Price Of Food In Iran Almost Tripled In Three YearsShargh emphasized that the price hikes have not been driven by consumer demand or global price trends and added that the crisis stems from the sudden removal of preferential currency, failure to forecast demand, and lack of effective policymaking within the government.
168% Increase in Food Prices During the First Eight Months of Iran’s New Administration
As the economic situation continues to deteriorate and public dissatisfaction over declining purchasing power grows, data from state-run centers shows that food prices have increased by as much as 168% during the first eight months of the administration of Masoud Pezeshkian, president of the Iranian regime.
Reports indicate that the price of potatoes rose by 168%, pinto beans by 124%, and pasteurized butter by 80%.
The state-run Shargh newspaper reported that the legume market has reached a “crisis point” due to the elimination of preferential currency rates, temporary policies, and lack of planning, stating that in recent weeks, the market has experienced one of its sharpest price shocks.
The continuation of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign enters its sixty-seventh week across 41 prisons in Iran
While Iran’s regime continues its policy of repression through executions, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign has launched a hunger strike for the sixty-seventh consecutive week in 41 prisons across Iran.
According to the campaign’s statement, “The regime of execution and repression hanged 29 prisoners over the past week. On April 30, 15 prisoners, and on May 4, nine prisoners were executed. As a result, since March 21 (the beginning of the Iranian new year), 154 individuals have been hanged.”
“No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign in Iran, a Protest Against Death SentencesThe statement also refers to the killing of a protester by security forces, saying: “In a brutal act, the tyrannical rulers shot and killed a citizen named Azim Farrokhvand with live ammunition. He had joined a group of people in Dezful protesting the execution of two prisoners.” The hunger-striking prisoners added: “According to the ‘No to Executions Tuesdays’ campaign, he is the first martyr of the movement since its inception. We honor his memory and emphasize that as long as this regime remains in power, it will never cease executions at any cost.” The statement further warns against the regime’s use of executions as its primary tool of repression, stating: “The ‘No to Executions Tuesdays’ campaign warns that in the current situation, where Iran’s regime is trapped in both domestic and international deadlocks, it uses executions as its main method of suppression to prevent protest movements and uprisings by an oppressed population.”
Call By 300 Global Figures to Stop the Execution of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi HassaniIn this context, political prisoners are calling for immediate international action, stating: “Therefore, it is essential that international human rights organizations compel their governments to condition relations with Iran’s regime on the abolition of the death penalty, because the weapon of execution in the hands of this tyranny is more dangerous than any other weapon.” The campaign’s statement concludes with a public call to action: “We continue to ask all segments of society to stand united and speak out against executions in every possible way.” On Tuesday, May 6, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign will mark its sixty-seventh week of hunger strikes across 41 prisons.
Iran’s defense minister: If we are attacked, we will strike US bases in the region
Aziz Nasirzadeh, the defense minister of Iran’s regime, stated that if pushed into war, the regime will not hesitate to use weapons that have not been used before. He also warned that in the event of an attack on Iran; US bases located in neighboring countries will be considered targets.
The defense minister made these comments just a few hours after a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis struck Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.
Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of Defense, had warned Iran’s regime on April 30 that even if US negotiations with the regime advance, continued Iranian support for the Houthis will still carry consequences.
In response to the remarks by the US Secretary of Defense, Nasirzadeh said: “Unfortunately, we are witnessing that American officials, on the one hand, claim to be sincere and express a desire to negotiate, while on the other hand, some American officials continuously and through various means threaten Iran with military attacks.”
The Iranian regime’s defense minister threatened that if a war is initiated by the US or Israel, Iran will target their interests, bases, and forces wherever they may be and whenever it deems necessary. He added that the Ministry of Defense is working to fully equip the armed forces on land, in the air, and at sea.
Nasirzadeh, while stressing brotherhood with neighboring countries, also issued a threat to them, stating: “We have no hostility toward neighboring countries and brotherhood governs our relations. However, in the event of an attack on Iran, US bases located in those regional countries will be considered our targets.”
Unveiling of Iran’s new ballistic missile
Nasirzadeh made these statements on the sidelines of the unveiling and test of Iran’s latest ballistic missile, named Qassem. Tasnim, a media outlet affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that the missile is a solid-fuel type with a range of 1,200 kilometers, and is an upgraded version of the “Martyr Haj Qassem ballistic missiles.” Tasnim added: “This missile, with changes made to the design of its warhead, is capable of maneuvering and bypassing missile defense systems. It is also equipped with a thermal imaging guidance system to strike targets with greater accuracy and to resist electronic warfare.”Call By 300 Global Figures to Stop the Execution of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani
More than 300 prominent international figures have issued a joint statement calling on the United Nations to take action to stop politically motivated executions in Iran.
This statement, released on Friday, May 2 by the campaign “Justice for the Victims of the 1988 Massacre in Iran,” expresses concern over the rise in politically motivated executions under Iran’s regime and describes it as a flagrant violation of international law.
The signatories of this statement—which include UN special rapporteurs, Nobel laureates, diplomats, judges, legal scholars, and human rights organizations—have urged the UN to immediately intervene to stop the executions of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani. These two political prisoners have had their death sentences upheld by the regime’s Supreme Court, and their requests for retrial have been denied.
Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani at risk of execution
According to the statement, the two men were tried in a five-minute court session on August 10, 2024, on charges including membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, “propaganda in support of the group,” and “producing and sharing videos.” These charges are categorized by the clerical regime’s judiciary as “moharebeh” (waging war against God) and “corruption on earth.” Amnesty International had previously strongly criticized this process and called for their immediate release.Execution Wave in Iran: Six More Prisoners HangedAt the same time, several other political prisoners—including Abolhassan Montazer, Akbar Daneshvarkar, Babak Alipour, Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi, Pouya Ghobadi, Vahid Bani Amerian, Pakhshan Azizi, Varisheh Moradi, and Sharifeh Mohammadi—have been transferred to Ghezel Hesar prison, which is notorious for its widespread execution of death sentences. According to the annual report released in 2024, at least 975 people have been executed in Iran, marking a 17% increase compared to the previous year. Reports indicate that women, minors, ethnic and religious minorities, and political dissidents are the primary targets of these executions. Critics view this trend as a clear attempt to suppress dissent and block demands for democratic change in Iran. The signed statement also calls on Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and other relevant bodies to take immediate action to halt executions in Iran and to impose sanctions on officials responsible for human rights violations. According to the signatories, the abolition of the death penalty and the release of political prisoners should be a prerequisite for any improvement in relations with Iran’s regime. “The Iranian authorities’ systematic targeting of political prisoners is rooted in a culture of impunity, fuelled by the failure to hold perpetrators accountable for past atrocities,” the report states. This was documented in the July 2024 landmark Atrocity Crimes report by UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Prof. Javaid Rehman, which found that the 1981-82 mass killings and the 1988 massacre constituted crimes against humanity and genocide. Per the statement, “No Iranian official has been held accountable for these atrocities; instead, the perpetrators have been promoted to the highest levels in the government, judiciary, and security apparatus.” Currently, at least 50 Iranian political prisoners—including three women and six protesters linked to the 2022 protests—are on death row awaiting execution.
Protest gatherings by retirees and various segments of the Iranian population; condolences to Bandar Abbas
On Sunday, May 4, protest gatherings were held by various segments of the Iranian population in several cities across the country. In these protests, retirees and other citizens expressed solidarity with the victims of the recent incident in Bandar Abbas and chanted slogans against the regime.
A protest by social security retirees in Khuzestan province was held to express outrage over dire living and economic conditions and the authorities’ failure to respond to their rightful demands. Retirees gathered in the city of Ahvaz and chanted: “Condolences, condolences to Bandar Abbas; our enemy is right here, they lie and say it’s America; drop the headscarf, think about us; no handouts, no charity, give us our rights with dignity; when it’s our turn, the treasury is empty; imprisoned workers must be freed; imprisoned protesters must be freed; message to the government: shame on you!”
Continued Protests of Iranian Retirees and Workers on the Eve of International Workers’ Day
Protest by retirees of Shush, Karkheh and Haft Tappeh
Retirees of Shush, Karkheh and Haft Tappeh held a protest rally in Shush in response to poverty, destitution, and hardship, as well as inflation, rising prices, inadequate wages, theft and looting, corruption, injustice, discrimination, and inequality. At the protest, the retirees chanted: “We won’t rest until we get our rights — neither cold nor heat can stop us — they plundered social security, they ruined us — wealthy country, what happened to you?”March by steel and mining retirees in Isfahan and Kerman provinces
Steel and mining retirees from the provinces of Isfahan and Kerman organized protest marches and rallies to object to the economic situation and their unmet livelihood demands. They chanted: “Both parliament and government lied to the people; cries of anguish over all this oppression; stop your theft and solve our problems.”Protest by oil sector employees in Tehran
Permanent employees of the oil sector who joined after passing the 2013 recruitment exam held a major protest in front of the Ministry of Petroleum in Tehran, voicing opposition to the regime’s neglect of their demands. They are demanding an updated base salary scale, full implementation of Article 10 of the Ministry of Petroleum’s regulations, revisions to performance and merit averages, and the application of special and restorative pay allowances. These employees also insist on adjusting their educational credentials and contract periods based on the 2013 law, but the incompetence and corruption of the regime—which continues to plunder the country’s oil resources—have kept these workers in hardship, fueling their anger. Protest by residents of Nilkooh following dangerous explosions at Teloustan Cement Factory On May 3, residents of Nilkooh in Golestan Province gathered in protest in front of the Teloustan Cement Factory following a series of powerful explosions. Protesters stated that the explosions, which have shaken rural homes and caused panic among children and the elderly, have not only shattered their mental peace but also pose a direct threat to their lives. One resident said: “This is a matter of our lives; we’re constantly afraid of the next explosion—one day, the roofs of our houses will collapse.” The locals demanded the immediate halt of explosive activities, an independent expert investigation, and transparent accountability from regime officials. However, no official has yet made any statement regarding the cause or damage of these explosions.Iran has become an exporter of software developers
Following previous reports on the rising emigration of Iranian elites, the state-affiliated website Digiato reported that Iran has turned into an exporter of skilled programming professionals.
Digiato, highlighting the work of programmers across various Iranian cities delivering projects to clients in London, Berlin, or Toronto, wrote: “They export knowledge and code instead of goods or oil; with an internet full of restrictions and an uncertain future, but with skills that know no borders.”
Citing the 2024 Quera survey and emphasizing that only a subset of developers has preferred to remain in the country despite difficulties, Digiato added: “Only 20% of Iranian programmers have no desire to emigrate.”
Growing Wave of Professor Migration Poses Serious Challenge To Iran’s Scientific FutureThe findings of this survey, which involved over 5,120 programmers, show that 40% of them definitely intend to emigrate, while 32% currently have no plans but may decide to do so in the future. According to the Quera survey, 69% of programmers cited a higher quality of life, 61% mentioned improved economic conditions, and 42% pointed to gaining social freedoms as their main reasons for emigration. Additionally, 8% of participants said they intend to gain experience abroad and then return to Iran.
Main destinations for Iranian emigration
According to the latest report by the International Organization for Migration, the United States, Canada, and Germany were the top three destinations for Iranian citizens emigrating in 2024. Digiato reported a significant share of programmers and developers among Iranian emigrants and noted: “One must not overlook the size of the global freelancing market, whose expansion has also reached Iran.” An Iranian programmer who emigrated to Canada told Digiato that higher income and quality of life for programmers abroad, along with internet restrictions such as censorship and software sanctions in Iran, are among the reasons developers choose to emigrate. Referring to the welcoming attitude of various countries such as Australia, Canada, and European nations toward computer specialists, he added: “These countries have attracted these individuals by offering higher incentives, and this trend has led to the emigration of a large portion of software engineers over the past decade.” A blockchain developer who works as a freelancer from inside Iran for foreign companies told Digiato: “For a foreign employer, hiring Iranian talent is very cost-effective.” Continuing its report, Digiato, pointing to the many obstacles facing Iranian programmers that force them to emigrate, warned that this situation has created a serious challenge for domestic companies and startups, which now face a shortage of skilled professionals. This is not the first time reports have been published about the emigration of various segments of society. Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of Iran’s regime, on May 4 criticized the decision by some Iranian citizens to emigrate and said: “We are currently raising children who have their minds set on leaving the country, but we must raise children who dedicate themselves to bringing pride to the country on the global stage.” He continued: “It is not an achievement to become an elite and go to America to give them my talent and knowledge.” Earlier, on March 23, Mohammad Jalili, the head of the Faculty Recruitment Center at the Ministry of Health, warned that the departure of faculty members has reached Iran’s top universities.Kayhan Newspaper: Tehran Will Never Submit to Complete Nuclear Disarmament
Kayhan, a state-run newspaper overseen by a representative of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iranian regime, referred to the postponement of talks with the United States this week and wrote that uranium enrichment under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is “Iran’s explicit right” and that the “shameless possessors and users of atomic bombs” cannot deprive NPT members of the right to the “peaceful production of enriched uranium.”
The NPT is the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Kayhan wrote: “The Iranian side may be willing to reduce the level of enrichment to a non-military threshold and allow independent verification of this reduction, but it will never submit to complete nuclear disarmament.”
Iran Has Enough Uranium for 6 or 7 Nuclear WeaponsThe newspaper referred to previous agreements with the United States as “blackmail by the first Obama administration” regarding the 20% fuel for the Tehran reactor and the sabotage in acquiring it and wrote that this experience showed that “dependence on the enemy” in this area is wrong and irrational. This editorial, referring to the fate of the negotiations, wrote: “No miracle should be expected. What remains is not a golden opportunity but the last strand of hope: that Donald Trump turns back from a path that clearly leads to disaster. A path that, if he insists on continuing, will not only result in a chain of astonishing failures in foreign policy but will also shatter the image of the genius dealmaker.”
The Iranian regime’s foreign minister: Tehran Has the Right to Possess the Full Nuclear Fuel Cycle
On the evening of Friday, May 2, Abbas Araghchi, the regime’s foreign minister, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Iran has the full right to possess the complete nuclear fuel cycle. He said that several countries that are signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons, including several in Asia, Europe, and South America, fully reject nuclear weapons and still engage in uranium enrichment. Araghchi added: “Taking maximalist positions and using provocative language yields nothing but a reduced chance of success. Reaching a credible and lasting agreement is entirely within reach; all it needs is firm political will and a fair approach.”Billions Invested by Iranian Regime in Syria
Reuters news agency, in a special report published on Thursday, May 1, 2025, revealed confidential documents obtained from Iran’s embassy in Damascus. The documents expose the scale of the Iranian regime’s ambitious plan to rebuild Syria’s economy and turn the country into a hub for regional influence. The report illustrates Tehran’s expansionist ambitions in Syria, which ultimately failed with the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Since the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011, the Iranian regime became one of the main backers of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Iran provided logistical, financial, and training support, and deployed military forces, including Quds Force units and Shiite militias, playing a critical role in keeping Assad in power. These efforts were aimed at maintaining Iran’s regional influence, securing supply routes to Hezbollah in Lebanon, and countering regional rivals such as Israel and Arab states.
Bashar al-Assad’s Actions Cost Iran’s Regime DearlyDuring the Syrian civil war, the Iranian regime spent billions of dollars in support of Assad. These investments included infrastructure projects, reconstruction of war-torn areas, and the creation of economic networks aimed at cementing Iran’s economic and political influence in Syria. Abbas Akbari, who was appointed in 2012 as head of Iran-Syria Economic Relations Development Headquarters, played a key role in advancing these projects. Documents reveal that he was inspired by the U.S. Marshall Plan (the post-World War II European reconstruction program) as a model for rebuilding Syria. However, these ambitions faced numerous obstacles. Financial corruption, mismanagement, and resistance from opposition groups in Syria, along with international pressure and sanctions, prevented the full realization of the plans. In December 2024, with the offensive by opposition rebels and the fall of Damascus, Assad’s regime collapsed. The remaining documents in the Iranian regime’s embassy, discovered by opposition forces and the media, revealed the details of these ambitious programs.
Syria’s “30 Billion Dollar” Debt to IranIn April 2024, an airstrike attributed to Israel targeted the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, killing seven senior Quds Force members, including Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, and escalating tensions between the Iranian regime and Israel. The attack was condemned by many countries, but Israel claimed the target was a covert Quds Force military base. According to Reuters, a 33-page document prepared in May 2022 by the political-economic department of Iran’s embassy in Damascus reveals that Iran had an ambitious plan to rebuild Syria and establish an economic empire in the country. The document details Iran’s multi-billion-dollar investments in infrastructure, agriculture, and industry. The document refers to economic opportunities in Syria amounting to over $400 billion and suggests that Iran could deepen its influence over Assad’s government through the country’s reconstruction. However, the rapid fall of Assad’s regime at the hands of opposition rebels, along with the hasty withdrawal of Iranian regime diplomats and militias, shattered these ambitions. Reports also indicate that other documents, including folders containing intelligence information, were discovered by an Israeli journalist from Israel’s Channel 12 inside the Iranian embassy. These documents reveal Iran’s covert activities in Syria, including surveillance of opposition groups and coordination with proxy militias. These plans completely collapsed with the fall of Assad’s regime and the swift political changes in Syria. The failure rendered Iran’s substantial financial and human costs in Syria fruitless and highlighted the high risks of Tehran’s regional interventions.
“Silenced Tragedy: The Bandar Abbas Explosion and the Iranian Regime’s Denial and Suppression”
Six days have passed since the explosion at Rajaei Port in Bandar Abbas. Yet no reliable statistics have been released by official sources about the number of those killed, injured, or missing. Regime authorities, who themselves have acknowledged 70 deaths, dozens missing, and hundreds wounded, have urged the public not to “exaggerate” the incident. Tehran’s prosecutor’s office has filed charges against those disseminating news about Bandar Abbas. Meanwhile, the public blames the regime and is outraged by the declaration of just one day of public mourning for Bandar Abbas compared to five days of mourning for Hassan Nasrallah, the slain leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s delayed condolence message, in which he merely “prayed for mercy” for the victims.
Around noon on Saturday, April 26, a massive explosion occurred at Rajaei Port, a vital economic artery of Iran, and the resulting fire still has not been extinguished. In the early hours following the blast, harrowing videos and images circulated showing desperate people searching for missing loved ones and hospitals filled with victims, sparking widespread reactions.
Explosion at Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas Leaves Over 700 Injured and 5 DeathThe grief of citizens over the tragedy that struck their loved ones, neighbors, and compatriots—grief that resonated across Iran and the world—turned into anger when Khamenei, after a day of silence, issued a condolence message merely “praying for mercy” for the victims. Masoud Pezeshkian, the regime’s president, told an injured man lying in a hospital bed, “If I were in your place, I’d get up and leave right now.” Then came a wave of denial from regime officials. For instance, Farzaneh Sadegh, Minister of Roads and Urban Development, who visited Bandar Abbas, claimed that life in the city was “normal.” At the same time, reports emerged that the judiciary was prosecuting those who reported on the suffering of the people. Mizan News Agency, affiliated with the regime’s judiciary, announced one day after the Rajaei Port explosion that, following the publication of “some content and differing accounts of the Bandar Rajaei incident in Bandar Abbas,” Tehran’s prosecutor had filed legal cases against several media outlets and social media activists. The outlet also reported that other media organizations and users had received official warnings. On the same day of the explosion—while eyewitnesses described scenes of devastation and bloodshed—the national prosecutor’s office issued a statement warning the media and online activists to refrain from covering topics that could “disrupt the psychological security of society.” But the censorship didn’t stop there. While official entities censored information regarding the cause of the explosion and ignored the Iranian public’s demand for answers, the regime’s official ISNA news agency published a report quoting Iran’s Customs Administration regarding the exploded cargo. Hours later, the article was deleted. The ISNA report had stated that the cargo in question was not under the jurisdiction of Customs—a claim that aligned with early speculations that the blast was caused by ballistic missile fuel belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The regime-affiliated news agency Tabnak reported that hours after Esfandiar Momeni, the regime’s Minister of Interior, claimed that no Russian aircraft had been involved in the firefighting operation, the Russian Embassy in Iran released videos showing their aircraft participating. Earlier media reports had revealed that sodium perchlorate, which arrived at the port from China in March, was being stored at the site. This chemical is used in solid fuel for long-range missiles. Regardless, Rajaei Port is entirely under the control of the IRGC, and the responsibility for this national disaster lies with Iran’s regime. So far, 70 people have been confirmed dead, and many more remain missing.
Concerns Over the Health Condition of Reza Ramazanzadeh in Greater Tehran Prison
According to received reports, Reza Ramazanzadeh, a Kurdish political activist imprisoned in Greater Tehran Prison, is in critical health condition due to severe gastrointestinal problems and stomach pain. Reports indicate that this political prisoner, who had previously suffered from digestive issues as a result of a hunger strike, has recently experienced worsening stomach pain. However, prison authorities and the facility’s medical center have refused to provide necessary medical care. This has raised serious concerns about his well-being.
The life of political prisoner Kamran Rezaeifar is in danger.According to the information received, Reza Ramazanzadeh is being held in the violent crimes ward of Greater Tehran Prison, where the principle of separation based on charges has not been observed. He has been denied access to necessary medications and appropriate treatment, and the poor prison conditions — including lack of basic facilities and medical attention — have further deteriorated his physical health. Sources close to the prisoner reported that his previous hunger strikes, carried out in protest against his detention conditions and rights violations, have resulted in chronic digestive issues. Ramazanzadeh has previously been arrested and imprisoned due to his political activities. He has been sentenced to a total of two years and six months in prison and is currently serving his sentence in Greater Tehran Prison. His transfer to the violent crimes ward, despite his poor physical condition and need for medical care, constitutes a clear violation of prisoner rights and the principle of separation based on offenses.
