U.S. Imposes New Sanctions on Iran’s Drone Supply Network
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, in coordination with the Department of Justice, announced a new round of sanctions against an international network linked to Iran’s drone program. This network includes six entities, and two individuals based in Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and China, all involved in supplying components for Iran’s drone industry.
According to U.S. officials, this network operated in support of Qods Aviation Industries, one of Iran’s primary military drone manufacturers. It also played a role in supplying equipment to other entities affiliated with Iran’s military-industrial complex, including the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Company (HESA) and Bagheri Industrial Group.
The U.S. Department of Justice also announced that an indictment has been issued in the Eastern District of New York against Hossein Akbari (63) and Reza Amidi (62), both Iranian nationals, as well as an Iranian company named Rah Roshd.
According to the indictment, they are accused of attempting to provide material support to the Iranian regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and participating in a scheme to transfer U.S. technology for use in Iran’s attack drones. Akbari and Omidi remain fugitives and are currently at large.
“No to Execution Tuesdays”: Hunger Strike in 38 Iranian Prisons
The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, in its 62nd week, continued its protest against the implementation of death sentences in Iran, with the participation of prisoners from 38 prisons across the country.
This campaign, which began in February 2024, is held every Tuesday through a hunger strike by political prisoners in protest against the expansion and continuation of executions by Iran’s regime.
“No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign; Prisoners’ Hunger Strike in IranIn its latest statement, the campaign announced that the Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Hamid Hosseinnejad Heidaranlou, a political prisoner from Chaldoran. The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, noting that executions continue even during the Persian New Year (Nowruz) and the holy month of Ramadan, has called on all freedom-loving people and families of prisoners sentenced to death to organize protest gatherings in public places and in front of prisons to demand the abolition of this inhumane punishment. The campaign emphasizes that protesting against death sentences is a natural and legitimate right of every free human being. The full statement of the campaign is as follows: “The Iranian regime has not stopped the inhumane punishment of execution even during Nowruz and Ramadan. In recent days, several prisoners have fallen victim to the insatiable appetite of Iran’s rulers for executions and repression. “In this period, the death sentence of political prisoner Hamid Hosseinnejad Heidaranlou from Chaldoran, who has been accused of ‘armed rebellion (baghi),’ was upheld by the Supreme Court of the regime and was officially communicated to him on March 24. The risk of his execution is therefore very serious, and it is essential that we raise our voices for him and other death row inmates. “We warn against the likelihood of resuming after the holidays, especially for those whose unjust sentences have been confirmed. “The case of Varisheh Moradi is currently in the Supreme Court. We demand the immediate annulment of Varisheh Moradi’s death sentence by the Supreme Court, as this is not a judicial decision but rather a premeditated state-sanctioned murder. We express our deep concern over the confirmation of this sentence and that of other prisoners and will resist it. “The ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ campaign strongly condemns the brutal executions and inhumane death sentences regardless of the charges and calls for the abolition of the death penalty in Iran. “As we have witnessed in recent weeks, families of prisoners sentenced to death have gathered in protest in front of Lakan Prison in Rasht, Evin Prison in Tehran, Saqqez Prison, and in the city of Sonqor. In solidarity with these families, we call on all freedom-loving people and families of prisoners sentenced to death to organize protest gatherings in public places, in front of prisons, or any other location to demand the abolition of the inhumane death penalty. “This is the most natural, legitimate, and logical right of families, all free individuals, and the general public to protest against the cruel death sentences.” On Tuesday, April 1, in its 62nd week, the ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ campaign will hold a hunger strike in 38 prisons.
Iran’s Power Shortages Will Not Be Resolved Within One or Two Years
As the Iranian regime continues to struggle with supplying electricity to the country, Mostafa Nakhaei, a member of the Energy Commission of the Majlis (parliament), highlighted growing concerns about the energy crisis expected in the upcoming summer. He emphasized that resolving the electricity shortage will not be possible within one or two years.
On March 30, Nakhaei stated in an interview with the regime’s ISNA News Agency, affiliated with the Basij paramilitary force: “Electricity shortages, especially in the summer, are an undeniable reality that have accumulated over the years, and naturally, they cannot be resolved within one or two years.”
The Ongoing Electricity Crisis in IranHe pointed out that electricity consumption in the country increases by about five percent annually, while power generation capacity has not seen significant growth in recent years. In recent months, multiple reports have emerged regarding Iran’s energy shortages and the government’s inability to effectively manage various sectors of the country. Hamidreza Salehi, Secretary General of the regime’s Energy Export Federation, warned on March 25 that, due to the potential shutdown of hydroelectric power plants caused by water shortages, the country will face a power deficit of 24,000 megawatts this summer. In another part of his interview with Daneshjoo News Agency, Nakhaei stated that Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration has declared in commission meetings that developing renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, is a “key solution” on their agenda. However, this solution appears to be far removed from the current reality. As Iran’s regime continues to struggle with electricity supply challenges, Abbas Aliabadi, the Iranian regime’s Minister of Energy, urged citizens on March 22 to invest in the country’s electricity industry to help overcome this crisis. Between March 21, 2024, and March 21, 2025, there were 291 working days in total, but some provinces declared 72 of those days as non-working due to gas or electricity shortages. In recent months, many citizens have staged protests in various parts of the country in response to the Iranian regime’s inefficiency in energy supply and repeated power outages.
Around 200,000 People in Iran Suffer from Hepatitis C
Ghobad Moradi, head of the Center for Communicable Disease Control at the Iranian regime’s Ministry of Health, stated that approximately 200,000 people in Iran are infected with hepatitis C.
On Sunday, March 30, in an interview with the state-run ILNA news agency, Moradi discussed the number of hepatitis C cases in the country, stating: “Our estimate is that fewer than 200,000 people in the country are infected with hepatitis C.”
He added: “If we can identify and treat these individuals, we can significantly reduce the prevalence of this disease.”
Iranian Regime MP Warns About Intensified Medicine ShortagesEarlier, in January 2025, Rashid Ramazani, head of the Hepatitis Disease Monitoring Unit at Iranian regime’s Ministry of Health, noted that around 200,000 people in the country have hepatitis C and reported that 204 people die from the disease annually. Ramazani pointed out that 30% of hepatitis C cases occur among “injecting drug users,” making this group the most affected by the disease. The Ministry of Health official noted that the most common route of hepatitis C transmission is through contaminated blood. He added that hepatitis B and C viruses are the leading causes of chronic liver disease, which can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. In another part of his interview with ILNA, Moradi mentioned that vaccination programs involve many details, stating: “For example, the hepatitis B vaccination program is gradually bringing our country to a level where we can hope to obtain certification for the elimination of mother-to-child hepatitis B transmission.” In March 2025, reports surfaced about contaminated blood transfusions in thalassemia centers in Sistan and Baluchestan province, leading to the infection of dozens of patients with hepatitis C. Salman Es’haghi, spokesperson for the Health Commission in the regime’s Majlis (parliament), reacted to the issue on March 10, stating that tests conducted on 323 patients out of 1,200 thalassemia patients under the supervision of Chabahar University of Medical Sciences in Sistan and Baluchestan province confirmed that 113 individuals were infected with the hepatitis C virus. According to Es’haghi, a single unit of blood was simultaneously transfused to two or even three thalassemia patients on the same hospital bed. He denied that the blood used for thalassemia patients was contaminated but did not explain the cause of their hepatitis C infections.
Khamenei: I Don’t Think We’ll Be Attacked from the Outside
Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Iranian regime, addressed growing speculation about the possibility of a military attack against his regime in his speech following the Eid al-Fitr prayer. He stated that he does not believe the regime will be struck “from the outside.”
On Sunday, March 30, in Tehran’s prayer hall, Khamenei said: “They threaten to commit evil acts. We are not very certain, and we do not consider it highly likely that such evil will come from the outside. But if it does happen, they will certainly receive a strong counterblow.”
He added: “If the enemies think of inciting sedition inside the country, the Iranian nation itself will respond to them.”
These remarks come a day after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that if the Iranian regime does not agree to a deal on its nuclear program, it will be bombed.
He further stated that if an attack on Iran were to take place, “this bombing will be unlike anything they have ever seen.”
On March 30, the Tehran Times, a newspaper affiliated with the Iranian government, reported that, according to information it had received, the regime’s missiles have been mounted on launchers in all underground missile cities and are ready for launch.
Khamenei: Our Stance Against the U.S. and Israel Has Not Changed
In his remarks, Khamenei reaffirmed the continuation of the Iranian regime’s foreign policy, stating: “Everyone should know that our positions remain the same; the enmity of the U.S. and the Zionist regime is also the same as it was.” Repeating his previous positions, he claimed that his regime does not have proxy forces and that the only proxy force in the region is Israel, which “invades countries on behalf of colonialists.” On March 7, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had expressed his willingness in a letter to Khamenei to negotiate over Iran’s nuclear program instead of taking military action against the regime. The news outlet Axios reported on March 19 that the letter had a harsh tone and set a two-month deadline for reaching a new nuclear agreement. On March 27, Abbas Araghchi, Iranian regime’s Foreign Minister, announced that Tehran had responded to Trump’s letter “appropriately and through Oman.” The full text of Tehran’s response has not yet been officially published. However, on March 29, the Arabic-language newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that in its response, the Iranian government reaffirmed its long-standing positions, including refusing to negotiate over its missile program or proxy groups and refusing to engage in talks beyond the framework of the JCPOA. Years of fruitless negotiations with Tehran have proven that this regime is only seeking to buy time and that nothing stops it from interfering in regional countries and expanding terrorism. The Iranian regime faces a legitimacy crisis and the threat of popular uprisings, and it will do anything to avoid confronting the Iranian people. In this regard, even the threat of bombing will change nothing. The only solution is to pave the way for the people and their resistance to rid the region of this regime once and for all.Isfahan Erupts: Farmers Clash with Riot Forces in Shatur over the Plundering of Zayandeh Rud Waters
Tensions and clashes continue to escalate in the city of Eslamabad Shatur, in Isfahan Province, where courageous farmers persist in their struggle to reclaim their natural right to irrigation water. In response to their legitimate and vital demands, riot forces affiliated with the Iranian regime have been deployed, meeting the farmers with batons, tear gas, and rubber bullets in an effort to silence and suppress them.
This struggle is no longer just about water—it has become a fight for dignity, justice, and the right to life. Despite injuries, including several cases of farmers losing their eyesight due to direct fire, the protesters remain resolute. They have declared their intention to continue sit-ins, vowing to hold Eid al-Fitr prayers on the dry bed of the Zayandeh Rud River, specifically on the historic Khaju Bridge, as a symbolic act of defiance against years of neglect and broken promises.
Today witnessed one of the fiercest confrontations in Shatur, where a farmer drove his vehicle toward riot police in a dramatic protest. The situation remains highly volatile, with limited information emerging from the ground.
Isfahan Farmers Protest Against Water Shortages; Protesters Break Water Pipeline to YazdAt the heart of the crisis lies the systematic diversion of Zayandeh Rud’s water to steel industries controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Farmers accuse the IRGC of running a mafia that monopolizes national resources for profit, leaving agricultural communities to suffer the consequences. They are no longer willing to remain silent and view their current resistance as a fight against the institutionalized corruption of the regime and the IRGC’s stranglehold over the country’s lifelines. One farmer from eastern Isfahan stated: “They think they can blind us and silence us with teargas and bullets, but each shot only makes us stronger and more united. We are standing here for our rights, and this fight will continue until we reclaim what is rightfully ours.” The farmers’ uprising in Isfahan is not just a local protest—it is a national cry for justice, and a stand against the oppressive grip of the IRGC mafia over the lives and livelihoods of Iran’s people.
Surging Inflation in the New Iranian Year
In the early days of the new Iranian year (which began on March 21), Iran’s economy is grappling with crises such as the rapid depreciation of the national currency, a lack of investment, inflation of at least 35%, a noticeable decline in people’s purchasing power, and issues arising from energy imbalances.
The Research Center of the Iranian Parliament previously reported that in the year 1404 (starting March 21, 2025), Iran’s economy will face serious challenges, including declining economic growth, rising inflation, and increasing poverty.
These economic issues, combined with sanctions and regime’s diplomatic crises, have led many experts—and even some government officials in Iran—to warn about the country’s economic situation in 1404 (2025).
The Iranian regime neither has the ability nor the intention to control inflation. Even raising nominal interest rates is not an option, as it could lead to the collapse of Iran’s already fragile banking system and widespread bankruptcies.
Iran: Rising Inflation and Exchange Rates, Economy on the Brink of CollapseThe policy of “artificial exchange rate control” requires constant currency market interventions, which is a continuation of the failed strategy of past years. This policy has led to the depletion of over $100 billion (and, according to some estimates, more than $200 billion) in foreign exchange reserves over the past decade, while the price of the US dollar has continued to rise. As the most indebted economic entity in the country, the Iranian regime actually benefits from inflation—as long as it does not trigger social unrest—because higher inflation erodes the real value of government debt. The root cause of Iran’s economic problems, including inflation, lies within the regime and its policies. In other words, while external factors such as sanctions, global political conditions, and geopolitical risks do have an impact, they are not the main causes of these issues; rather, they only exacerbate the existing problems. The Iranian regime has estimated oil exports at two million barrels per day, but given the policies of the new U.S. administration, this target is unlikely to be achieved, which will further deepen Iran’s budget deficit.
Severe Inflation Wave and the Legitimacy Crisis of the Iranian Regime in 2025
All these factors indicate that Iran’s economy will face a severe wave of inflation in 2025, with some economists predicting inflation rates as high as 50%. A functional government would never block its own paths to free trade and economic, political, and cultural exchanges with the world. However, the Iranian regime, in order to maintain its grip on power and continue its dictatorship, will never abandon its interventionist policies in the region or its expansion of terrorism. Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Iranian regime, will intensify repression in parallel. The prospect of change through negotiations with the Iranian regime is nothing but a mirage. This claim is backed by 45 years of deception, hostage-taking, warmongering, torture, and executions—all tactics the regime has used to maintain its grip on power. In the year 1403 (March 21, 2024 – March 21, 2025), the Iranian regime executed more than 1,153 people. Widespread government corruption and a lack of investment in the oil and gas sector have prevented these resources from meeting the needs of society, causing people to become increasingly impoverished. This mounting economic and social pressure will ultimately lead to large-scale uprisings in Iran. In 2024, following the killing of Mahsa Amini by the regime’s security forces, the Iranian regime was on the brink of collapse. However, through extreme repression and the killing of more than 750 protesters, it temporarily managed to suppress the nationwide uprising. In the oil and energy sector, external pressures and sanctions have eliminated any possibility of short-term solutions or temporary relief. These pressures will only intensify further. Iran is currently deprived of any cooperation, services, or technology from Western companies. Due to limited oil exports and a lack of investment, it cannot even procure these resources indirectly through intermediaries except at significantly higher costs. As external pressures mount, Iran’s energy sector will continue its downward spiral at an accelerated pace. All these factors highlight the Iranian regime’s inability to resolve crises and mega-crises, the roots of which date back many years. Not only has the government failed to implement any real solutions, but in many cases, its officials have actively worsened these crises. However, the fundamental issue is the Iranian regime’s legitimacy crisis among the public. This crisis has manifested in various ways, from widespread anti-government uprisings to historically low voter turnout in elections. Despite all this, Iranian officials continue to insist on maintaining their past approaches, particularly in domestic, foreign, and economic policies. Given the escalating economic and social crises in Iran, it is inevitable that new waves of anti-regime uprisings will emerge, and the Iranian regime should brace itself for major upheavals.Cancer Surge in Iran; Cases Expected to Double in 15 Years
Jafar Jandaghi, the director of the Center for Non-Communicable Disease Management at Iran’s Ministry of Health, stated that the number of cancer-related deaths in the country will double within the next 15 years.
According to him, 79,000 people die from cancer in Iran each year. This statistic comes at a time when rising drug prices have made the treatment of chronic illnesses, such as cancer, accessible only to a privileged economic class.
In 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the number of new cancer cases worldwide will exceed 35 million by 2050.
In early March 2025, Jafar Jandaghi reported that approximately 390 new cancer cases are identified daily in Iran, totaling 142,350 cases annually. He also stated that 216 people die from cancer every day, amounting to 79,000 deaths per year.
Pharmacists and Doctors Concerned Over the Impact of Rising Drug Prices and Shortages in IranLast year, two contradictory statistics were reported regarding the incidence and detection of cancer in Iran. In November 2023, the director of the Office for Non-Communicable Disease Management at the Ministry of Health stated that between 85,000 and 90,000 new cancer cases are detected annually in Iran, which translates to 233–247 cases per day. A comparison between last year’s figures and this year’s data shows a 58–67% increase in cancer case detection. However, in February 2024, the Ministry of Health reported that cancer incidence in Iran had reached 150,000 cases annually—contradicting both the previous year’s figures and the latest data. This discrepancy might suggest a declining trend, though no official source has confirmed or supported such a claim.
Drug Price Surge and Halted Cancer Treatment
Jandaghi’s warning about rising cancer mortality rates comes amid a sharp increase in drug prices over recent months. Multiple sources have raised alarms about an impending pharmaceutical crisis.Iranian Families Forced to Abandon Children’s Cancer Treatment
The state-affiliated newspaper Ham-Mihan reported, citing the CEO of the Institute for Supporting Children with Cancer in Khorasan, that in February 2025, some families abandoned their children’s cancer treatment due to financial difficulties. Additionally, the president of Iran’s Radio-Oncology Association stated that new cancer drugs have not been included in the insurance coverage lists. According to him, immunotherapy and targeted therapy drugs cost between 100 million and 1 billion rials per treatment cycle (approximately $100 to $1,000), while the minimum wage for a worker with two children is about $15 per month.Poverty and Healthcare Crisis in Iran
In January 2025, Iran’s Statistical Center reported that 27% of Iranians—approximately one-third of the population—earn only $2 per day. This means they cannot afford medical treatment if they become ill. Ham-Mihan reported: “It is estimated that 68% of cancer patients face catastrophic healthcare costs, meaning they spend more than one-third of their income on treatment. The lowest-income 30% of the population cannot afford these expenses, as most healthcare costs are paid out-of-pocket rather than covered by insurance.” The most common cancers in Iran are breast, prostate, colorectal, non-melanoma skin, and stomach cancer.Global Warning: The Rising Tide of Cancer Cases
In February 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that new cancer cases worldwide could surpass 35 million by 2050. Although Iran is not considered a developed country, it is expected to bear a significant portion of this increase. Previously, cancer was the second leading cause of death in Iran, following cardiovascular diseases. The lack of a centralized data collection system is a major issue, and the actual number of cancer cases is likely higher than reported. The Iranian regime has no structured cancer detection program, posing a serious public health risk. Conflicting reports on cancer incidence and mortality, skyrocketing drug prices, lack of insurance coverage for many essential medications—forcing patients to buy from the black market where drug authenticity and expiration dates are uncertain—along with negligence in cancer prevention efforts, could make cancer control even more challenging. Iran may reach the predicted doubling of cancer cases in less than 15 years.Isfahan Farmers Protest Against Water Shortages; Protesters Break Water Pipeline to Yazd
As the water crisis and drought persist in Iran, a group of farmers from Isfahan province once again gathered in protest against water shortages and the drying up of the Zayandeh Rud River. Some protesters also broke the water pipeline supplying Yazd.
Videos circulated on social media show that a group of farmers from eastern Isfahan continued their protest on Saturday, March 29, demanding their water rights.
The gathering was held in protest against the authorities’ failure to fulfill their promises regarding the allocation of Zayandeh Rud’s water rights.
Yazd’s Water and Wastewater Company also reported damage to the drinking water pipeline supplying the province and urged citizens to minimize their water consumption to prevent shortages.
Jalal Alamdari, the CEO of Yazd Water and Wastewater Company, described the province’s drinking water situation as critical, citing the destruction of the water transfer pipeline. He warned that Yazd is now facing a shortage of 1,400 liters of water per second.
He announced that 13 water tankers would be used to combat the water shortage.
Protests by Isfahan’s farmers over the drying up of the Zayandeh Rud and the unfulfilled allocation of their water rights have repeatedly made headlines in recent years.
The protesting farmers argue that Isfahan’s rightful water share is being diverted to other provinces, including Yazd.
Isfahan is considered one of Iran’s most water-stressed provinces. Its residents have repeatedly protested against the Iranian government’s mismanagement of the water crisis.
In some instances, these protests have been met with violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces.
The first reported instance of the water transfer pipelines from Isfahan to Yazd being broken dates back to 2012, highlighting the severity of the crisis, which has only worsened in subsequent years.
It is worth noting that one of the major causes of water shortages in Isfahan is the allocation of the majority of freshwater resources to industries controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
US State Department Condemns Human Rights Violations by Iran’s Regime
Tammy Bruce, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, referred to the arrest of Kurdish citizens in Iran for participating in Nowruz celebrations, calling the Iranian regime one of the worst human rights violators in the world. She stated that the Trump administration would continue to support and defend the human rights of the Iranian people.
On Friday, March 28, in a press conference, the U.S. State Department spokesperson stated that the Iranian regime is one of the worst human rights violators in the world. She emphasized that the regime suppresses its people to maintain power and prevents them from enjoying fundamental freedoms.
Following the Nowruz celebrations (the Persian New Year, which begins on March 21) in Kurdistan, Mohammad Jabari, the province’s prosecutor, announced the arrest of individuals labeled as “leaders and main agents of propaganda activities against the regime under the cover of Nowruz celebrations.”
In recent days, several human rights websites have published the names of a number of Kurdish citizens who have been arrested in connection with Nowruz ceremonies in Kurdish-majority cities in Iran.
As large crowds gathered at tourist sites in Fars province at New Years’ time, which included dancing and anti-government slogans, Kamran Mirhaji, the province’s prosecutor, announced on Sunday, March 23, that action had been taken against some of the attendees, and several individuals had been arrested.
At the same time, following the chanting of anti-government slogans at Ferdowsi’s tomb on New Year’s Day, Mohammad Hossein Doroudi, the prosecutor of Razavi Khorasan province, reported that action had been taken against several individuals whom he described as “norm-breakers” during the New Year’s ceremony at Ferdowsi’s tomb.
The U.S. State Department spokesperson added on Friday that Iran executes more people than any other country in the world in an unjust manner, persecutes religious and ethnic minorities, and uses methods such as arbitrary detention, torture, and other human rights violations to intimidate political opponents and suppress any dissenting voices.
Tammy Bruce stated that the U.S. government would continue to support and defend the rights of the Iranian people against the regime’s ongoing human rights violations and authoritarian repression.
In March 2025, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Ilam announced that no institution would be allowed to issue permits for Nowruz celebrations.
Nowruz 1404 (which began on March 21) coincided with the month of Ramadan, and Sadegh Hosseini had threatened that there would be a “serious crackdown” on individuals who organized or raised funds for celebrations, either online or in person.
The U.S. State Department’s comprehensive report on human rights in Iran highlighted widespread and systematic human rights violations, including discrimination against women—particularly the enforcement of compulsory hijab—an increase in executions, censorship and severe restrictions on freedom of speech, the arrest and intimidation of journalists, transnational repression, violations of religious freedom, child rights abuses, particularly regarding child labor, and many other extensive human rights abuses in Iran.
