Several high-profile former officials and activists voiced support. General Tod Wolters said, “This regime exports terrorism and crushes civil life,” and urged Iranians: “to the 90-plus million citizens of Iran: You deserve this change, and you deserve it soonest.” Carla Sands credited the movement with exposing Iran’s nuclear program: “It was the MEK that first exposed Tehran’s secret nuclear weapons program,” and warned the regime fears the organized opposition because “they know this movement is their existential threat.” She added, “The people will not trade a turban for a crown. Reza Pahlavi’s plan is not democracy, it’s dictatorship.” Samuel Brownback labeled the government “a terrorist regime, a nuclear weapon-seeking regime, a regime of slavery,” described the uprising as youth-driven and “one of the first, if not the first, women-led revolutions in world history,” and praised young demonstrators: “As I see all these young people in front of me here, this is a youth-led movement in Iran for change.” Linda Chavez declared, “Thousands of you have come to New York to demand an end to the Khamenei regime,” called the Shah “a murderous dictator,” and warned against returning to monarchy: “The Shah was a murderous dictator. Iran’s future does not lie in giving power to his son, who even boasts of his relationship with the IRGC.” She concluded to the regime: “Change is coming.” Voices from activists and victims’ families reinforced themes of women’s leadership, youth activism, and the cost of resistance. Saba Rezaii denounced monarchist claims: “Those who call themselves king embody the tyranny and misogyny of yesteryear. Incapable is the head that wears the crown,” and rallied: “Forward to revolution! Death to the oppressor, be it the shah or the supreme leader.” Moslem Eskandar Filabi described repression and urged UN action, noting that “every voice raised for freedom, every voice raised for justice, is met with imprisonment, torture, and the gallows,” and called the Resistance “the hope of the oppressed people of Iran for liberation from the clutches of this criminal, corrupt, and dictatorial regime,” ending with a vow to “send the criminal mullahs and their mercenaries to hell.” Speakers also linked Iran’s repression to regional violence and international solidarity — notably Ukraine’s Svitanok founder Oleks Taran, who compared mass mobilizations and urged joint pressure on Tehran. The rally called on the world to enforce UN resolutions, recognize the Iranian people’s right to choose their government, and reject appeasement while backing the NCRI’s democratic alternative.If the Iranian Resistance had not exposed the regime’s secret nuclear project, 23 years ago the mullahs would already have the bomb.
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) September 23, 2025
The Resistance has made 133 revelations in this regard; Isn’t this the greatest service to peace and security in the Middle East and the world? pic.twitter.com/FLw3fLQejV
NCRI Supporters and Global Leaders Unite at UN, Reject Dictatorship in Iran
Thousands rallied in New York on September 23, 2025, outside the United Nations to demand democratic change in Iran, organized by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). The gathering — which included Iranian Americans, international dignitaries, human-rights advocates and young activists — was in solidarity with uprisings inside Iran and an affirmation of the NCRI’s organized Resistance and Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan for a secular, democratic, non-nuclear republic. Speakers condemned the regime’s executions (citing nearly 1,800 since Masoud Pezeshkian took office), regional aggression, and alleged nuclear deception, while rejecting both clerical rule and monarchy as alternatives.
Moderator Amir Emadi emphasized the Resistance as a people’s option: “the third option as presented by President-elect Maryam Rajavi is regime change by the people of Iran and their organized Resistance.” He pressed the crowd against return to past autocracies and declared, “The people’s resounding message is clear: No to the Shah, no to mullahs, yes to a democratic republic.”
A message from Maryam Rajavi was read to the rally. She praised attendees’ persistence as mirroring protests inside Iran: “perseverance of my compatriots, who gather here every year in protest,” and asserted their legitimacy before the UN: “With your powerful presence in front of the United Nations, the world sees that you represent the people of Iran; you are the voice of the Iranian people before the United Nations, not the president of the Supreme Leader.” Rajavi reiterated the Resistance’s nuclear revelations as service to global security and praised internal Resistance Units as “the most awake and vigilant fighters of Iran,” concluding: “Our message for Iran’s future is simple: the sovereignty of the people. We want neither a mullah nor a Shah.”
Iranian Regime Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence of Poet Peyman Farahavar
The death sentence of Peyman (Amin) Farahavar, a poet from Gilan imprisoned in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has been upheld by Branch 39 of Iran’s Supreme Court. He had previously been sentenced to death by Branch One of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht.
The death sentence of Peyman (Amin) Farahavar, a poet from Gilan who is currently detained in Lakan Prison in Rasht, was confirmed by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court. He had previously been sentenced to death at the initial stage by Branch One of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht.
Ramin Safarnia, the defense attorney of this political prisoner, announced in a statement that Branch 39 of the Supreme Court rejected the appeal and confirmed Mr. Farahavar’s death sentence. He added that a request for retrial will be submitted to the highest judicial authority in the country.
The 87th Week Of ‘No To Execution Tuesdays’ Campaign In 52 PrisonsMr. Farahavar had earlier been sentenced to death by Branch One of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Ahmad Darvish Goftar, on charges of “armed rebellion against the state” (baghi) and “enmity against God” (moharebeh). A source close to the family of this political prisoner confirmed the news to HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency), stating: “These accusations were raised against Mr. Farahavar based on his poetry and protest activities in the fields of social justice and civil rights.” The trial session addressing the charges against this poet from Gilan was held on May 1, 2025, in the mentioned court branch. Mr. Farahavar was arrested by security forces in September 2024 and transferred to the detention center of the Intelligence Ministry. After the interrogation process was completed, he was moved to Lakan Prison in Rasht. Peyman (Amin) Farahavar, a poet from Gilan, is the father of a 10-year-old son. He had previously been arrested in connection with his activities.
Iran’s Regime Leader: Negotiation Is Useless and Uranium Enrichment Will Continue
On Tuesday, September 23, Iranian regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei began his speech marking the anniversary of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war by focusing on “social unity.” He expressed satisfaction that the street protests had not occurred during the recent conflict, revealing his fear of the explosive state of society.
He tried to show he was in control, claiming that the enemy’s goal as “disrupting the system” and creating “street sedition,” while noting that military commanders were replaced quickly and the armed forces continued “with higher morale.”
Nuclear case: “60% enrichment” without “nuclear weapons”
The regime leader described Iran’s current nuclear activities as “advanced” and claimed Iran is among the ten countries capable of uranium enrichment, but with the difference that Iran “does not have and will not have a nuclear bomb.” He said Iran is enriching uranium up to 60% and justified it as necessary for “certain national needs.” Referring to attacks on nuclear facilities, Khamenei stressed that “nuclear knowledge” cannot be destroyed by “bombing,” citing the work of “dozens of professors” and “thousands of researchers” in the nuclear field.Rejection of “negotiation” with the U.S.
Khamenei said that under current conditions, “negotiation” with the U.S. government “has no benefit” and “removes no harm” from Iran. He claimed the American side has already predetermined the outcome, demanding the “complete elimination of enrichment” and even the suspension of Iran’s missile capability. He warned that accepting talks under “threat” means creating “permanent vulnerability” and added: “This is no longer negotiation, it is dictation, it is imposition.” Referring back to the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), Khamenei claimed the regime fulfilled all its commitments but “sanctions were not lifted,” and later the U.S. withdrew from the agreement. He added that Iran’s case at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) did not become “normal” as expected and instead “additional problems” were created. Within this framework, he dismissed any new negotiations as futile and stressed that Iran’s regime will not “surrender” under pressure.Inevitable reinstatement of sanctions?
The regime leader once again emphasized the continuation of “national unity” and urged his domestic audience to “maintain cohesion” against the “enemy.”Is The Iranian Regime Ready to Reduce Uranium Enrichment Levels To 3.67%?In conclusion, his message reaffirmed commitment to continuing “enrichment,” rejecting “negotiation” with the U.S. under current conditions, and highlighting “unity” as the political-social shield. These remarks by Khamenei, made before the upcoming speech by Iranian regime president Masoud Pezeshkian at the UN General Assembly, are seen as dashing any hopes for potential side negotiations to prevent the reinstatement of pre-JCPOA sanctions. If Iran and European countries fail to reach an agreement on resolving the nuclear dispute by September 28, the snapback mechanism will be activated, and all six previous UN sanction resolutions will be reimposed.
Political Prisoner Bijan Kazemi on Hunger Strike in Protest to Violence of Intelligence Ministry Agents
Bijan Kazemi, a political prisoner who was arrested eight months ago by agents of the Intelligence Ministry, has been on hunger strike for five days in protest against the violent behavior of security agents at the Intelligence Detention Center in Qom.
Shahnaz Khosravi, the mother of this political prisoner, announced in an Instagram post on Monday, September 22, that her son had informed her in a phone call that he has been on hunger strike since Thursday, September 18.
Khosravi stressed that neither she as a mother nor Kazemi’s lawyer has any information about the reason for his arrest or the charges against him.
She criticized the continued detention of Kazemi in a facility affiliated with the Intelligence Ministry in Qom, writing that according to the law, a detainee should be “under the custody of the Prisons Organization” and “held within the judicial district of their residence or where the alleged crime occurred.”
Khosravi added: “This means [Kazemi] has been held for months in an unofficial detention center without the right to meet his family or access a lawyer.”
Many prisoners in Iran are forced to resort to hunger strikes as their last means to have their demands heard, putting their lives at serious risk.
They often go on hunger strike in protest against the authorities’ failure to address their demands, such as delays in their cases and the violation of their rights as prisoners.
Kazemi’s interrogation session was held in August without the presence of his defense lawyer at Branch 5 of the Prosecutor’s Office in District 33 of Tehran.
On August 5, Khosravi said that at the end of this session, a bail of 40 billion rials (about $40,000) was set for her son, but the case officer opposed his release. She wrote: “I went to the prosecutor’s office to post the bail, but I was told that your son will not be freed that easily.”
On January 19, 2025, Kazemi was arrested after several security agents raided his home in Kuhdasht, searched the house, and confiscated all electronic devices belonging to him and his family members.
High-Ranking Iranian Regime Judges Mohammad Moghiseh and Ali Razini KilledKazemi, who had previously been arrested in 2020 and imprisoned for two years, has been denied his legal rights as a political detainee in his latest arrest. Over the past eight months, he has been held in various detention centers, including Ward 209 of Evin Prison (controlled by the Intelligence Ministry), a newly established security detention center at the Greater Tehran Prison, and the Intelligence Ministry’s detention facility in Qom. Security agents arrested Kazemi on charges of being linked to the killing of Ali Razini and Mohammad Moghiseh, two Iranian regime Supreme Court judges notorious for human rights violations. They are trying to coerce a forced confession from him, alleging that he supplied the shooter with a weapon. Moghiseh and Razini, two of the most notorious judges of Iran’s regime who had issued death sentences for thousands of people, were killed on January 18 at their workplace in the Supreme Court. The person who killed these two human rights–abusing judges was Farshid Asadi, a janitor at the court complex, who then shot himself and died. In recent months, the Intelligence Ministry has arrested more than 20 citizens in connection with this case.
All Engines of Iran’s Economic Growth Have Stopped Working
The state-run daily SAMT News published a report on the dire situation of Iran’s economy, writing that “all engines of economic growth” in the country have stopped working.
On Monday, September 22, the newspaper wrote: “Economic growth requires conditions such as a suitable business environment, proper economic governance, access to technology, financing, etc., each of which can be likened to an engine driving this indicator; but the issue is that at present, none of these engines are operating.”
According to this report, in the Seventh Development Plan, achieving 8% economic growth has been set as one of the key goals, but this target will not be attainable without a series of fundamental reforms.
Iran’s Economy After Snapback Sanctions: Doubled Inflation, Threat to Build an Atomic BombSAMT News listed “increasing domestic and foreign investment,” “improving productivity in production sectors,” and “reforming the budget structure” as essential prerequisites for Iran’s economic growth, warning that “without addressing energy imbalances, reforming the banking system, and reducing policy risks,” this goal will not be achievable. In recent weeks, runaway inflation, pressure on industries, and the rising exchange rates of foreign currencies have increased concerns about the worsening state of Iran’s economy—a trend that has intensified following the activation of the “snapback mechanism” and the possibility of harsher international sanctions. On August 27, Iran’s Chamber of Commerce published a report assessing the economic outlook of the country until the end of 2025, presenting three scenarios: optimistic, probable, and pessimistic. In the pessimistic scenario, the exchange rate is projected to soar to 1.65 million rials per US dollar (currently about 1.05 million rials per US dollar), and inflation would rise to 90%. Moreover, in all scenarios, Iran’s economic growth is forecasted to be negative.
“Negative economic growth is itself an achievement”
Continuing its report, SAMT News quoted economist Vahid Shaghaghi-Shahri, who said that the “engines of economic growth” in Iran are working in reverse. It wrote that under such conditions, achieving 8% growth—or even less—is not only out of reach, but “avoiding negative growth should itself be considered an achievement.” Shaghaghi-Shahri considered the housing sector as one of the indicators of economic growth, stating that in recent years this sector has faced “complete stagnation” due to factors such as political instability, declining purchasing power, water shortages, land subsidence, and population decline. He added that the oil sector has also been facing unfavorable conditions due to sanctions and falling prices and has been unable to play its “driving” role. Earlier, in May, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had predicted Iran’s economic growth in 2025 to be nearly zero, with inflation at 43.3%. In another part of his interview with SAMT News, Shaghaghi-Shahri listed the dominance of quasi-state actors and the weakness of the private sector, the challenge of securing around $200 billion annually to achieve 8% growth, the intensification of sanctions, and the rise in investment risks as among the main obstacles facing Iran’s economy. The economist added: “With the current trend, it does not seem that we will have growth above 1% this year, and if there is no movement to activate the engines of economic growth, negative growth in the years 2026 and 2027 is not out of the question.”The 87th Week Of ‘No To Execution Tuesdays’ Campaign In 52 Prisons
The 87th week of the “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign was held on Tuesday, September 23, in 52 prisons across the country. Prisoners in these 52 facilities participated in the campaign by going on hunger strike.
In part of the statement for the 87th week of “No To Execution Tuesdays,” referring to the execution of Babak Shahbazi, it read:
“In this context, the brutal execution of another member of ‘No To Execution Tuesdays,’ Babak Shahbazi, on the anniversary of the 2022 popular uprising and without a final meeting with his family, is a bitter symbol of the inhumane behavior and human rights violations by this murderous regime. The abduction of Babak Shahbazi from his ward for his secret execution led to protests and sit-ins by his fellow inmates in Ghezel Hesar prison.”
Iran’s Regime Lays Groundwork for Expanded ExecutionsThe full statement of the 87th week of the “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign is as follows: Continuation of the “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign in the 87th week across 52 prisons The 87th week of the “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign takes place as the shadow of fear and repression weighs heavier than ever on the lives of the Iranian people. In recent months, there has been an unprecedented rise in executions. From September 16 until now, at least 46 executions have been reported, including two women and six Baluch compatriots. Between August 23 and September 23, 186 executions were carried out, including seven women. In this context, the brutal execution of another member of “No To Execution Tuesdays,” Babak Shahbazi, on the anniversary of the 2022 popular uprising and without a final meeting with his family, is a bitter symbol of the inhumane behavior and human rights violations by this murderous regime. The abduction of Babak Shahbazi from his ward for his secret execution led to protests and sit-ins by his fellow inmates in Ghezel Hesar prison. A regime that on the one hand boasts of “pardoning” prisoners, on the other hand, exposes its bitter and inhumane reality week after week by increasing the number of executions. This year, coinciding with the reopening of schools, once again, aware and progressive teachers and students are at the forefront of the struggle for freedom and equality. Iran’s teenagers and youth are the nightmare of this regime, and in every school and university, activists are standing firm to turn these institutions into centers of resistance and voices opposing the inhumane death sentences of their fellow citizens. The “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign calls out to the freedom-loving people of Iran and all human rights defenders, proclaiming that silence in the face of such violent and inhumane policies is not acceptable. Our voice must be stronger than any repression and injustice. Every week, every Tuesday, we rise up in memory of execution victims, seeking justice and defending life. Life is a fundamental right of every human being, and execution is an unjustifiable act of violence against this right. On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, during the 87th week, members of the “No To Execution Tuesdays” campaign in 52 prisons across the country are on hunger strike.
Maritime Industry Journal: The Return of Sanctions Will Seriously Target Iranian Shipping
The Maritime Executive, a specialized publication in the shipping industry, reported that the new sanctions imposed against Iran’s regime under the snapback mechanism will be much stricter than the current restrictions and will seriously impact the regime’s shipping industry.
In a report published on Sunday, September 21, Maritime Executive wrote that if United Nations Security Council sanctions return as expected on September 26, the commercial fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its subsidiaries will come under pressure. According to The Maritime Executive, this fleet consists of 115 ships.
The journal added that 38 very large crude carriers (VLCCs) owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) will also face new restrictions, putting Iranian oil stored in floating tankers and ship-to-ship (STS) transfers at greater risk.
On Friday, September 19, the United Nations Security Council voted against attempts to delay the reinstatement of sanctions that were suspended in 2015 following the nuclear deal known as the JCPOA.
Iraq Informed the U.S. About Iranian Tankers Using Fake Iraqi DocumentsThis decision paved the way for the reimposition of sanctions under the snapback mechanism. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed on Friday, September 19, that the return of sanctions against the Iranian regime is certain. The UN Security Council’s decision to continue the snapback process sparked strong reactions from Iranian regime officials. The Supreme National Security Council announced the suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), while several members of parliament called for withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and even for the development of a nuclear bomb. Currently, the Iranian regime is under unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States and some Western countries. However, the return of UN Security Council sanctions will force countries such as China, India, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates, which continue to trade with Iran under the pretext of lacking international legitimacy for the sanctions, to comply with them. UN sanctions cover the areas of oil and gas exports, shipping and insurance, banking and access to the international financial system, and the production and import of weapons and sensitive technologies. The Maritime Executive concluded its report by stressing that with the return of UN sanctions, Iran’s regime will face a new wave of international pressure in the fields of energy, trade, and finance—a pressure that could further cripple the regime’s economy and bring wide-ranging political consequences both domestically and internationally. Global Trade Review also reported on September 1 that U.S. President Donald Trump, in line with his administration’s “maximum pressure” policy against the Iranian regime, had promised to reduce Tehran’s oil exports to zero. According to this report, one-third of U.S. sanctions specifically target Iran’s shipping sector. The Global Trade Review wrote that the White House has specifically focused on weakening Iran’s “shadow fleet” and its energy revenues. One-third of all sanctions target Iranian shipping. Now, the scope of sanctions has expanded beyond ships to include Chinese refineries and crude oil storage operators. Earlier, on August 21, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned 13 shipping companies and eight oil tankers linked to the Iranian regime in an effort to counter Tehran’s attempts to circumvent Washington’s sanctions.
EU Sanctions Hossein Shamkhani: A Blow to the Oil and Weapons Network of Iran’s Regime and RussiaOn the same day, the British government, in coordination with the United States and the European Union, sanctioned Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani (a senior adviser to regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei and a key figure in the sale of Iranian and Russian oil), along with his affiliated companies. In addition to Shamkhani himself, his Dubai-based companies, including Admiral Shipping Group and Milavos Group, have also been targeted by the new sanctions. Additionally, Ocean Leonid Investments, a London-based firm, has been sanctioned by the UK. This investment fund plays an important role in Hossein Shamkhani’s economic empire.
Iran’s Economy After Snapback Sanctions: Doubled Inflation, Threat to Build an Atomic Bomb
The activation of the “snapback” mechanism not only makes the return of sanctions possible, but by simultaneously striking market confidence, financial channels, and supply chains, it quickly and multifront intensifies economic effects. Warnings about capital flight and disruption in money circulation, the risk to imports, and some parliamentarians’ calls to accelerate nuclear programs together present a fuller picture of how this external shock could affect Iran’s economy.
Alireza Kiani, head of the Money and Capital Market Commission of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, told the state-run daily Ettelaat that the new wave of sanctions due to the activation of the snapback will create doubled inflationary pressure.
Iran’s Regime: UN Sanctions Are Illegal and Misuse of JCPOA Dispute Resolution MechanismHe added, “If the snapback is activated, the government must seriously reconsider its currency policies. Because with the continued suppression of the exchange rate, more traders and producers will be pushed out of the market and capital flight will increase.” The head of the Money and Capital Market Commission of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce emphasized, “One of the most important features of the recent crisis is the intensification of disruption in the circulation of money and capital in the country. In clearer terms, not only does the private sector lack adequate access to resources, but there is also no incentive for reinvestment.”
Union of Petroleum Products Exporters: the snapback may block gasoline imports
Hamid Hosseini, spokesperson for the regime’s Union of Petroleum Products Exporters, said regarding the possible impact of the “snapback” mechanism on gasoline imports to Iran that these imports may face obstacles due to U.S. tightening. He said, “Petroleum products such as super gasoline are not on the United Nations sanctions list and the issue mainly concerns missile and arms sanctions. However, there is a possibility that the American side will use this as a pretext for stricter enforcement.” Hosseini added, “The Ministry of Petroleum has so far approved five private companies to import premium gasoline. Most likely, the first shipment of premium gasoline will enter the country this week.” He continued, “This shipment is supplied from India and will be sent to Iran via the United Arab Emirates.” The spokesperson for the Union of Petroleum Products Exporters emphasized that if the “sanctions intensify, money transfers will become more difficult and it will not be easy.” Member of the regime’s National Security Commission of parliament: we should move toward building a nuclear weapon as soon as possible Ahmad Bakhshaish Ardestani, a member of the National Security Commission of parliament, told the state-run website Didban Iran, “It is better to move toward building a nuclear weapon as soon as possible.” He added, “Testing an intercontinental missile does not mean that we want to strike Europe.” The National Security Commission member threatened, “If Israel and America try again to seize our skies, we will respond to them through missile attacks and will not surrender.” According to the state-run website HamMihan Online, Ahmad Naderi, a member of the presidium of the regime’s parliament, wrote on the social network X: “Failure to pass a resolution to permanently lift sanctions activates the snapback mechanism and exposes Iran to the return of Security Council sanctions. “I have said it many times and now repeat it more plainly: the only way to preserve Iran’s territorial integrity and national security is to obtain a nuclear weapon. “Withdrawal from the NPT, adopting a policy of opacity and ultimately testing an atomic bomb is the only option that can spare Iran from the fate of Iraq and Libya. Experience has shown that countries lacking nuclear deterrence eventually become victims of invasion or regime change. “A policy of ambiguity allows us to create deterrence while simultaneously managing international pressures. “The time has come to make hard but necessary decisions.”The COVID-19 Pandemic Claimed The Lives of About 700,000 People in Iran
Mohsen Mansouri, the former vice president of the Iranian regime under Ebrahim Raisi, said that by the end of Hassan Rouhani’s administration, the COVID-19 pandemic had claimed the lives of nearly 700,000 people in Iran. This comes while the Iranian regime officially reported only about 140,000 deaths during the pandemic.
From the very beginning of global COVID-19 vaccinations, the Iranian regime delayed the vaccination rollout in Iran under the pretext of producing domestic vaccines, but government-affiliated companies failed to meet their commitments in this regard.
Additionally, a directive from Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of the Iranian regime, banning the import of American, British, and French vaccines, faced widespread protests.
While the regime restricted the import of COVID-19 vaccines approved by the international community, it distributed vaccines that were not widely recognized or approved by other countries, creating problems for Iranians traveling abroad.
In mid-February 2020, after the death of two patients with respiratory complications at Kamkar-Arabnia Hospital in Qom, rumors emerged that they had died from COVID-19. However, Qom University of Medical Sciences denied the rumors and announced that no diagnostic evidence of COVID-19 had been observed in the deceased patients.
Subsequently, then-health minister Saeed Namaki stated that two patients whose lung fluid samples had been taken on February 17, 2020, tested positive on February 19. He said the news was announced publicly within 45 minutes.
On September 10, 2021, then-health minister Bahram Einollahi compared the death toll of the Iran-Iraq war with the COVID-19 crisis, saying that in the eight-year war about 240,000 people were killed, whereas in the 18 months of the pandemic, around 113,000 people had died. Referring to the victims, he added: “We should not sleep easy.”
At that time, the government had officially reported 136,000 deaths. These discrepancies once again highlight the issue of statistical cover-ups by the regime during the pandemic.
However, at the end of Rouhani’s presidency, the regime’s Ministry of Health announced: “The total number of COVID-19 fatalities has reached 91,785.” (State media – August 3, 2021)
Now, the figure of 700,000 deaths, revealed by Raisi’s deputy with emphasis that it was “documented,” is more than seven and a half times the official tally at the end of Rouhani’s term in August 2021.
on March 3, 2020, Khamenei described COVID-19 as an opportunity, saying: “In our view, this calamity is not such a great disaster. There have been and are greater calamities. We ourselves have witnessed some in this country… It is a passing matter… This can be a gain. If we can achieve those gains, calamity will turn into blessing; threat will turn into opportunity.”
On January 8, 2021, Khamenei declared: “The import of American and British vaccines is forbidden.”
On the same day, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), said: “Khamenei, the criminal, banned the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines—a crime against humanity. He is responsible for the slaughter of thousands of deprived and oppressed compatriots in the COVID-19 slaughterhouse. The international community must strongly condemn this crime and compel the regime to remove obstacles to vaccine imports.”
Iranian Retirees Are Giving Up on Medical Treatment
While retirees are forced to forego treatment due to their inability to afford the costs, supplemental health insurance has reduced its level of coverage, creating dire conditions for retirees.
On Sunday, September 21, the state-run ILNA news agency published a report on the problems retirees face in using supplemental health insurance.
According to this report, neither basic nor supplemental insurance is able to meet retirees’ medical needs.
Retirees Return to the Streets Across Iran Chanting “We Refuse to Live Under Oppression”ILNA quoted a retired worker who pointed to the poor services of the supplemental insurance company “Atieh Sazan Hafez,” saying that due to his illness, he must undergo periodic tests every six months. This retiree recently paid 30 million rials (about $30) for one of these periodic tests, of which only 5 million rials were reimbursed by his supplemental insurance. He said: “Every month, money is deducted from our account for supplemental insurance, but we don’t get the services we should. Neither the basic insurance nor the supplemental insurance meets our needs. 5 million rials (about $5) doesn’t even cover a doctor’s visit.” In addition to general inflation affecting all sectors, the removal of subsidized foreign exchange for medicine and medical equipment has had an even greater impact on the rise of medical costs. Mohammadreza Zafarghandi, the regime’s health minister, announced in November 2024 the elimination of subsidized foreign exchange for medicine and medical equipment. From January 2025, pharmaceutical companies increased the prices of their products by up to five times. In February 2025, Shahram Ghaffari, deputy director of treatment at the Social Security Organization, announced price increases for more than 400 types of medicine covered by the organization and added that the price hikes ranged from 10–20% to several times higher. The removal of state foreign exchange allocations for medicine and medical equipment in the 2025 budget bill began to show its effects in April. On April 13, amid reports of a new wave of rising healthcare costs in Iran, Mehdi Pir-Salahi, head of the Food and Drug Organization, announced that eliminating state foreign exchange for importing medical equipment meant that the exchange rate for medical equipment imports would increase sevenfold. The effects of these changes extended to other areas of healthcare as well. Now, while the prices of medicine and healthcare services have risen, supplemental insurance providers are unable to cover the costs for their insured. Even Atieh Sazan Hafez supplemental insurance, which operates in a single sector and is affiliated with the Health Ministry’s Health Organization, has not performed satisfactorily. ILNA quoted a retiree covered by basic insurance and Atieh Sazan Hafez supplemental insurance who said: “The pension is meager and the healthcare services are weak. The Social Security Fund, into which we paid from our wages for many years, now in our old age does not support us as it should.”
