Khastar has been incarcerated for the last five years, during which he has observed what he describes as “a series of crises” that have the potential to disrupt the stability of the Islamic Republic. He lays the genesis of these crises at the feet of regime founder Ruhollah Khomeini, accusing him of deception to lay the foundation of his authoritarian rule post the 1979 revolution.
On this day marking the tragic events of the September 30, massacre, the valiant Baluch residents from various cities, including Zahedan, Rask, Khash, Sooran, and Taftan, showcased immense courage by taking to the streets after their Friday prayers. This show of resistance was met with violent reprisals, as gunshots echoed and tear gas shrouded the streets.
Earlier that week, on October 1, Armita had reportedly been accosted by guidance patrols at a Tehran metro station. The alleged physical altercation resulted in a severe head injury that led to a coma. Onlookers, including her peers, recalled seeing her bleeding profusely from the head. Quick intervention by medical personnel at the scene ensured her immediate transfer to Fajr Hospital’s ICU.
As we reflect on the year-long uprising, the statistics surrounding the oppressed people of Iran make for grim reading. At least 500 protesters lost their lives, while thousands faced incarceration or injury. Alarmingly, Iranians represented 66% of the total fatalities in global protests.
The teenager from Kermanshah, assaulted in Tehran, now lies comatose at Fajr hospital, an establishment controlled by the regime’s air force. Adding to the alarming circumstances, authorities have established a substantial security presence at the hospital and have prohibited any visitors, including Geravand’s immediate family.
In a speech directed towards parents and educators, he commented, “Allowing children to be deeply involved in a communicative environment without necessary upbringing may warp their thoughts, morals, and actions. There are malicious elements aiming to mold our children’s perspectives and behavior in line with their own motives.”
Given the inherent corruption within the regime, especially under the Supreme Leader’s Beyt and the Revolutionary Guards’ conglomerates, many observers are skeptical about the regime’s intentions behind this public disclosure.
This internal fatigue is revealing a growing sense of despondency and helplessness within the regime. In a recent address on state-controlled television, Sadeghi highlighted the danger of despair and emphasized the importance of maintaining resilience. He likened the challenges faced by the regime to an “economic war,” and while acknowledging internal and external threats, asserted that with divine grace and hopefulness, the regime would overcome these adversities.
This high school student, named Armita Geravand, was allegedly attacked on Sunday, October 1, 2023, while she was boarding the subway train to go to school with her friends at Tehran’s Shohada metro station.
After reaching a peak of $2.717 billion in 2017, the food exports value took a downturn in 2019, nosediving to $1.921 billion by the close of 2022. Although weight-wise, food exports observed a surge in 2020 and 2021, a decline of 2% was evident from 2017 to 2022. With only 790,000 tons recorded in the initial five months of 2023, experts predict a continuation of this downward spiral.
