Protests Over Water Shortages in IranIn the city of Baladeh, part of the Amol region in northern Iran, another protest was held in response to two fatal accidents caused by mining operations. Protesters, chanting “No to Mines,” expressed their anger over environmental insecurity and the loss of lives due to the incompetence of officials. They demanded an immediate halt to all mining activities in this mountainous area. In the city of Anar, dozens of residents gathered in front of the local electricity department on the evening of July 22 to protest repeated power outages and the resulting damages. Citizens sarcastically questioned local officials, asking what kind of amenities their families enjoy during blackouts—while ordinary people are left to suffer in the heat, darkness, and face damage to electrical appliances. It is worth noting that in recent days, the city of Sabzevar has also witnessed widespread protests for several consecutive days over water and power outages. People blocked streets and gathered in front of the governor’s office, chanting slogans such as “We have no water, no power—Governor, are you asleep?” The use of tear gas against protesters not only failed to disperse them but also further fueled public anger. Sabzevar has now become a symbol of protest against discrimination and the regime’s incompetence in managing essential resources. These protests clearly reflect the widespread social discontent over the regime’s inability and irresponsibility in providing the most basic needs—from access to drinking water and electricity to the protection of lives from industrial exploitation and environmental destruction. As the country stands on the brink of a hotter-than-ever summer, the people—standing against oppression and incompetence—are entering a new phase of social upheaval.
A New Wave of Protests Over Water and Power Shortages from Nishapur to Amol and Anar
In recent days, as environmental, livelihood, and infrastructure crises—especially water shortages—have intensified across the country, a wave of popular protests has swept through Iran. The failure to address people’s most basic needs has once again turned the streets into scenes of angry outcries.
On Wednesday, July 25, residents of the village of Barzanun near Nishapur blocked the main road in protest against the ongoing water cuts. Villagers say the water crisis has paralyzed daily life, destroyed agricultural crops, killed livestock, and left people without enough drinking water. The complete indifference of officials to this situation has been the main trigger behind the eruption of these protests.
European Troika: We Are Ready to Activate the Snapback Mechanism
The nuclear talks between Germany, France, and the United Kingdom with Iran held in Istanbul yielded no tangible results. The European Troika threatened that if Iran does not comply with its nuclear commitments, they are prepared to activate the snapback mechanism provisioned in the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
On the evening of July 25, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France announced that if Iran fails to meet specific commitments regarding its nuclear program, they are ready to trigger the automatic reimposition of sanctions.
NCRI-US Reveals Iran’s Secret Nuclear Weapon Program – The Kavir PlanGermany’s Foreign Ministry published the joint statement of the European Troika on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The statement declared that the European Troika is prepared to activate the snapback mechanism for reimposing sanctions. However, if Iran abides by its legal obligations and meets specific criteria, the deadline for reimposing international sanctions will be extended. The three European countries, which are parties to the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), called on Iran to “choose the path of diplomacy.”
European Demands from Iran
Germany, France, and the United Kingdom also called for the resumption of inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of Iran’s nuclear program. They are also demanding information about the whereabouts of approximately 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. Nevertheless, Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign ministers of Iran’s regime, stated after the nuclear talks in Istanbul that the European parties had agreed to continue the negotiations. However, they made no comment on the European trio’s specific demands.Where Is the 400 Kilograms of Highly Enriched Uranium?
One of the key demands of the European countries is to receive information about the storage location of approximately 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. Since the U.S. attack on Iran’s regime nuclear facilities, the whereabouts of these materials have remained unclear. Iran’s regime has so far provided no information regarding the disappearance or transfer of its enriched uranium.Grossi: IAEA Inspectors Will Return to Iran
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed optimism that IAEA inspectors will be able to return to Iran by the end of this year. Speaking to reporters, Grossi emphasized the importance of discussing the details of resuming inspections with Tehran now. Grossi has called on Iran to provide transparency about its nuclear program. On Friday, while nuclear negotiations between Iran and the European Troika were taking place, the IAEA Director General stated that Iran’s regime has consistently lacked transparency regarding its nuclear program and has, at times, violated provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).Only 50,000 Construction Workers in Iran Have Been Insured Over the Past Five Years
While hundreds of thousands of construction workers in Iran are waiting to receive insurance coverage, Abbas Shiri, a labor activist and inspector of the Supreme Association of Construction Workers’ Trade Unions, stated that from 2020 to 2025, fewer than 50,000 workers in Iran have been covered by insurance.
On Thursday, July 24, in an interview with the state-run ILNA news agency, Shiri said: “For example, in Qom Province during this period, only 460 workers were insured, while we have around 300,000 to 400,000 workers waiting for insurance.”
The labor activist criticized the slow process in addressing the workers’ situation and stressed that during the previous administration, the issuance of trade union licenses faced serious delays and political considerations prevented follow-up on the livelihood conditions of construction workers.
The Minimum Wage for Iranian Workers in 2025 AnnouncedHe added: “With the introduction of the amendment to Article 5 of the Construction Workers’ Insurance Law, a proposal to increase funding was submitted to the Majlis (Iran’s parliament), and it took four years for the plan to be finalized. However, the approved plan has so far failed to achieve anything.” Earlier, on May 9, 2025, labor activist Davoud Keshvari stated that more than 500,000 construction workers in Iran are without insurance, describing the denial of insurance to such a number as nothing short of a social catastrophe. At that time, this labor activist called the allocation of only 4,000 to 5,000 quotas for 500,000 workers “insulting,” and said it means a worker has to wait for 10 years just to access his most basic right—insurance. Alongside these criticisms, other labor activists also warned about the critical situation of workers’ insurance. In another part of his interview with ILNA, when asked “What is the current status of insurance for construction workers?”, Shiri responded: “Some time ago, a meeting was held with trade unions and Social Security officials, and a directive was drafted to improve the insurance process.” However, he emphasized that the directive has fundamental flaws and, unless it is revised, it cannot meet the workers’ needs. On May 19, Pejman Jozi, head of the Construction Industry Association, announced that more than 97% of workers lack insurance coverage due to not having a skill certification card. At that time, he said: “In 2022, only 42,000 workers managed to obtain skill cards, while we have more than 1.6 million active construction workers.” Reports show that the discrepancy between official statistics, insurance capacity, and on-the-ground realities reveals the depth of the structural crisis in providing social support for construction workers.
The Crippled Economy of Iran and the Irreversible Paths
In recent years, Iran’s economy has faced complex crises, any one of which could destabilize an entire economic system. From energy imbalances and international sanctions to unstable domestic policies and stagflation, all these challenges have severely disrupted the supply chain, production, and foreign trade.
Energy Imbalance and Production Shutdowns
Energy imbalance is one of the most serious problems directly pressuring manufacturing businesses. Electricity and gas shortages have led to frequent outages and a significant increase in production costs. Energy-intensive industries such as steel, cement, and petrochemicals are facing reduced production capacity due to the inability to secure a stable energy supply, which in turn has disrupted the supply chain for raw materials and final products.Iran’s Economy in Freefall: A Looming Hunger Crisis
Sanctions and Economic Isolation
U.S. sanctions and the potential reimposition of United Nations sanctions following the expiration of Resolution 2231 in October 2025 have placed Iran’s economy under severe strain. These sanctions have restricted access to foreign currency, raw materials, and technology. Import-dependent sectors, such as the cellulose industry, face currency-related bureaucracy and frequent production halts. Additionally, the logistical costs of circumventing sanctions have diminished Iran’s export competitiveness.Collapse of Foreign Trade
According to customs reports, non-oil exports in spring 2025 fell by 9.3% in weight and 14.4% in value. Petrochemical products suffered the most, with a 28.7% drop in weight and a 24.5% drop in value. Limited export markets, global volatility, and sanctions are among the main causes of this decline. Moreover, the economy’s heavy dependence on petrochemical exports and lack of diversity in the export basket have made Iran’s economy even more vulnerable. Imports also declined by 4.35% in weight and 11.73% in value, indicating a reduced capacity to procure capital and technological goods. The focus on Asian trade partners and a $1.374 billion non-oil trade deficit have increased pressure on foreign currency reserves and fueled inflation.Unstable Policies and Business Confusion
Frequent changes in currency, customs, and tax policies have made economic planning impossible. The increase in interest rates from 23% to nearly 40% has made financing difficult for manufacturers. While taxes and insurance premiums are aggressively collected, there is no effective support for production. These conditions have driven many businesses toward closure or downsizing.Stagflation and Declining Demand
Stagflation, resulting from a combination of external pressures and inefficient domestic policies, has led to a steep drop in domestic demand. The construction industry, which traditionally drives other sectors, has nearly come to a halt. Production of compressed wood panels has fallen from 4 million cubic meters to 1.2 million. Rising production costs and declining profitability have pushed many businesses to the brink of bankruptcy.A Uncertain and Risky Future
The future of Iran’s economy is highly dependent on political developments. If sanctions intensify, non-oil exports may drop by another 20% to 30%. A military conflict could disrupt export infrastructure and halt oil and gas exports. Even assuming a nuclear agreement, structural and bureaucratic problems would prevent full utilization of any opportunities.A Futureless Economy
Under the rule of the mullahs, Iran’s economy is trapped in a vortex of domestic and international crises. Energy imbalances, sanctions, unstable policies, and stagflation have paralyzed supply chains and trade. The decline in exports, reduced competitiveness, and trade deficits are clear signs of a bleak future, unless the regime is replaced with a government that serves the people’s interests.Call By 301 International Figures to Prevent a Repeat of the 1988 Massacre in Iran
Three hundred prominent political and legal figures, along with Nobel Prize laureates, have called for global efforts to prevent a repeat of the 1988 massacre in Iran.
These 301 international figures include:
Former world leaders, heads of state, ministers, and ambassadors, former UN officials and rapporteurs, and distinguished legal experts, lawmakers and leading human rights advocates, and Nobel Prize winners.
The statement by the 301 international figures reads:
We call on the global community to urgently confront the escalating wave of political executions and entrenched impunity in Iran. The risk of another mass atrocity, reminiscent of the 1988 massacre, is alarmingly real.
On 12 July 2025, three opposition activists—Farshad Etemadi-Far, Masoud Jamei, and Alireza Mardasi—were sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court after two years of torture, accused of ‘waging war on God’ (moharebeh) over their support for the opposition PMOI (MEK). In July 2025, the Supreme Court rejected a fourth request for judicial review for political prisoners Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, leaving them at imminent risk on death row.
There are currently dozens of political prisoners on death row on similar charges.
Since President Masoud Pezeshkian took office, executions have surged—with over 1,300 carried out, some 650 in 2025 alone.
These incitements and executions echo the horrors of 1988, when a fatwa from then-Supreme Leader Khomeini led to mass executions targeting PMOI members and other dissidents.
309 Experts Urges UN Action to Prevent Repeat of Iran’s 1988 Massacre of Political PrisonersThe July 2024 report from the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran described those extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances as ongoing crimes against humanity and genocide. Warning signs are mounting. On 4 July 2025, ten UN Special Procedures expressed alarm over the crackdown since hostilities began on 13 June 2025 and the subsequent ceasefire, noting that state-media rhetoric, including calls for ‘surveillance’ and ‘killings’, echoes the ‘1988 atrocities. Political prisoner Saeed Masouri, a key figure in the ‘No To Executions Tuesdays’ campaign, recently smuggled out a letter from Qezel Hesar Prison after an attempt to forcibly transfer him. He warns that his removal is a prelude to executing others on death row and that, just as in 1988, ‘a crime is in progress’. We must not repeat the silence of 1988. We urge the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Dr Mai Sato, her colleagues in the Special Procedures, and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran (FFMI) to condemn these incitements and executions. We call on UN High Commissioner Volker Türk to speak out unequivocally against Iran’s systematic human rights violations. We further call on Canada and other co-sponsors of the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee resolution on Iran to include an explicit reference to the 1988 massacre in this year’s resolution. The international experts, spanning over 60 countries, warn that “the risk of another mass atrocity, reminiscent of the 1988 massacre, is alarmingly real” and urge UN Special Rapporteur on Iran Dr. Mai Sato, High Commissioner Volker Türk, and member states to condemn these incitements.
At least 74 people executed in Iran over the past month
From June 22 to July 22, the Iranian regime hanged at least 74 people across prisons throughout the country. During this period, the judiciary issued death sentences for at least 17 others, and the Supreme Court confirmed the execution orders for at least two other individuals.
On July 23, the human rights website HRANA released its latest monthly report on the state of human rights violations in Iran. It stated that over the one-month period, it had documented 63 reports related to the right to life (executions), including 74 executions, 17 death sentences, and two confirmed execution verdicts.
HRANA cited examples of death sentences issued during this period by the Iranian regime’s judiciary, including five individuals arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in the city of Urmia and three political prisoners in Ahvaz.
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign continued into its 74th week across 47 prisons in IranHRANA stressed that violations of the right to life can have devastating consequences, including fostering a sense of insecurity and instability in society. It warned that such violations could fuel a culture of violence and further erode public trust in governmental and judicial institutions. In addition to the executions, prison conditions have further deteriorated. HRANA reported that between June 22 and July 22, there were 2,492 cases of prisoners being held in unsuitable conditions, 102 instances of legal limbo, 100 cases of denial of communication rights, 74 instances of detainees being held incommunicado, and 52 cases of pressure and coercion against prisoners. HRANA also recorded, during the same period, 13 cases of medical neglect, 11 transfers of prisoners to solitary confinement, 8 hunger strikes, and 1 case of a prisoner being killed. Another part of HRANA’s report addresses the excessive and deadly use of weapons and violence by military and security forces. According to the report, at least 12 civilians lost their lives due to gunfire by security agents during this period, and 20 others were injured. Additionally, at least three kulbars (cross-border porters, often ethnic Kurds who carry goods across Iran’s western borders) and two fuel carriers were killed during this time. One kulbar and three fuel carriers were also injured. Landmine explosions in border areas resulted in the deaths of at least two civilians and the amputation of another. Among the most shocking incidents this month was a shooting by guards at a military facility in Khomein (a town in central Iran), which led to the deaths of four civilians, including a four-year-old girl named Raha Sheikhi. In another incident in Tarik-Darreh, Hamedan Province, two civilians were killed, and one was injured. HRANA concluded its report by emphasizing that the widespread human rights violations in Iran—including frequent executions, inhumane prison conditions, suppression of freedom of expression, and deadly violence by military forces—can only be curbed through reform of judicial and security structures, accountability of officials, and consistent pressure from domestic and international human rights organizations.
Danish Universities Restrict Access to Iranian Researchers Due to Security Concerns
Citing increasing security threats, Denmark has adopted stricter policies regarding the admission of foreign researchers, with Iranian researchers in particular facing disqualification.
According to Danish media, the country’s security and academic officials have warned that access to sensitive information in fields such as quantum technology, green energy, and artificial intelligence could increase the risk of information leaking to foreign governments.
Aarhus University, one of Denmark’s most prestigious academic institutions, announced that it has rejected applications from at least 24 foreign researchers so far this year. A significant portion of these applicants held Iranian, Russian, or Chinese citizenship.
University officials stated that the primary reason for these rejections was the risk that these individuals might gain access to information that could be transferred to third countries.
Denmark’s Security and Intelligence Service (PET) has warned that countries such as Iran may use researchers for espionage purposes, including through financial inducement, threats, political pressure, or cyberattacks.
In this context, some universities, including the University of Copenhagen, have established specialized teams to conduct security screening of applicants.
Nevertheless, some academics have expressed concern that these restrictions may harm international scientific collaboration.
Denmark, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, has placed greater emphasis on protecting scientific and research infrastructure as part of its defense and security policies.
In the fall of last year, members of the Danish parliament, during a session of the immigration committee, stressed the need for stricter measures against the anti-democratic activities of Iran’s regime.
On July 1, 2025, German prosecutors announced that a Danish citizen had been arrested in Denmark on suspicion of spying for Iran’s regime. His activities were allegedly aimed at gathering information on locations and individuals connected to the Jewish community in the city of Berlin.
Concerns over espionage and sabotage activities by Iran’s regime and its affiliated elements have been growing in Europe.
The intelligence services of the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands have held the Iranian regime responsible for criminal activities and for using criminal gangs on their soil.
Protests Over Water Shortages in Iran
Residents of Sabzevar, a city in eastern Iran, took to the streets for the second consecutive night. They gathered in front of the Sabzevar Governor’s Office, chanting slogans such as “Our rights are only earned in the streets” and “Water, electricity, life are our basic rights” in protest against frequent power outages in the region.
Meanwhile, the regime declared Wednesday a public holiday. The crisis has paralyzed the country, and now people—more exasperated than ever—are faced with a government that is this time openly demonstrating its inability to govern.
According to provincial authorities across the country, on Wednesday, July 23, schools and government offices in 23 provinces will either be closed or operate remotely.
Tehran Faces the Most Severe Water Crisis in a CenturyIn a bizarre move, Tehran’s Water and Wastewater Company announced the distribution of bottled water to residents—but shortly afterward, retracted the statement. Reza Sepahvand, a member of the regime’s parliament, warned about the possibility of nationwide water rationing in Tehran and other provinces. But such warnings are nothing new. For years, environmental activists have raised alarms, only to be silenced and repressed. Over the past years, Iran’s regime has imprisoned numerous environmental activists under the pretext of “national security threats.” In response to the extreme heat, Fatemeh Mohajerani, the government spokesperson, shamelessly described Wednesday’s shutdown as “an opportunity to breathe.” She suggests people rest, travel, and spend time with family—amid deadly heat, without water, without electricity.
Governance in Iran is structured in such a way that only a specific class is able to live comfortably. Even Isa Kalantari, former head of Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization, warned that “we should be concerned about the very existence of Iran.” Masoud Pezeshkian, the current president of Iran’s regime, also admitted, “If we don’t act now, there may be no solution tomorrow.”Water Crisis in Iran: Mismanagement, Blackouts, and Public Distrust Amid Environmental Collapse https://t.co/jCdck2XrRc pic.twitter.com/vqrRBKthR9
— Iran Focus (@Iran_Focus) July 23, 2025
Iranian Regime President Calls Claims of Nuclear Program’s End a ‘Delusion’
Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of Iran’s regime, stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that the regime is prepared to “strike deep into Israel.” He added that the claim that Iran’s nuclear program has ended is a “delusion.”
Following regime’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, Pezeshkian also reiterated Iran’s claimed right to enrich uranium.
On Tuesday, July 22, in an interview with the Al Jazeera television news network, Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran’s stance on its claimed right to enrich uranium and declared that the idea Iran’s nuclear program had ended is a “delusion,” because, according to him, the program “exists in the minds of scientists,” not just in “nuclear facilities.”
This was Pezeshkian’s first interview with Al Jazeera following the 12-day war between Iran’s regime and Israel.
EU Sanctions Hossein Shamkhani: A Blow to the Oil and Weapons Network of Iran’s Regime and RussiaIn the interview, Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran’s regime “does not seek war but also does not rely on the permanence of a ceasefire and is prepared to defend itself.” He added that “we are ready for any Israeli military action, and our forces are prepared to strike deep into Israel again.” He acknowledged that Israel inflicted blows on Iran but also claimed that Iran “powerfully struck deep into Israel” and alleged that Israel “conceals its own losses.” In the interview, Pezeshkian admitted that there are “some intelligence infiltrations” within Iran’s military levels but attributed the primary cause of these infiltrations to Israel’s use of “American technology and capabilities.” Pezeshkian Reiterates Uranium Enrichment Right One Day After Iran’s Foreign Minister’s Statement On the evening of Monday, July 21, Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of Iran’s regime, stated in an interview with Fox News that Tehran would not relinquish its uranium enrichment program. He stated that it is clear they cannot abandon enrichment because it is an achievement of their scientists and a matter of national pride. According to Araghchi, any nuclear agreement that is reached must include the right to enrich uranium for Iran. The regime’s foreign minister also acknowledged that Iran’s nuclear facilities had suffered serious damage and admitted that the enrichment program is currently halted due to the severity of these damages. U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to Araghchi’s remarks in the Fox News interview by reposting part of his statements on his Truth Social account and issuing a warning to Tehran. Trump had previously asserted that a U.S. military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June had resulted in the complete destruction of all three sites.
Arrest of 2,000 People During Iran-Israel War
Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, the judiciary chief of Iran’s regime, announced on the evening of Tuesday, July 22, that approximately 2,000 people had been arrested during what was described as the “12-day war between Iran and Israel.” He stated in a televised interview that the arrests continued even after Israel’s attack. While he claimed that “many” of those arrested were released after investigations, he emphasized that individuals accused of collaborating with Israel remain under interrogation and “intelligence extraction.”
Meanwhile, in a rare move, the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sent warning text messages to Iranian citizens, alleging an “increase in activities by enemy intelligence services.” It claimed these services were recruiting individuals through mobile applications to “betray the country.” These warnings come at a time when regime security officials are deeply concerned about Israel’s extensive intelligence infiltration at the highest levels of the regime, especially following the repeated assassinations of military commanders and nuclear scientists.
Mohammad Saeed Izadi, Quds Force Commander, Reportedly Killed in Israel Strikes Against IranIn recent weeks, dozens of individuals have been arrested by security agencies in various cities across Iran. This wave of arrests has intensified alongside a rise in civil protests, worsening economic conditions, widespread public dissatisfaction with the political and economic situation, and ongoing crackdowns at universities and on social media. Evidence suggests that in the face of severe intelligence failures, an inability to contain foreign security infiltrations, and fear of popular uprisings, Iran’s regime has resorted to an iron-fist policy marked by fear and intimidation. The use of terms like “infiltration” and “intelligence warfare” in the media and official statements, along with repression of media outlets, civil activists, and academics, indicates a regime no longer capable of maintaining control through legitimate means and instead leaning on security and deterrent measures. Observers warn that these policies will not only prove ineffective but will further fuel public discontent and increase the likelihood of a social explosion. Iran’s Regime Uses the Pretext of Intelligence War with Israel to Intensify Repression of Its Citizens The Iranian regime fully understands that its primary war is with the people, and that only the Iranian people are capable of ending this regime.
