Tehran on the Brink of a Water CrisisIn this regard, Issa Bozorgzadeh, spokesperson for the Iranian regime’s water industry, stated on March 10 that “the water reserves in Tehran’s dams are far from adequate.” Additionally, Didbaniran news outlet reported that on March 12 that Ahad Vazifeh, head of the National Center for Climate and Drought Crisis Management at Iran’s Meteorological Organization, warned about Tehran’s water situation, stating that “four out of the five dams supplying water to Tehran are currently below 10% capacity, making the risk of water shortages in the summer even more severe.” Meanwhile, Mehdi Chamran, head of Tehran’s City Council, announced that the water authority plans to drill 50 deep wells, each 250 meters deep, to provide drinking water for the summer. However, this measure could lead to the depletion of other wells and worsen land subsidence in Tehran. Ahad Vazifeh also stated that the watersheds of the Karun, Dez, Karkheh, and Marun rivers in southwestern Iran have been among the driest regions this year, with rainfall in these areas decreasing by more than 50%. He stressed that there is little hope for adequate rainfall in the upcoming spring and explained that, in a typical hydrological year, 44% of rainfall occurs in winter, 25% in autumn, 25% in spring, and a small amount in summer. Given that both autumn and winter this year were drier than usual, the outlook for spring rainfall is also not promising, which increases the risk of water shortages in the summer. Images and videos circulating on social media show that in recent weeks, residents of various cities have experienced reduced water pressure or complete water outages. Experts predict that with rising temperatures and increased water consumption, water cuts will become widespread and affect all cities in Iran.
Warning About the Possibility of Water Rationing in Iran
With decreasing rainfall in Iran and the absence of a proper system for protecting water resources, media reports indicate that water rationing is imminent in the country.
According to reports, water reserves behind Iran’s dams are in a critical state, and in the coming months, the water supply crisis will add to the country’s existing crises.
The government-affiliated Tejarat News website wrote on Friday, March 14, that due to reduced rainfall, poor management of surface and groundwater, and an increase in both legal and illegal well drilling for groundwater extraction, Iran’s water situation is disastrous.
Media reports on water reserves behind Tehran’s dams indicate that Lar Dam has only 11 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to just 1% of its capacity. Latyan Dam holds 8 million cubic meters (10% capacity), Mamlu Dam has 29 million cubic meters (12% capacity), and Amir Kabir Dam contains 11 million cubic meters (6% capacity).
Iran: Commemoration of Political Prisoners Executed in the 1980s
On Friday, March 14—the last Friday of the Iranian calendar year, which begins on March 21—families of political prisoners executed in the 1980s held a commemoration ceremony behind closed doors at Khavaran Cemetery.
This ceremony took place under the ongoing restrictions imposed by Iranian regime’s security forces, who have kept the gates of Khavaran Cemetery closed for the past year, preventing families from visiting their loved ones’ graves to honor their memory.
The families of political prisoners executed in the 1980s have protested the burial of deceased members of the Baha’i community in the mass grave section designated for political prisoners executed in the summer of 1988. This protest has also been supported by the Baha’i community.
Pursuing Justice for Iran’s 1988 Massacre: A Significant Step ForwardThe Khavaran families have stated that they consider this action part of a deliberate policy to erase the evidence of the organized mass execution of political prisoners in the summer of 1988. In 1988, the Iranian regime executed 30,000 political prisoners, the majority of whom were supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), within a matter of weeks. There have been numerous reports in the past regarding the Iranian regime’s repeated prevention of families of executed political prisoners from entering Khavaran Cemetery in Tehran to hold commemorative ceremonies. Regarding Khavaran Cemetery, the Iranian government has long been barring families of executed political and ideological prisoners from visiting the site while simultaneously forcibly burying deceased Baha’i citizens in the section where political prisoners from the 1988 executions were laid to rest. The Khavaran families see this action as an attempt by the Iranian regime to erase “the evidence of the massacre of political prisoners in the 1980s, particularly in the summer of 1988,” and they have repeatedly protested this practice.
History PMOI/MEK – 1979 Iran RevolutionKhavaran Cemetery, located in southeastern Tehran along Khavaran Road and adjacent to cemeteries belonging to religious minorities, is the burial site of thousands of political and ideological prisoners who were executed in the summer of 1988. These individuals were secretly buried in mass graves without identification. The mass execution of political prisoners in August and September 1988 remains one of the darkest chapters of former Iranian regime’s president Ebrahim Raisi’s record of crimes. Nearly 36 years later, much remains unknown about the full extent of these atrocities. Raisi was a key member of the notorious “Death Commission,” a five-member panel that conducted brief trials lasting only a few minutes before sending prisoners to the execution squads.
UN Fact-Finding Committee: The Iranian Government Continues to Repress Opponents
The Independent UN Fact-Finding Committee on Iran announced on Friday, March 14, that the Iranian regime continues its “systematic repression” of dissidents following the protests of 2022.
According to the UN Human Rights Council website, the committee stated in its latest report on the Iranian regime’s actions that two years and six months after the protests began in September 2022, the Iranian government continues to intensify its efforts to restrict the rights of women, girls, and those advocating for human rights.
The Independent UN Fact-Finding Committee, referring to the implementation of the so-called “Noor Plan” in Iran, noted that criminal prosecution against women opposing mandatory hijab has intensified.
The New “Hijab and Chastity” Law in Iran: A Tool for Suppression and ControlIn this latest crackdown on women’s choice of clothing under the “Noor Plan,” the Iranian regime has deployed its security forces and plainclothes agents in the streets of various cities. However, despite widespread arrests, civil resistance continues. The committee further reported that human rights defenders and women’s rights activists continue to face penalties such as fines, long-term imprisonment, and, in some cases, the death penalty for their peaceful advocacy of human rights. This report, set to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 18, highlights that the government’s actions are aimed at suppressing women’s and girls’ human rights and their right to equality. Sara Hossain, the chair of the Independent UN Fact-Finding Committee on Iran, stated that the Iranian government has refused to implement the demands for equality and justice raised during the 2022 protests. The report further states that, beyond increasing surveillance, the government has expanded internet restrictions and extended its repressive policies beyond Iran’s borders to silence human rights defenders, including journalists. The committee also reported that, so far, 10 male political prisoners have been executed in connection with the protests, and at least 14 other political prisoners—11 men and three women—are at risk of execution. The committee emphasized its “serious concerns regarding the implementation of fair trial rights,” the regime’s use of “forced confessions,” and “violations of due process” within the Iranian regime’s judicial system. In its report, the Independent UN Fact-Finding Committee stated that over the past two years, it has gathered a vast collection of evidence, including more than 38,000 documents, and conducted interviews with 285 victims and witnesses. The report once again confirms gross human rights violations and crimes against humanity in Iran. It highlights further cases of sexual violence against female protesters, including gang rape, as well as the deaths of protesters, which the government has described as “suicides.” Additionally, it examines the widespread use of mock executions of detainees, which amounts to torture.
Iran: Rising Inflation and Exchange Rates, Economy on the Brink of Collapse
According to the latest official report from the Iranian regime’s Statistical Center, the inflation rate in February has broken the record for the past 12 months, with the monthly inflation rate surpassing 4% for the first time in a year.
Beyond this year’s inflation, data extracted from reports indicate a continued rise in inflation during the first six months of the next year. This suggests that the value of the U.S. dollar will continue to increase against the Iranian rial, as one of the fundamental methods for calculating the intrinsic value of the dollar is based on the difference in inflation rates between Iran and the U.S.
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
According to the latest report from Iran’s Statistical Center on February inflation, the prices of goods and services used by the public have increased by 4.1% compared to November 2024. This level of price surge has been unprecedented in the past year. The report also states that year-on-year inflation stands at 35.3%, meaning that households across the country have had to spend, on average, 35.3% more than in February 2024 to purchase the same set of goods and services.The Devaluation of Iran’s Rial Has AcceleratedAccording to the official report from Iran’s Statistical Center, the prices of food items—especially vegetables, dried fruits, and fresh fruits—have increased more than other goods and services. This indicates that the burden of inflation is felt most by low-income households. The fact that inflation in rural areas has outpaced that of urban areas further confirms this reality. Data from Iran’s Statistical Center show that inflation in rural areas has reached 36%, compared to 35.2% in urban areas.
Producer Price Index (PPI)
Producer inflation measures price changes from the perspective of producers (rather than consumers) and is usually considered a leading indicator for future consumer inflation. Iran’s Statistical Center reported that producer inflation in January was even higher than consumer inflation in February. This signals rising production costs, which will eventually be passed on to consumers, leading to reduced profit margins and, ultimately, more inflation and price increases in the coming months. Data from Iran’s Statistical Center indicate rising producer inflation across all sectors, including industry, mining, and agriculture. In January, producer inflation in the mining sector reached 33%, while the general inflation rate in the industrial sector stood at 36.9%. The agricultural sector experienced a sharp increase of 11.4 percentage points, bringing its inflation rate to 38%.Liquidity Growth
A recently published report on the Iranian regime’s Central Bank website shows that the total liquidity volume reached 9,723 trillion tomans by the end of January, marking a 23.4% increase. This means that the liquidity growth in just the first ten months of this year is nearly equal to the total liquidity of the country by the end of 2018. Despite the 23.4% liquidity growth in January, this figure increased further in February, reaching 27.4%. This accelerating growth, combined with the severe production crisis caused by frequent power outages and structural issues, signals a worsening inflationary trend in the coming year.Budget Deficit and Rising Government Debt
Ebrahim Bahadorani, senior advisor to the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, has estimated the operational budget deficit for 2025 at approximately 1,805 trillion tomans. He made this estimate in November 2024, before Donald Trump had threatened Iran with a severe reduction in oil sales. Given the current inflation rate and the high likelihood of Trump’s threats materializing—along with intensified U.S. oil and financial sanctions—it is highly probable that a significant portion of the government’s projected revenues in the 2025 budget will not be realized, further exacerbating the already massive budget deficit. Moreover, government debt has increased by 32% compared to the same month last year. The government, failing to meet its projected revenues, is pressuring banks for funding, leading to higher liquidity, inflation, and ultimately rising prices across the economy. Data from the Central Bank indicate that the government’s revenue constraints—particularly in oil sales—have forced it to rely on banks and, ultimately, the Central Bank for funding. In response, the Central Bank has resorted to printing money.Calculating the Dollar Exchange Rate with an Optimistic Inflation Estimate
The factors mentioned in this report strongly indicate rising inflation in the coming year, which in turn suggests a rise in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar. One method for estimating the real value of the dollar is to use the difference between inflation rates in Iran and the U.S. Using this method, if U.S. inflation is assumed to be 3.1% and Iran’s average inflation rate in the first half of the Iranian calendar year (starting March 21) is optimistically estimated at 37%, with the exchange rate at 930,000 rials per dollar by the end of this year, then adding the inflation differential of 33.9% to the current exchange rate gives an estimated intrinsic dollar value of 1,245,000 rials in the coming year. This is a staggering figure, which will undoubtedly be influenced by whether negotiations between Iran and the U.S. take place, as well as by the Central Bank’s policies. Depending on next year’s inflation rate and the exchange rate at the end of this year, the time required to reach this projected rate may vary.The Decline of Iranian Workers’ Purchasing Power
The state-run ILNA news agency reported that the ever-widening gap between the minimum wage and the cost of living has reached alarming levels. It stated that the officially announced figure of 235 million rials (approximately $248) as the minimum cost of living does not even cover half of the living expenses in medium or large cities this year.
ILNA, quoting labor activist Nader Moradi, stated that a comparison between the minimum wage in 2007 and 2024 highlights a dramatic decline in workers’ purchasing power.
He explained that in 2007, minimum-wage workers could afford to buy a full gold coin with their salary. However, today, their wages barely cover less than half of a quarter of a gold coin.
Debate Over Minimum Wage for Workers in IranAccording to Nader Moradi, the minimum wage for workers in 2007 was 1.83 million rials, and with benefits included, their total earnings reached 2.36 million rials. At that time, the price of an old-design Bahar Azadi gold coin was 1.72 million rials, and the new-design version was 1.51 million rials. This meant that a worker’s base salary exceeded the price of a gold coin. He stressed that today, the purchasing power of wages has dropped to one-eighth of what it was in 2007. Criticizing the wage determination process in the Supreme Labor Council, Nader Moradi stated that the 2025 minimum wage is still being set based on the official inflation rate, even though wages have not kept pace with inflation over the years. He believes that this wage determination method will further widen the gap between income and living expenses, pushing workers into even harsher economic conditions. Despite this severe decline in purchasing power, the Supreme Labor Council continues to insist on setting wages based on inflation rates, without considering the real decline in wage value or the cost of living for a household as stipulated in Note 2 of Article 41 of the Labor Law. According to the report, while the minimum household living cost has reached 500 million rials (approximately $526), a wage increase of around 30% will only widen the gap between income and living expenses. Meanwhile, Ahmad Meydari, the Iranian regime’s Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, has repeatedly emphasized that the 2025 wage will be set in line with the inflation rate. On Wednesday, March 12, Ahmad Meydari stated: “The 2025 minimum wage will be set close to the inflation rate, which will be announced by the Iranian regime’s Statistics Center.” According to this center’s report, the 12-month inflation rate ending in February 2025 was recorded at 32.9%. Currently, the base salary for workers covered by labor laws is approximately 70 million rials (around $74), while the minimum wage for married workers with children (including benefits) is 110 million rials (approximately $116).
Drought Has Put Iran’s Environment at Risk
While officials of the Iranian regime have warned about the possibility of water rationing in Tehran next summer, Issa Bozorgzadeh, the spokesperson for the regime’s water industry, stated in an interview with the state-run Mehr news agency that next year will also be a year of drought. According to this official, even if the conditions in the coming months are normal, the water year will still be classified as a drought year.
Bozorgzadeh explained that even if rainfall increases, the water year—especially in Tehran Province—will still face severe water stress.
On Tuesday, March 11, Ahad Vazifeh, the head of the National Center for Climate and Drought Crisis Management at the regime’s Meteorological Organization, stated that water shortages in the summer are a serious threat and that there is a possibility of water rationing in Tehran next summer.
Serious Water Pressure Drops and Outages in TehranNow, Bozorgzadeh says that the situation of Tehran’s dams is dire: “In Tehran, we have a 25% decrease compared to last year and about a 46% decrease in the long term. Among Tehran’s dams, Amir Kabir and Latian dams are in worse condition. Overall, the four dams in Tehran—Lar, Latian, Mamloo, and Amir Kabir in Karaj—have less than 60 million cubic meters of inflow; meaning their reservoir volume is less than 60 million cubic meters, and part of that consists of dead storage and sediment, which cannot be used.” According to him, although the condition of the Taleqan Dam is better, there are structural limitations in water transfer, and it is not possible to transfer its water to Tehran: “Surface water resources are in trouble, and if we do not manage consumption and the rainfall does not recover, in the coming months, we may lose some of Tehran’s dams as water sources.” In recent months, many citizens have reported experiencing water cuts in addition to power outages.
UN Security Council to Hold a Closed-Door Meeting on Iran’s Nuclear Program
The United Nations Security Council is set to hold a closed-door meeting on the Iranian regime’s uranium stockpile, which has reached levels close to what is needed for nuclear weapons production.
According to Reuters, the meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, has been requested by six of the fifteen Security Council members: the United States, France, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Greece, and Panama.
Diplomats say these countries also want the meeting to address questions raised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the discovery of uranium particles at undeclared sites in Iran.
European Union: The Iranian Regime Must Not Attain Nuclear WeaponsThe Iranian regime has consistently denied allegations of seeking nuclear weapons. However, according to IAEA reports, Iran has enriched uranium up to 60%, which is technically close to the 90% enrichment level required for nuclear weapons production. The United States and the three European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal (the JCPOA) have warned that such a high level of uranium enrichment is unprecedented for a non-nuclear-armed state and lacks any credible justification. In July 2015, Tehran and six world powers signed a nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. However, during his first term as U.S. president, Donald Trump accused the Iranian regime of violating the spirit of the JCPOA and announced in May 2018 that the United States was withdrawing from the agreement. In response, Iran gradually rolled back some of its commitments under the deal. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany—the three European signatories of the JCPOA—have cited Iran’s non-compliance and its expanding nuclear program as grounds for triggering the so-called “snapback mechanism,” which would reinstate all UN sanctions against Iran. The United States and these three European countries have reaffirmed their determination to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA, has a ten-year duration. After its expiration on October 18, 2025, the snapback mechanism will no longer be available. Mr. Trump has instructed the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to work with Washington’s Western allies to activate the snapback mechanism and restore all sanctions against Iran. In recent days, the U.S. president has once again emphasized his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, warning that Tehran faces two options: reaching an agreement or facing military action. However, Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei has rejected the idea of negotiations with the U.S., and the regime’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also stated that Tehran will not negotiate “under pressure.” At the same time, on Sunday, Araghchi said that Tehran is engaged in discussions with China and Russia, as well as separately with the three European countries, to explore ways to build “trust and transparency” regarding its nuclear program. Additionally, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson has stated that Tehran may be willing to accept certain limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Iran: The 59th Week of “No to Executions Tuesdays” with the Participation of Women’s Ward in Sepidar Prison
On Tuesday, March 11, members of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign went on a hunger strike for the 59th consecutive week.
The imprisoned members of this campaign, while congratulating International Women’s Day on March 8 to “all women of the world, especially the courageous women of Iran,” announced that the women’s ward of Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz has joined the campaign.
With this development, the number of prisons where inmates go on hunger strike every Tuesday in protest against the issuance and execution of death sentences in Iran has reached 38.
In this week’s statement, the campaign members referred to “46 years of blatant discrimination against Iranian women by the religious fascist and misogynistic regime” and emphasized that Iranian women have been fighting for “their most basic human rights” throughout these years.
The start of the second year of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign: The gallows must be dismantledFull Statement: The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign congratulates all the women of the world, especially the resilient and fighting women of this land, who have endured centuries of severe discrimination and, for the past 46 years, have risen up for their most basic human rights despite the rule of a religious fascist and misogynistic regime. The campaign honors the memory of thousands of women who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom. The authoritarian regime in Iran continues its killing machine without pause. Since the beginning of February, nearly 100 people have been executed, including 28 people in a single day on March 1. This week, coinciding with International Women’s Day, a group of female prisoners from the women’s ward of Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz issued a statement announcing their participation in the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign, calling for the abolition of the death penalty. The campaign expresses its gratitude to all prisoners who have so far joined this movement against executions and continues to call on all inmates, as well as all conscientious individuals, political activists, human rights defenders, civil society activists, and trade unionists, to stand against the death penalty in Iran and be the voice of every person sentenced to execution. We must all remember that thousands of prisoners convicted of general crimes, as well as dozens of political and ideological prisoners, are on death row. For these prisoners and their fellow inmates, every moment in prison is spent with the looming thought of the noose and the gallows. At any moment, their right to life may be taken away by the repressive machinery of the religious dictatorship. Therefore, it is crucial that in the midst of various news distractions, we continually remind the world of the issue of executions and take a firm stand against it.
Economic Protests and Recession on the Eve of Nowruz; Reports Indicate The Market is a “Powder Keg”
As the value of the Iranian rial continues to plummet, economic protests in Iran persist with demonstrations by retired telecommunications employees, protests by nurses, strikes by oil industry workers, gatherings of merchants opposing the recession, and protests by job applicants for the Agricultural Jihad Ministry.
The rise in economic protests across the country comes as the Iranian rial has further depreciated following the belligerent remarks of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei regarding negotiations with the United States. Meanwhile, on Monday, March 10, the market price of one US dollar reached 953,000 rials, and the price of a single gold coin was approximately 790 million rials (approximately $831).
Sharp Price Increases Ahead of Nowruz; Iran’s Economic Crisis WorsensAccording to reports circulating on social media on Monday, March 10, protests by retirees took place in at least the cities of Tabriz, Sanandaj, Hormozgan, Marivan, and Bijar. Retired telecommunications workers in Sanandaj chanted in their protest: “A nation has never seen such injustice.” The executive bylaw of Article 24 of the National Service Law, passed in 2010, concerns the tasks that can be delegated and the procedures for purchasing services from the private sector. According to this regulation, “until the obstacles to delegation are removed,” the responsibility for providing services to the workforce remains with the executive body, i.e., the government. However, 14 years after the approval of this bylaw and despite the retirees’ continuous and repeated protests, it appears that neither have the “obstacles to delegation” been resolved nor has the executive body fulfilled its obligations toward the protesters. The weekly protests by retired telecommunications employees have been ongoing for months, consistently taking place on Mondays. The reasons for their protests include the lack of updates to welfare benefits in 2022 and 2023, management’s disregard for the 2010 bylaw, issues with supplementary insurance, and the failure to pay past dues at current rates. Additionally, a group of contract workers at the Fourth Refinery of South Pars protested against what they described as “wage suppression.”
Gonabad Market: A Powder Keg Awaiting a Spark
Some merchants in Gonabad staged a protest in front of the Ghasabeh police station against what they described as “harassment by the regulatory authorities.” The situation in Gonabad’s market is like a powder keg waiting for a spark. A number of shopkeepers in the Chaharbagh shoe market have protested against the economic stagnation. A citizen report from Abhar, a city in Qazvin province, also highlights the sluggish market conditions. In a video report, a person points to the economic downturn and the empty shops, stating, “This is the state of Abhar’s market ten days before Nowruz—this is how our business is this year.”Nurses’ Protest in Tabriz
According to another citizen report on Monday, a group of nurses and staff at Mardani Azar Hospital in Tabriz gathered to protest “economic and wage-related hardships.” The protesters chanted: “The silence of any nurse is a betrayal to colleagues.”Agricultural Jihad Ministry Job Applicants Protest
Additionally, a group of job applicants for the Agricultural Jihad Ministry gathered in front of the Administrative and Employment Organization to protest the recruitment of fewer employees than initially promised. The protesters stated that, according to the recruitment booklet, 19,000 people were supposed to be hired, but “in the end, only 10,000 were recruited.”Tehran University Staff Protest
Furthermore, a group of Tehran University employees gathered on Sunday on 16 Azar Street to protest against “low wages and inadequate welfare benefits.” The protest was specifically against the “unfair and unequal wage increases” among employees in different university departments.Expansion of Labor and Professional Protests in Iran
The growing labor and professional protests by various groups—including retirees, workers in different industries, teachers, defrauded investors, nurses, and healthcare staff—highlight the increasing economic hardships in Iran and the negligence of the Iranian authorities. The continuous depreciation of the national currency against foreign currencies, worsening economic crises, and the declining purchasing power of the people have pushed markets into a severe recession—right before Nowruz and during Ramadan, two periods that traditionally boost business activity in Iran.Escalating Crises in the Iranian Regime: Is an Explosion Imminent?
In recent months, crises within the Iranian regime have reached unprecedented levels, transforming into formidable threats that surround the regime both internally and externally. In addition to these domestic and foreign crises, the escalating international tensions have further complicated the situation.
The issue of women remains one of the most serious challenges facing the regime. The steadfastness of Iranian women has echoed resistance within the corridors of power, exacerbating internal divisions within the regime. In this context, 209 members of the regime’s parliament sent a letter to the government demanding the enforcement of the “Chastity and Hijab” law, a controversial bill that created a severe crisis three months ago, forcing the regime to suspend it.
Iran’s Regime Preparing “Chastity and Hijab” Law and Financial Penalties for Girls Aged 9 to 15Now, with the impending decision on the fate of Pezeshkian’s government by the parliament—naturally under the supervision of the Supreme Leader—this law is being revived to inflame political tensions. However, some state-affiliated media outlets have warned that the timing is unsuitable for reintroducing this law, arguing that it could pose greater risks to the regime. Meanwhile, Pezeshkian has announced that he will not enforce it. But will this public confrontation between parliament and the government remain limited to the enforcement of compulsory hijab and parliamentary interrogations? Or are there simultaneous developments accelerating the crisis? It is noteworthy that the fastest ministerial interrogation in the history of the Iranian regime took place last week with Khamenei’s approval. Additionally, vice president for strategic affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif was forced to resign through the mediation of Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, with regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei playing a decisive role. Meanwhile, the parliament is preparing to continue questioning several ministers, as some MPs are calling for an acceleration of dismissals. The state-run Iran newspaper stated explicitly in its March 6 edition: “There is no government!” The Iranian regime has historically relied on brutal repression to maintain its grip on power, continuing to use daily executions as a primary tool to terrorize society and maintain control. These executions are seen as a means of taking hostages among the population to instill fear and suppress any attempt at a new uprising.
Nurse Shortage Leads to Closure of Hospital Departments in IranOn the public front, retirees’ protests are growing in various cities, with demonstrators chanting radical slogans against the regime’s structural corruption. With the Persian New Year (Nowruz) approaching, soaring prices have intensified social discontent, placing the regime in a critical test regarding its ability to contain the mounting public anger. Meanwhile, waves of migration are increasing across various social groups, particularly among academics, nurses, and doctors, who see no hope for the country’s future under the regime’s rule. Intellectual and technical expertise, along with financial capital, is leaving Iran at an accelerating pace, reflecting the deepening collapse of the nation’s human and economic resources. Adding to these crises, daily power outages have exacerbated public suffering. While officials claim that nuclear program development aims to generate energy, the country is facing severe electricity shortages—exposing the falsehood of these claims and fueling suspicions about the regime’s true nuclear ambitions.
