Iran’s Regime Likely Involved in Attacks on Israeli Embassies in Scandinavia
Following explosions and shootings near Israeli embassies in Sweden and Denmark, Sweden’s security service reported the possibility of Iran’s involvement.
Fredrik Hallstrom, head of operations at Sweden’s security service, stated in a press conference on Thursday, October 3rd, in response to a question about Iran’s potential connection to these incidents, that there are elements that could point in that direction.
He added that this possibility is partly due to the choice of targets [of the attack] and the manner of execution but emphasized that this is purely speculative and not based on complete information.
On Wednesday, Danish police reported two explosions, “likely with hand grenades,” near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen and announced the arrest of three Swedish citizens in connection with the incidents.
According to the report, Danish judicial authorities issued detention orders for two Swedish suspects, aged 16 and 19, on Thursday, while a third Swedish citizen has been released.
Additionally, Swedish police reported that the Israeli embassy in Stockholm was shot at a day before the explosions in Copenhagen.
In May 2024, Sweden’s security service had indicated that Iran’s regime was attempting to recruit Swedish criminal gangs to carry out violent acts against Israel and its interests in Sweden.
Swedish TV network SVT reported on Wednesday that it had obtained information indicating that the recent attacks on Israeli embassies in Stockholm and Copenhagen were ordered by the Swedish criminal network Foxtrot at the request of Iran’s regime.
These attacks coincided with missile strikes by the Iranian regime against Israel.
This method allows the Iranian regime to distance itself from terrorist activities and present such actions as mere criminal acts.
Iran’s regime has used similar tactics to intimidate its opposition in Europe. For example, Belgium convicted an Iranian diplomat in Austria for attempting to attack an Iranian opposition rally in Paris, sentencing him to 20 years in prison. However, he was released in a controversial exchange in 2023 and returned to Iran.
Hiring criminals to carry out terrorist acts on behalf of Iran’s regime against those perceived as enemies is one of Tehran’s favored methods.
According to this source, last month, Sweden accused Tehran of hacking a messaging service to send 15,000 messages to Swedes with the aim of “creating divisions in society” and portraying Sweden “as an Islamophobic country.”
The Washington Post also reported on September 12 that Iran’s regime, relying on Western criminal networks, had been planning violent actions against its opponents in the US and Europe.
Tehran Prosecutor Files Charges Against Social Media Users for “Undermining Public Security”
Tehran’s prosecutor has announced criminal charges against several individuals accused of spreading “false news” and creating “fear to harm the psychological security of society” through social media. According to reports from the judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency on October 4, various users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Telegram channels, and other online activists have been identified as part of this crackdown.
The judiciary stated that it has been actively monitoring cyberspace, targeting those disseminating content deemed harmful to the public’s psychological well-being. Legal actions have been taken against some individuals, while others have received warnings. “For those who have been charged, judicial cases have been opened,” the Mizan report added.
This heightened scrutiny of online activity comes amid significant regional developments, including reactions to the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a recent missile attack by the Iranian regime on Israel, and the public reappearance of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at Friday prayers after more than four years.
In a related move, on October 2, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement threatening citizens with legal action if they expressed support for Israel on social media. Subsequently, Tehran’s prosecutor’s office announced on October 3 that former presidential aid Abdolreza Davari was among those charged for “spreading false news” and contributing to “psychological insecurity.”
In recent days, several social media users in Iran have urged the public to refrain from commenting on sensitive political matters to avoid arrest, account suspensions, and interrogations by security forces. Some have even posted videos asking citizens to remain silent, fearing government retaliation. However, these appeals have sparked backlash, with critics accusing these users of aligning with the authorities, labeling them as “traitors” and “collaborators.”
Iran’s cybersecurity apparatus has also been on high alert. On September 28, the Strategic Management Center for Cyberspace Security issued a red alert for financial, communication, and cyber infrastructure, signaling a broader crackdown on online activities.
The judiciary’s actions are part of a long-standing effort to control public discourse, especially in the aftermath of high-profile incidents, including the deaths of key regional figures like Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Iranian officials. Human rights activists have condemned these actions as clear violations of free speech in Iran, accusing the regime of intensifying efforts to stifle dissent and limit access to information.
The Price of The Dollar in Iran Has Risen Again
As speculation about the possibility of an Israeli counterattack on Iran increases, the upward trend in the prices of foreign currency and gold in Iran continues.
While on Wednesday, October 2, the Iranian foreign exchange market closed with the U.S. dollar trading at 615,000 rials, by Thursday morning the upward trend continued, and by the end of the trading day, the price of the dollar approached 630,000 rials.
Accordingly, the selling price of the U.S. dollar in Tehran’s market has reached 627,500 rials, and the euro has hit 692,500 rials. This is while in recent months, before Iran’s missile attack on Israel, the dollar had been fluctuating around 590,000 rials.
On the same day, the selling price of Bahar Azadi gold coins reached 432 million rials, and the well-known “Emami” gold coin hit 487.5 million rials.
According to reports from Iran’s economic media, the prices of domestically produced cars have also risen in recent days following Iran’s missile attack on Israel.
At the same time, the prices of many essential and consumer goods in Iran have also accelerated once again.
On Tuesday, October 1, Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, reported the rise in rice prices and published an open letter from the Rice Producers and Suppliers Association of Iran to Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.
The association cited the accumulation of “100,000 tons of rice” in customs and the reduction of imported rice in the market as the reasons for rising prices.
According to data from the Statistical Center of Iran, the inflation rate for food and beverages in August this year reached 34.8%, with the highest food inflation being in the “red meat and poultry” category.
Meanwhile, Massoud Pezeshkian’s government has announced the submission of a request for a review of the controversial FATF case to the Expediency Council.
Previously, in 2020, despite the insistence of then-President Hassan Rouhani, members of the Expediency Council had opposed reviewing the FATF bills.
According to economic experts, removing the barriers to Iran’s FATF membership would facilitate Iran’s international financial transactions and could ease the pressure on the currency market, leading to a downward trend in prices.
However, opponents of these bills in Iran argue that if they are passed, Iran’s financial support to Tehran-affiliated militias, or as the Iranian regime calls them, the “Axis of Resistance,” will face difficulties.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has placed Iran on its blacklist due to the regime’s refusal to take strategic actions, allowing all countries to handle financial transactions with Tehran independently.
This intergovernmental body, which designs and promotes policies and standards for combating financial crimes, particularly money laundering and terrorist financing, has made it clear that Iran will remain on the blacklist until it addresses the existing deficiencies.
Iranian Regime Mandates Installation of Police-Approved Cameras in Businesses
Mehdi Omidvar, the spokesperson for Iran’s Chamber of Guilds, announced that based on the regulatory guidelines for business premises, all business units are now required to install police-approved cameras, which will allow police access to their footage through a designated system.
Omidvar made this announcement in a media interview on Tuesday, October 2, 2024.
He stated that according to police regulations and guidelines for monitoring public places, a system called Saptam has been established for surveillance of public areas, which “oversees the quality of the security systems (cameras) in business units.”
The justification for this system is that in case of an “incident or crime” at business premises or public spaces, the police can review the recorded footage and follow up on the matter.
However, it is unclear from his statements whether the term “crime” refers to theft or includes non-compliance with mandatory hijab laws.
Since the nationwide protests in Iran in 2022, which were sparked by the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini while in the custody of the morality police, the Iranian regime has imposed greater control over its citizens.
The regime’s Tahlil Bazar website reported that the police have requested business owners to install cameras with specifications that meet the standards of police-approved laboratories, as the police are unable to track footage from “low-quality, non-guaranteed cameras” in cases such as theft.
According to Omidvar, “This system was created with the help of the private sector, in cooperation with the National Licensing Portal and the Police for Public Places.”
Based on the spokesperson’s statements, 39 professions and around 280 related industries, including jewelers and restaurants, will now be connected to the police surveillance system through the National Licensing Portal, which is the platform for obtaining business licenses.
Iranian regime’s police and judiciary also use citywide cameras to enforce the mandatory hijab laws, even fining vehicles carrying women without hijabs.
Meanwhile, the regime has ignored the demands of grieving families who have asked authorities to use camera footage to identify the attackers responsible for the deaths of protesters during the 2022 demonstrations.
The Iranian regime continues to suppress dissent. During nurses’ protests in August 2024, many protesting nurses were arrested or threatened with job dismissal by security forces.
Escalating Currency and Commodity Prices In Iran Amid Regional Tensions
The rise in the price of foreign currencies and gold continues in Iran, and domestic media outlets report the continued increase in the prices of cars, rice, and other goods in the country.
While the price of each US dollar in Iran fluctuated around 590,000 rials in recent months, with escalating regional tensions, foreign exchange rates began rising on the night of Friday, September 27, reaching 615,000 rials by Wednesday, October 2.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, October 2, a member of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce told the state-run Mehr News Agency that the rise in currencies like the dollar is “solely related to Iran’s attack on Israel.”
Arman Khaleghi, referring to the 10,000-rial increase, predicted that this price hike “will subside in the coming hours, as it has in previous instances.”
Meanwhile, the prices of some goods in Iran had already risen in recent days, even before this attack.
The official regime news agency, IRNA, reported on Tuesday, October 1, that the price of gold coins had increased, stating that the price of each new-design coin had risen by 5.59 million rials (approximately 9 USD) compared to the previous day.
This agency wrote that the price of new-design coins had reached 470.59 million rials (approximately 771 USD).
According to economic media reports, the price of domestically produced cars also rose on Monday, September 30.
On Tuesday, IRNA also reported the rise in rice prices and published an open letter from the Rice Producers and Suppliers Association of Iran to Mohammad Reza Aref, the regime’s Vice President.
The association announced that the stagnation of “100,000 tons of rice” in the country’s customs had led to a decrease in the supply of imported rice to the market, causing price increases.
The letter noted that despite the stable exchange rate for preferred currencies and the global price of rice compared to last year, the price of imported rice in Iran’s market has increased by “around 50%.”
Data released by the Statistical Center of Iran shows that in August this year, the inflation rate for food and beverages reached 34.8%, with the highest inflation in the “red meat and poultry” food category.
Pezeshkian’s Internet Freedom Pledge: Empty Promises Amid Rising Censorship and Economic Strain
In the lead-up to his election, Masoud Pezeshkian vowed to fight internet censorship in Iran, promising to “free the internet” and end the widespread filtering that restricts access to global platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Twitter. He positioned himself as a reformist, claiming that he would resist the regime’s oppressive digital policies. “I will stand against filtering,” he stated during his campaign, appealing to an electorate tired of digital repression. Yet, months into his presidency, these promises have proven to be hollow.
Despite Pezeshkian’s assurances, his administration has taken no concrete steps to lift restrictions on the internet. Instead, his government, much like its predecessors, continues to uphold and even reinforce the regime’s control over cyberspace. His newly appointed Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Sattar Hashemi, has not addressed the removal of internet filters and is instead focusing on minor reforms that will likely perpetuate the status quo.
Furthermore, Pezeshkian’s efforts are dented by the power of Iran’s security institutions, including the Supreme Council of Cyberspace (SCC), which remains committed to maintaining a tight grip on information flow. The “Internet User Protection Bill,” which would formalize and expand these controls, has already been partially implemented without full parliamentary approval. While it has not officially become law, many of its core principles are already in place, restricting access to VPNs and blocking most global platforms.
The censorship is more than just a political tool—it has caused substantial economic harm. Iran’s economy, particularly its digital commerce sector, has suffered severe losses due to the internet shutdowns and restrictions. The Iran Chamber of Commerce reported daily losses of $1.5 million during the 2022 protests, a trend that has only worsened under Pezeshkian’s leadership. Small businesses, many of which are run by women in rural areas, rely on social media to operate, and the continued blocking of platforms like Instagram has devastated them.
The Iranian regime imposes strict internet censorship to maintain control over the flow of information and suppress dissent. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Iranian government has effectively “enslaved” its internet, employing widespread censorship, surveillance, and arbitrary shutdowns. This “cruel strategy” aims to isolate its population from the global information sphere, preventing access to uncensored news and platforms that could facilitate protests and opposition movements.
Similarly, Freedom House ranks Iran as “Not Free,” noting that the regime uses internet restrictions to silence critics and prevent the spread of information that could expose government corruption and human rights abuses. The government fears that “unrestricted internet access” would enable the population to become aware of political realities and join opposition movements, thus threatening the regime’s hold on power.
Pezeshkian’s presidency so far has proven that his promises of internet freedom were nothing more than political theater. The regime’s control over the internet, fueled by fear of political awareness and unrest, remains stronger than ever. By continuing to enforce these oppressive policies, Pezeshkian has confirmed that his words were little more than lip service, aimed at placating a society hungry for change.
1,590 Iranian Nurses Resign in One Year
Salman Eshaqi, the spokesperson for the Health Commission of regime’s Majlis (parliament), revealed shocking statistics regarding nurses resigning due to professional issues, stating that “1,590 nurses resigned last year, and the number of resignations and withdrawals from nursing is two to three times higher than the number of migrations.”
Eshaqi also noted that according to official statistics, 2,000 nurses apply annually to leave the country.
According to this Majlis member, 2,000 Iranian nurses are currently working in Denmark, while there are only 300,000 nurses in Iran.
He further quoted the president of the Nursing Organization, stating that “in some provinces, there is only one nurse for every eight to nine newborns.”
Nurse migration is an issue that has been repeatedly warned about, but due to the negligence of Iranian regime officials, the migration trend has accelerated. In August, Mohammad Sharifi-Moqaddam, the Secretary of the “Nurses’ Home,” expressed concern about the migration of experienced Iranian nurses to other countries, describing the nursing situation in Iran as “dire,” stating, “Our nurses, at the peak of their expertise, are being recruited by Western countries and the Persian Gulf region.”
Nurses working in Iran are also grappling with numerous issues, and as these problems escalated, they launched a nationwide strike in mid-August, continuing their strike for over a month.
On September 1st, the Chairman of the National Emergency Medical Services Association reported that emergency services were not up to standard and that the number of active ambulances on the roads was insufficient, adding that standards were not being met and the workload on staff was excessive. This, he said, was the “main cause of nurses’ protests.”
Nurses receive around 200,000 rials (approximately $0.33) for each hour of overtime, and their total monthly earnings do not exceed 120 million rials (about $200). Despite this, they are forced to endure mandatory overtime, or they face dismissal. The Iranian regime attempted to prevent nurses from holding protest gatherings through threats, but they continued their strikes and protests.
Iran: Government Raises Price of Milk By 20%; Dairy Products Set for Further Price Hikes
With the announcement of the new price for raw milk by Mohammad Reza Aref, the First Vice President of the Iranian regime, the price of raw milk increased by 20%, reaching 181,000 rials per kilogram (approximately $0.3).
According to Iranian media, the previous price for raw milk was 150,000 rials per kilogram (approximately $0.25), and one of the first promises of the Minister of Agriculture was to “settle” this price.
The increase in the price of raw milk had been approved months ago, but the government had delayed its implementation due to rising bread prices. Finally, the new price was applied in the market.
As a result, a price increase in dairy products is also expected.
On September 17th, the chairman of the Dairy Products Union reported a 25% increase in dairy product prices due to the 20% rise in raw milk prices.
However, Ali-Ehsan Zafari warned that higher dairy prices would not benefit producers, but instead lead to reduced consumption, which would result in lower production and profitability.
He emphasized that if these price increases continue, the consumption of dairy products among the public will decrease.
The repeated rise in milk and dairy prices in Iran in recent years has drastically reduced the per capita consumption of these essential items.
On April 17th, Donya-e-Eqtesad newspaper reported that, according to the latest statistics, per capita dairy consumption had dropped to 40-50 kilograms.
The state-run ISNA news agency also reported on June 1st that global per capita milk consumption exceeds 150-160 kilograms, with some countries reaching up to 200-300 kilograms, criticizing the sharp decline in milk and dairy consumption in Iran.
The rising cost of living and the significant gap between income and expenses have led a large portion of the population to remove many food items from their diets.
The shift in food consumption patterns due to inflation has increased the share of low-quality and unhealthy items in the diet of the middle and lower-income segments of society.
Meanwhile, the rise in bread prices has sparked significant protests. In addition, the Pezeshkian government is likely to raise fuel prices as well.
A 14% Increase in Dairy Prices Confirmed in Iran
Following the recent 20% increase in the price of raw milk, the Secretary of the Dairy Industry Association announced a forthcoming 14% rise in dairy prices. Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported this news quoting Reza Bakeri, the Secretary of the Dairy Industry Association, who, in response to the decline in dairy consumption, wrote: “We must consider whether protein products will be available to people at lower prices or not.” According to Bakeri, if the price change of other protein products surpasses that of dairy, people will shift towards consuming those instead. In this regard, the chairman of the Dairy Products Union reported a 25% rise in dairy prices due to the 20% increase in raw milk prices on September 17th. The shift in food consumption patterns due to inflation has increased the share of low-quality and unhealthy items in the diet of the middle and lower-income groups.Iran Needs 20 Billion Dollars to Solve the Electricity Crisis
At a meeting of the Iran Chamber of Energy Commission and the Renewable Energy Association, warnings were issued regarding the increase in electricity imbalance to 30,000 megawatts next year and the need for $20 billion to help the electricity sector navigate the crisis. Experts believe these warnings are laying the groundwork to prepare the public for the worsening crisis.
According to the state-affiliated Shargh newspaper, Mohammad Amin Zangeneh, Secretary of the Renewable Energy Association, said during the meeting, “It is predicted that the electricity imbalance will reach 30,000 megawatts.”
Davoud Madadi, the president of the Renewable Energy Association of the Iranian regime, also warned about the consequences of increased electricity imbalances, stating, “At least $15 billion is needed to address the shortages, and if we consider the network, substations, and electricity transmission, the required investment rises to $20 billion.”
According to Madadi, investors are facing numerous challenges, including financial shortfalls and currency shortages, with government inefficiencies exacerbating these issues.
On September 16th, Ali Nikbakht, the Chairman of the Iranian Power Plant Association, warned that a severe electricity shortage alarm had been sounded in Iran. He emphasized that if immediate action is not taken, the electricity deficit will reach 26,000 megawatts by next summer, and the government will only be able to meet one-third of the country’s electricity needs.
This year’s electricity imbalance caused significant damage to industries, prompting protests from industrial owners. Meanwhile, the government not only failed to support these industries but also intensified the imbalance by cutting power to pharmaceutical industries for three days a week, jeopardizing future medicine supplies.
In this context, Shargh reported on the challenges facing the production sector and the impact of power outages on the country’s output. The newspaper wrote that an assessment of 120 publicly traded companies showed nearly 60% of them experienced reduced production in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year, with some companies seeing production drop by as much as 70%.
Mohammad Bahreinian, a development researcher and industrialist, provided statistics claiming that the daily losses from industry shutdowns in Iran exceed 57.15 trillion rials (approximately $95.25 million).
Published reports indicate that while the Iranian regime has spent a significant portion of the country’s resources over the past 20 years under the pretext of “electricity production” to develop its nuclear program and “complete the Bushehr power plant,” the public faced recurring widespread blackouts last summer.
Experts believe that the lack of planning and disregard for economic frameworks in developmental policies is the primary cause of the energy imbalance, and they argue that under this style of governance, there is little hope for improvement.
Wage Growth Lags 120% Behind Inflation Over Six Years in Iran
The state-run Ham-Mihan newspaper, reviewing the performance of governments over the past six years, reported a 120% lag of wages behind inflation as claimed by state centers. However, experts believe that this gap, based on people’s experience of rising costs and changes in how inflation is calculated, exceeds 120%.
In its Monday, September 30th edition, Ham-Mihan wrote, “Some workers and their families have signed a petition asking the president to submit a bill to parliament for wage adjustments in 2024 based on inflation rates announced by the Central Bank.”
The Ham-Mihan reporter also criticized the performance of past governments, stating, “It is inflation that dictates workers’ wages, not the plans and solutions of the Labor Minister or the government.”
In this regard, Asghar Ahaniha, a representative of employers in the Supreme Labor Council, told the newspaper, “Until inflation is brought under control, the issue of workers’ wages will not be resolved.”
Alireza Mirghafari, a workers’ representative in the Supreme Labor Council, also told Ham-Mihan, “Some of the issues raised by the minister, such as linking wages to productivity or regional wages, are secondary matters. He needs to address and resolve the core issue fundamentally.”
Mirghafari further emphasized, “Given the repression of wages in past years, even if wages increase in line with inflation, it will not be sufficient to cover a family’s basic living expenses.”
Similarly, on September 15th, Mohammad Baqer Metani, the vice president of the Tehran Workers Association announced that workers had requested a meeting of the Supreme Labor Council to review wages.
Metani stressed, “In a year when the minimum cost of living is 170 million rials (approximately $284), how was the wage set at 95 million rials (around $159)?” According to Metani, despite inflation exceeding 40%, the government and employers agreed on a wage increase of around 30%.
Workers’ protests and demands for a wage review stem from the government’s neglect of their living conditions in setting the 2024 wages, which, amid ongoing inflation, have pushed workers’ livelihoods into a critical situation.
Based on the latest calculations, the basic living expenses have risen to over 300 million rials (about $500) in large cities and the capital, and 220 million rials (around $367) in smaller cities. Meanwhile, on March 13th, the government-affiliated Tasnim news agency had reported during the wage-setting process that “according to official statistics, the poverty line for a family of four is around 250 million rials (approximately $417).”
Despite this, during mid-March meetings of the Supreme Labor Council, the government and employers reached a decision that workers’ representatives in the Minimum Wage Committee refused to sign. However, due to the structure set by Iran’s labor law for the Supreme Labor Council, this refusal did not affect the final decision, and the government issued the committee’s resolution for implementation.
