Kurdish Female Prisoner Sews Lips In Hunger Strike Protest

A website in Tehran reported Monday that Jahangiri, who is a centrist politician by Islamic Republic’s political standards, is seriously considering running in the elections, although almost all reformists and centrists remain non-committal.

In the 2020 legislative elections, the Guardian Council, a constitutional watchdog loyal to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that vets candidates, disqualified hundreds of non-hardliners, and many believe this can be repeated in the upcoming vote.

Observers say that reformists, former regime officials and other non-hardliners would like to see guarantees from the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that they will not be blocked before putting forth their candidacy.

It is not clear if Jahangiri’s reported willingness to take part in the elections is a single case, or it is a sign that other politicians will also register.

The uncertainty among politicians who are part of the regime also stems from another reality. After the 2022-2023 nationwide protests during which millions demanded regime change, analysts have been predicting a low turnout in future elections controlled and manipulated by the government.

This will further erode what little legitimacy the Islamic Republic has retained and dozens of former lawmakers and politicians have argued that the ruling core of the regime should be more tolerant and allow those who are against the constitution to run in the elections.

The forces from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) have been deployed in response to escalating tensions with Iran and as a show of maritime strength.

Recent developments in the region, including Iran's seizure and harassment of vessels has seen tensions rising, most recently seeing Iran's unveiling of new maritime weaponry and Washington's potential armed presence on commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which sees roughly one fifth of the world's crude oil travel through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman. The US Navy's assertive posture also aligns with its efforts to reassure regional allies and maintain security in a volatile geopolitical landscape.

Additionally, the Biden administration's efforts to address Iranian drone supplies to Russia have led to mounting pressure. The Defense Intelligence Agency's presentation of evidence demonstrating the Iranian origin of drones shot down over Ukraine highlights the administration's commitment to countering destabilizing activities.

The USS Bataan (LHD 50), an amphibious assault ship, and the USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), a dock landing ship, entered the Red Sea via the Suez Canal after traversing the Mediterranean Sea.

The deployment falls within the context of the US 5th Fleet's extensive area of operations, spanning approximately 2.5 million square miles and encompassing vital waterways like the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and critical choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal, and Strait of Bab el-Mandeb.

Nader Bazarafshan on Sunday revealed a serious decline in the demand for gold purchases, citing a decrease of 20-40%. He claims this recession in the gold market is even more severe than the challenges encountered during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While dismissing rumors of substandard gold entering the market, Bazarafshan has proposed a strategy to address the dwindling demand, recommending the consideration of gold with a karat value lower than 18, a move aimed at enhancing demand by adjusting prices in response to the prevailing decrease in people's purchasing power. However, the proposal has yet to gain official approval.

Gold has traditionally held a significant role in the financial landscape of Iranians, serving as a means of safeguarding assets against economic volatility. The recent economic fluctuations and downturns have further underscored the importance of gold jewelry as a secure investment avenue for the population.

This dire situation was previously echoed by Yuosef Taqizadegan, the head of the Mashhad Gold, Jewelry, and Silver Union, who highlighted the economic struggles faced by young couples. Taqizadegan revealed that the soaring price of gold, which has surged by 100% compared to the previous year, has prompted a shift towards purchasing silver rings, as many newlyweds find themselves unable to afford gold rings.

The World Gold Council, in a recent report, affirmed the decline in gold jewelry purchases within Iran. The report stated that during the first quarter of this year, gold jewelry sales experienced a 15% drop compared to the same period in the previous year.

Lawmaker Salman Es’haghi urged action from the regime. He warned: "Denial by some politicians notwithstanding, the reality is stark. Bread prices have increased by over 40% in more than 15 provinces. This has sparked significant public dismay and concern."

Es’haghi also voiced concerns over potential shortages of essential commodities. "The scarcity of [baby] formula [milk] has already escalated into a crisis in certain provinces. Moreover, if negligence persists in managing the supply of medicines, we could confront shortages during autumn and winter."

The Mehr News Agency has now raised concerns about possible bread price increases in other regions, including the capital, Tehran, as early as mid-August.

Approximately ten days ago, Ahmed Keshtgar, Head of the Mashhad Bakers Union, announced a 40% bread price increase in Khorasan Razavi province, with plans for a gradual nationwide implementation. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi last week downplayed the bread price surge as mere speculation.

A shift in policy regarding bread pricing occurred when Mohammad Jalal, the Director of the Flour and Bread Subsidy Smart Plan, announced in early July that the decision on bread prices would be devolved to provincial authorities.

Amidst these developments, Jahan Sanat newspaper reported that some service providers, including bus drivers, have leveraged the pretext of bread price increases to raise their service rates in specific areas of Tehran.

The crisis is worrying the regime as the anniversary of the death in morality policy custody of Mahsa Amini draws near and tensions across Iran are already rising.

The head of the Iranian Department of Environment, Ali Salajegheh, claimed the closure of vital entrances to the Caspian Sea are a major factor behind the crisis, particularly emphasizing the impact of the closure of the Volga River.

Salajegheh expressed his concerns, stating, "The entrances to the Caspian Sea have been closed by the neighboring countries, especially the entrance from the Volga River has been shut. This has led to a significant decrease in the sea's water levels, which poses a serious ecological challenge."

The Iranian official further elaborated on the extent of the problem, asserting, "The Caspian Sea's water level has been steadily decreasing, and alarming statistics indicate a reduction of approximately one meter over the last 4-5 years. On average, the sea is receding by 20 centimeters annually."

However, he did not discuss the impact of increasing temperatures and climate change in worsening the crisis. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, he urged for collaborative efforts among the neighboring countries to address the issue.

It was an unusual attack from Iran considering the two sanctioned nations have become closer allies since the war in Ukraine, in which Iran has supplied drones and other military support to Russia. As Iran remains largely isolated on the world stage, it has become closer to Russia in economic dealings in addition to supporting it in military aspects.