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EU And 26 Countries Around the World Condemn the Execution of Protesters in Iran

Esmaeil Mohades
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EU And 26 Countries Around the World Condemn the Execution of Protesters in Iran

On Wednesday, August 12, the European Union and 26 countries around the world issued a joint statement condemning the wave of executions of protesters in Iran. They called on the Iranian regime to immediately end its use of the death penalty and release those who have been arbitrarily detained.

According to Reuters, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, announcing the statement, said the signatories had called on Iranian regime officials to listen to the people’s demands and take meaningful steps to ensure respect for human rights.

The statement emphasizes the urgent need to halt executions and release those who have been arbitrarily detained. The statement comes amid growing international concern over the issuance and implementation of death sentences against detainees from recent protests in Iran.

EU Designates IRGC as Terrorist Organization Amid Escalating Repression in Iran

UN experts condemn the execution sentences against 12 young protesters

UN experts also condemned, in late July, the death sentences issued against 12 young people in connection with the January protests and called for their immediate annulment.

According to UN experts, the 12 individuals were tried and sentenced to death during a single court hearing, raising concerns about compliance with fair-trial standards in cases related to the protests.

Amnesty International: At least 26 protesters have been executed

Amnesty International also stated in a report published in July that, since the beginning of this year, the Iranian regime has executed at least 26 people who had been charged with various offenses in connection with the January protests.

The organization emphasized that some of these sentences were issued by Revolutionary Courts, which in these cases have faced allegations of torture, the extraction of forced confessions, and serious violations of fair-trial principles.

European Union: We oppose the death penalty under all circumstances

The European Union has previously condemned the increase in executions in Iran and has repeatedly emphasized that it opposes the death penalty under all circumstances.

The European Union considers the death penalty incompatible with the inalienable right to life and the prohibition of cruel and inhuman treatment or punishment.

The joint statement by the European Union and 26 countries around the world was issued as international pressure on the Iranian regime has increased over its suppression of protesters, arbitrary detentions, and widespread use of the death penalty in cases related to the protests.

The countries that signed the statement emphasized that instead of continuing its repression, the Iranian regime must heed the people’s demands and take practical and meaningful steps to respect human rights and end executions.

Executive Deputy of Iranian Regime Army Commander: More than 75% of Our Missile Capability Remains Intact

Esmaeil Mohades
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Executive Deputy of Iranian Regime Army Commander: More than 75% of Our Missile Capability Remains Intact

Alireza Sheikh, executive deputy of the Iranian regime’s army commander, claimed that “more than 75% remains intact and is ready for use.” Without providing details or evidence to support this claim, he added that reports from foreign intelligence agencies had also confirmed that more than three-quarters of Iran’s missile and drone capabilities remain intact.

In an interview with the state-run website Jamaran, the senior official claimed: “There has not been a moment’s pause in rebuilding power within the armed forces. Even under the current conditions, the regeneration of our defense capabilities, drones, and missiles has not stopped for a single moment.”

Iranian Regime Missile Stockpiles Are Running Out

According to him, the Iranian regime has “changed the playing field and shifted it to other elements of national power, rendering the enemy’s defensive capabilities ineffective.”

In recent weeks, reports have emerged about the Iranian regime’s efforts to rebuild its military infrastructure. Among them, The Wall Street Journal reported in late January, citing satellite imagery, that the Iranian regime had rebuilt parts of missile bases, ports, and production facilities damaged in U.S. and Israeli attacks more quickly than expected.

According to the newspaper, the satellite images taken from several locations across Iran show that reconstruction work on infrastructure damaged in those attacks—from underground missile bases to industrial facilities—is continuing at a rapid pace.

Advisor to IRGC Commander: Our Doctrine Has Changed from Defensive to Offensive

Mehdi Hosseini
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Advisor to IRGC Commander: Our Doctrine Has Changed from Defensive to Offensive

Mohammad-Reza Naqdi, adviser to the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), announced that Iran’s regime has decided to change its military doctrine from a defensive posture to an offensive approach and that the conditions for implementing this approach are also in place.

In an interview with the Iranian regime’s state television, Naqdi, responding to the appointments issued for senior military commanders, said the decision to change the military doctrine had been made and that the new appointments had also been issued as part of preparing the armed forces to implement this policy.

Veteran War Commander Takes Over Iranian Regime Security Council

He emphasized that the new approach would not be limited to military capabilities and would be based on “hybrid warfare.” According to him, military and weapons capabilities must be combined with diplomacy, propaganda, economic affairs, social capacities, and other components of power, with all these elements coordinated to achieve a common goal.

The adviser to the IRGC commander-in-chief also discussed the timing of the new appointments, saying that, procedurally, they differed from those in previous periods. According to him, in the past, commanders were appointed on the first day after their predecessors were killed, but this time the appointments were made after a delay.

Naqdi went on to discuss the Iranian regime’s military capabilities and claimed that although the “enemy” possesses capabilities that the Iranian regime lacks, Iran’s military equipment is “completely indigenous,” which allows for rapid changes in technology and battlefield management.

He also claimed that Iran’s missile and drone production capacity exceeds the amount consumed and launched.

Mohsen Rezaei: We Will Give an “Immediate and Decisive Response” to Any Aggression

As Naqdi spoke about the change in military doctrine, Mohsen Rezaei, the new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and one of the two representatives of Iran’s regime supreme leader on the council, announced readiness for a military response to what he called “aggression.”

In his first statement after taking up the position, Rezaei said that Iran’s regime would give an immediate and decisive response to “the bullying of its enemies.”

He also said the goal is not merely for Iran’s regime to get through the current phase, but to emerge from it “safer, more cohesive, more powerful, and with greater capacity for progress and growth.”

The latest remarks by Naqdi and Rezaei come as senior Iranian regime officials are simultaneously speaking of a shift in military posture, strengthening missile and drone capabilities, and readiness for a rapid response to external threats.

Food Prices and Wage–Cost-of-Living Gap Surge for Iranian Workers

Jubin Katiraie
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Food Prices and Wage–Cost-of-Living Gap Surge for Iranian Workers

The latest statistics from the Iranian regime’s Statistical Center indicate that inflation continues to put pressure on households. This pressure is more severe in the food sector. Rising prices of essential goods have made the cost of living heavier for low-income households.

According to a report by the state-run ILNA news agency, year-on-year inflation across the country reached 87.9% in July. This means that households spent, on average, nearly 88% more to purchase a similar basket of goods and services than they did in July last year.

Fresh Warning Over Continued IRGC Attacks on Commercial Shipping

Meanwhile, food products have been hit by the greatest inflationary pressure. Year-on-year inflation for food and beverages was reported at 128.1% in July.

Food Inflation; Surge in the Prices of Essential Goods

The published statistics present a troubling picture of rising food prices. The prices of oils and fats increased by 261.5% in July. Dairy products, milk, and eggs also experienced a 147.1% increase in prices. Red and white meat rose by 145.2%. The prices of bread and cereals increased by 116.7%. Fruit and dried fruit also recorded an increase of 115.4%.

These figures show that inflation in the food sector is not limited to non-essential goods. For low-income households, reducing consumption or eliminating certain goods may become a way to control expenses. However, many of these items are basic necessities, making it impossible to eliminate them.

The Wage–Cost-of-Living Gap for Workers

As inflation has risen, the gap between wages and living costs has also widened. The minimum wage for 2026, including benefits, has been reported at about 220 million rials (approximately $117).

In contrast, independent estimates put the cost of a minimum subsistence basket at about 700 million rials (approximately $370) per month. Based on this estimate, a minimum-wage worker faces a monthly shortfall of more than 400 million rials (approximately $212). This gap has increased economic pressure on working-class households. The monthly income of a minimum-wage worker has become severely insufficient even to cover a limited portion of essential living expenses.

Albert Baghzian, an economics professor at the University of Tehran, also told the state-run ILNA: “People continue to feel the increase in daily expenses.” He also warned about a possible increase in gasoline prices. According to Baghzian, “An increase in gasoline prices can raise transportation costs.” This increase could also affect the prices of goods and services through higher transportation costs. The formation of inflationary expectations could also trigger a new wave of price increases.

Inflation and Additional Pressure on Livelihoods

Persistently high inflation is occurring while the incomes of many working-class households have not kept pace with the rising cost of living. The result is a widening gap between income and essential living expenses. The published food-price figures also show that the greatest pressure has fallen on goods directly connected to household food supplies.

When the cost of a minimum subsistence basket is several times the minimum wage, the issue is no longer simply the rising prices of a few goods. The issue is the inability of a large segment of wage earners to cover their basic living expenses.

The July 2026 statistics provide a clear picture of the inflationary pressure on household life. Inflation of 87.9%, alongside food inflation of 128.1%, has placed a heavy burden on consumers.

Under such conditions, a possible increase in gasoline prices could also raise transportation costs and the prices of goods and services. The main issue now is not simply the rising price of one or several goods. Chronic inflation is directly eroding the purchasing power of wage earners and making the tables of working-class households smaller every day.

Iran: No to Execution Tuesdays Campaign Marks 133rd Week

Sia Rajabi
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Iran: No to Execution Tuesdays Campaign Marks 133rd Week

Reports indicate that on Tuesday, August 11, the No to Execution Tuesdays Campaign entered its 133rd week, with thousands of prisoners across the country going on hunger strike in 59 different prisons to protest the wave of executions. On this occasion, the prisoners participating in the campaign issued a statement and once again emphasized their demands. The text of the statement is as follows.

Continuation of the No to Execution Tuesdays Campaign in Its 133rd Week in 59 Different Prisons

The executioner regime has executed at least 342 prisoners since the beginning of the Iranian year on March  22, including 10 women, two individuals who were children at the time of their sentencing, and 37 political prisoners. Last week, two detainees from January 2026 uprising in Shiraz, Mojtaba Dehbandi and Kianoush Hamzeh’ei, were sentenced to death. The judicial proceedings against these two prisoners, like those involving many other prisoners, have been unjust and nontransparent.

Volker Türk Expresses Deep Concern Over Increase in Executions in Iran

Iran’s regime seeks through these executions to create an atmosphere of fear and terror in society in order to silence every voice of protest. During this period, we have witnessed a number of prisoners who protested against executions being transferred to solitary confinement or facing new cases being fabricated against them. On the other hand, by opening mass cases such as those involving Alikhani Square, Isfahan’s Shohada Square, Shandiz, or Esfarayen, and issuing death sentences or lengthy prison terms, they seek to intimidate society. But these tactics only multiply public anger.

We, the members of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign, express our gratitude to all segments of society, including artists, who in one way or another support the “No to Execution” campaign and the families of those executed. We once again call on all honorable people of Iran from all walks of life to protest, like the retirees, at gatherings against the rampant executions and to declare their unwavering support for the No to Execution movement and the “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign.

On Tuesday, August 11, members of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign are on hunger strike in  59 prisons across the country, marking the campaign’s 133rd week.

British Couple Imprisoned in Iran End Hunger Strike After Nearly Three Months

Esmaeil Mohades
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British Couple Imprisoned in Iran End Hunger Strike After Nearly Three Months

The family of Lindsay and Craig Foreman, a British couple imprisoned in Iran, announced that the two had ended their hunger strike after nearly three months in protest against their detention conditions.

According to Agence France-Presse, Craig Foreman began his hunger strike on May 9, 2026, and ended it on Sunday, August 9, after 93 days. Lindsay Foreman, who joined her husband’s hunger strike on May 18, also ended her hunger strike after 84 days. According to the family, the couple consumed only water during the final five days.

Five family members and supporters in Britain had also joined the hunger strike to draw attention to the situation of the couple and other prisoners in Iran.

Joe Bennett, Lindsay Foreman’s son, said that during the final days of the hunger strike, his mother’s blood sugar dropped sharply and she was taken to hospital.

According to the family, Lindsay and Craig were allowed to see each other for about three hours on Sunday and eat together for the first time in nearly three months. Their relatives say the couple’s physical condition improved somewhat after eating, but their recovery will remain difficult.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both in their early 50s, were arrested in January 2025 while traveling around the world by motorcycle and passing through Iran. In February 2026, they were each sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of “espionage,” which both have denied.

Craig Foreman’s family announced last month that another two years had been added to his prison sentence. According to the family, the additional sentence was imposed after he spoke to the media.

United Nations human rights experts had previously expressed grave concern about the couple’s situation, warning that fair-trial guarantees may not have been respected and saying that the manner of their detention could amount to hostage-taking.

The couple had previously protested repeatedly against the poor and unhygienic conditions of their detention at Evin Prison.

How the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Impacts the Livelihoods of the Iranian People

Hoshang Amiri
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How the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Impacts the Livelihoods of the Iranian People

Military tensions and the Iranian regime’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have pushed the livelihoods of people inside Iran into a critical phase. Reckless and adventurist actions in recent months have brought numerous severe economic and security consequences for the country.

Import Crisis and the Empty Tables of the People

The closure of international shipping routes has caused a sharp decline in the arrival of essential goods and raw materials at Iranian ports. By imposing a blockade at the mouth of the Gulf, the United States has completely halted the unloading of commercial vessels. According to official reports published by the state-run Donya-e-Eqtesad on August 1, commercial shipping traffic in the region has fallen to the lowest possible level. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped to its lowest level in recent years.

40 million Iranians Below Poverty Line

Severe shortages of medicines and food products have placed additional pressure on low-income segments of society. Supply shortages have pushed food inflation above 70.5%, severely eroding household purchasing power. People’s tables are shrinking every day, while currency fluctuations have made basic food supplies increasingly unstable. Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have multiplied the transportation costs of imported goods.

The state-run Entekhab reported on July 28, citing the Central Bank, that the year-on-year inflation rate in July had exceeded 83%, while the year-on-year inflation rate for goods had reached 120%.

The state-run Fararu wrote that part of this inflation stems directly from shortages of imported goods caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and maritime borders. Economic experts say that only between 25% and 30% of the country’s trade can be conducted through land borders and the Caspian Sea, and at a much higher cost.

Missile Attacks on the Persian Gulf and Insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz

Drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels and Arab countries bordering the Persian Gulf have made a vital region insecure. According to reports published by the state-run Etemad Online on August 4, attacks on ships have complicated international negotiations. These hostile actions are doubling the risk of the war expanding and of direct confrontation. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has not only harmed global trade.

Higher shipping insurance rates and the refusal of major companies to provide transit services have resulted in Iran’s complete economic isolation. Arab neighbors have also formed new defense alliances that are shifting the regional security balance against Tehran. Military adventurism has only intensified Iran’s international and regional isolation. Creating tensions in sensitive waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz has completely eliminated the country’s commercial security margin.

The Enormous Costs of Missile Programs and Political Isolation

Billion-dollar investments in nuclear projects and missile development over the past 48 years have brought not the slightest prosperity to the people of Iran. The regime’s proxy groups in the region have merely consumed the country’s vast financial resources and brought no tangible benefits to the people. Analytical reports in the state-run Tejaratnews, citing the World Bank, on June 14 indicate that global and regional inflation resulting from these adventurist policies is increasing. The crisis stemming from the situation in the Strait of Hormuz has intensified pressure on the domestic market.

Domestic and foreign investors, seeing the chronic insecurity, have withdrawn their capital from the country. Capital flight and severe stagnation have halted job creation for young people.

Using international waterways as a means of leverage has prompted a powerful military response from global powers. This isolation is the direct result of the irrational and adventurist policies of the governing institutions.

The experience of the past 48 years has demonstrated that the Iranian government lacks the capacity and will for genuine reform. Nuclear projects, missile programs, and support for proxy groups have not only failed to bring security but have destroyed the livelihoods and lives of the people. Creating crises in waterways, including the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and confrontations with neighboring countries, demonstrates the futility of these policies as a whole. The only way out of this livelihood crisis and the danger of war is fundamental change and replacement with a democratic and secular government; a government that places people’s prosperity, peace, and livelihoods at the top of its policy priorities.

Maritime Blockade is Worse Than War, President of Iran-China Chamber of Commerce Warns

Jubin Katiraie
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Maritime Blockade is Worse Than War, President of Iran-China Chamber of Commerce Warns

Majid-Reza Hariri, president of the Iran-China Chamber of Commerce, warned about the consequences of the continued maritime blockade of Iran, saying that the country’s economy must not become accustomed to “circumventing the blockade” and that this situation must be brought to an end by any means possible.

In an interview with the state-run Khabar Online, Hariri said: “Whether through negotiations, pleading, threats, or war, this maritime blockade must come to an end.” He emphasized that the economic consequences of the blockade could be even more severe than those of a direct war.

Iran’s Economy in Critical Condition, Insider Warns

According to him, more than 80% of global trade is conducted by sea, and shifting a large portion of Iran’s trade to overland routes would sharply increase the costs of imports and exports.

Hariri said that transporting a container from China to Iran by sea costs about $3,000, whereas transporting the same shipment overland costs an average of about $12,000. Referring to the arrival of about 2 million containers through Iran’s southern ports each year, he estimated that continuing this situation could impose about $18 billion in additional costs on the economy.

The president of the Iran-China Chamber of Commerce also warned that higher transportation costs could eliminate a large portion of the profits from Iran’s non-oil exports and make continued exports of some goods economically unviable.

He described the “neither war nor peace” situation as economically debilitating for Iran and said Tehran should use diplomatic, legal, and other available means to end the blockade.

Hariri ultimately said that if the United States is unwilling to end the blockade, Iran’s regime should increase the cost of continuing this policy for Washington, even if this process leads to a military confrontation.

Veteran War Commander Takes Over Iranian Regime Security Council

Hoshang Amiri
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Veteran War Commander Takes Over Iranian Regime Security Council

Mojtaba Khamenei, the supreme leader of the Iranian regime, appointed Mohsen Rezaei as his representative to the Supreme National Security Council on August 9, 2026. Hours later, Iranian regime president Masoud Pezeshkian appointed him secretary of the council.

Seventy-one-year-old Mohsen Rezaei was one of the founders of the IRGC Intelligence Unit before becoming commander of the Iran-Iraq War. In 1981, at the age of 27, he became commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a position he held for 16 years—the longest tenure as commander of the force.

UK Designates Iran Regime’s IRGC as a Terrorist Organization

During his tenure, the IRGC’s ground, naval, and air forces were established, the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters was founded, and the IRGC evolved from a paramilitary force into military, security, and economic power. Rezaei’s name, however, is most closely associated with the Iran-Iraq War, from major operations to decisions whose human cost is still debated.

Karbala-4: Defeat Under the Name of Deception

The main example is Operation Karbala-4, an operation that was compromised in January 1987 and halted after heavy Iranian casualties. According to figures cited by Hossein Alaei, former commander of the IRGC Navy, a total of 17,000 Iranian forces were killed or went missing and 26,000 were wounded in Operations Karbala-4 and Karbala-5. Years later, Rezaei wrote: “Operation Karbala-4 was carried out to deceive the enemy.”

From Uniform to Ballot Box

In 1997, Rezaei put aside his military uniform and served for 24 years as secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council. He also ran in four presidential elections.

In 2015, Rezaei said that if the United States attacked, Iran would capture “at least 1,000 Americans” in the first week and receive “several billion dollars” for the release of each one: “Our economic problem would also be solved.” The idea that Iran could solve its economic problems by taking American soldiers hostage was for a long time a subject of ridicule and criticism.

Boasts That Have Become Relevant Again

But in recent months, Rezaei’s rhetoric has been more than a reminder of his old boasts; it has become closely tied to the ongoing dispute over war and negotiations. Following the 12-day Iran-Israel war in 2025, he claimed that Iran had used only “30%” of its capabilities and had been prepared for a two-month battle: “If the war had lasted more than two months, there would be no Israel today.” He then warned that if Israel attacked again, Iran would respond “with all its might” and change its “red lines.”

The Strait of Hormuz also occupies a central place in his recent positions. He has said that Donald Trump wants to become the “police of the Strait of Hormuz” and that the costs of security, insurance, and the environmental consequences of the waterway should be charged to its users. In the days leading up to his appointment as secretary of the council, he also warned: “If the blockade continues, American ships and forces will face serious dangers and casualties,” adding: “We will never allow a second corridor to be opened in the Strait of Hormuz.” In his view, the strait is “under Iran’s management,” and the patience of the armed forces also has limits.

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, too, said only one day before leaving office that the Strait of Hormuz would not be reopened until the United States changed its behavior. Therefore, the disagreement cannot be reduced to the simple dichotomy of “Zolghadr the moderate, Rezaei the warmonger.”

The Regime’s Leadership After Ali Khamenei

This reshuffle comes amid a larger vacuum left by the death of Ali Khamenei. Iran’s regime is still at war, and the political and security formation of the new leadership has not been finalized yet. To date, no new image of Mojtaba Khamenei has been released, nor has his voice been heard. If the war ends, it is unclear where internal power struggles will go and how the balance among the new supreme leader, the IRGC, the government, and parliament will change.

In such circumstances, Mohsen Rezaei is an understandable choice for the regime. He is a veteran commander with a network within the IRGC, understands the language of war, and can move between the regime’s supreme leader, the government, and various factions of the hardliners.

Following the killing of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s regime has entered an endless cycle of internal conflicts and infighting, and it is unclear how far this will go. But one thing is beyond dispute: the Iranian regime’s weakness in managing crises and war. It appears that the regime has no choice but to continue the war and send signals of strength, while at the same time lacking the ability to resolve its internal problems, and economic difficulties have limited the capacity and resilience of the Iranian people.

Fresh Warning Over Continued IRGC Attacks on Commercial Shipping

Esmaeil Mohades
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Fresh Warning Over Continued IRGC Attacks on Commercial Shipping

The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said that attacks and harassment by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are continuing.

According to the notice, these activities include radio contact with vessels, drone flights over them, and targeted monitoring of commercial ships.

The center wrote that such behavior indicates that Iran’s regime seeks to consolidate its presence along key routes and maintain pressure on transiting vessels. The threat level in the Middle East maritime region was assessed as “severe.”

According to the same notice, kinetic activity, including projectile impacts and near-miss explosions, has continued along Oman’s southern routes between Limah, Khasab, and Kamzar.

The notice, covering the period from March 1 to August 9, was issued by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the primary authority for receiving and disseminating reports of maritime incidents in the region.

The Joint Maritime Information Center, however, is a multinational organization under Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a U.S.-led coalition headquartered in Manama, Bahrain. The center was established in February 2024 following Houthi attacks on commercial vessels.

The Joint Maritime Information Center reported that commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains at reduced levels.

The center added that the risk of floating or uncharted mines within and near the Traffic Separation Scheme remains, and mine-risk areas remain active. Congestion at anchorages across the region was also unchanged.

The center also warned of disruptions to navigation systems and broader regional military activity.

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