone with
the Islamic Republic. Source
● 2/21/23 CNN Special Report: How Iran used a network of secret torture centers to crush
an uprising. Source
○ TEHRAN: Iran’s capital, Tehran, was convulsed with protests during the Zhina
Mahsa Amini uprising, prompting a proliferation of black sites around the city,
according to sources.
○ MASHHAD: According to dozens of testimonies from survivors of torture as well
as legal experts, the torture used on protesters in these off-grid sites was
“unprecedented” in its severity. These clandestine jails exist outside of whatever
due process the Islamic Republic affords, seemingly enabling unfettered cruelty.
■ CNN has identified more than three dozen black sites across Iran. Many
are undeclared jails inside government facilities such as military and
Revolutionary Guards bases, known to rights groups and lawyers for
years.
○ SANANDAJ: The Kurdish-majority western city of Sanandaj was a flashpoint of
the crackdown on protesters where thousands were rounded up and protesters
were gunned down with live ammunition.
○ ZAHEDAN: Dozens of protesters were killed in the city of Zahedan on a
particularly deadly day in September last year. One female protester told CNN
she was detained that day and sent to a black site where she was held for over a
month and repeatedly raped.
● 2/21/23 Iran sentences German-Iranian dissident, Jamshid Sharmahd, to death. Source
● 2/21/23 Calls for change in Iran reach even Shiite heartland in Qom. Source
● 2/20/23 Economic shock in Iran as USD rises to 500,000 Rials; Iran’s rial fell to a new
low on Monday, breaking a crucial threshold despite repeated government promises of
“soon” strengthening the battered national currency. Source.
● 2/20/23 Four kurdish political prisoners have been held for seven months with their
whereabouts unknown; their names are Vafa Azarbar, Mohamad Faramarzi, Mohsen
Mazloum, Pezhman Fatihi Source
● 2/18/23 Munich Security Conference invites opposition leaders Masih Alinejad, Nazanin
Boniadi and Reza Pahlavi to attend in lieu of the Islamic Republic. Marking the first time
in the history of the conference that the IRI has not been invited. Source
● 2/16/23 On the 40th day following the executions of protesters Mohammad Mehdi
Karami and Mohammad Hosseini, national protests erupted. The 40th day following
death, also known as the “Chehelom,” is a day for mourning in Iranian culture.
○ Rasht: https://twitter.com/1500tasvir_en/status/1626319975970402304?s=20
○ Tehran:
https://twitter.com/1500tasvir_en/status/1626303922691268612?s=20
○ Tehran:
○ Karaj: https://twitter.com/1500tasvir_en/status/1626299342108622848?s=20
○ Mashhad:
○ Izeh: https://twitter.com/1500tasvir_en/status/1626298773428224000?s=20
○ Arak: https://twitter.com/1500tasvir_en/status/1626296903095750658?s=20
○ Isfahan:
● 2/15/23 EU to Sanction Iran entities involved in Russian War on Ukraine - Von der Leyen
Source
● 2/15/23 US forces shoot down Iranian-made drone circling troop housing in Syria Source
● 2/15/23 Husband of prominent Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh summoned
by Judiciary. Reza Khandan has been asked to report to the judiciary within 30-days to
begin serving out the sentence. This comes days after his wife, Nasrin Sotoudeh, spoke
to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour from her home in Tehran. Source
● 2/14/23 Suspected Iranian Weapons seized by US Navy May go to Ukraine, Source
● 2/9/23 No EU members other than Hungary and Poland had representatives present
in Islamic Republic’s ceremony today for the so-called Islamic Revolution Day.
Source
● 2/8/23 #BoycottIRIDay: Some families of victims of decades of the Islamic Republic's
rule over Iran, asked the people of Iran to join, by using the hashtag #BoycottIRIDay, in
asking different countries to boycott the anniversary ceremony of the Islamic Republic,
scheduled to be held in Tehran on Feb. 9. This CTA included the families if: Nika
Shakarami, Navid Afkari, Minou Majidi, Mohammad Hassan Torkaman, Mohammad
Javad Zahedi, Mehrgan Zahmatkesh, Reza Shahparnia, MohammadReza Eskandari,
Asghar Nahvipour, Mohammad Rasoul Momeni, Ali Seyedi, Mohsen Mohammadi, Omid
Moayedi, Ameneh Shahbazifard, Ali Rouzbehani, Bahareh Karami Moghadam, Abolfazl
Mehdipour, Pooria Naserikhah, Milad Zare, Mohammad Mokhtari, Javad Rezaei, Rahim
Aminabadi, Negar Borghei, who have all been murdered by the Islamic Republic in
recent years, alongside other Iranians, are asking officials of different countries to
boycott the Islamic Republic’s anniversary ceremony which is to be held in Tehran on
February 9th. Source
● 2/6/23 Today marks 100 days of dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi being unjustly held in
solitary confinement at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. Toomaj is still at risk of execution.
#FreeToomaj Source
● 2/5/23 Regime announces “pardoning of protesters” – with many caveats that will
exclude most protesters. Some things to be aware of before spreading state
propaganda, via Hannah Neumann, European MP, Source:
○ It is unclear how many, if any, protesters will be released.
○ The amnesty does not apply to those sentenced or facing charges of “espionage
for outsiders, direct links with the foreign intelligence services, murder or
intentional injuries, as well as vandalism or arson attack on governmental,
military and public sites” – all charges regularly levied against protesters and
foreign nationals imprisoned in Iran. Source
○ If someone is “pardoned” under the IR’s law it means that person has
committed a crime; most people behind bars for protesting have not committed
crimes.
○ Protesters need to “ask for forgiveness” in order to be pardoned, oftentimes
leading to a forced confession.
○ Dual nationals and those (unjustly, without due-process) on death row will not be
pardoned.
○ It is also important to note that the sources of “pardoning” are all Regime
state-sponsored media.
○ Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) Deputy Director Jasmin Ramsey says,
“This is a PR stunt that has no grounding in reality by a regime that has lost
legitimacy amongst its people. The political repression, the imprisonments after
sham “trials” led by kangaroo courts, the criminalization of dissent remain.”
Source
○ Iranian political prisoners are NOT “pardoned.” The exhaustive list of exclusions
and exceptions attached to the “amnesty” claimed by Ali Khamenei
demonstrates that it is devised to make sure no one is actually released but the
false pretense serves their Western propaganda. - @1500tasvir_en
● 2/5/23 Moscow and Tehran are moving ahead with plans to build a new factory in
Russia that could make at least 6,000 Iranian-designed drones for the war in Ukraine,
the latest sign of deepening cooperation between the two nations, said officials from a
country aligned with the U.S. Source
● 2/3/23 Large turnout in Zahedan in anti-government demonstration. Source
● 2/3/23 Armed attack on Kurdish activists homes continued in Abdanan Source
● 2/3/23 Award-winning director Jafar Panahi, arrested in July and detained at Evin
Prison, released on bail following hunger strike. Source
● 2/3/23 According to Haalvsh Org, today, February 3, the senior military commanders
of the Islamic Republic have gone onto the streets of Zahedan to direct the
suppression of the protesters in person. The lives of the people of Zahedan are in
danger. Source
● 2/2/23 Anti-compulsory-Hijab protester and political prisoner Farhad Meysami falls
seriously ill after hunger strike. Photos and a letter released from Rajaei-Shahr prison in
Karaj were published on social media, alongside a list of 3 demands: “stopping the
execution of protesters, releasing six political prisoners, and stopping mandatory hijab.”
Source
● 1/31/23 Women political prisoners Hasti Amiri, Bahareh Hedayat, Raha Asgarizadeh,
Sepideh Qolian, Narges Mohammadi, Alieh Motallebzadeh, and Noushin Jafari issue
joint statement from Evin Prison in Tehran. In their joint letter, they ask Iranians not to
remain quiet. Source
● 1/29/23 Azerbaijan to evacuate embassy in Tehran after fatal shooting. Source
● 1/28/23 5.9 magnitude earthquake hits Khoy, West Azerbaijan Iran. At least three
people killed and more than 800 injured. - Source
● 1/28/23 Drone strikes hit IRGC ammunition manufacturing plants in Esfahan. Israeli US
officials discuss new ways to combat Iranian operations. Source
● 1/28/23 Detained and tortured protester Armita Abassi’s “trial” begins Sunday (1/29/23)
.
● 1/27/23 IR parliament has submitted new plan that further limits freedom of speech and
expression on social media; plan suggests that if a person has 400+ followers on social
media, they shouldn’t be able to state their opinions freely. Source, Source
● 1/27/23 Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran comes under deadly attack; 1 shot dead and
two other staff wounded. Source
● 1/23/23 3 women journalists, Malika Hashemi, Saeeda Shafie, and Mehrnoush Zarei,
were all arrested by agent of the regime in Tehran, and reportedly transferred to Evin
Prison. Source
● 1/22/23 According to Kolbar News, two Balochs and a truck driver were killed and
another Sukhtbar was seriously injured in an accident between three fuel carrier cars
and a trailer on the Nikshahr-Iranshahr axis. Source
● 1/22/23 Mehrnoosh Zarei Hanzaki was arrested at her home in Tehran and
transferred to Evin Prison. The reason and the security institution responsible for her
arrest are still unknown. Source
● 1/20/23 Trending hashtags in and outside of Iran “I give power of attorney”/”I do not
give power of attorney” regarding supporting Reza Pahlavi as an interim representative
of the people.
○ ‫وكالت_ميدهم‬#
○ ‫وكالت_نميدهم‬#
● 1/20/23 Today in Zahedan (Sistan-Baluchestan): massive turnout of thousands
on-the-ground protests, with chants: “The Mullahs most go!” “Down with the dictator!”
Source
● 1/20/23 Internet has been shut off in Zahedan
● 1/18/23 Zahedan (Balochistan) - IRGC has laid siege to Zahedan, blocking all roads
leading to it, setting up frightening checkpoints. Also, dozens of people have been
arrested in this city in recent days. Balochistan has an ethnic minority population that
has borne the brunt of violence, alongside Kurdish territories. Source
● 1/18/23 Internet blackouts planned/expected in Iran on Thursday 1/19 and Friday 1/20.
Source
● 1/18/23 At least 6 Kurdish citizens from Piranshahr were kidnapped by the Iranian
Government forces; Two disabled brothers were transferred to an unknown location.
Source
● 1/17/23 HENGAW organization reports that Bukan’s Ali Abad neighborhood has been
besieged by IRGC forces, who have set up a checkpoint to arrest and abduct people.
Source
● 1/16/23-1/17/23 – Protests against gas outage amidst freezing temperatures across
Iran. Source
● 1/16/23 Tens of thousands have gathered in a solidarity rally for Iran in Strasbourg,
France, outside the European Parliament, to demand the EU designate the IRGC as a
terrorist group. The rally starts at Palais Universitaire and speakers include Syamak
Agha Babaei, Vice Mayor of Strasbourg, Alireza Akhondi, Swedish Member of
Parliament, Danial Ilkhanipour, German Member of Parliament, Abir Al-Sahlani, Swedish
Member of Parliament, Bart Groothuis, Netherlands Member of Parliament, Darya Safai,
Belgian Member of Parliament. #IRGCterrorists
● 1/15/23 In their second joint message, Iranian Opposition leaders, including Masih
Alinejad, Ali Karimi, Golshifteh Farahani, Nazanin Boniadi, and Reza Pahlavi, issued the
following statement, in both Farsi and English: “For more than four decades, the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps has been terrorizing and killing civilians inside and outside
Iran. Our request for the international community is clear: put the IRGC on the terrorist
list. Security forces who join the Iranian people will be welcomed with open arms.
#IRGCterrorists.” The hashtag “IRGCterrorists” has been trending on twitter for several
days. Ali Karimi and Golshifteh Farahani also drove to the website join.baham.org to
rally support for this call to action. Source
● 1/14/23 UK recalls ambassador from Tehran after Iran executes Iranian-British citizen.
Source
● 1/14/23 The death sentence has been canceled and removed for protest rapper Saman
Seydi (aka Saman Yasin), according to an announcement from Carlos Kasper
(Germany), Saman’s political sponsor. Source
● 1/14/23 British-Iranian dual national Alireza Akbari has been executed by the Islamic
Republic. Akbari, an ex-deputy Iranian defense minister, was arrested in 2019 and
convicted of spying for the UK. Source UK foreign secretary James Cleverly
condemned the sentencing just yesterday. Source.
● 1/13/23 Protester Majid Kazemi has been moved to solitary confinement and is at
imminent risk of execution. The 30-year-old from Isfahan is being charged with “waging
war against god” based on false and fabricated crimes without proof. Kazemi has
political sponsorships from Christian Durr (Germany) and Marcell Hopp (Germany).
Source
● 1/13/23 the hashtag #IRGCterrorists is gaining traction across twitter; Iranians are
sharing the ways the Islamic Republic nurtures radicalisation and violence through the
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
● 1/13/23 Domestic gas cut in areas of Iran; “Hard winter” has plagued the Islamic
Republic. Due to gas shortages, schools, educational centers, and government offices
will be closed on Saturday. Source
● 1/12/23 Iran’s citizens targeted by EyeSpy spyware hidden in VPNs. Iranians trying to
avoid internet blackouts could unwittingly download spyware, new research has
revealed. The ‘SecondEye’ software, developed in Iran, is used as a surveillance tool,
now being deployed hidden in free VPN packages. Source
● 1/11/23 Protesters are gathering once again at Rajaei-Shahr Prison (5 AM in Tehran,
1/12/23) due to rumors that Mohammad Ghobadlou may be executed at dawn. Source,
Source
● 1/11/23 Jake Tapper and Christiane Amanpour report on Iran strengthening
punishments for women violating mandatory hijab laws. Source
● 1/10/23 Iran says Facial Recognition will be used to ID Women Breaking Hijab Laws.
Source
● 1/9/23 Following outpouring of direct action and protests and presence at Rajaei-Shahr
Prison, the IR has postponed the executions of Mohammad Ghobadlou and
Mohammad Boroghani. Source
● 1/8/23 Urgent: two protesters, Mohammad Ghobadlou (22) and Mohammad Boroghani
(19) have been transferred to solitary confinement at Rajaei-Shahr Prison and are at
imminent risk of execution. Both were sentenced to death following sham trials, without
due process or legal representation. Source
● 1/8/23 Urgent: following news that Mohammad Ghobadlou (22) and Mohammad
Boroghani (19) were at imminent risk of execution, unarmed protesters assembled at
Rajaei-Shahr Prison to advocate for their lives. IR forces opened fire on the crowd.
Protesters are unarmed. Source, Source, Source
● 1/8/23 Today is a global day of action to mourn the 3-year anniversary of PS752, the
passenger aircraft flying from Tehran to Kyiv, Ukraine, that was shot down by the Islamic
Republic on January 8, 2020. There were 176 people (167 passengers, 9 crew
members) aboard the aircraft. To find local rallies in support of this global day of action,
please click here.
● 1/7/23 On the morning of Saturday Jan 7th, before sunrise, the Islamic Republic
executed two more protesters: Mohammed Mehdi Karami and Mohammed Hosseini.
Source
● 1/5/23 WhatsApp, which has been blocked in Iran, has introduced new proxy support
for users around the global, which will enable Iranians to access WhatsApp during gov’t
imposed internet blackouts. Source
● 1/5/23 Bread/Gas shortages in Sistan-Baluchestan province. Source
● 1/4/23 In the past few days, more than 110 Baloch have been arrested in Zahedan.
Although they are Iranians, those detained without a birth certificate are taken to border
camps to be sent to Afghanistan. Source, Source
● 1/4/23 Local media are reporting that Iran has released prominent actress Taraneh
Alidoosti after she was jailed nearly three weeks ago for expressing solidarity with a
man who was executed over unrest linked to anti-government protests. Source
● 1/3/23 Iran’s Supreme Court upholds death sentences of several protesters, increasing
fears of their imminent execution. Source
● 1/3/23 Hamid Abazari, senior commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps,
speaks about high-ranking IRGC commanders who stood against the IR and its leader
Ali Khameinei. Source
● 1/3/23 The IR’s judiciary says two french nationals and one Belgian have been indicted
for “espionage and working against Iran’s national security,” Source.
● 1/3/23 Imprisoned women are facing serious health risks, from denial of medical care,
to fraudulent treatment, to torture and sexual assault. Source
● 1/2/23 IRGC forces have been breaking and entering into houses of Kurdish civilians in
Javanrud. More than 50 IRGC vehicles stationed on Saadi Javanroud St. Source.
● 1/2/23 Large crowds gather for the Chehelom (40th day of mourning) for Shamal
Khedripour, a protestor who was killed by regime forces, in Mahabad, Kurdistan.
Chanting in solidarity of protestors in Javanrud. Source, Source
● 1/1/23 Regime forces attacked and targeted unarmed protesters in Javanrud. Source
● 1/1/23 HRA organization reports 4 people in Karaj prison have been trasferred to
solitary confinement to be executed. Their names are reported to be Mohammad Mehdi
Karami, Reza Arya, Mohammad Hosseini, Hossein Mohammadi. Source
● 12/31/22 Opposition leaders have come together to form a coalition and unify
behind the people’s revolution in Iran. The form of the coalition is still taking shape,
however all simultaneously shared a message of hope for the new year via twitter,
reading: “The year 2022 was a glorious year of solidarity for Iranians of every belief,
language and orientation. With organization and solidarity, 2023 will be the year of
victory for the Iranian nation. The year of freedom and justice in Iran. #MahaAmini #Iran
Revolution.”
This message was shared by:
● Masih Alinejad - exiled Iranian journalist and human rights activist
● Nazanin Boniadi - exiled Iranian actress & human rights advocate
● Hamed Esmaeilion - exiled Iranian human rights activist
● Golshifteh Farahani - exiled Iranian actress & human rights advocate
● Ali Karimi - exiled Iranian football player
● Reza Pahlavi - exiled crown prince of Iran
In addition to this core group, the message was further amplified by:
● Ammar Maleki - Iranian scholar of cross-cultural differences and
comparative democratization
● Shirin Ebadi - exiled Iranian political activist and Nobel peace price
winner
● Abdullah Mohtadi - political analyst and secretary general of the Komala
Party of Iranian Kurdistan
● Ladan Boroumand - exiled Iranian historian and human rights activist
● Zar Amir Ebrahimi - Iranian-French actress
● 12/30/22 Strikes planned for Dec 31/10th of Dey

● 12/29/22 Iranian writer and painter Mehdi Bahman has been sentenced to death,
following charges of espionage and working with foreign governments due to giving an
interview to Israeli TV Channel 13. Bahman was speaking on the importance of peaceful
coexistence between religions.
● 12/28/22 - NPR broadcast: a look at where Iran demonstrations are headed after over
100 days of public protests. Source
● 12/28/22 Iranian woman competes at chess tournament without hijab in Almaty,
Kazakhstan. Source
● 12/28/22 Iranian Soccer star Ali Daei’s family is targeted after he supports protests. His
wife and daughter were stopped from leaving the country. Source
● 12/27/22 - Iran Executions Almost Doubled in 2022. Source
● 12/27/22 - Journalist and activist Masih Alinejad sits down for an interview on Iran,
protests, and executions with Shally Zomorodi. Source
● 12/23/22 - Internet, Phone cut off in defiant Iranian Town after IRGC Attack. Source
● 12/22/22 - Iranian Economy Minister to be Impeached Soon Source
● 12/22/22 - US Dollar Rises Above 400,000 Iranian Rials, Signaling New Crisis Source
● 12/19/22 - Top IR Judge wants “swift” justice for protestors. Source
● 12/19/22 - Amidst country-wide protests, activists urge people not to use Iranian banks in
order to hurt the regime. Source
● 12/17/22 (Op-Ed) - Iran Uses Rape to Enforce Women’s Modesty. Source
● 12/17/22 - please note our team is low on bandwidth and updates will be coming in more
slowly. 12/16/22 Concern about Iran's crackdown on anti government protesters
increases with reports of more people being sentenced to death and some executions
taking place. Source
● 12/15/22 WWII Danish schoolboys club that launched acts of sabotage against the Nazis
has inspired the formation of similar groups among anti-regime protesters in Iran. Source
● 12/14/22 U.N. member states have voted to remove Iran from women’s rights panel.
Source
● 12/13/22 Iranian soccer player Amir Nasr-Azadani faces the possibility of execution after
campaigning for women’s rights and basic freedom in his country. Source
● 12/12/22 Majidreza Rahnavard, 23, was hanged early on Monday in the city of Mashhad.
Source
● 12/8/12 Medical providers confirm that IR forces are intentionally shooting female
protestors in face and genitals. Source
● 12/8/22 The Islamic Republic carries out first execution of protester Mohsen Shekari.
Shekari was 23 years. Source
● 12/7/222 On Tuesday, December 6th, Iranian forces tragically opened fire on a car
carrying Afghan refugees in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province, killing and injuring 17
refugees. Source
● 12/7/22 Baha’i owned business are being marked with graffiti and forcibly sealed and
kept out of commission by IR security forces. Source
○ Important context: Baha’i people are extremely marginalized and oppressed
under the IR; the Baha’i faith is not recognized by the IR and does not get any
constitutional protection.
● 12/7/22 Western diplomatic sources informed Iran Intl that Islamic Republic has entered
into negotiations with its foreign allies, including Venezuela, to seek refuge and shelter
for their families. Source
● 12/7/22 Sister of Ayatolla Khameini, Badri Hosseini Khameini, says brother’s a ‘despotic
caliphate’ who has brought nothing but sufferent & condemns protest crackdown. Source
● 12/6/22 Strikes continue across Iran. Source
● 12/5/22 1200 University Students poisoned the night before planned anti-regime
protests. Iranian news agency says students were struck down by ‘food poisoning’ which
led to them dumping their food onto the streets Source
● 12/5/22 First day of strikes planned for Dec 5, 6, 7. Today was the largest strike
recorded in opposition to the Islamic Republic. Source
● 12/5/22 IRI broadcast the first episode of forced confessions of these 4 Kurdish political
prisoners: Mohsen Mazloum, Pejman Fatehi, Vafa Azarbar, Hajir Faramarzi. Their lives
are in danger & they are at risk of execution. Source
● 12/5/22 HENGAW Human Rights organization reports: Over 300 students from different
Kurdistan cities have been kidnapped by government troops over the previous 80 days.
130 of them have been identified so far. Source
● 12/5/22 Today is day 1 of a 3-day planned general strike. Over 40 cities are participating
in the general strike, across many industries - petrochemical workers, truck drivers,
shop keepers, merchants, and more. Video of Closed Shops (dated with today’s date),
Hazarani Village of Abdanan on strike, Tehran shops strike, Truck drivers on strike,
Cheragh Barq Market on strike, Shops closed in Rasht, Isfahan Grand Bazaar, (Persian
dates of 14, 15, 16 of Azar)
● 12/4/22 Iran has executed four men on charge of "cooperating with the Israeli
intelligence services & kidnapping" of Mansour Rasouli, the IRGC Quds Force agent
who was filmed confessing he'd been paid to kill an Israeli diplomat in Istanbul, a US
general in Germany & a journo in France. Source
● 12/4/22 Many outlets are reporting that “morality police has been abolished.” This is not
true, and a misrepresentation of information. Iran’s Attorney General Mohammed Jafar
Montazeri was quoted at a press conference saying that the morality police has no
connection with the judiciary. Montazeri’s comments do not equal a change in policy.
The Islamic Republic’s mandatory hijab laws remain in tact. IR state media has
dismissed claims that the morality police has been abolished. Source, Source, Source
● 12/4/22 General strikes are planned across the country for December 5, 6, 7.
● 12/4/22 Student Day in Iran is a student-led, pro-democracy demonstration on
campuses throughout the country. Studen78
● 7 Iranian people in Baluchistan were executed yesterday. Baluch people are an ethnic
minority in Iran. Victims include Zubair Barahui, Niaz Jadgal, Changiz Gorgij, Source
● 11/28/22 Following Team Melli’s loss at the World Cup, protests and celebrations in the
street erupted throughout Iran. In one gathering, Mehran Samak was shot and killed
after honking his car horn while driving through Bandar Anzali, Gilan Province. Source
● 11/28/22 Leaked audio of Qasem Quraishi, Islamic Republic Basij Deputy, shows IR’s
interference on the ground in Qatar at FIFA World Cup. Source
● 11/28/22 Workers strikes continue. Truckers on strike in Qom, Kashan, Khoozestan,
Shiraz, Lorestan. Source
● 11/27/22 Workers strikes throughout the country, including a strike of truck drivers.
Source
● 11/27/22 Soheila Golestani, Iranian actress and director, published a picture and video
of herself without a forced hijab on her Instagram, with the statement “The show ends
and the truth comes out. Our true heroes are the nameless people. We do not cross out
our mistakes. We practice and learn again…. The ways are countless and the hope for a
new day is strong.” Source
● 11/26/22 Hossein Ronaghi, human rights activist and blogger, has been provisionally
released from prison on bail in order to receive medical treatment. His family confirms
his transfer to hospital. Source
● 11/26/22 Dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi’s court sessions began today, behind closed
doors. Toomaj is being charged with “moharebeh,” (crimes against god) and “corruption
on earth.” Salehi was not given legal representation. As these charges usually carry a
death sentence, he is considered to be at serious risk. Source
● 11/26/22 Students at Industrial University of Isfahan protest food corruption and food
poisoning of several students. Students have alleged to being poisoned in order to slow
down protest movement. Source
● 11/25/22 Thousands of steel workers on strike in Isfahan. Source
● 11/25/22 Imprisoned civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian was briefed on the charges of
a new legal case following the complaint of the Bushehr General Directorate of Prisons.
Source
● 11/25/22 Baha’i citizen Sanaz Tafazoli Arrested in Mashhad. Source
● 11/24/22 Yarsan Civil Activist Siavash Hayati Sentenced to One Year Imprisonment.
Source
● 11/24/22 Civil Rights Activist Farideh Moradkhani Imprisoned. Source
● 11/23/22 IRGC Confirms sending Ground Forces to Kurdish Territories. Source
● 11/22/22 via Hengaw Organization: IRGC has stationed over 700 military vehicles in the
border towns of Piranshahr, Oshnovieh, and Sardasht, raising the possibility of invading
KRI (Kurdistan Region of Iraq) under the pretext of attacking the headquarters of the
Kurdish parties of IRI opposition. Source
● 11/22/22 IRI forces allegedly use chemical gas in Javanroud, Kurdistan. Source, Source
● 11/21/22 Electricity and water access have been limited/suppressed in Kurdistan.
Source
● 11/21/22 Kurdish-populated cities remain under heavy attack. The Islamic Republic
authorities have brought in heavy military reinforcement and shut off power in cities like
Mahabad. Source
● 11/21/22 “How Iran’s security forces use rape to quell protests.” CNN reports on
first-person accounts of sexual assault and rape at the hands of Islamic Republic
security forces. Source
● 11/21/22 World Cup: Iranian Team Melli played their first came against England in Doha,
Qatar. The team abstained from singing the national anthem. Source
● 11/21/22 Kurdish territories: the siege on Kurdish Iranian cities have spread beyond
Mahabad; cities of Sanandaj, Piranshahr, Javanroud, and Kermanshah are under heavy
fire. Source
● 11/21/22 Video of violence in Javanroud, Kurdistan under siege.
● 11/20/22 Mahabad, Kurdistan: Activists fear major crackdown in Kurdish-populated
town. There has been a lot of gunfire in Mahabad’s residential areas. Source
● 11/19/20 For the first time in 40 years, all members of an Iranian female basketball team
(Canco Basketball) in Tehran removed veils and posted a photo on social media
protesting forced hijab. Source
● 11/19/22 Citizen journalist content from the scene in Mahabad, Kurdistan. See here,
here, here
● 11/19/22 Iran security forces ‘shoot dead at least three civilians.’ Rights group says
forces opened fire on protesters in town of Divandarreh in western province in
Kurdistan. Source
● 11/19/22 Iran will help Russia build drones for Ukraine war, Western officials say;
Moscow and Tehran are said to agree on a plan to assemble Iranian-designed weapons
on Russian soil. Source
● 11/19/22 Large demonstrations taking place in Mahabad, Kurdistan. The city is under
heavy attack of Islamic Republic Regime forces. Source, Source, Source
● 11/19/22 Reports that Islamic Republic has cut off the electricity grid in areas where
protests are happening in Mahabad. Source
● 11/19/22 In Mahabad, at the burial ceremony of Azad Hosseinpour, who was killed by
the Islamic Republic, people chant “Kurd, Baluch, Azeri, Freedom, Equality!” Source
● 11/19/22 NY Times Reports: Hundreds of protesters in Iran have been blinded by metal
pellets and rubber bullets fired by security forces over the past two months. More than
300 Iranians have been killed and thousands have been injured since mid-September
when protests swept across Iran, according to rights groups. The blinding of
demonstrators is among the irreversible effects of the government’s efforts to crush the
uprising. Source
● 11/18/22 Deaths of children at Iran protests stir anger among demonstrators. Source
● 11/18/22 Five protestors were sentenced to death today. Source
● 11/17/22 Third day of nationwide general strike and the anniversary of Bloody
November. Unions that have joined the strike include: Assaluyeh Petrochemical,
Bushehr Petrochemical, Gachsaran Petrochemical, South Pars Gas Co., Kangan Petro
Refining Co., Mahshahr Refinery, Tehran Refinery, Bandas Abbas Refinery, Abadan
Refinery, Abadan Refinery Oil Transportation, Kian Tire Manufacturing Company, Haft
Tappeh SugarCane Co. Strikes have also been joined by teachers, business owners,
students, and more. Source
● 11/16/22 Islamic Republic police forces opened fire in Tehran metro station and beat
women on train. Source
● 11/16/22 Islamic Republic forces killed a 10 year old boy named Kian Pirfalak, in the
city of Izeh, Khusestan, where a majority of the population are from the Lurs ethnic
minority group. Kian is one of at least 56 children killed by Islamic Republic forces so far
since the death of Mahsa Zhina Amini. Source
● 11/16/22 Islamic Republic forces also killed 14 year old boy Artin Rahmani in the city of
Izeh, Khusestan. At least 5 people were killed by Islamic Republic forces in Izeh on
11/16. Source
● Re: “15,000 protestors sentenced to death.”
○ We previously shared reporting on this on November 6th:
○ 227 members of Parliament declared support of and urged the judiciary to issue
death sentences. The crime is “moharebeh,” crimes against god.
○ While parliament does not issue sentences, following the declaration of support,
over 15k protestors are at risk of execution. They are in grave danger.
○ Those detained by the Islamic Republic include journalists, activists, dissidents,
students, and more, and they are subject to torture, sexual assault, and other
crimes against humanity while in the custody of the IR.
○ The Islamic Republic has already set a precedent for mass execution of
protestors, and has done so in the past.
■ 1988 Executions of Iranian Political Prisoners
■ 2019-2020 Protests: Bloody November
○ “Due process” as it's understood in the west does not exist under the Islamic
Republic
■ “The accused are routinely denied legal protection [in Iran]; we have
knowledge of no case where a lawyer was present in interrogation.” -
Roya Boroumand, Iran Rights Org
■ Lawyers often read the case file and meet their clients just one hour
before trial.
■ “Iran is the worst example of the use of the death penalty for political
purposes.” - Raphael Chenuil-Hazan
■ “Close to half of those executed in 2022 [in Iran] are Baluchis and
Kurds… Iranian Kurds represent 55% of those executed on political or
security charges in the last ten years.” - Taimoor Aliassi, Kurdistan HRN
○ Please read more factual and nuanced background on this on Middle East
Matters
● Re: “rape of girls prior to execution.”
○ Source: https://justice4iran.org/5431/
● 11/16/22 3 more defendants have been sentenced to death by a Revolutionary court in
Tehran in connection with ongoing protests. Source
● 11/16/22 Second day of nationwide general strike
● 11/15/22 Nationwide general strike planned for November 15, 16, 17.
● 11/15/22 Footage of Tehran Bazaar during general strike. Source 1500Tasvir
● 11/15/22 Nationwide protests and strikes are planned across Iran for the 3rd
anniversary of Bloody November (also called Bloody Aban). Bloody November: during
2019 protests (in over 100 cities) against the government because of surging fuel prices,
there were mass casualties. There are huge discrepancies in death counts; the Islamic
Republic’s interior ministry reported 200 deaths, while Reuters reported upwards of
1500 dead and thousands injured; sources inside Iran but death toll closer to 5,000. In
memory of the 2019 protests, Iranian people have called for a 3 day strike, November
15, 16, 17th. Source
● 11/14/22 Esfahan Steel Company workers went on strike. Source
● 11/13/22 Esteemed human rights activist Hossein Ronaghi has been transferred from
Evin Prison, where he has been detained and tortured for the last month, to Dey
Hospital. The Islamic Republic forces allegedly dismissed the hospital staff and brought
in their own medical team. Youth in Tehran have asked people to besiege Dey Hospital
to prevent IR forces from transferring Hossein to an unknown location. Police used
teargas to disperse crowds. Live updates here.
● 11/13/22 19-year-old protestor Yalda Aghafazli died by suicide following her arrest,
10-day detention, and release. She was not informed of charges against her throughout
her detention. Aghafazli had been on hunger strike prior to her release on November 6.
Source
● 11/13/22 Islamic Regime issued its first known death sentence for a protester.
Authorities say they have issued indictments of more than 1000 people in Tehran alone.
Source
● 11/10/22 Hengaw organization has been informed that the city of Sanandaj’s drinking
water has been intentionally cut off since last night in an effort to suppress
demonstrations. Sanandaj is the capital of Iran’s Kurdish province. Source
● 11/10/22 Elham Afkari, the sister of Navid Afkari, has been detained by Islamic Republic
forces, as have her husband and 3-year-old-daughter. The IR alleges that Elham is
affiliated with and is an agent of Iran International media networks. Navid Afkari was
executed in 2020, following his arrest when participating in the 2018 Iranian protests.
Navid was forced to give a false confession while tortured and was sentenced to death.
Source
● 11/9/22 Taraneh Alidoosti, one of Iran’s most famous and prolific actresses, best known
for her role in Academy Award winning film The Salesman, shared an Instagram photo
without a headscarf and a sign that reads “Jin Jiyan Azadi” (the Kurdish phrase meaning
“Woman Life Freedom”), in support of anti-government protests. Source
● 11/8/22 Tomorrow (11/9/22) is the Chehelom (40 days) for “Bloody Friday,” in Zahedan.
Zahedan is the provincial capital of Baluchistan and Sistan. On September 30th 2022,
Islamic Regime forces killed at least 93 people in the region and injured hundreds more.
Zahedan is one of the few Sunni-majority cities in Iran.
● 11/6/22 227 Iranian Lawmakers in Parliament Urge Judiciary To Sentence Protesters To
Death. At least 14K protestors have been detained since Mahsa Zhina Amini’s death.
Source
● 11/6/22 Protests erupt after death of a kurdish student in Marivan/Mariwan. Residents
of the northwestern city are angered by the reported killing of 35-year old Nasrin
Ghaderi, who was attacked by Islamic Republic Security forces in an anti-government
demonstration in Tehran. Nasrin suffered severe blows to her head. Source
● 11/4/22 Kurdish/Iranian journalist, Nazila Maroofian was arrested for publishing an
interview with Amjad Amini, father of Mahsa Amini.
● 11/3/22 Kurdish rapper Saman Yasin, was charged with Moharebeh (war against God),
a charge that is usually punished with execution. Source
● 11/3/22 - Throughout Iran, it has been an especially bloody day. Reporting is still
coming in; footage can be found on 1500 Tasvir.
11/2/22 - Workers in Pardis Petrochemical stopped working and went on strike in
protest Source
● 11/2/22 - The economy is on the decline in Iran. Currency is at a historical lowest value
against the dollar. Labor unions are speaking out. Iranians are taking their money out of
the market and banks. In addition to businesses and labor unions on strike throughout
Iran, shoppers are also on strike, only buying essential items. This is a form of
nonviolent protest against the regime.
● 11/1/22 - Hundreds of miners in Baluchistan surrounded the Taftan gold mine in Iran.
Baluchistan is populated by Baluchis, an ethnic minority in Iran, and is one of the
poorest provinces in Iran due to corruption and exploitation; the area is rich in natural
resources and gold. Similarities to strikes by petrochemical workers, candy factory
workers, etc in the weeks since uprisings began. Source
● 11/1/22 - In Iran Intl exclusive: A charter flight has transferred 150 forces with special
military uniforms - allegedly Hashd al Shaabi and Hezbollah fighters - from Baghdad to
Iran’s Mashhad province to crack down on Iranian protestors. Source
Current Headlines - USA & International Community
● 8/16/23 Swedish MP Alireza Akhondi launches campaign with House of Liberty to raise
awareness of the 2000+ international companies doing business with the Islamic
Republic of Iran. #StopDealsIRGC Source
● 8/4/23 Turkey continues its deportation of Iranian dissidents taking refuge in Turkey.
Source
● 8/3/23 The Islamic Republic’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian met with his
Pakistani counterpart. During their meeting, Amirabdollahian allegedly urged Pakistan to
complete its part of a delayed gas pipeline between the two countries. The multi-billion
project that has been on hold since 2014 is opposed by the U.S. because it might violate
sanctions imposed on Iran’s nuclear program. Source
● 8/3/23 The U.S. military is considering putting armed personnel on commercial ships
traveling through the Strait of Hormuz to try to stop the Islamic Republic of Iran from
seizing civilian vessels. Source
● 8/2/23 The Ontario Court of Justice again declared that the shooting down of Flight
PS752 by the Islamic regime constitutes "terrorist activity." Source
● 7/28/23 Sweden leader says "clear risk" of retaliatory terror attacks as Iran issues threats
over Quran desecration during protest. Source
● 7/25/23 The U.S. State Department announced that Oman will be the third-party country
that will hold some of the funds Iraq owes Iran. The funds are to be used for
“non-sanctionable goods.” Source
● 7/24/23 The government of Argentina demanded the Bolivian government explain their
new sealed defense agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Source
● 7/24/23 U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said the US is pursuing de-escalation
with the Islamic Republic, declaring, “we are very clearly making it known to them that
they need to take actions to de-escalate, not escalate, the tensions that exist in our
relationship across a whole variety of fronts.” Source
● 7/20/23 The European Union established a new framework for restrictive measures in
view of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s military support of Russia's war of aggression
against Ukraine. Source
● 7/20/23 The defense ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Bolivia signed an
agreement to strengthen cooperation in defense and security. Source
● 7/19/23 The United Kingdom’s foreign secretary said the country is dealing with an
“Iranian regime using actions that would be more normally associated with terrorist
groups…what we’re seeing is a new form of state threat.” Source
● 7/17/23 Oman’s Foreign Minister is in Tehran for talks with his Iranian counterpart and
other ranking members of the Islamic Republic. Source
● 7/17/23 The United States sent fighter jets and a warship to the Strait of Hormuz and
Gulf of Oman in the wake of the Islamic Republic’s attempts to seize commercial ships in
that area. Source
● 7/14/23 Abram Paley has taken over the @U.S.EnvoyIran handle on social media
channels. Source
● 7/14/23 There are reports that a barter of Iranian natural gas for Iraqi oil would likely
violate U.S. sanctions on Iran unless the U.S. issues a waiver permitting it. Source
● 7/13/23 Israel has claimed that Iran was behind a foiled attack on its embassy in
Azerbaijan. Source
● 7/12/23 On a trip to Uganda, Ebrahim Raisi publicly said that Western nations’ support
for homosexuality is one of the “dirtiest” episodes of human history. Source
● 7/11/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran has reaffirmed its sovereignty over three Persian
Gulf islands after Russia and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) once again
disputed Iran's rights. Source
● 7/11/23 Indonesia's coast guard said it seized an Iranian-flagged supertanker suspected
of involvement in the illegal transshipment of crude oil. Source
● 7/10/23 The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released an assessment
saying the Islamic Republic of Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons at the moment but
has ramped up activities that could help it develop them. Source
● 7/9/23 A U.S. federal court has ruled that the Islamic Republic of Iran should pay over
$3.3 million in damages to activist Masih Alinejad for detaining her brother. Source
● 7/6/23 The UK is planning to pose new sanctions on Iran after at least 15 "credible
threats" to kill or kidnap people in Britain who are deemed as a threat by the regime.
Source
● 7/6/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran’s oil exports have hit a five-year high in recent
months. Source
● 7/5/23 The United Nations Human Rights Council held its first press conference and oral
report with regard to its fact-finding mission on Iran. Source & Source
● 7/5/23 Canada, UK, Ukraine, and Sweden have officially referred the case of the
shooting down of flight PS752 by the Islamic Republic of Iran to the International Court
of Justice. Source & Source
● 7/4/23 The Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic
of Iran met with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special assistant in Tehran. Source
● 7/4/23 Brazil’s women’s soccer team arrived in Australia while showing support for the
Iranian people. The team arrived on a plane bearing the pictures of Jina (Mahsa) Amini
and Amir Nasr Azadani. On the body of the plane were the words: “No woman should be
forced to cover her head” and “No man should be hanged for saying this.” Source &
Source
● 7/4/23 Kuwait invited the Islamic Republic of Iran for talks over their sea borders after
tensions rose over a disputed oil and gas field in the Persian Gulf. Source
● 7/4/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran has joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO). Source
● 6/30/23 A Paris court reversed the French capital police’s decision to ban an upcoming
rally of the opposition group, the Mojahedin Khalq (MEK). Source
● 6/30/23 The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Michael
McCaul, is demanding that the State Department produce more information about the
suspension of Robert Malley. Source & Source
● 6/29/23 The Biden administration’s special envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, has been
placed on unpaid leave and had his security clearance suspended pending a review of
allegations he may have mishandled classified information. Source
● 6/28/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran filed a case against Canada at the United Nations’
top court accusing it of providing state immunity by allowing relatives of victims of
terrorism to seek reparations from the Islamic Republic. Source
● 6/27/23 Saudi Aramco and TotalEnergies have signed an $11 billion contract to build a
petrochemical complex near an offshore field shared by Iran, which is currently under US
sanctions. Source
● 6/27/23 The UN’s Secretariat of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on
Iran announced the launch of their Instagram page (@iranffm), their terms of reference,
and their oral update to the UN Human Rights Council. Source
● 6/26/23 The European Council said it would add seven individuals in Iran to the EU's
sanctions over human rights violations. Source
● 6/26/23 Belgian’s Foreign Minister, Hadja Lahbib, is under fire for issuing visas to 14
Iranian officials, including Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani, to attend the Brussels Urban
Summit. Source
● 6/22/23 The president of the United Arab Emirates met with the Islamic Republic’s
foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian. The two allegedly discussed “the importance
of building on positive developments to benefit the people of the region and enhance
regional stability and prosperity.” Source
● 6/22/23 Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, arrived in Iran where
he was met and welcomed by his counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. During the
meeting, Prince Faisal said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman
officially invited Raisi to visit Saudi Arabia. Source
● 6/21/23 Gazelle Sharmahd, the daughter of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Iranian
citizen currently detained in Iran filed a criminal complaint with the German federal
prosecutor’s office against eight high-ranking members of Iran’s judiciary and the
intelligence service, alleging crimes against humanity. Source & Source
● 6/20/23 Exiled opposition group Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) says hundreds of Albanian
police officers raided the group's exile center, Camp Ashraf. The MEK announced that
one person was killed while hundreds of others were injured. Albanian authorities denied
any loss of life or injuries, claiming that the incident happened due to the group’s refusal
to cooperate with the police. Source & Source
● 6/19/23 France banned the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which is
affiliated with the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) from hosting a rally in the country. Source
● 6/16/23 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected reports that the U.S. and Iran
were close to deals on limiting Iran's nuclear program and releasing US citizens detained
in the country. Source
● 6/15/23 Oman’s foreign minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said that the Islamic Republic of
Iran and the United States are inching closer to an agreement on the release of
Americans imprisoned in Iran. Source
● 6/15/23 While visiting Latin America, Ebrahim Raisi’s wife made headlines after
condemning the idea of women studying, working, and living "like men,” calling it a form
of violence against women. Source & Source
● 6/14/23 Iran's Central Bank governor Mohammadreza Farzin is in Doha to meet Qatar's
banking officials after visiting Washington D.C. to meet IMF officials. Source
● 6/14/23 The US has released an alleged Hezbollah financier 23 years after he was
sentenced to life in prison for funneling money to the IR-backed group. Source
● 6/13/23 Bahrain, which cut diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016, is likely to resume them
"sometime soon," according to a top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East. Source
● 6/13/23 Prominent members of the Iranian diaspora participated in the Oslo Freedom
Forum. Source
● 6/12/23 Investigators claim that China is helping the Islamic Republic of Iran supply
drones to Russia. Source
● 6/12/23 According to the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, the IR
and the United States could exchange prisoners soon if Washington “shows goodwill.”
Source
● 6/12/23 During a visit to Venezuela, Ebrahim Raisi said the Islamic Republic of Iran and
Venezuela want to increase bilateral trade to $20 billion, up from $3 billion. Source
● 6/12/23 Ebrahim Raisi started a tour of Latin America and is expected to visit Venezuela,
Cuba, and Nicaragua. Source
● 6/11/23 Today marks the 9th day of the sit-in-strike in front of the US Department of
State in Washington DC to protest any negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Source
● 6/10/23 In a phone call French President Emmanuel Macron urged Ebrahim Raisi to
"immediately cease" the support it is giving Russia in the war against Ukraine. Source
● 6/10/23 Iraq has agreed to pay about $2.76 billion in gas and electricity debt to Iran after
receiving a sanctions waiver from the United States. Source
● 6/9/23 A U.S. intelligence finding released by the White House claims that Iran is
providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow.
Source
● 6/9/23 Taliban forces carried out a military drill near the border with Iran. Source
● 6/9/23 An Axios report claims that U.S. and Iranian officials held indirect talks in Oman
last month. Source
● 6/8/23 Several US senators expressed support for the Biden administration's move to
seize Iranian oil tankers at Panama Canal, calling for further measures to stop crude
exports. Source
● 6/8/23 The United States and Iran both denied a report that they were nearing an interim
deal under which Tehran would curb its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.
Source
● 6/8/23 Scientists at British universities helped the Islamic Republic of Iran develop
technology that can be used in its drone program and fighter jets. At least 11 British
universities, including Cambridge and Imperial College London, are involved, with staff
producing at least 16 studies with potential Iranian military applications. Source, Source,
Source
● 6/6/23 The U.S. said it is sanctioning a group of people and firms from Iran, China and
Hong Kong associated with the alleged development of Iran’s ballistic missile program.
Source
● 6/6/23 Iran reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia, seven years after the two countries
severed diplomatic ties. Source & Source
● 6/6/23 A day after the US Navy reported that Iranian military speed boats were
"harassing" a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, the IRGC claimed to have
assisted the vessel. Source
● 6/5/23 Ukrainian lawmakers presented a bill calling on Kyiv to designate Iran’s
Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. Source
● 6/5/23 The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the Iranian company
Arvan Cloud and its two managers for their role in enabling internet censorship on behalf
of the Islamic Republic. Source
● 6/4/23 United States and United Kingdom Royal Navy forces responded to a distress call
from a merchant vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz as Iranian fast-attack boats
harassed the commercial ship. Source & Source
● 6/2/23 Azerbaijan closed the Islamic Republic’s cultural attaché office in Baku. Source
● 6/1/23 The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control
designated members and affiliates of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its
external operations arm, the IRGC-Qods Force, who have participated in a series of
terrorist plots including assassination plots targeting former United States government
officials, dual U.S. and Iranian nationals, and Iranian dissidents. This action targets three
Iran- and Türkiye-based individuals and a company affiliated with the IRGC-QF, along
with two senior officials of the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization, who have been involved
in plotting external lethal operations against civilians including journalists and activists.
Source
● 6/1/23 Militants attacked a Pakistani security post near the country’s border with Iran,
triggering a shootout that killed two soldiers. Source
● 6/1/23 Recently released U.S. Intelligence Documents suggest that the Iranian
Revolutionary Guard is working to Train and Arm a Network of Militant Groups in Syria.
Source & Source
● 5/30/23 Brett McGurk, President Biden’s senior Middle East adviser, allegedly took a
low-profile trip to Oman earlier this month for talks with Omani officials on possible
diplomatic outreach to Iran regarding its nuclear program. Source
● 5/29/23 The secretary general of OPEC said they welcome Iran’s full return to the oil
market “when sanctions are lifted.” Source
● 5/27/23 Iran International released an exclusive report claiming that talks between Iran
and the US on the release of Tehran's frozen assets could result in a deal soon. Source
● 5/25/23 Egypt and Iran are preparing to resume diplomatic ties. Source
● 5/24/23 President Zelensky of Ukraine in a speech accused the Iranian people of being
complicit in the Islamic Republic’s abetting of Russia. Source
● 5/24/23 Egypt and Iran are expected to exchange ambassadors within months as a part
of a process mediated by Oman to normalize relations between the two countries.
Source
● 5/23/23 Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi, chief of Israel's armed forces raised the
prospect of military action, saying that "Iran has advanced with uranium enrichment
further than ever before ... There are negative developments on the horizon that could
bring about (military) action.” Source
● 5/23/23 U.S. Navy warships stationed in the Persian Gulf region have increased their
patrols through the Strait of Hormuz in response to recent moves by Iran to seize two oil
tankers. Source
● 5/22/23 The European Union imposed new sanctions on Iranian officials and entities for
their role in the violent crackdown on anti-regime protests. Source & Source
● 5/19/23 The Mideast-based commanders of the U.S., British and French navies transited
the Strait of Hormuz aboard an American warship after Iran seized two oil tankers.
Source
● 5/18/23 A whistleblower has leaked documents revealing hundreds of millions of dollars
worth of telecommunications contracts between Iran and China. Source
● 5/17/23 A $10 billion project has been agreed to develop a vast natural gas field shared
between Qatar and Iran. Source
● 5/16/23 U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, released the following statement on U.S. Iran policy: “It’s been
over six months since President Biden declared the JCPOA ‘dead’ and we’re still no
closer to a more comprehensive Iran policy. Strategic ambiguity on Iran policy only
serves to embolden the regime and push our partners closer to China. As Iran continues
to illegally seize vessels, target Americans in the region, and support its terror proxies
and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Americans deserve a policy that is more than a
failed nuclear negotiation.” Source
● 5/12/23 The United States military will work to bolster the defensive posture in the Gulf
region following Iran's seizure and harassment of commercial shipping vessels in recent
months. Source & Source
● 5/11/23 The US Coast Guard seized $80 million worth of heroin from a fishing vessel
transiting the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday. The vessel allegedly departed from Chabar,
Iran. $30 million worth of methamphetamine and heroin two days ago was also seized
from another fishing vessel that departed the same port. Source & Source
● 5/10/23 The Islamic Republic of Iran was appointed Chair of the U.N. Human Rights
Council Social Forum. This year's theme is technology and promotion of human rights.
● 5/9/23 The U.S. State Department condemned Iran’s mass executions. At an official
briefing, spokesperson Vedant Patel said, “We condemn these executions…and these
latest executions are a grave reminder of the Iranian regime’s penchant for abusing and
violating the human rights of the Iranian people. All that – [all] blasphemy laws remain an
affront to human rights worldwide, including in Iran. And so the United States will
continue to take appropriate action in accordance with our allies and partners to continue
to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its egregious human rights abuses.” Source
● 5/6/23 Habib Chaab, a Swedish-Iranian man accused of being behind a deadly 2018
attack on a military parade was executed. He was also charged with “spreading
corruption on Earth.” Habib Chaab was a founder of a group calling for independence for
ethnic Arabs in Iran's Khuzestan province. He had been living in exile in Sweden for a
decade when he was abducted by Iranian agents in Turkey in 2020. Source & Source
● 5/5/23 Vahid Beheshti, who has been on a hunger strike reported a number of severe
symptoms, leading him to be hospitalized. In accordance with medical advice, Beheshti
has temporarily stopped his hunger strike. Source & Source
● 5/4/23 Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs announced that Canada has sanctioned
nine Iranian officials and one entity for violating human rights. Source
● 5/2/23 Masih Alinejad spoke at the United Nations about transnational repression
against journalists and citizen journalists as well as the government crackdown on civil
society. Source, Source, Source
● 4/30/23 A video was released that captured a Saudi military officer warmly welcoming an
Iranian official in Saudi Arabia after the Saudi navy evacuated more than 60 Iranian
citizens from Sudan. The video quickly gained attention on social media due to the vast
shift in relations between the two countries since restoring relations last month. Source,
Source, Source
● 4/30/23 Reza Pahlavi was the keynote speaker for the Anti-Defamation League’s
National Leadership Summit. Source & Source
● 4/29/23 A large rally in London took place where thousands of British, Ukrainian and
Iranian citizens called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to uphold his pledge to proscribe
the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Source, Source, Source, Source
● 4/28/23 The Council of the European Union released a statement strongly condemning
the Iranian Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the death sentence against
German-Iranian national Jamshid Sharmahd. Source
● 4/26/23 The MAHSA Act passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Source & Source
● 4/26/23 Reza Pahlavi is in Italy to meet with members of the Italian Parliament. Source
● 4/26/23 The Alliance for Democracy and Freedom in Iran will continue with only four of
its original members after the departure of Hamed Esmaeilion and Reza Pahlavi. The
current members include Masih Alinejad, Nazanin Boniadi, Abdullah Mohtadi, and Shirin
Ebadi. Source, Source, Source
● 4/25/23 The European Parliament is holding a three-day event in regard to the Iranian
people’s fight for freedom and democracy. Today’s portion of the event included the
Subcommittee on Human Rights, jointly with the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in
association with the Delegation for Relations with Iran to exchange views on "How to
support Human Rights, Freedom, and Democracy in Iran". Hamed Esmaeilion was a
participant in today’s session among other activists. Source, Source, Source
● 4/24/23 The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control
announced new sanctions on four senior officials of the Law Enforcement Forces of Iran
and members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Source
● 4/24/23 The United Kingdom imposed further sanctions on Iranian regime officials (four
IRGC provincial commanders) responsible for human rights violations. Source & Source
● 4/24/23 The European Union announced that the Council of the EU decided to impose
restrictive measures on eight additional individuals and one entity responsible for serious
human rights violations in Iran. The sanctioned entity is Ariantel, an Iranian mobile
service provider that contributed to the telecommunications surveillance mapped out by
the regime to quell dissent and critics in Iran. Source & Source
● 4/21/23 Opposition member Hamed Esmaeilion announced that he will be leaving the
Alliance for Democracy and Freedom in Iran (ADFI), which many dubbed the opposition
‘coalition.’ Source
● 4/20/23 A new bipartisan caucus in the United States Congress is condemning the
Iranian regime over the recent and continuous poisoning/chemical attacks in schools.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, announced the formation of the Iranian Women
Congressional Caucus with the support of nearly 20 Republican and Democratic
members of the House. Source
● 4/19/23 In a news briefing with reporters about transnational repression, FBI
counterintelligence officials warned that Iran and China are using new tactics to harass
dissidents and critics on U.S. soil. Source
● 4/19/23 The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control
“designated one individual and six entities in a sanctions evasion network that has
facilitated Iran’s procurement of electronic components for its destabilizing military
programs.” Source
● 4/19/23 125 members of the British Parliament urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to
proscribe the IRGC as a terror group and express support for Vahid Beheshti who is on a
hunger strike. Source, Source, Source
● 4/19/23 Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul announced
the full committee will hold a markup to consider the MAHSA Act on April 26, 2023.
Source
● 4/9/23 Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special assistant, Igor Levitin, met with Iran's
Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani. The two allegedly
discussed ways to find their way around sanctions among other topics. Source
● 4/7/23 The U.S. Navy deployed a guided-missile submarine capable of carrying up to
154 Tomahawk missiles to the Middle East following recent attacks on American
positions by Iran-aligned militants across the region. Source & Source
● 4/7/23 United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the
Islamic Republic of Iran, Javaid Rehman visited and expressed solidarity with Vahid
Beheshti. Beheshti is currently on a hunger strike to demand the UK proscribe IRGC as
a terrorist entity. Source
● 4/6/23 British-Iranian journalist Vahid Beheshti enters seventh week of hunger strike,
demanding UK proscribe IRGC as terrorist organization. Source
● 3/31/23 The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Justice convened the
second meeting of the Countering Transnational Terrorism Forum. The CTTF was
established in 2019 as a global forum to improve international awareness and
coordination on Iran’s terrorist and other illicit activities. Source
● 3/31/23 Rob Oliphant, a member of Canada’s parliament issued an apology to Masih
Alinejad after he walked out during her speech at the Tirgan Festival. Source, Source,
Source
● 3/29/23 Speaking before the House Armed Services Committee, chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told lawmakers that the close cooperation between
Russia, China and Iran would be a problem “for many years to come.” Source
● 3/29/23 U.S. Representatives McCaul, Wilson, and Kean sent a letter to Secretary
Blinken urging him to impose mandatory CAATSA sanctions on Iran over claims it's on
track to receive Russia's Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets. Source
● 3/29/23 Vahid Beheshti, Iranian journalist and human rights activist in the UK, has been
on a hunger strike for 35-days to demand the UK proscribe IRGC as a terrorist group.
Beheshti has been camping outside the British Foreign Ministry. Source
● 3/27/23 The Canadian government announced that it was targeting two entities and
eight individuals as part of new sanctions against Iran over human rights violations and
the production of drones and ballistic missiles. Source
● 3/27/23 An exclusive report by the Wall Street Journal claimed that Russia has been
helping the Iranian regime gain advanced digital surveillance capabilities after the
regime sold Russia drones for use in Ukraine. Source
● 3/25/23 The Tirgan festival was held which included the “Unity, Bridge to Freedom”
conference involving the Alliance for Democracy and Freedom in Iran. The festival also
included performances by artists in defiance of the injustices faced by the people of Iran
as well as speeches by social, political, and human rights leaders from Canada, the
United States, and Europe. Source, Source, Source
● 3/24/23 U.S. forces in eastern Syria were targeted in a rocket attack by militia groups
supported by Iran. Source
● 3/23/23 U.S. Treasury secretary Janet Yellen said the United States was looking at ways
to strengthen its sanctions against Iran, but acknowledged the sanctions had not
resulted in the intended behavioral or policy changes. Source
● 3/22/23 Neda Sharghi, the sister of Emad Shargi, an American citizen detained in Iran
appeared on Amanpour & Company and shared that she asked President Biden to meet
with their family. Source
● 3/22/23 In a letter to EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, a group of US senators
urged the European Union to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
(IRGC) a terrorist organization. Source3/21/23 The Australian government has
sanctioned 27 individuals and 15 entities over human rights violations in Iran as well as
Iranian support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Source
● 3/21/23 The United States imposed sanctions on four entities and three people in Iran
and Turkey, accusing them of involvement in the procurement of equipment of drones in
support of Iran's drone and weapons programs. Source
● 3/20/23 Leaders around the world including President Biden honored Nowruz. In
President Biden’s Nowruz address, he expressed solidarity with the Iranian people and
said that “the United States will continue to stand with them, and all the citizens of Iran
who are inspiring the world with their conviction and courage. And together with our
partners, we will continue to hold Iranian officials accountable for their attacks against
their people.” Source
● 3/20/23 The European Union imposed a new package of sanctions against Iran, adding
eight individuals and one entity to its list. EU sanctions now apply to 204 individuals and
34 entities in Iran. Source
● 3/20/23 Britain sanctioned senior officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Source
● 3/13/23 The National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI) Announced its Maximum
Support campaign and policy recommendation today. As detailed in the report,
“Maximum Support is designed to offer policymakers strategic tools for the provision of
maximum support to the people of Iran. As a complement to the policy of Maximum
Pressure, Maximum Support holds the promise of creating a more complete framework
for U.S.-Iran policy – one that continues to hold the Islamic Republic accountable
through economic and diplomatic isolation but also engages, elevates and empowers
the Iranian people, the true sovereigns of Iran, through the provision of much-needed
moral, logistical and financial support.” Read the full report here: Source
The Maximum Support campaign includes 15 steps/action items which includes:

● Formally announcing the strategic policy shift
● ‘Do no harm’ which refers to not engaging with bad actors that don’t accept Iran’s
territorial integrity as well as terrorist/insurgent groups
● Highlight human rights abuses
● Hold regime leadership accountable
● Offer internet and communication solutions
● Redirect Iran’s national resources to the Iranian people
● Isolate the regime internationally
● Place meaningful limitations on regime officials’ affiliates
● Provide cyber and intelligence support
● Develop clear communication and messaging
● Engage the secular democratic opposition
● Engage the Iranian-American community
● Reform U.S. media and broadcasting
● Review and revitalize state department Iran funding
● Investigate regime influence operations in the U.S.
● 3/11/23 An Iranian news website run by the Revolutionary Guard accused the British
Ambassador to Iran, Simon Shercliff, of being directly involved in the poisoning of
schoolgirls. This should be assumed to be state propaganda unless proven otherwise.
Source
● 03/10/23 Saudi Arabia and Iran announced that they reached a deal to restore
diplomatic ties and plan to reopen their embassies within the next two months. This deal
was brokered by China. Source
● 03/09/23 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu partook in an exclusive interview
with Pouria Zeraati of Iran International. During this interview, Netanyahu told Iran
International that the regime in Tehran is “dangerously moving forward” in its nuclear
program. He also expressed solidarity with the people of Iran. Source
● 03/08/23 The foreign minister of Turkey, Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that the deputy
foreign ministers of Turkey, Russia, Syria, and Iran will meet next week in Moscow.
Source
● 2/21/23 Ex-Diplomats say pressures mount on Iran as it challenges the west. Source
● 2/20/23 Massive rally in Brussels calls for designating IRGC as Terror Group. Protest
efforts led by Swedish MP Alireza Akhondi; speeches by Masih Alinejad and Hamed
Esmailleon. Former US President George W. Bush, NATO Secretary General Jens
Stoltenberg, Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi, member of the Chamber
of Representatives of Belgium Theo Francken, Former Assistant to the US President for
National Security Affairs John Bolton, Executive Director of United Nations Watch Hillel
Neuer, Member of the European Parliament Abir Al-Sahlan, and member of the
Hamburg city parliament Danial Ilkhanipour delivered speeches or sent messages for
the Brussels rally. Source
● 2/20/23 6,000 Demonstrators in Brussels against Islamic Regime. Source
● 2/19/23 Iranian Struggle for Freedom Takes on starring role at Berlin Film Festival.
Source
● 2/18/23 Center for Human Rights in Iran launches campaign to petition EU countries:
Source
○ Stop detaining and committing violence against women who are
calling for basic rights and freedoms in Iran.
○ End the physical and sexual violence against women detainees
and protesters.
○ Cease all executions of political prisoners and annul all death
sentences against protesters.
● 2/18/23 At Munich Security Conference: Opposition figures say world a safer place
without Iranian Regime. Source
● 2/18/23 Kristen Stewart Joins Berlin Film Festival Protest Against Iranian Regime
alongside Golshifteh Farahani. Source
● 2/15/23 US and Iran Holding indirect talks on possible prisoner exchange, with the help
of the UK and Qatar. Source
● 2/8/23 Munich Security Conference (MSC) has invited Iranian opposition members
instead of the governments to participate in its 59th annual meeting. Source
● 2/7/23 Iranian Opposition leaders, including Masih Alinejad, Nazanin Boniadi, Dr. Shirin
Ebadi, Dr. Hamed Esmaeilion, Golshifteh Farahani, Ali Karimi, Abdullah Mohtadi, Reza
Pahlavi, moderated by Karim Sadjadpour, will hold a virtual event and forum on “The
Future of Iran’s Democracy Movement” with Georgetown University. The event will
happen on February 10, 12:45PM EST - 2:30PM EST. Register for the event and find
more information here.
● 2/5/23 First Lady Dr. Jill Biden presented Shervin Hajipour with the first ever “Song for
Social Change” award at the Grammys. “Song for Social Change” is a new special merit
award introduced this year. Source
● 2/5/23 Shervin Hajipour, Iranian musician who wrote “Baraye,” is a nominee at today’s
65th Grammy Awards for new category, “Song for Social Change”
● 2/1/23 Freedom House publishes an open letter and call for global solidarity and action
with support from over 480 Global voices. Source, Petition here
● 1/29/23 France: Protesters gather in Paris to support French nationals detained in Iran.
Source
● 1/27/23 US: US Justice Department announced the indictment of 3 terrorists who were
contracted by the Islamic Regime of Iran to assassinate journalist and activist Masih
Alinejad. Source, Source (justice.gov)
● The MAHSA Act
○ *UPDATED 4/23*:
○ 1/27/23 US: US Congress re-introduced the MAHSA Act in the 118th Congress,
H.R. 9203. MAHSA Act was originally introduced by Jim Banks in 2022. Source,
Source MAHSA Act is co-sponsored by:
Rep. Colin Allred - D-TX, as of 3.23.23
Rep. Jake Auchincloss - D-MA, as of 3.7.23
Rep. Jim Banks - R-IN
Rep. Tony Cárdenas - D-CA, as of 3.7.23
Rep. Luis Correa - D-CA, as of 3.10.23
Rep. Jim Costa - D-CA, as of 4.14.23
Rep. Dan Crenshaw - R-TX
Rep. Issa Darrell - R-CA, as of 2.7.23
Rep. Suzan DelBene - D-WA, as of 3.8.23
Rep. Lloyd Doggett - D-TX, as of 3.17.23
Rep. John Duarte - R-CA, as of 3.7.23
Rep. Anna Eshoo - D-CA, as of 2.24.23
Rep. Pat Fallon - R-TX
Rep. Mike Gallagher - R-WI
Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-AZ, as of 2.2.23
Rep. Josh Gottenheimer - D-NJ
Rep. Mark Green - R-TN, as of 3.9.23
Rep. Michael Guest - R-MS
Rep. Diana Harshbarger - R-TN
Rep. James Himes - D-CT, as of 2.8.23
Rep. Richard Hudson - R-NC, as of 2.14.23
Rep. Ro Khanna - D-CA, as of 2.23.23
Rep. Young Kim - R-CA, as of 2.6.23
Rep. Daren LaHood - R-IL, as of 2.28.23
Rep. Doug Lamborn - R-CO
Rep. Mike Levin - D-CA, as of 2.14.23
Rep. Ted Lieu - D-CA, as of 2.28.23
Rep. Brian Mast - R-FL, as of 3.17.23
Rep. Michael McCaul - R-TX, as of 3.17.23
Rep. Tom McClintock - R-CA
Rep. Lisa McClain - R-MI, as of 2.28.23
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers - R-WA
Rep. Cory Mills - R-FL, as of 3.22.23
Rep. Jared Moskowitz - D-FL, as of 2.8.23
Rep. Greg Murphy - R-NC
Rep. Wiley Nickel - D-NC, as of 3.7.23
Rep. Jay Obernolte - D-NJ, as of 2.6.23
Rep. Jimmy Panetta - D-CA, as of 2.6.23
Rep. Ryan Patrick - D-NY, as of 3.3.23
Rep. Scott Peters - D-CA, as of 2.24.23
Rep. Katie Porter - D-CA, as of 2.8.23
Rep. Bill Posey - R-FL, as of 3.3.23
Rep. Maria Salazar - R-FL
Rep. Adam Schiff - D-CA, as of 2.6.23
Rep. Bradley Scott Schneider - D-IL, as of 2.14.23
Rep. Mikie Sherrill - D-NJ, as of 2.6.23
Rep. Brad Sherman - D-CA, as of 2.7.23
Rep. Michael Simpson - R-ID, as of 3.7.23
Rep. Christopher Smith - R-NJ, as of 3.10.23
Rep. Lloyd Smucker - R-PA, as of 1.31.23
Rep. Abigail Spanberger - D-VA, as of 3.7.23
Rep. Gregory Steube - R-FL, as of 2.28.23
Rep. Marilyn Strickland - D-WA, as of 3.9.23
Rep. Eric Swalwell - D-CA
Rep. Claudia Tenney - R-NY
Rep. David Trone - D-MD, as of 3.7.23
Rep. Ann Wagner - R-MO, as of 2.7.23
Rep Mike Waltz - R-FL
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz - D-FL
Rep. Randy Weber - R-TX
Rep. Jennifer Wexton - D-VA, as of 2.22.23
Rep. Joe Wilson - R-SC
Rep. Rob Wittman - R-VA
● 1/26/23 US: US House commends Iranian protesters in bipartisan vote; the resolution is
a symbolic gesture of support for freedom-seeking people in Iran. The vote passed
420-1, with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY, as the sole no vote. Source
● 1/23/23 US: US Treasury sanctions the IRGC Cooperative Foundation and Senior
Iranian Officials Connected to Protest Suppression. Source
● 1/23/23 EU: High Representative of EU for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell Fontellessays
that IRGC terrorist designation needs a court decision by a member state first, “you
cannot say I consider you a terrorist because I don’t like you.” Source
● 1/18/23 EU: After a vote ending with 598-9 in favor, and 31 abstentions, the European
Parliament has called on the European Union and its member states to place IRGC on
the bloc’s terror list. Now, individual governments must approve the resolution. Source
● 1/17/23 EU: EU’s Ursula Von der Leyen Backs Listing IRGC as terrorist group. Source
○ Von der Leyen expands on statements supporting #IRGCterrorists designation
with Cristiane Amanpour on CNN:
● 1/13/23 GERMANY: Iranian protesters living in Germany gathered in front of the
Frankfurt Islamic Center and demanded its closure. Source
● 1/13/23 SWEDEN: Swedish Foreign Ministry condemns recent executions of protesters
in Iran. Source
● 1/8/23 US: Meta (Facebook, Instagram) Oversight Board tells company to allow ‘death
to Khamenei’ posts. Source
● 1/3/23 - US: Sec Blinken and Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen confirm JCPOA
(nuclear deal) is dead. Source.
● 1/2/23 - UK: UK to proscribe IRGC as terrorist group. Source
● 12/29/22 Italian Prime Minister Gioria Meloni condemns Islamic Republic’s repression of
protesters and use of the death penalty. Source
● 12/28/22 Iranian Rial hitting historic low. Source
● 12/28/22 - US Spending Bill Includes Sanctions for Harassing, Surveilling Iranian
Citizens. Source
● 12/28/22 - US scrambles to stop Iran from providing drones for Russia. Source, Source
● 12/28/22 - Britain urges Iran to stop unfairly detaining dual nationals. Source
● 12/28/22 - Canada, Sweden, Ukraine, and the UK call on Iran to settle dispute over
Ukraine PS752 jet downing. Source
● 12/27/22 French-Iranian Mohammad Moradi, 38, died by suicide in Lyon, France; he
intended to draw attention to anti-government protests in Iran through this act. Source
● 12/25/22 US Congress passes HUNT Act. Source
● 12/23/22 Germany joins efforts to designate the IRGC as a terror group. Source
● 12/22/22 World Must Unite to Stop Islamic Republic’s Executions. Source
● 12/21/22 Ukraine’s Zelenskyy addresses US Congress and denounces Iran regarding
their involvement with Russia-Ukraine conflict. Source
● 12/20/22 - UN Appoints members of fact finding mission. Source
● 12/19/22 - Top Iran Judge Wants Swift “Justice” for Protestors. Source
● 12/7/22 ‘Time’ Magazine names Women of Iran the Heroes of the Year Source
● 12/6/22 Biden committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapon; military
option remains ‘last resort’ Source
● 11/28/22 - For Freedoms & Vital Voices unveiled “Eyes on Iran,” an art installation facing
the United Nations building. Iranian artists Shirin Neshat, Sheida Soleiman, Aphrodite
Desiree Navab, Z, Icy and Sot, Mahvash Mostala, Sepideh Mehraban, Shirin Towfiq,
and Hank Willis Thomas. Special guests and speakers at the unveiling included Hillary
Rodham Clinton, Gissou Nia, Sheida Soleimani, Shirin Neshat, with special performance
by Jon Batiste. Source
● 11/24/22 Geneva, Switzerland: United Nations Special Session 35 called for a vote to
trigger an investigative mechanism into human rights violations inside Iran. 25 states
voted yes, 6 voted no. This will trigger a fact-finding mission. Special Session was
initiated by Germany and Iceland. Source
● 11/22/22 Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has issued a statement of support with
the Iranian people. Source
● 11/21/22 European Union President Metsola opened the 21-24 November Plenary
Session in Strasbourg with a call for the protection of women's rights in Afghanistan
and human rights in Iran. With death sentences imposed on arrested protesters in Iran,
President Metsola urged Iranian authorities to “stop, here and now”. She welcomed the
new EU sanctions and stated that in response to Iran’s sanctioning of MEPs, there will
be no direct contact between the Parliament and official Iranian counterparts until
further notice. Source
● 11/19/22 Saturday Nov 19 was a day of Worldwide Rally for Iran, organized with the
support of PS752 Justice. There were rallies organized in at least 118 cities, across the
US, Canada, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden,
Hungary, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Norway, Czech Republic, Chile, Estonia, Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Netherlands, Georgia, Japan, Turkey, Finland, Cyprus,
Ireland. Source
● 11/18/22 UN Special session to address “the deteriorating human rights situation in the
Islamic Republic.” Will be held in Geneva on Thursday November 24. The meeting will
be livestreamed. Source
○ Asking for the immediate stop to the killing of children in Iran. (So far 58 children
have been killed in protests and uprising)
○ Warning against executions
○ 47 member states need to vote YES in order to create investigative mechanism
inside Iran
○ Learn more about the UN Special Session via Gissou Nia
● 11/16/22 UN General Assembly’s Third Committee condemned the Islamic Republic’s
brutal repression and violence against peaceful protestors - and called for independent,
impartial, and transparent investigations into continued human rights violations. Source
● 11/16/22 Islamic Republic plotted to kidnap or kill at least 10 people in the UK,
according to British Intelligence Reports. Source
● 11/15/22 President Bill Clinton sent a video message of support to the Iranian people.
Source
● 11/14/22 White House condemns death sentence for protestor in Iran. “We are deeply
concerned about reports from Iran of mass arrests, sham trials, and now a death
sentence for protesters voicing legitimate demands against a government that
systematically denies basic dignity and freedom to its people,” Jake Sullivan said.
Source
● 11/14/22 EU sanctions 29 Iranians, three organizations over crackdown on protests.
Source
● 11/14/22 EU & UK target senior Iran officials over protest crackdowns, including Iran’s
interior minister and several senior police and military officials over their alleged roles in
the security crackdown against anti-government protests. Source
● 11/14/22 Macron vows tougher Iran sanctions amid protests crackdown. Source
● 11/11/22 French President Emmanuel Macron met with a delegation of prominent exiled
Iranian rights activists, later hailing the women-led protest movement in the country as a
"revolution". Among activists he met were Masih Alinejad, Ladan Boroumand, Roya
Piraei (whose mother was killed by IR forces during uprising), and others. Macron is
among the first western leaders to refer to the uprising as a “revolution.” Source
● 11/11/22 UN human rights body to hold urgent session on Iran amid protests. Human
Rights Council will hold the session in the week of Nov 21 or Nov 24. Source
● 11/4/22 - President Biden vowed to "free" Iran and said that demonstrators working
against the country's government would soon succeed in freeing themselves. Source
● 11/2/22 - The White House announced its intention to remove Iran from the UN
Commission on the Status of Women. Source
● 11/2/22 - Due to overwhelming responses, Amnesty International has extended their
petition by another week
● 11/1/22 - A new lawsuit was filed in California against social media companies
(including Twitter, Meta, and Instagram) to de-platform IRI officials. The suit is brought
forward by Attorney and Entrepreneur Mohsen Parsa. Relevant social tags:
#DeplatformTerrorists Source, Source
● 10/30/22 - Vital Voices, with the support of Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush,
Oprah Winfrey, Gloria Steinem, Malala Yousafzai, and women in leadership from 13+
global countries signed an open letter to the remove the Islamic Republic of Iran from
the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
● 10/21/22 Rep Jim Banks (R-IN-3) Introduced H.R. 9203 - MAHSA Act. Source
September 2022 Protest & Uprising Stats

● List of protestors killed since Zhina Mahsa Amini’s death: Please note this is NOT
exhaustive or complete - just a starting place:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wYNsNeSqUIFGpBphpx6xCHlPRxeXysrJ9-6
cmanoFhY/edit This list is via @diasporaforIran on IG and maintained by HRANA
● Protest Statistics, September 17, 2022 - February 20, 2023
○ Data tracked by HRANA
○ Children Killed: 71
○ Protestors Killed: 530
○ Number of Regime Forces Killed: 70
○ Individuals Arrested: 19,763
○ Detainees identified: 5,208
○ Number of Students Arrested: 722
○ Number of Children Arrested (Under 18): 180
○ Number of Protests: 1,280
○ Number of Cities Involved: 165
○ Number of Universities Involved: 144
○ Convicted over Protests: 789
○ Estimated Number of protestors under the impending threat of death sentence:
105*
(this number has fluctuated as some sentences have been reduced following
large social campaigns)
○ Number of executed protestors: 7
■ Mohsen Shekari - December 8, 2022
■ Majidreza Rahnavard - December 12, 2022
■ Mohammad Mehdi Karami - January 7, 2023
■ Mohammed Hosseini - January 7, 2023
■ Majid Kazemi - May 19, 2023
■ Saleh Mirhashemi - May 19, 2023
■ Saeed Yaghoubi - May 19, 2023
● *NEW* Guide to Political sponsorships of detained protesters (as of Dec 29 2022)

● *NEW* Iranian Justice Collective (as of Jan 2023)
○ The above guides include lists of prisoners in Iran with a high execution risk and
their political sponsors.
○ Political sponsorship for Iranian detainees can help advocate for their lives and
safety.
○ Countries with political sponsees in Iran: France, Germany, Norway, Sweden,
New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, Austria, Canada
● Please scroll down for recent news - both on the ground in Iran as well as
international news relating to the uprisings-turned-revolution
Background on the Current Movement:

● Iran is experiencing its largest civil rights movement since the revolution in 1979.
● Current uprising was sparked by the death (on 9/16/22) of Zhina Mahsa Amini, a
22-year old Kurdish girl who died after trauma and violence inflicted by Islamic
Republic’s “morality police”, for wearing “improper hijab”
○ Context on Zhina Mahsa Amini’s name and why you sometimes will see “Zhina,”
“Jina,” or “Mahsa”
■ Zhina (also transliterated as Zina, Jina) is her given Kurdish name, and
the name on her gravestone. Because Kurdish names are prohibited and
discriminated against in Iran, “Mahsa” was the name given or chosen for
her, and what has become most well known in the movement.
■ Non-Persian and non-Muslim citizens cannot freely choose names for
their children and businesses. In some cases, the Iranian Civil Registry
Office refuses to register non-Persian or non-Muslim names and people
are forced to choose names from a list created by the government.
Source
■ The restrictions have made it common for many Iranians to have two
names — one used on legal documents and another by family and
friends. Source
● The people of Iran have unified to fight back against the theocratic, authoritarian
government.
● This is an intersectional civil-rights movement, led by women and girls to end
gender-based discrimination and state sanctioned violence against women. The people
in Iran are fighting for a secular government, democracy, freedom of speech and press,
and equality for all minorities subjugated by the Islamic Republic, including religious
minorities, ethnic minorities (Kurds, Baluchis, and more), and LGBTQ people.
● Youth and students (from school age to university) are also at the forefront of this revolution
and many protests are taking place on university campuses (see: Sharif University).
● More than 60% of Iran’s population is under 30 years old. They are socially and
culturally savvy, educated, and want to live in a Free Iran.
● Much of the repression by the Islamic Republic and their police forces is also happening in
universities and schools - with hundreds of reports and visual documentation of police
coming into university dorm rooms and highschool classrooms and beating students and
taking them to prison where they are being tortured and raped.
● The Islamic Republic of Iran sets a precedent for other dictators and totalitarian
governments (Russia, China, Venezuela). Freedom for the Iranian people, fought for by
the people, will send a signal to totalitarian regimes everywhere. Conversely, if the
media and governments in the West are silent, this could mean greater repression
around the world.
● Islamic Republic of Iran has involvement & influence in neighboring countries, including
Syria, Iraq, and Yemen
“Woman, Life, Freedom”:

● The phrase “Woman Life Freedom” is Kurdish in origin, and translated from “Jin Jiyan
Azadi.” The phrase is rooted in Kurdish resistance movements, and has a long history in
Kurdish liberation movements and the fight against state violence. “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” is a
revolutionary sentiment and slogan used by Kurdish people throughout the SWANA
region and beyond.
● Kurdish feminism declares that women’s liberation will be the liberation of all life, hence
the interweaving of the words: woman, life, freedom.
● In Kurdish: Jin, Jîyan, Azadî, ‫ ئازادی‬،‫ ژیان‬،‫ژن‬
● In Persian: Zan, Zendegi, Azadi: ‫زن زندگی آزادی‬
● To learn more about this, please read here.
Understanding the structure & bodies of IR forces: Source

● The Supreme National Council (“Shoraye Aliye Amniyate Melli”)
○ The Supreme National Security Council is headed by the “Supreme Leader”
(Ayotollah Khamenei), the President (Ebrahim Raisi), The Interior Minister,
commanders of the different forces, and the heads of Iran’s legislature and
judiciary. This group decides what to do when protests break out in Iran. Each
province has its own Security Council that are responsible for managing
provincial security issues, including protests. They are also in charge of
implementing nationwide crackdowns on the ground.
● Ministry of Intelligence (“Vezarat-e ettela’at”)
○ The ministry of intelligence engages in systematic and arbitrary arrests of
journalists and activists and silencing of critics, free media and associations. The
ministry also harrasses, interrogates, and arrests family members of critics and
free thinkers. It operates various detention centers throughout Iran where scores
of human rights violations have been documented, including physical and
psychological torture, and where many detainees have been forced to issue false
confessions under torture. This is even in violation of Iran’s own laws, let alone
international law.
● Morality Police (“Gasht-e ershad”)
○ The morality police are an official arm of the regime. The men wear uniform, and
the women wear hijab under a long dress. They police women’s clothes, hair and
makeup in public places, and arrest those who are not following the mandated
Islamic dress code. They often use brutal force during their encounters on the
street. The Morality police were formed in 2005. They are sometimes referred to
as “fashion police,” or “guidance patrol.”
● Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/IRGC (“Sepah-e pasdaran”)
○ The IRGC is the “Supreme Leader”’s private army, replacing the country’s
traditional army, and has its own naval, aerospace, intelligence, ground, and
special operations unit. In Iran, its main purpose is to protect the regime from the
KIranian people. They have secret prisons where detainees are taken to and
disappeared. Outside of Iran, the IRGC’s main purpose is to spread terrorism: the
elite “Quds Force” has been used to establish proxy militias in Iraq, Yemen,
Syria, and Lebanon. IRGC has immense political and financial power.
○ The IRGC was designated as a foreign terrorist group by the US (May 2020),
Canada (2022), UK (January 2023), Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia
● Basij/IRGC’s Militia(“Basij”)
○ Initially established in 1979, under Ayotollah Khomeini, as a paramilitary
volunteer militia. Today, they serve as an auxiliary force engaged in internal
security and enforcing state control over society.
○ The IRGC’s own organized militia. Basijis are often young in age, radicalized in
mosques, and due to the dire economic situation, are attracted by financial
benefits to their participation. On behalf of the regime, they rape, murder, and spy
on people’s private lives and act as informants. Basijis infiltrate universities and
support the morality police. They are typically plain clothed.
● National Police/FARAJA (“FARAJA”)
○ FARAJA are the uniformed police force in Iran, under direct control of Ayotollah
Khamenei. The force was created in early 1992. There are many branches of the
FARAJA.
● Special Units (Yegan-e vijeh)
○ Generally the first group to engage protesters will be the riot police, also know as
“special units,” longside Basij and IRGC. Riot police in Iran can be identified by
their black uniforms, helmets, masks, and motorcycles. They have access to
armored vehicles and an array of personal weapons used to attack protesters
and carry out extra-judicial murder.
● Plainclothesmen (“Lebas-e shakhsi”)
○ At most protests in Iranian cities, individuals without a uniform will be present
beating people and taking them away. These plainclothesmen are generally
believed to be Basijis but they can also hail from the Intelligence Ministry, the
IRGC and the police.
○ Some of the plainclothesmen who participate in cracking down on protests are
known in Iran as "thugs", hired convicted criminals who have to wear an
electronic tag in the form of an ankle bracelet and are then set out on the streets
to fight protesters. In return they are offered shorter sentences.
● Iranian Army (“Artesh”)
○ The Iranian army, which doesn't hold much power anymore, is the least active
group during the protests and revolution. It has been criticized for not taking
action against the violent attacks on its own people. The number of army
personnel showing sympathy toward the protest movement, or family members
participating in protests has risen and top military officials are concerned. The
Islamic Republic has therefore placed members of the Revolutionary Guard in
key positions within the army in an attempt to eliminate an opposition forming
within the army. They recently removed weapons from many of the soldiers and
some of those who leave the army headquarters have had their phones taken
away from them.
● Judges
○ Here is a guide to the Islamic Republic’s judges.
● Prisons
○ Here is a guide to the IR's Prisons & their populations
Journalism Best Practices:
We’re adding this section based on feedback from journalists and reporters. This is very much a
work in progress and we’ll be adding more soon. If you have suggestions or questions you’d like
addressed, please send us a DM on instagram.
● Make clear distinctions between the people of Iran versus the government. We suggest
“people of Iran” or “Iranians,” when referring to civilians, and “Islamic Republic,” “Iranian
Regime,” or “Regime” when referring to the government.
● Please note that “reform” has a very specific connotation within the context of Iran and
the Islamic Republic; “reform” suggests making amendments to the current regime while
keeping the current government in tact. What Iranian people are asking for is not reform,
but a dissolution of the theocratic Islamic Republic and a new, secular democracy.
● Please refrain from referring to Ali Khamenei, or his predecessor Ruhollah Khomeini, as
the “supreme leader.”
“Freedom of Speech” in Iran: detained journalists and media:

● Common charges brought against journalists by IR judiciary: propaganda, national
security, "propaganda against the system," "propaganda against the state,"
“collaborating with an enemy state.”
● The Iranian Constitution states very general rules concerning “freedom of expression.”
Article 24 states: "Publications and the press have freedom of expression except when it
is detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam or the rights of the public.”
● The government engages in censorship programs with respect to anything that diverges
from national laws and regulations. The majority of Iranians - upwards of 80 percent - get
their news from government-owned media.
● According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Iran ranked as the world's worst jailer
of journalists in 2022. Overall, authorities are known to have detained at least 95
journalists in the wake of the protests following Amini's death. Source
● August 8, 2023: Scores Of Media Workers Detained In Iran In Latest Protests Honored
On Journalists' Day (SOURCE)
● July 3, 2023: Human Rights Watch: Iran: New Charges Against Journalists Relentless
Crackdown on Media, Rights Defenders, Civil Society SOURCE
● Committee to protect Journalists: https://cpj.org/mideast/iran/
Blocked websites and social media platforms in Iran:

These websites and platforms can only be accessed by circumventing and bypassing Iran’s
internet, through VPN, TOR, and Satellite connection.
During the Jina Mahsa Amini protests internet blackout, approximately 80% of all popular websites
were promptly blocked, including Instagram, WhatsApp, Apple’s App Store, Google’s Play Store,
Skype, and LinkedIn. This came in addition to total internet blackouts across the country for hours
[130]
per day.
● File hosting:
○ General: Internet Archive
○ Videos: YouTube, Twitch, Vimeo, Nico Video, Newgrounds
○ Images: Flickr, 9GAG
○ Software: ApkPure
○ Torrent indexing: The Pirate Bay
[126]
● Social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, VK, Disqus, Sina Weibo, OK.ru,
Reddit, Threads
● News: Fox News, CBS News, Deutsche Welle, BBC, ABC News, NDTV, NBC News,
CNN, Vice News
○ Technology news: Uptodown, CNET, The Verge
● Messaging: Telegram, Facebook Messenger, Signal
● Blog hosting: Blogger (Blogspot), WordPress.com, Tumblr, Medium
● Music: SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Pandora, YouTube Music
● Entertainment: Netflix, Zhanqi, Panda.tv, Disney+, Hulu
● Programming and Development: GitLab, Firebase, TensorFlow, Android
Following strikes, economic decline, and the negative impact on small businesses
throughout the country, the IR loosened their restrictions on WhatsApp, Instagram, and
Twitter – though content is still heavily filtered and monitored. Despite this, this
“loosening” is a double-edged sword: it also allows regime officials to monitor posts,
messages, and gather evidence from social media content.
Source/Who to Follow:
On-the-ground coverage
1500Tasvir - https://instagram.com/1500tasvir
Baloch Activists Campaign - http://www.twitter.com/BalochCampaignE
Golshifteh Farahani - https://instagram.com/golfarahani
Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) - https://instagram.com/en.hrana
Kolbar News - www.kolbarnews.com
Saman Arbabi - https://www.instagram.com/samanism/ https://twitter.com/samanarbabi
Sarah Ramini - https://instagram.com/sarahrmni
Acadamics, Thought Leaders, & Domain Experts

@iranrights, Abdorrahman Boroumand Center
Hengaw Organization for Human Rights
HRANA
Justice 4 Iran
Iran Human Rights
Kurdistan Human Rights Network
Kurdish Peace Institute
Karim Sadjadpour
Kolbar News
Gissou Nia
Amir Soltani
Abbas Milani
Ammar Maleki
Ladan Boroumand
Roya Boroumand
Hadi Ghaemi (Center for Human Rights in Iran)
Samira Mohyeddin
News Accounts, Thought Leaders, and more to follow:

1500Tasvir - https://instagram.com/1500tasvir
Afshin Molavi - https://instagram.com/afshinmolavi
Ali Karimi - https://www.instagram.com/aliiiiiiiikarimi8
Alireza Akhondi - https://www.instagram.com/alirezaakhondi_
Ali Rahnama - https://twitter.com/ali_rahnama
Arash Sobhani - https://instagram.com/arashsobhani
Diaspora for Iran - https://instagram.com/diasporaforiran
Erfan Paydar - https://instagram.com/erfanpaydar
Farzad Farhad Seifikaran - https://www.instagram.com/farzad_seifikaran
Farzin Kadkhodaei - https://twitter.com/farzinkadkhodae
From Iran - https://instagram.com/from____iran
Golshifteh Farahani - https://instagram.com/golfarahani
Hamed Esmailleon- https://twitter.com/esmaeilion
Homa Sarshar - https://instagram.com/homasarshar
Iranian Diaspora Collective https://instagram.com/iraniandiasporacollective
IranRights - https://www.instagram.com/IRANRIGHTS/
Karim Sadjadpour - https://twitter.com/ksadjadpour
Kaveh Shahrooz - https://twitter.com/kshahrooz
Kaveh Ghoreisi - https://twitter.com/KavehGhoreishi
Masih Alinejad - https://twitter.com/AlinejadMasih, https://instagram.com/masih.alinejad
Middle East Matters - https://instagram.com/middleeastmatters
Max Amini - https://www.instagram.com/maxcomedian/
Moj Mahdara https://www.instagram.com/moj/?hl=en
Nazee Moinian http://www.twitter.com/nazeemoinian
Nazanin Afshin Jam - https://twitter.com/NazaninAJ
Nazanin Boniadi https://instagram.com/nazaninboniadi
Nazanin Nour - http://www.instagram.com/iamnazaninnour
Nina Ansari - Dr. Nina Ansary
Nicole Najafi - https://instagram.com/nicolenajafi
Panteha Razavi - https://instagram.com/panteha_r
Roya Rastegar, PhD - https://www.instagram.com/royazara/
Saman Arbabi - https://www.instagram.com/samanism/ https://twitter.com/samanarbabi
Samira Mohyeddin - https://twitter.com/smohyeddin, https://instagram.com/smohyeddin
Sarah Ramini - https://instagram.com/sarahrmni
Seena Ghaznavi - https://instagram.com/seenanow
Shally Zomorodi - https://instagram.com/shallyzomorodi
Sussan Deyhim https://instagram.com/sussandeyhim
Yashar Ali - http://www.twitter.com/yashar
Iranian Diaspora Public Figures, Actors, Influencers (Creating digestible &

accessible resources), and emerging orgs
Arian Moayed - https://instagram.com/arianmoayed
Alexandre Style Shah - https://instagram.com/styleshah
Aava - https://instagram.com/aavaforpresident
Azar Nafisi - https://instagram.com/authorazarnafisi
Beri Shalmashi - https://instagram.com/berishalmashi
Cyrus Veyssi - https://www.instagram.com/cyrusveyssi/
Danesh - https://instagram.com/thatdaneshguy
Donya Delsouz - https://instagram.com/donya.delsouz
Elica LeBon - https://instagram.com/elicalebon, https://www.tiktok.com/@elica.lebon
Erfan Kooseh - https://instagram.com/erfesh
Global Iranian Association - https://www.globaliranianassociation.com/
Haleh Liza - https://instagram.com/halehliza
Helen Kamali - https://instagram.com/helenkamali
Hushidar Mortezaie - https://instagram.com/hushi5
Mandy Ansari - http://www.instagram.com/mandy
Nasim Pedrad - https://instagram.com/nasimpedrad
Nazanin Boniadi - https://instagram.com/nazaninboniadi
Nazanin Nour - http://www.instagram.com/iamnazaninnour
Negin Izad - https://instagram.com/negin.izad
Nicole Najafi - https://instagram.com/nicolenajafi
Omid Scheybani - https://instagram.com/omidscheybani
Persians with Purpose - https://instagram.com/persianswithpurpose
Sepideh Moafi - https://instagram.com/sepidehmoafi
Tara Grammy - http://www.instagram.com/taragrammy
Yasmine Aker - http://www.instagram.com/iamyasi
Yeganeh Mafaher - https://www.tiktok.com/@littleyeg
AID/EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
Earthquakes in Khoy, Iran; Syria; Turkiye – Please see below for fundraisers for each
region:
Doctors without borders: link here
Khoy: https://momsagainstpoverty.org/khoy-earthquake-relief-fundraiser/
Turkey & Syria GoFundMe Hub: http://bit.ly/40DnnmD, http://bit.ly/3I8YpTR
Syria, White Helmets verified fundraiser: Syria volunteer rescue workers
Molham Volunteering Team: donate to Molham Volunteers
AKUT: Turkey volunteer rescue organization
●
Insights - IRAN
● The Islamic Republic has been suppressing internet & telephone connections. Access
to Instagram was also cut in September 2022. Iranians have to use VPNs in order to
access communication networks.
● Niloofar Hamedi & Elaheh Mohamadi, The two female journalists who broke the news of
Amini's killing were detained and charged with a crime that puts them at risk of execution.
● Protests are not isolated to one area of Iran. Uprisings are happening across cities like
Tehran (pop 8.7million), and also rural areas of Iran. Kurdistan and Baluchistan,
occupied by two of the most marginalized ethnic groups in Iran, have been extremely
active in protests and also victims of some of the strongest retaliation by IRI forces.
● Ali Karimi: Iranian Soccer Player in Exile Who the IRI tried to kidnap in Dubai
● Toomaj Salehi: Iranian Rapper and Dissident of the Islamic Republic has been
kidnapped and detained by IRI; presumed to be in grave danger
● The most brutal violence is happening in areas populated by ethnic minorities:
Balochistan & Kurdistan. Ethnic cleansing/Genocide.
● Iran’s working people have also led strikes across the country in the petrochemical
industry, candy factories, and more. This is a strike against Iran’s economy in solidarity
with the movement.
● Workers strikes: Assaluyeh petrochemical plant, Bandar Abbas oil refinery, Abadan oil
refinery, Abadan oil transit truck drivers, Bushehr petrochemical plant, Kangan
petrochemical plant, South pars natural gas plant, Haft Tappeh sugar factory, Mahshahr
pipe plant, Neyriz Ghadir steel point, hengam petrochemical plant Source
● The police are detaining, torturing, and killing artists, journalists, students, chefs,
rappers, TikTokers, engineers.
● Sharif University
Attach:https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/world/middleeast/iran-protests-sharif-univ
ersity-masha-amini.html
● School Cafeteria Protests: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202210257312
● Students (university and school-age) are being detained and forcibly disappeared for
protesting.
○ Girls are being sent to “re-education” camps where they are tortured, raped, beaten
○ Mohammed Safaei, a medical student at the Jundishapur University of Ahvaz
● Some have even been kidnapped in the middle of the night. EX: Mohammed Safaei, a
medical student at the Jundishapur University of Ahvaz
● The Iran-Russia-Syria Connection
○ IRI supplying drones to Putin to use against Ukrainians
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/23/world/europe/ukraine-russia-drones-iran.ht
ml
○ IRI is helping both Assad and Putin
● Iran Holds 8% of Global Resources - Petroleum, Uranium, natural gas, coal, chromium,
copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur
● Evin Prison is the primary prison where Iranian protestors and people who express any
criticism of the Islamic regime are taken and held. About Evin Prison
○ Thousands of detainees (journalists, activists, dissidents, artists, intellectuals)
○ October 15 Fire/Attack on Evin Prison - At least 152 were killed
● LGBTQ activists Sareh (Zahra Sedighi-Hamedani) & Elham Choubdar are currently
sentenced to death and awaiting execution unless there is international pressure.
● Iranian Climber Elnaz Rekabi who competed without her hijab in South Korea is under
house arrest.
● PS752 - In January 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, killing all 176 passengers. This included the
wife and nine-year-old daughter of Hamed Esmaeilion, an Iranian-Canadian activist.
Source
○ On 11 January, in response to the government's admission, thousands of protesters
poured into the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities such as Isfahan, Shiraz,
Hamadan and Urmia. Source
What this movement IS:

● This movement is no longer a protest, but a revolution
● This is a civil-rights movement & revolution; protestors are asking for total goverment
change – NOT reform
● Fighting against gender-based discrimination against women
● Fighting against system oppression and violence
● Intersectional movement: Iran is a diverse country and women, ethnic minorities,
religious minorities are treated as second-class citizens
○ Minorities in Iran:
■ Women
■ LGBTQ (same-sex relationships are strictly illegal and punishable by
death)
■ Baha’i (not afforded constitutional protection; extremely discriminated
against)
■ Sikhs (not afforded constitutional protection; extremely discriminated
against)
■ Kurds
● https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/18/iran-kurds-prot
ests-mahsa-amini/
● https://www.kurdishpeace.org/research/civil-society/to-build-real-d
emocracy-irans-opposition-cannot-ignore-minority-rights
■ Balochi
■ Lurs
■ Armenians
■ Azeris
■ Afghan
■ Zoroastrians
■ Jews
■ Christians
■ Sunni Muslims
■ & more
What this movement is NOT:

● This movement is NOT caused by “financial stress”
● This movement is NOT asking for reform
● This movement is NOT about reinstating the Monarchy
● This movement is NOT (just) about compulsory hijab
● This movement is NOT an attack on Islam
A (Brief) Timeline of Women's Rights in Iran under the Islamic Republic:

● IRI has been oppressing women since coming to power in 1979.
○ Compulsory Hijab was mandated for all Iranians in August 1983
● Disobeying compulsory hijab and Islamic dress code is a punishable crime. “Morality
police” aka “Gasht-e-Ershad,” (“guidance patrol”), formed in 2005, enforces the laws
of Islamic Dress on all women and girls above the age of 7; there are no clear guidelines
so the enforcement is often subjective
○ According to Iran's Interior Minister, in a three-month period in 2014, 220,000
women were taken to police stations and signed statements there promising to
wear hijabs, 19,000 were given hair-covering notices, and 9,000 were detained.[8]
In 2014, the police additionally gave warnings and guidance to 3.6 million other
Iranians who failed to follow the Islamic dress code
● A married woman is required to satisfy all of a man’s sexual needs and her refusal to do
so could result in the loss of her “maintenance” payments, including shelter, food, and
clothes.
● Women in Iran are valued at 50% versus men:
○ Receive half inheritance
■ Brothers are entitled to twice as much inheritance as sisters
■ male widowers twice as much as female widows.
○ In tort cases, entitled to 50% of what a man would be awarded
○ Testimony in court is legally viewed as less credible because women are
considered to be “half” a man
● Systematic police oppression for segregation, and controlling public and also private
spaces has been in act for four decades.
● Women’s rights campaigns and protests have been brutally oppressed, and activists
faced years of jail.
● “White Wednesdays” movement was started in 2017 by Masih Alinejad, as a protest
against the mandatory dress code
○ Some White Wednesday campaigners are still in jail.
○ Masih Alinejad was exiled from Iran
● July 2022, a few months before Mahsa’s death, another campaign was formed by
women on social media who then took to the streets, “hijab-bi-hijab”, practicing civil
disobedience by taking off their hijab. Some women were arrested. Sepideh Rashno was
tortured and brought to the state tv for false confessions.
Understanding Women’s Rights in Iran through the lens of Conservatorship

● All women in Iran are living under a conservatorship, controlled by their fathers,
husbands or the government. All women in Iran face gender-based discrimination, their
movements are restricted.
● The fight for bodily autonomy is global
● Consequences for women in Iran who violate these laws include imprisonment, torture,
death penalty; father and brothers can legally perform “honor killings”
● Approx. 1.3 million people in the US live under a conservatorship, 65% are women
Conservatorship in the US Women in Iran

Permission to travel A woman requires a husband’s permission to obtain a
passport or travel outside the country.
Need permission to get married Women need permission to get married from their
father or brother
Women cannot get a divorce without the approval of
an Islamic judge
Cannot control your own finances
Considered mentally unfit
Guardian or a protector assigned Father or husband is the default “guardian”
Control of sexual contacts and personal relationships Control of sexual contacts and personal relationships
Cannot make decisions regarding education or

vocational training
Need permission for reproductive/contraceptive Women have no legal protection against domestic
autonomy violence or sexual harassment by anyone
Divorced women are likely to lose custody of their
children, especially if they are financially dependent on
alimony.
Gender segregation across all areas of education
Illegal for women to dance, sing in public
CTA/Calls to Action:
Petition to G7 Leaders: Expel Iran’s Diplomats & Demand that Political Prisoners be Freed
Supporting the MAHSA Act
Supporting the Maximum Support Legislation
IRGC Terrorists Campaign
End Gender Apartheid Campaign: Sign open letter to support the legal classification of “Gender
Apartheid”
About Iranian Diaspora Collective 2022 Billboard Campaign:
● Link to Creative: https://docsend.com/view/fbcfc9pbmjj43gqe
● GFM https://www.gofundme.com/f/FreeIranCallForMedia
● Goals of IDC: There is one ask, we all keep receiving: “Be our Voice,” so while the
mainstream media largely ignores Iranian voices, the collective is creating their own
media. The purpose of the funds being raised by the collective is to begin placing
billboards, print ads, and digital media buys to raise awareness and amplify the voices
of the people in Iran.
● We have TWO primary objectives:
○ 1. show the Western world that Iranian people are not the Islamic Republic; we
have a vibrant culture that has been overshadowed for 43-years. We need
partnership and amplification from the media, thought leaders, celebrities,
athletes to carry the torch and amplify alongside us.
○ 2. To boost morale for the people of Iran, letting them know we see them, stand
with them shoulder-to-shoulder, and are in this fight with them for the long term.
● Who has amplified the GoFundMe: Zendaya, Gwyneth Paltrow, Eva Longoria, French
Montana, Juliette Binoche, Kelly Rowland, Tina Lawson, Maz Jobrani, Arian Moayed,
Killer Mike, America Ferrara
● The Iranian Diaspora Collective has raised $500,000 from 7K+ donors and launched
136 media activations across Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington DC. Reach
of at least 22 million impressions. Media plan includes billboards, digital ads, and wild
postings. 100% of funds raised go towards media buys and further amplification.
● Artwork was a collaboration between multiple anonymous artists including Iranians in
Iran, Iranians in Diaspora, and western allies, who advised on creative direction,
graphics, typography.
● It was important to include “woman, life, freedom” in English and Farsi – our audience is
not just the west, but also our friends and family in Iran.
● Origin of this women’s movement in Iran is from Kurdish women. They original freedom
slogan is “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi.” Zhina Mahsa was Kurdish and the Kurdish people have a
long history of fighting against the Islamic Republic.
● Symbolism within the artwork: circle behind Zhina Mahsa Amini represents the sun; in
Iranian culture, women are called “shirzan”, “lioness,” Zhina Mahsa’s name is a code for
the movement and revolution, Azadi Tower (Freedom Tower in Tehran) is depicted,
silhouettes of protestors.
2022 MEDIA ADVISORY: Resources and Perspective on Women-Led Revolution in Iran
WHAT: A working, living document with the most recent headlines and most urgent talking
points around the situation in Iran. This document is a resource for journalists and thought
leaders who want to cover Iran, but are unable to verify information due to the Islamic Republic’s
deliberate shut down of the internet and suppression of voices on the ground. The document
will also offer guidance on “actionables” around how to address the violence being committed by
the Islamic Republic of Iran.
TO ACCESS: http://bit.ly/talkaboutiran, http://media.iraniandiasporacollective.com
WHO WE ARE: The Iranian Diaspora Collective 501(c)(3) a non-partisan, queer-led, multi-faith
group of leaders in the media and entertainment industries who possess expertise in modern
cultural and business practices. Our impact driven strategy mobilizes our expertise in storytelling
and culture through a broad network of taste-makers, provocateurs, thought-leaders, and
industry experts. Our intersectional and inclusive approach reflects our dedication to achieving
freedom of expression and equity for women and all marginalized groups in Iran.
Our goal is to use our resources and access to Western media, governments, and cultural
industries to amplify the voices and advocate for the demands of people inside Iran. Through an
intersectional, inclusive lens, our strategy promotes equity for all marginalized groups, including
women and ethnic, religious and gender/sexual minorities in Iran.
The Iranian Diaspora Collective supports the demands of Iranians inside Iran who want a free,
secular democracy, a new constitution and an end to theocracy. We are not affiliated with any
political organizations or lobbying groups. We support the vast majority of Iranians on the
ground who do not believe that the current regime, the Islamic Republic, can be reformed.
Instead, we support their fight for a revolution, and the formation of a new, non-theocratic,
democratic government.
CONTACT FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES:

To contact our team, please email team@iraniandiasporacollective.org.
For more information:

IG @iraniandiasporacollective
https://www.iraniandiasporacollective.com/
IDC in the Press:

Harper’s Bazaar, The Iranian Diaspora Collective Doesn’t Want You to Look Away
The Washington Post, Here’s what it’s like to be persecuted for your hair
Forbes, Iranian-American Activist Shames The West For All Talk And No Action On Mahsa
Amini Protests
MSNBC, This Regime Has to be Held Accountable
Jennifer Griffin, Angered Mourning Activists Launch Billboard Campaign in Times Square
MSNBC, People are Willing to Die to Create this Content
CNN, This Morning with Don Lemon with Hillary Clinton
Manoto, Bahar Ghandehari on the Iranian Diaspora Collective
Chris Cuomo on NewsNation, Detainments Continue in Iran over Protests
MSNBC, “A revolution, not a protest’: How the international community can support Iran
The Breakfast Club, Moj Mahdara talks the Iranian Crisis, Women's Rights, and Propaganda
MSNBC, Iranian Diaspora Turns to social media to amplify voice of protestors
MSNBC, Their Time is Up: Iranian Regime under pressure after three-day strike by protestors
NewsNation with Marni Hughes, Morality Police Abolished?
Forbes, Iranian Diaspora Collective Stands with Iranians for a Democratic Iran
Elle Magazine, Iranians Are Fighting and Dying for Their Rights
Service95 Newsletter, The Organization Amplifying Iranian’s Stories

How To Talk About Iran (Living Document) Iranian Diaspora Collective (IDC)

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How to Talk About Iran (Living Document)

DISCLOSURES: THIS DOCUMENT IS INCOMPLETE, IMPERFECT, AND WILL BE EDITED.

Current Headlines - IRAN

● 12/30/22 Strikes planned for Dec 31/10th of Dey

Current Headlines - USA & International Community

The Maximum Support campaign includes 15 steps/action items which includes:

September 2022 Protest & Uprising Stats

● *NEW* Guide to Political sponsorships of detained protesters (as of Dec 29 2022)

Background on the Current Movement:

“Woman, Life, Freedom”:

Understanding the structure & bodies of IR forces: Source

“Freedom of Speech” in Iran: detained journalists and media:

Blocked websites and social media platforms in Iran:

Acadamics, Thought Leaders, & Domain Experts

News Accounts, Thought Leaders, and more to follow:

Iranian Diaspora Public Figures, Actors, Influencers (Creating digestible &

What this movement IS:

What this movement is NOT:

A (Brief) Timeline of Women's Rights in Iran under the Islamic Republic:

Understanding Women’s Rights in Iran through the lens of Conservatorship

Conservatorship in the US Women in Iran

Cannot make decisions regarding education or

2022 MEDIA ADVISORY: Resources and Perspective on Women-Led Revolution in Iran

TO ACCESS: http://bit.ly/talkaboutiran, http://media.iraniandiasporacollective.com

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES:

For more information:

IDC in the Press:

You might also like

● NEW Guide to Political sponsorships of detained protesters (as of Dec 29 2022)