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Iran’s Regime Ties Nuclear Pause to U.S. Concessions

Esmaeil Mohades
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Iran’s Regime Ties Nuclear Pause to U.S. Concessions

Two Iranian sources told Reuters on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, that Tehran might halt uranium enrichment as part of a “political agreement,” provided that the United States unfreezes Iran’s blocked assets and recognizes Tehran’s right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes. Such an agreement could pave the way for a comprehensive nuclear deal.

According to these sources, who are close to the negotiating team, if Washington accepts Tehran’s conditions, a political understanding with the United States could be reached soon.

One of the sources said that this issue has not yet been raised in discussions with the United States.

Iranian Regime Accelerates Uranium Enrichment to Concerning Levels

The Iranian sources stressed that Tehran will not agree to halt its nuclear program, dismantle its infrastructure, or seal its nuclear facilities, as demanded by the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, Iran’s regime has still not been able to access the 6 billion dollars deposited in a Qatari bank—an amount that was unfrozen in 2023 during a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Iran under Joe Biden’s administration.

The second source acknowledged that Tehran wants these funds transferred to Iran without any conditions or restrictions. If it is necessary to lift certain sanctions for this to happen, then that should be done.

International Atomic Energy Agency that a new report on Iran’s nuclear program will be released soon.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), announced that the agency will “soon” release its new report on the nuclear program of the Iranian regime.

On Wednesday, he added that the report will be comprehensive.

The release of a comprehensive report on the Iranian regime’s nuclear program is a step toward potentially triggering the snapback mechanism for the automatic reimposition of sanctions against Iran’s regime.

 

 

Iran’s Gasoline Smuggling Crisis Exposes Systemic Corruption and Military Involvement

Sia Rajabi
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Iran’s Gasoline Smuggling Crisis Exposes Systemic Corruption and Military Involvement

Iran is grappling with an unprecedented gasoline smuggling crisis, with new estimates suggesting that up to 50 million liters of fuel are illegally exported from the country each day. This staggering figure has cast serious doubt on the Iranian regime’s long-standing narrative that blames small-time border smugglers for the losses. Instead, mounting evidence points to a well-organized, large-scale operation involving institutional complicity at the highest levels.

A $4 Billion Drain on the Iranian Economy

According to Alireza Rashidian, head of Iran’s Central Headquarters for Combating Goods and Currency Smuggling, the daily average of smuggled fuel now stands at around 20 million liters, primarily diesel and gasoil. Speaking to Tasnim News Agency, Rashidian noted that substantial amounts of subsidized fuel meant for power plants and agricultural use have been systematically diverted into illicit markets in recent years.

Fuel Smuggling Mafia and the Policy of Concealment in Iran  

He added that a pilot monitoring scheme in five provinces had uncovered nearly 69,000 cases of irregularities by tracking around 200,000 fuel shipments—further underscoring the scale and complexity of the smuggling network.

Implausibility of the Small-Scale Smuggler Narrative

The regime often attributes smuggling to low-level operators who use 2,000–2,500-liter tanks mounted on Nissan Junior pickup trucks. However, simple logistics expose the flaws in this claim. Transporting 50 million liters would require at least 20,000 such trucks, forming a convoy stretching over 140 kilometers if lined up with minimal spacing.

Even the more conservative figure of 20 million liters would necessitate 8,000 vehicles, making it impossible for these operations to occur undetected and unaided by officials. Alternatively, using large tanker trucks capable of holding 40,000 liters would still require 500 to 1,250 trucks per day, depending on the volume smuggled.

Signs of Systematic and Institutionalized Corruption

The volume of fuel being trafficked, combined with the infrastructure required, strongly suggests that fuel smuggling is systemic. Reports of underground fuel pipelines and unmonitored maritime routes—especially from ports under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—reinforce suspicions of official involvement.

In 2023, Mohammad Jafari, Deputy Head of the Headquarters for Combating the Smuggling of Goods, admitted that up to 25% of fuel allocated to power plants is being siphoned off for smuggling, though he did not disclose specifics. The implication is clear: large portions of Iran’s fuel distribution network are compromised.

Arrests of Officials Linked to Smuggling

High-profile arrests over the past few years have further highlighted institutional involvement:

  • In December 2022, Aref Akbari, Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Hormozgan Province, announced the arrest of six rural mayors, three Ministry of Industry employees, and two members of the Engineering Organization for issuing fraudulent permits that allowed fake claims to subsidized fuel.
  • In May 2021, Saeed Rashki, Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Iranshahr, revealed that nearly all employees of the local oil company had been arrested in connection with a major smuggling case. One of the key suspects was the head of a local parliamentarian’s office.

These cases illustrate how networks of corruption stretch across various levels of government, providing the necessary cover for massive fuel diversion operations.

The IRGC’s Pivotal Role

One of the most alarming aspects of the crisis is the alleged involvement of Iran’s armed forces—particularly the IRGC. As a powerful military and economic force, the IRGC controls much of Iran’s transportation infrastructure and border security. Given this control, it is highly improbable that millions of liters of fuel could be smuggled daily without their oversight or direct participation.

Numerous reports have implicated IRGC-controlled ports and border crossings in smuggling activities, with small cargo ships operating clandestinely under military protection. Observers argue that fuel trafficking helps fund the IRGC’s regional operations and off-the-books expenditures, making it a lucrative and politically protected enterprise.

Conclusion

Iran’s fuel smuggling crisis is no longer a case of petty cross-border theft. The sheer volume of stolen fuel, estimated to cost the Iranian economy $4 billion annually, combined with growing evidence of state and military complicity, paints a disturbing picture of institutionalized corruption.

As long as key power centers like the IRGC remain above the law, and government entities continue to profit from opaque fuel distribution schemes, there is little hope that this crisis can be resolved. Instead, it threatens to deepen the country’s economic woes and further erode public trust in state institutions.

 

Truckers’ Strike Spreads to 125 Cities Across Iran

Mehdi Hosseini
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Truckers’ Strike Spreads to 125 Cities Across Iran

At the end of the fifth day of the strike, the Union of Truckers and Drivers of Iran stated that there had been “an exceptional show of solidarity and unity” during the nationwide strike that has spread to 125 cities. The statement added: “With hope and unity, we welcome the sixth day, with the belief that we will continue the path until our demands are met.”

The statement continued: “Since the beginning of this path on May 22, thousands of honorable drivers and truckers have joined us. This solidarity is a great honor that reflects a shared understanding and a common aspiration for a better future.”

The union added in its statement that despite the “hardship and pressure” during the strike days, “our voice of unity has grown louder and our steps more resolute.”

Truckers’ Strike in Iran Enters Fourth Consecutive Day

The latest round of protests by drivers and truckers began on May 19 in Bandar Abbas, following a call by the Union of Truckers and Drivers of Iran. Protesters went on strike by halting operations at the port’s entry and exit points.

The union issued a statement saying: “We went on strike because we demand our rights. We stood together because our unity is the only thing that can turn this wheel in our favor.”

The strike continued in a coordinated manner on May 22, with truckers in dozens of Iranian cities also halting work.

Protesting drivers have said they will strike for one week in response to the reduction in diesel fuel quotas, high insurance costs, low freight rates, and other unmet professional demands.

Tehran Bus Workers’ Syndicate Backs Truckers’ Strike

On May 26, the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company issued a statement in support of the nationwide truckers’ strike, stating: “Striking and protesting is a legal right of drivers and all workers.”

The statement identified key demands of the truckers, including: “clarification of insurance entitlements, enforcement of government commitments to pay the insurance share for owner-operators, reduction of freight brokerage commissions, and an end to corruption and discrimination in the cargo allocation process.”

Among the videos circulated from the strike, there are rare images of the country’s main transit routes appearing unusually empty, with barely any cargo trucks in sight.

Other videos show truckers staging coordinated protests in various cities.

As the strike by truckers and heavy vehicle drivers expanded, Kamran Mir Haji, the Prosecutor General of Fars Province, announced that legal cases were being filed to enable “judicial action” against a number of these drivers.

On Monday, May 26, Mir Haji stated that judicial measures had been taken against several individuals accused of “disrupting the operations of drivers and truckers” in Fars province, some of whom had been arrested and others who now face legal proceedings.

Earlier, on Sunday, May 25, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the regime’s Majlis (parliament), addressed the truckers’ issues, and Adel Najafzadeh, the representative from Khoy, warned about the “collapse of the national transportation fleet.”

In a statement on May 25, the Union of Truckers and Drivers of Iran reported that police forces had attacked some of their colleagues with pepper spray and arrested several of them.

 

Iran: Execution of Pedram Madani in Ghezel Hesar Prison

Hoshang Amiri
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Iran: Execution of Pedram Madani in Ghezel Hesar Prison

In the early hours of Wednesday, May 28, Pedram Madani, a 41-year-old prisoner, was executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. This act has sparked a wave of protests from human rights activists and his family. The judiciary of Iran’s regime carried out the execution based on vague charges and a case filled with legal flaws.

Pedram Madani was arrested in 2020 and charged with activities related to intelligence and security. According to his family and human rights defenders, the accusations were not backed by documented evidence but were instead based solely on “confessions” obtained under pressure and without access to a chosen lawyer. In a video message, his mother emphasized the illegal torture and pressure during interrogations, saying: “My son only had a court-appointed lawyer, and his case is full of ambiguity and flaws.”

Execution Wave in Iran: Six More Prisoners Hanged

On May 25, Madani was transferred from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar. At the same time, his family was summoned for a final visit, a sign that human rights activists interpreted as confirmation that the execution was imminent. Pedram Madani’s death sentence was overturned three times by the Supreme Court, yet each time the parallel branch reinstated the death penalty.

In this context, Olivier Grondeau, a French citizen and former inmate of Evin Prison who was imprisoned in Iran for over two and a half years, released a video message in Persian calling for the execution of Madani to be stopped. He said: “Pedram was one of the kindest cellmates I had. I cannot believe such a person deserves to be executed. He was the twentieth of my friends taken to Ghezel Hesar for execution.”

Pedram Madani’s mother, who had previously lost her husband due to the sorrow caused by their son’s imprisonment, tearfully warned: “Don’t let another family be plunged into mourning. This sentence is unjust.”

Despite repeated warnings from international bodies, Iran’s regime once again moved ahead with an execution, without a fair trial—a course that has claimed the lives of many young people in recent months. The execution of Pedram Madani took place amid a legal and judicial environment that, according to experts, is increasingly drifting away from standards of justice, transparency, and accountability.

Earlier, on April 29, Mohsen Langarneshin was also executed under similar charges without a public and fair trial in one of the country’s prisons. According to observers, this reflects a growing pattern of brutal suppression under the guise of “law” against political and ideological detainees in Iran.

 

Iranian Regime’s Deputy Minister of Intelligence for Internal Security Wanted by FBI

Esmaeil Mohades
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Iranian Regime’s Deputy Minister of Intelligence for Internal Security Wanted by FBI

 The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released the photo and personal details of Seyed Yahya Hosseiny Panjaki, also known as Seyed Yahya Hamidi, the deputy minister of intelligence for internal security in Iran’s regime. The FBI has placed him on its wanted list and is seeking information about him.

In the FBI notice published on Monday, May 26, Seyed Yahya Hosseiny is identified as being born on January 23, 1975, and as the deputy minister of intelligence in charge of Israel-related affairs.

FBI stated:“Seyed Yahya is wanted for questioning in connection with alleged worldwide lethal plots and terror activity using intelligence networks, operational networks, and cyber capabilities, including via cooperation between the MOIS and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).”

Seyed Yahya Hosseiny is the chief architect of operations by the Ministry of Intelligence to assassinate opponents of Iran’s regime abroad.

The regime’s Ministry of Intelligence, alongside the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization, has for years carried out the regime’s most important acts of sabotage abroad.

The notice adds that:“The Directorate for Internal Security is responsible for operating the Naji Sharifi Zindashti criminal network and their associates as they targeted United States-based Iranian dissidents from at least December 2020, until or around March of 2021.”

FBI continued:“Seyed Yahya is the superior of Iranian Intelligence Officer Reza Hamidi Ravari, who is also wanted for questioning.”

He holds a PhD in political science from Azad University of Tabriz and has published two academic articles—one titled “The Role of Rumors and Hybrid Threats in the Security Environment,” published in the Ministry of Defense’s National Security quarterly, and another titled “Takfiri Terrorism in Cyberspace and Strategies to Counter It,” published in the Strategic Cyber Space Studies quarterly of Iran’s Supreme National Defense University.

Hosseiny Panjaki has been sanctioned by the European Union and the United Kingdom for his involvement in a 2018 bombing plot in Paris. The target was the annual gathering of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the largest opposition coalition to Iran’s regime. The plan was foiled by law enforcement before it could be carried out.

Within the Ministry of Intelligence, he founded the “Martyr Soleimani Headquarters,” which carries out sabotage operations around the world in cooperation with Iran’s intelligence agencies and with the assistance of IRGC forces.

The name of this headquarters refers to the Iranian regime’s plan to avenge the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force.

Yahya Hosseiny has very close ties with the IRGC and has traveled multiple times to Syria and Lebanon, collaborating with Hezbollah and the Quds Force through intelligence sharing between the Ministry of Intelligence, the IRGC, and their operational teams.

In addition to serving as deputy for internal security, Yahya Hosseiny is also in charge of the Israel desk at the Ministry of Intelligence.

The leader of Iran’s regime has prioritized offensive operations against Israel, and as a result, more financial and human resources have been allocated to this section.

Before Yahya Hosseiny, Saeed Hashemi Moqaddam held the position of deputy for internal security at the Ministry of Intelligence.

Hashemi Moqaddam, 62 years old and one of the older directors of the Ministry of Intelligence, was also sanctioned by the European Union and the United Kingdom after the Paris bombing plot was exposed. Although the internal security deputy position remains on the EU sanctions list, Yahya Hosseiny’s name has not yet been added to that list.

 

14 Men and Women Hanged in a Single Day in Iran

Mehdi Hosseini
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14 Men and Women Hanged in a Single Day in Iran

As Iran’s regime is trapped in a web of social, economic, and political crises, it has turned to executions to maintain its grip on power. In a single day, at least 14 prisoners—including four women—were executed in prisons across the country, including in Kermanshah, Damghan, Birjand, Kahnouj, Shiraz, Borujerd, and Zahedan. Since May 22, the number of executions has reached 20. Since April 21, the regime has executed 170 prisoners, marking the highest execution rate in recent years.

At dawn on Monday, May 19, Setareh Taherloo, a woman who had been arrested three years earlier on drug-related charges, was hanged in Damghan Prison. The rise in the number of women executed in recent months reflects the regime’s deep cruelty toward vulnerable segments of society.

Seventieth Week of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign in Iran’s Prisons

Mass Execution in Birjand

On the morning of Monday, May 26, eight prisoners—including five men and three women—were executed in Birjand Prison. One of the victims, Hamid Shirzai, 39 years old, was married and the father of ten children. His execution, carried out without allowing a final visit with his family, is a clear violation of the basic rights of prisoners.

This wave of executions reveals the Iranian regime’s fear of growing public protests. These include the truck drivers’ strike in more than 110 cities, protests by bakers, and widespread dissatisfaction across various sectors of society.

Even members of the regime’s Majlis (parliament) acknowledge the crisis. On May 23, MP Javad Nikbin warned, “This volume of protests is not normal.” Another MP, Ahmad Bigdeli, spoke of a “threshold situation” and added, “If we cannot reform matters, this dissatisfaction will lead to a social explosion.” These remarks show that even inside the regime, the fear of a popular uprising has reached its peak.

Urgent Need for Global Action and Popular Solidarity

The recent executions, which especially target women and youth, are a flagrant violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. The international community, human rights organizations, and global institutions must pressure Iran’s regime to halt these executions. Amnesty International’s 2024 report shows that Iran has the highest execution rate in the world, and this trend has intensified in the current year.

Inside Iran, solidarity among various groups with the families of victims and those facing execution can further pressure the regime. The truck drivers’ strike and protests by other sectors have shown that the people of Iran are no longer willing to endure this injustice. These movements—joined by workers, teachers, and women—have the potential to become a nationwide uprising that could bring down the foundations of the regime.

 

Seventieth Week of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign in Iran’s Prisons

Sia Rajabi
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Seventieth Week of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign in Iran’s Prisons

In the seventieth week of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, Fardis Prison in Karaj joined the movement. Currently, 45 prisons across the country are on hunger strike in protest the growing number of executions in Iran’s prisons.

In this week’s statement, the prisoners declared that the only solution is to raise their voices and rise against oppression and injustice. They wrote:
“Silence is not the solution”; one must shout and rise against this injustice and tyranny. As has been the case for weeks, several families of political prisoners sentenced to death—together with young people and freedom-loving citizens—have shouted “No to executions” in front of prisons across the country and even in cities around the world in support of the campaign.

The Sixty-Ninth Week of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign In 44 Prisons Across Iran

The full text of the statement by prisoners participating in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign is as follows:

With deep sorrow and regret, the killing of prisoners in the prisons of the ruling tyranny has not only failed to stop, but the statistics of this “madness of government-sanctioned killing of imprisoned citizens” continue to rise.

The repressive apparatus of the regime, between April 21 and May 21, sent over 170 imprisoned compatriots to the gallows—an unprecedented and horrifying statistic that shows every nine hours, two prisoners have been executed in Iran. Sadly, about 19% of these executions involve oppressed Baluch citizens, who are subjected to compounded discrimination and injustice.

The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign sincerely calls on all human rights advocates and those who aspire to a free and equal Iran to stand with the victims of oppression during these difficult days and years. Iran’s regime, by violating fair trial rights and widely carrying out execution sentences, tramples on the “right to life” of ethnic and religious minorities and brazenly sends Baluch, Kurdish, and Arab compatriots, as well as prisoners of conscience, to the gallows.

1,164 Executions in Less Than a Year in Iran

How just and necessary it is for those who care about Iran—especially those with access to international platforms—to echo the Iranian people’s cry of “No to executions” and expose the regime’s “madness for killing” to the world. This inhumane behavior by the dictatorial regime toward minorities and the Iranian people is a clear example of a “crime against humanity” and a flagrant violation of human rights.

It is abundantly clear that every execution verdict in Iran carries a political dimension and is not merely the punishment of a defendant, because each defendant is a victim of the corrupt and dysfunctional structure of the regime. Moreover, there is no fair judicial process within the regime’s judiciary and security apparatus. The primary goal of these executions is to instill fear in society and prevent popular uprisings. As the crises in the country intensify, repression and executions have also escalated.

In line with this, in a creative act, the women prisoners involved in this campaign at Evin Prison gather every Tuesday at the same time as the families’ gatherings and chant “No to executions.”

This solidarity between those inside and outside prison is admirable, and it is fitting for the slogan “No to executions” to resonate in the streets and protests of various sectors of society.

We are pleased to announce that this week, too, a group of prisoners at Fardis Prison in Karaj have expressed their solidarity with the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign and will join the hunger strike in protest of the wave of executions.

Accordingly, political prisoners involved in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign will be on hunger strike in 45 prisons on Tuesday, May 27, during the campaign’s seventieth week.

 

Spokesman Majlis National Security Commission: There Is No Hope for Negotiations

Hoshang Amiri
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Spokesman Majlis National Security Commission: There Is No Hope for Negotiations

The spokesman for the Iranian regime’s Majlis (Parliament) National Security Commission told CNN that, given the U.S. stance requiring a complete halt to uranium enrichment, there is no hope for successful negotiations with the United States, and the regime is preparing an alternative plan.

Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for the regime’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, told CNN that given the American officials’ insistence on a complete halt to uranium enrichment inside Iran, “there is no hope” for successful negotiations with the U.S., and the regime is “preparing for Plan B” in the event talks collapse.

On Saturday, May 24, Rezaei told the outlet that the Iranian regime has become disillusioned with the nuclear negotiation process, explaining that the U.S. side continues to insist on zero enrichment, and the Iranian regime will never agree to zero enrichment. “That’s why we are exploring an alternative plan.” However, he did not specify what that plan would entail.

Nuclear Talks Resume Between Iranian Regime and U.S. Amid Stalemate and Tensions

In the interview with CNN, Rezaei stated that if the Americans’ goal is merely to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a deal might be achievable. But he added that if their goal is complete cessation of enrichment, then a deal will definitely not be possible.

Despite this, the spokesman added that it is still too early to judge the outcome of the negotiations, but “so far we have not seen much seriousness from the American side.”

Two sources from within the Iranian regime told CNN that since the United States insists on dismantling Tehran’s uranium enrichment program, it is unlikely that these talks will lead to an agreement.

These statements echo recent remarks by Steve Witkoff, the head of the U.S. negotiation team, in an interview with ABC News, in which he said that uranium enrichment is a clear red line for the Trump administration.

The negotiations between the U.S. and the Iranian regime, which began in April, represent the highest level of talks since the United States withdrew from the nuclear deal during Donald Trump’s first term.

Trump, after returning to the White House, has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign against the Iranian regime. He supports the ongoing negotiations but has warned that if diplomacy fails, the option of military action remains on the table.

 

The Iranian Regime Has Used Contaminated Chemical Compounds in Gasoline Production

Esmaeil Mohades
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The Iranian Regime Has Used Contaminated Chemical Compounds in Gasoline Production

Iran Open Data Center, citing a confidential document from the Ministry of Oil, reported that in recent years, the Iranian regime has used hazardous and contaminated compounds to produce gasoline.

According to the report published on Sunday, May 25, the Iranian regime carried out a widespread and systematic campaign of “adding chemical compounds produced outside the refinery cycle” to compensate for the gasoline shortage in the country.

Iran Open Data Center wrote in its report: These compounds include methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)—a banned petrochemical additive—and other aromatic octane boosters, which are added to gasoline to increase its octane rating.

The Winners and Losers of Iran’s New Gasoline Pricing Policies

Data from a confidential report by the Ministry of Oil obtained by Iran Open Data Center indicates that between 2022 and 2024, the blending of these hazardous materials with refinery-produced gasoline increased by about four times compared to previous years.

These compounds have been used even in refineries that claim to produce fuel according to Euro 4 and Euro 5 standards.

Although official statistics suggest that one-third of Iran’s gasoline is produced in accordance with Euro 4 and Euro 5 standards, the confidential Ministry of Oil report shows that even these fuels are contaminated with hazardous chemicals.

Javad Owji, the former oil minister of the Iranian regime, at the time announced the resumption of petrochemical gasoline production. Hamidreza Haji Babaei, the head of the 2024 Budget Consolidation Commission, also confirmed the signing of a $2.7 billion contract with petrochemical companies for gasoline production.

Statistics on additives produced outside refineries

Iran Open Data Center further wrote in its report that the Shazand refinery, which is considered the largest producer of Euro-standard gasoline in Iran, uses approximately 350,000 liters of the banned additive MTBE daily in its products.

This figure is 325,000 liters per day for the Isfahan refinery, the second-largest producer of Euro-standard gasoline in Iran.

Meanwhile, according to Iran Open Data Center, many countries have banned the use of this compound due to its “high potential for contaminating groundwater sources.”

The report continues: “In 2023, the average daily production of base gasoline at the country’s refineries was 101 million liters. With the addition of about 20 million liters of additives produced outside the refineries, this figure reached 121 million liters; nevertheless, it still falls short of the domestic daily consumption by 2.5 million liters.”

The production of petrochemical gasoline in Iran dates back to the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. After gasoline exports to Iran were sanctioned in 2010, the then-government used petrochemical products as a substitute for gasoline in an emergency plan known as the “Rapid Gasoline Production Plan.”

Rahmatollah Hafezi, then head of the Health Commission of Tehran City Council, stated in February 2014, referring to a daily increase of 22 deaths in Tehran during polluted days: “Non-standard petrochemical fuel emits 35 times the normal level of benzene into the air.”

Severe consequences of using contaminated compounds

Iran Open Data Center wrote in its report that the confidential document from the Ministry of Oil did not clarify the “type, composition, or effects” of the contaminated chemical substances used in gasoline production and only used vague terms such as “materials received from petrochemical plants” and “octane boosters” to refer to these compounds.

The report states that an analysis of official reports from the Ministry of Oil from 2019 to 2024 shows a consistent increase in the use of these substances. The only compound specifically mentioned is MTBE, which has remained a constant component in the final gasoline formula.

Iran Open Data Center also warned that the increasing reliance on high-risk additives, in the absence of refinery infrastructure development, has become a fundamental part of the country’s fuel supply—an approach with severe economic, health, and environmental consequences.

Previously, in January 2023, an official from the Environmental Protection Organization announced that only 38% of the gasoline produced in the country meets standard specifications.

 

Truckers’ Strike in Iran Enters Fourth Consecutive Day

Mehdi Hosseini
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Truckers’ Strike in Iran Enters Fourth Consecutive Day

Truck drivers and operators of heavy vehicles in Iran went on strike for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday, May 25. Government agents attacked some of the protesters and arrested several drivers.

Images and videos shared on social media show widespread strikes in dozens of cities across the provinces of South Khorasan, Ardabil, Bushehr, Sistan and Baluchestan, Gilan, Fars, Isfahan, Qazvin, West Azerbaijan, Yazd, and Razavi Khorasan.

The Union of Truckers and Heavy Vehicle Drivers of Iran, in a statement on Sunday, May 25, reported that the police used pepper spray on some of their members and arrested several individuals.

The new wave of protests by truck drivers began on May 19 in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, where the strikers blocked the port’s entry and exit points.

Continued Protests of Iranian Retirees and Workers on the Eve of International Workers’ Day

By May 22, the strike became coordinated, and truckers in the cities of Arak, Ilam, Bandar Abbas, Tabriz, Sirjan, Shiraz, and Kermanshah also stopped working.

The protesting drivers stated that they are striking for one week in protest against the reduction of their diesel fuel quotas, high insurance costs, low freight rates, and other unmet industry demands.

Government Responses to the Strikes

Although state media in recent days attempted to portray freight transport in Iran as “normal and calm,” the widespread truckers’ strike drew reactions from Iranian regime officials.

Mehdi Khezri, deputy of Iranian regime’s Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, promised on May 25 that drivers’ basic fuel quotas would remain unchanged and that the issue of quota reductions would be reconsidered.

He also pledged to resolve the truckers’ insurance issues, stating that meetings had been held with the Social Security Organization and the Ministry of Interior, and that the matter would be presented to the Cabinet to apply insurance discounts for the drivers.

However, Mohammad Mohammadi, the Iranian regime’s deputy for insurance affairs at the Social Security Organization, stated that the government will continue to pay 50% of the 27% insurance premium for drivers as before, and that this arrangement has not changed.

Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), dismissed reports of truckers’ insurance premiums multiplying as “rumors.” It claimed that the only change since the start of this year is a limitation on government subsidies up to the minimum annual wage as defined in the regime’s Seventh Development Plan.

 

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